Uniform for new student

[jupiterjanet]

Hi we're abroad and DS is starting at a UK boarding school this September (Year 10)

I will ask the school also but keen to hear any tips you might have as experienced boarding school parents.

We need to buy a full set of uniform and I was wondering if you'd usually buy that quite in advance or when best to order it to not miss out on sizes?

Do you have it delivered to the boarding house directly or will they need to bring it in?

I think the school offers to sew the tags on for a small fee but need to double check.

How many sets of each? Trousers/Blazer/Shirts/Ties?

Any tips and insights would be really appreciated! TIA!!

Ask the school for a uniform list, it usually specifies number of items needed. Also, worth asking the school about its second hand shop.

Thank so much for your reply! Unfortunately no quantities on the uniform list but I will ask them!

Would you buy more than one blazer?

Our school has appointments for fittings / purchasing throughout the summer holidays and I would say most parents do this in July / August.

Obviously international students can’t do this, so they order online using the sizing guides and then often need matron to make some adjustments in the first few weeks.

You would need to check with the school whether they post or expect pick up on arrival at the school.

As for quantities, ours produce a list with suggested quantities. My child is a day student so we can get away with less as I can do a wash midweek.

If blazers are part of everyday uniform then I would have two. If just for formal then one would be ok

Just one blazer as they are so expensive and kids grow really fast. Strange the school don't have a uniform list for boarders with amounts to buy. I would just assume a wash happens once a week so 6 shirts, 2 or 3 pairs of trousers, one tie with a spare, 10 pants and 10 pairs of socks. Sports kit obviously. Name tag service is great as you can just have it delivered to school. If there's a school shop just order extra uniform as needed and there's always amazon for non-uniform stuff.

I wouldn't stress too much about the fit being perfect as in my experience they love the scruffy look. Eg my DSs aspire to threadbare elbows in blazers and if they are also tight with too short sleeves that's fantastic 😀. And they soon grow into anything that's too big.

Thanks very much everyone!!

I will ask about fitting at school, maybe we can go to one in the two weeks we wanted to spend time in UK before we drop him off

I am torn between one or two blazers but maybe I'll just start with one and order another one if it turns out to not be enough.. it's part of every day uniform though I understand

I would definitely check with school as I think most schools advise quantities. Definitely get everything labelled as things have a habit of getting lost. At our school everything you buy automatically gets labelled but personally I would pay extra if it is an option.

Is the blazer dry clean or machine washable? If dry clean then just get one. If washable then get two so one can be thrown in the laundry regularly.

i would expect extra things can be ordered during the year and delivered to the boarding house if needed so don’t worry too much. Also in my experience matron keeps spares of various bits and pieces and lost property so if your child is stuck there’s a quick fix solution.

We got a full list with quantities! My dc was only for 6th form and they did their own laundry so thankfully no names to sew!

Blazers are usually dry clean as they are mainly made of wool. As they are nearly £200 not many people will be having more than one just because usually boys grow so much in third and forth form it would be a waste to have to buy two every year I would think. Plus boys aren't generally as interested in looking as pristine as their mothers would like...😆

This is all very useful information. Good to know that there are spares available for 'emergencies'.

What are your DS wearing for formal dinners at boarding school?

Another question: what type of skippers are popular with teenage boys in the UK?

How do you label shoes? I saw some heel stickers but do they last?

Ds wore a suit and tie to formals, which is what he wore to school too! He only wore a DJ for his leavers. Our school also supplied quantities. Casual clothes are important too and for boys, tend to be quite scruffy. If they’re very sporty it can be worth having extra tracksuits etc

Ps I. My experience, it is shoes they will go through. Two pairs are always handy.

Sliders for slippers!

Buy school school guidance on uniform quantities. If your child type to miss laundry day get extra shirts and socks. Blazer 1 only. We got trousers at M&S unifirm because DS too skinny for the school shop, M&S had adjustable waist - uniform did not.

Ask school sew labels worth every penny. Sew labels at home into casuals. Stickers on to all belongings. Send child with stickers for their own stuff .

Allow child to have account at school shop to buy stationary, or uniform if needed.

Formal events - my boys got by with a dinner jacket and black trousers (M&S inexpensive), a holiday tie for Xmas dinner. Sixth form needed a suit
Casuals impt, esp trainers as it’s where they can have some style. My opinion, spend the money on casuals and go standard British M&S with formals/suit as they will wear once twice & outgrow.

Agree Addidas sliders for slippers (to be worn with socks, obvs 😫). Black tie is good although good to get it right. Suits are fine too and most kids from abroad at my DSs school wear suits rather than black tie. Standards seem to degenerate as they get older and then get back to smart in the 6th form when they realise they look pretty good in black tie! Also good to send him with chinos and a nice shirt. Agree re standard M&S for everything. Casual clothes are mainly trackie bots/Tshirts/hoodies. Nowt too fancy. Bigger boys often pass on the clothes they've grown out of to the younger years in the house which has been quite a result as those clothes are a lot cooler than ours!

Really appreciate all your replies, thank you!

Will look at M&S - good tips.
Noted re sliders!

Thanks also for tips on casual clothing!

Stickers- I don’t get the special shoe ones. I get the stick to everything labels & stick in shoes. Big boys don’t seem to lose shoes. Our most lost items - phone & laptop cables & plugs & earbuds.
get school to label the socks - get lots of socks.
Also a belt for uniform.
Also a thick mattress topper is something they all seem to have.

DS school forbids “overseas” electrics/appliances and plugs. All plugs must be UK, they actually send an inspector to test everything.