Winter or Summer uniform to start school in Sept.

[Eleusis]

STupid question, I know. But I've never worn a school uniform in my life. DD starts reception in September and I have a big list of things to buy for her. Does she need the winter uniform or the summer on in September?

I would go with winter (ds is currently in reception and we were told summer uniform was after Easter (no child i saw when he started was wearing summer stuff)

Mine started in winter uniform, didn't think it was worth paying for a summer dress for a few weeks. There were a few children in summer uniform but they tended to be the ones with older siblings, so probably in hand-downs.

winter uniform, if you buy a summer dress she will only be in it for a few weeks and then it won't fit in the summer term.

Cool. Thanks guys. I think I can buy a bog standard one, as it just say blue and white check dress. Then, some of the items are on sale from the PTA. And as I'm happy to support the school PTA, I'll buy whatever I can from them.

Different for boys. DS started school in school polo shirt, sweatshirt and grey shorts from Asda. They fitted him the next summer. And he still wears them in emergencies this summer.

Personally I would be tempted to buy the odd cheapie dress from Asda or somewhere. but I suppose a skirt/pinafore and polo shirt would be fine really. Just seemed a shame to put DS straight into long trousers.

Summer defintely, I bought biggish dresses from Asda that still fitted her folowing year.

At our shcool they are allowed to wear summer uniform until autumn half term. I bought DD some large summer dresses, which she was able to wear next summer as well.
DS the only difference in uniform was they could wear shorts instead of trousers. I think he started in long trousers.

We only bought the winter uniform for DD when she started this year. I assumed all the first starters would do so.

But no! DD was one of two girls in the class in winter uniform, and day 2 was the only one. I felt really bad and went and bought full summer uniform that day for her! Admit it was a tad big so it would last the summer too.

in our school you can wear summer uniform until half term in the autumn term
sept is always much too hot for winter uniform
the only people who wear it are new chidlren

splash out ona second hand summer dress from ther school shop if you want her to (a) not swelter and (b) fit in

you can always swap it for a bigger size in the shop in the summer

Get the summer dress now tho as you won't find it come september.

Vv cheap in asda

Buy new winter uniform but get a summer dress from the second hand shop if they have one at the school. It's often too hot for winter uniform for the first few weeks of term. Not only that - a dress is nice and easy for her to manage when she gets changed for PE.

Thanks everyone. Yes, I think I'll have to get both. I talked to another mum at the school, who has an older girl at the school as well. And she said kids tend to start off in the summer dress. If DD outgrows the summer one(s) before next Spring then oh well, such is life.

Next question:
How many of these uniforms do you generally need to get through the week? Would two summer dresses do or do I need more? And is there a noticable difference in quality between say ASDA and John Lewis stock?

We have two summer dressers. At £33 a go I refuse to buy more. It isn't a problem and DD doesn't tend to get her dresses dirty. I just tend to change them mid week.

For winter uniform DD has 4 shirts (came in packs of two) and two pinafore dresses. We change shirts every other day, and dress mid week.

She has one cardigan which she never wears!

two dresses will be fine
although for winter I have two skirts, three tops and two cardigans - the tops and cardi can get messy
john lewis def nicer than asda.

DD has 3 summer dresses (and a few pass-on spares) - I sometimes let her wear them twice but they can get grubby.
I find Asda/SAinsbo's fine and very cheap tho you may have ethical objections to Asda. M&S are cheap too and fine. In fact they are launchign a range of fiartrade cotton which I am quite excited about

Otherwise she has 2 winter skirts and a pinafore (stretchy ones are good) and 5-6 polo shirts, 2 cardies is plenty tho as she's pretty clean.

Gosh (read other posts now) do I change too much? Or are my kids dirty? Both DD and DS1 need a clean polo shirt daily as a rule (and anyway would) and DS1 has 2 logo jumpers which always need washing midweek - often he has a clean one of those every day too. Trousers maybe last two wears....

Clary I am the same, dd has 2 trousers and a skirt, always has at least 3 dresses (always bought when they are on special offer) both dd and ds have 6 polos & 6 shirts each and about 3 jumpers or cardigans.DS has 3 pairs of trousers, but they have lasted him a year. Would you believe there are still days I cam't find a complete clean uniform