Ethical school uniforms

[milkmoustache]

I've bought quite a bit second-hand from the school, but I haven't got the energy to trawl through the charity shops for the piles of polo shirts/dresses that other mums tell me I'll need. Uniform2 site hasn't delivered much, and Clean Slate doesn't seem to be functioning, (suspect it is a pricy option though) - anyone know which is the least worst option on the high street? M and S have some good recycled stuff but not in the right sizes. I suppose there's always ebay but I would prefer to buy in one fell swoop!

Agreed that charity shops will take up too much time and will often have every colour uniform but the one you want!! I favour very large car boot sales (plenty of them here in Essex) and during the school holidays is the best time as people tend to have a clear out then. I think I've only ever bought one new school dress and have regularly picked up pinafores and trousers in excellent condition. Also black shorts and white PE tee-shirts, even plimsolls, and trainers for the winter.

You'll obviously need to buy socks new and it's hard to find really white second hand polo-shirts - but I've seen quite a few white proper school shirts in good condition. Bootsales are a real treasure trove and have saved us thousands since having children! Good luck!

Ebay is fab for school uniform, have had loads of stuff off there and never any problems (including very, very white shirts - obviously some mums of small alien children out there!).

I've often bought bundles of eg 2 skirts & a pair of trousers or summer dresses plus cardigan, so not that much grief.

M&S is doing an eco range and there's a code for money off on the site. Hurry though as it's only on for another couple of days.

I started a achool uniform recycle thread on here last year. Those that needed/didn't need what they had posted, people that had/needed replied and the uniform was sent in the post. Maybe you could start another one? It was the school uniform swapsie thread.

A small Fair Trade range here:

The service is very good and the clothes are well made. I did find the 100% cotton polo shirts shrunk and faded a bit but you would not have that problem with white and it's probably my inept laundering that was the problem.

You can now get blazers made from recycled plastic bottles. Details are here

M & S is not too bad - you can often get fairtrade polo shirts, and most of their other options are not too teflon-coated!