Parents of current pupils at Mary Erskine's - uniform question

[stenna]

DD will shortly be starting at MES and I have just seen the cost of the uniform! I know there is a thrift shop which I would happily use but we aren't in Edinburgh yet.

Is there a Facebook group selling uniform (there's one for her current school) or anyone who can advise on what is absolutely necessary to buy - e.g. there are 2 types of skirt...?

Which year is she going into, senior school?
Not aware of any uniform selling groups I'm afraid but someone else might know

Hi LilyDa, she's going into S1.

Ah, we're not at that stage yet so not much help really, sorry. Hopefully someone will be able to help soon

There is only one type of skirt - the kilt in MES tartan. I don't think there is a uniform selling group. The Thrift shop is open on the first Saturday of the month if that is any help. Have you looked on Schoolblazer as well as Aitken and Niven? A&N is usually more expensive than Schoolblazer. Schoolblazer has an idiotic registration system before you can order on line which I have never bothered to penetrate because I can just go to the shop. You have to get the PE kit from a different stockist, that's a monopoly.
You will need books and stationary as well, do you have the book list?

Thanks LilyDa.

chemenger - Thanks for your help. The A&N site shows two types of skirt both expensive and the blazer is over £100! I'd forgotten about the SchoolBlazer shop - thanks for the reminder. The website is bizarre. I'll try and get there before school starts.

Couple of other questions - does the PE kit have to be ordered online and are there any items of clothing I definitely don't need to buy, e.g. swimming costume, PE shorts AND short, etc?

I'd missed the part about buying books and stationary too! I don't have the book list yet. On it tomorrow.

I think there is a different skirt for the juniors, for seniors it's just the kilt. You can buy any navy v neck jumper, if that helps! The blazer is expensive but buy as large as your daughter will tolerate and it will last. There is a shop that sells the PE kit in Canon Mills. I don't think you will need a swimsuit, the skort may only be needed for the hockey teams and you don't need the sport jacket (although they are actually very nice). I will ask dd exactly what is needed but she is in 5th year so may not be totally reliable about 1st year. If you will be in Edinburgh I would recommend going to the Schoolblazer shop in Morningside (which may still be called Clan House), they may even have a sale after Christmas. It's best to try on kilts in particular, they come in different lengths and waists.

The v-neck jumper is a start. Will head over to the Canon Mills shop and Schoolblazer to see how big I can get everything - quite possibly on Saturday 7th Jan! I'm normally very organised about these things but sadly distance means I'm going to have to relax.

Thanks again.

I have consulted dd. She says that you do need a swimming costume in S1 but it can just be a plain black one. You need a swimming hat but it doesn't need to be a school one (I think they only swim for one term, so you may have missed it anyway). You will need the skort if your dd is going to do hockey training (I think most of them do in S1), in which case you probably want the thermal top as well (and you will need a very warm coat for Saturday mornings!).

I don't have kids at ESMS, but at George Watsons instead. Just to say that although A&N is a bit more expensive, I've found their kit is nicer made and longer lasting than the SchoolBlazer (old Clan House) stuff.

As for plain blue cardis/v necks and white shirts - you can't beat M&S....I usually stock up when there is a 20% off promo. Their navy thermal tights (3 pairs for £10) are particularly brilliant!

Also - school shoes....there is a chain called Maddie & Marks that specialise in school shoes. Again, not cheap, but only a fraction more than Clarks. I've found some of their brands (in particular a Portugese make called Petasil) last much longer than Clarks.

Black tights for MES!

oops! sorry, my bad. here is the link....to the black ones!!

www.marksandspencer.com/3-pairs-of-bodysensor-school-tights/p/p22235859

could have sworn they were navy.....were they ever?

Thanks for the extra info. Off to get the black tights and swimming costume this weekend.

We stumbled across Maddie and Marks when we visited Edinburgh in the summer and bought school shoes from them then - great selection and a lovely sales assistant.

I suspect that it used to be either black or navy (maybe it still is) but black is what is worn I will ask dd.

Ok, from the horse's mouth - navy is allowed but definitely not cool, it would be embarrassing to wear navy.

The thrift shop is usually good for s1 sizes as girls are still growing. Stationary can be bought in school for a very reasonable price, books from Blackwells (also sell secondhand) if you can't get privately, but will depend on subjects chosen and class/set for some subjects.
Totally agree with the BLACK tights, M&S thick ones, can't remember specifics, worn here. Very strict with the black shoes, no adornments and no heels.
Yes blazer very expensive! Don't know how they justify it, and the senior kilt, make sure it is a good length because dd told me about girls getting into trouble because it was too short. They had rolled it up at the waistband!

Thanks tribal for the extra info. Good to know that Blackwells sell second hand books too.

Ah, the days of rolling up skirts! We used to draw in between the pleats on our school skirts.

chemenger - love that it is embarrassing to wear navy! Will go safe with black then.

I have a DD in MES in s1. Let me know if you need any further help!

Thanks cocopops!