NOW CLOSED Do you have a child of school age? Want to try out Matalan school uniform and be in with a chance of winning a high street voucher?

[NewGirlHelenMumsnet]

Matalan is looking for 50 MNers to try out their school uniform with their child and give their feedback on MN. Here's what Matalan says about their uniform: "At Matalan we pride ourselves on our back to school offer - all of the products are created and designed by our in house design team and we have worked with mums to create a range that is not only suitable but fit for the rigors of school life. We've put in a lot of effort to make it hard-wearing, comfortable and easy to wash and iron and want to put it to the test on your child."

Testers will be sent a £25 Matalan voucher to take to their nearest Matalan store to choose your uniform items (if you're not sure where your nearest one is, please use this store finder) - £25 will allow you to buy plenty of school uniform items. Please note that if you have more than one child of school age, you will need to choose one and just buy school uniform for them. The vouchers will only be redeemable against school uniform.

Testers will then be asked to give feedback on MN twice - once when you've just bought your items and again when you and your child have put the uniform through its paces by washing and wearing it. If you're selected to take part, you'll be sent the vouchers w/c 22 Aug. You will then need to go and buy your uniform and add your first lot of feedback w/c 12 Sept once your child has had a chance to wear it at school. We'll then ask for your second lot of feedback in early-mid October when you've had a while to put the uniform to the test.

Everyone who is selected for the test and then adds two lots of feedback on MN will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will receive a £250 high street voucher and 2 runners up will win a £50 high street voucher each.

If you're interested in taking part, please click here to add your details.

Thanks and good luck - we'll be in touch with selected testers by Monday 22 Aug.
MNHQ

[tabulahrasa]

I've got a problem with mine.

DS is 15, but 5 ft 11 - he takes 16 yr old trouser in m&s and asda (when they have them in)

I bought 2 all of their 16 yr old stock, lol, two pairs of trousers and two packets of shirts - the trousers are too tight and that's the biggest size, they didn't state any measurements at all on them so I just bought them and hoped for the best. He's not massively wide btw, I don't usually struggle for things to fasten round his waist.

So, um, what do I do with them now? I would take them back and get something else but there was literally nothing else I could buy for him, his uniform is black trousers, White shirt and black v neck jumpers, they didn't have any jumpers and I've already got 4 shirts, lol.

[NewGirlHelenMumsnet]

tabulahrasa - just sent your msg on to Matalan, will get back to you...

[tabulahrasa]

cheers, I've got an 11 yr old DD as well - so I'd quite happily swap them for stuff for her, but I didn't want to just do that. (I don't know if age or gender came into picking who was picked)

and taking them back but telling them that they were free and that I don't think I can keep a refund just seemed complicated, rofl

[NewGirlHelenMumsnet]

tabulah - I've just checked with Matalan and it's fine for you to swap them for uniform for your DD, no problem at all. Just please remember to tell us which items you're referring to when you give your feedback!

[tabulahrasa]

thanks, she'll be happy - she was a bit miffed that he was getting free clothes and she wasn't, even if it was school uniform, lol

[AtYourCervix]

When do you want some feedback?

[NewGirlHelenMumsnet]

AtYourCervix - not yet! We'd like your child to start wearing the uniform for a bit before you give feedback. We're planning on asking for your first lot of feedback w/c 12th Sept

[whomovedmychocolate]

Umm mine don't go back till the 8th. And so they will only be at school for three days at that point. How many inset days do teachers need FGS, just sober up and get on with it.

[maxybrown]

whomoved, I think helen said it will be open for feedback from the 12th - guess we willhave a couple of weeks maybe to leave FB? My DS is nursery and doesn't start until the 12th and that is not fully - am hoping he grows a bit before then

[AuntieMonica]

and DD doesn't start until 14th...i have washed all items though and about to tumble dry them

[NewGirlHelenMumsnet]

Don't worry - the feedback thread will go up on the 12th Sept but then we're asking for the second lot of feedback in early-mid October so we'll leave the thread up all that time.

[GypsyMoth]

There wasn't much in stock but took a big chance and got ds some school shoes from matalan and socks!! He's 13 today so will see how they fare

Also got tousers and some shirts. Did well as we were lucky enough to have £30

Also bought more uniform ( with own money) for other ds as they had plain school sweatshirts for £3!!!!!!

[Mousey84]

Similar problem to another poster above- struggling to spend the money. DD only needed trousers, cardigans and socks. Biggest size of cardigan will do her til Christmas maybe,(don't go up to 16 like other uniform pieces) trousers are awful fit so had to return. Tried jogging bottoms for PE but same problem. (I'll still give basic feedback on those tho)

Basically, I've £10 left I can't spend. Can someone PM me an address to post it back too, so someone else will be able to use it. I don't have any other kids to spend it on. Thanks

[SparklyCloud]

I felt he range in my matalan was really restricted. No large sizes at all. If your kids are between say, 5 and 12, and are small kids, you will find stuff. But this range is really disappointing.
BHS have the right idea-plenty of generous sizes for taller or larger kids, and if a label says age 14, it means 14 and not 11!

[maxybrown]

There was very little choice in mine and NO socks in 9/12 size at all! But I got 3/4 for DS who is 4 in less than 2 weeks he is mister average height wise, 50th centile, but slim and the stuff is MASSIVE on him!

[NewGirlHelenMumsnet]

For anyone who hasn't been able to spend all of their vouchers yet, Matalan is happy for you to keep hold of them for now and try again at a later date. If you've been able to spend some but not all, then please just add feedback on what you've bought so far to the feedback thread when it goes up next week. If you haven't been able to buy anything yet, then please just wait and add your feedback when you've been able to buy something.