F&F School uniform feedback thread - £250 Tesco voucher prize draw! NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

This thread is for the 100 MNers who have been trying out the F&F school uniform range.

Here's what they say about the range: "Every year we work tirelessly to improve on our schoolwear range, to ensure you get even better value for money and higher quality compared to the previous year. To enable us to do this we rely heavily on the feedback from all of you - the mums! This year, we have some new key features that we’re really excited to share with you and look forward to hearing your thoughts”

Below are a couple of questions for you to answer, but please also feel free to add any other comments you may also have.

Q1 Which items from the range did you buy and how much did you spend? Would you say this was good value for money or not?

Q2 In particular, what did you think about the scuff resistant shoes and stain resistant pinafores?

Q3 Did the overall quality of the school uniforms match your expectations? If so, how? If not, why not?

Q4 Do you have any other feedback that could help F&F improve their schoolwear again next year?

Q5 Did you use Click + Collect Delivery service? If so, would you use to again, or not? Is it your preferred method of delivery?

Q5 Finally, if it came up in conversation would you recommend F&F schoolwear range to friends or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

Everyone who leaves their feedback will be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £250 Tesco voucher.

Thanks,

MNHQ

Q4 afterthought - green polo shirts please. White ones get stained too quickly, dark green lasts forever!

its - yes to the red paint! DS likes to mix paints to make different colours and comes home covered in pink paint. I now realise that its the red that he is using to mix that is staining!

Q1 Which items from the range did you buy and how much did you spend? Would you say this was good value for money or not?
Spent about 55 and bought stain resistant trousers, white polo shirts, boys' scuff resistant shoes.

Q2 In particular, what did you think about the scuff resistant shoes and stain resistant pinafores?
Quite impressed with sturdiness - the ones I've bought in the past have tended to be flimsy and 'squashy' (ds3's word). If they're scuff resistant this will become apparent shortly as it's constant football at the moment. I would have bought another pair of shoes for ds1 but he isn't allowed velcro so scuff resistant lace ups or slips ons would have been good.

Q3 Did the overall quality of the school uniforms match your expectations? If so, how? If not, why not?
Polo shirts seem fine - perhaps slightly better stitching than in the past. Very impressed with trousers so far, although as another poster mentioned, it's not always clear on website whether they're pleat or flat front. I prefer flat and pleat arrived but as it was they looked great and fitted well so happy with them anyway. We usually have trouble with the hems so checked these first and stitched well at first inspection. The sizing seems much more accurate although it's hard to tell whether that's F&F or my children are now 'average'

Q4 Do you have any other feedback that could help F&F improve their schoolwear again next year? I echo many posters above. Better stock control as no shorts available (only PE) and more disappointingly hardly any coats available in any size. The Regatta Rigby jacket looks lovely but really needs a hood! Wider variety of shoes (some schools don't allow velcro straps. The website needs improvement too. Very difficult to tell which style is which (particularly in trousers) and spent a lot of time going back and forth. I would just list styles/multiple packs and then choose colour within link. Very confusing at the moment and the pictures don't help either because they all look the same...Having said that the I find the clothing website generally quite user friendly (when buying from other departments).

Q5 Did you use Click + Collect Delivery service? If so, would you use again, or not? Is it your preferred method of delivery? I did and definitely would use it again -I already use it quite often. I find it very convenient and always very quick. Definitely preferred delivery method.

Q5 Finally, if it came up in conversation would you recommend F&F schoolwear range to friends or family? If so, why? If not, why not? I have recommended before but found recently that the last time i bought from F&F/tesco the clothes didn't last (particularly trousers and shoes) So far so good but not much wear and tear yet!

Ooh forgot about good value for money. Yes very impressed with how much got for the money - tho couldn't really price coats as none available.

Q1, I bought 5 white polo shirts, 4 long sleeved shirts, 2 aged 4-5 grey trousers, 2 aged 5-6 grey trousers, 2 aged 9-10 grey trousers and a pair of the anti scruff boys shoes. Spent £51.50, but the age 4-5 trousers were out of stock so didn't receive them (customer services were great though)

Seems very good value

Q2, no pinafore- only have boys, the scruff resistant shoes looked smart when they arrived and my DS liked them, he says they are very comfy to wear. When I picked him up from school today they were coated in dirt, they cleaned really well and the main shoe isn't scuffed yet but unfortunately the stitching around the toe is already starting to fray after one day.

Q3, overall quality was pretty much what I was expecting, the polo shirts and long sleeved shirts are as good as any others on the market. Like a few others have mentioned the trousers are quite a wide fit and by the time I have made them narrow enough they look quite baggy, also the ones that were called 'grey' as opposed to the ones 'dark grey' still seem really dark.

Q4, more stock needed, seems quite early to be out of stock in so many sizes and website kept crashing not adding items to my basket.

Q5 Yes I used the click and collect, very quick and easy to use, would use again.

Q5 It is a bit early to say whether I would recommend some of the items, school clothes need to last well which is the true test, but I feel I can tell people they are good value for money and a quick service. If the shoes don't fray anymore then I think I would recommend them, I will wait and see.

Q1 Which items from the range did you buy and how much did you spend? Would you say this was good value for money or not?
I spent £53, I bought trousers, shoes, and shirts both short and long sleeved. I think it is really good value for money and considerably cheaper than what I normally spend.

Q2 In particular, what did you think about the scuff resistant shoes and stain resistant pinafores?
Dd liked the brogues I chose and I thought they were true to size. I prefer leather school shoes but dd has found them comfortable and definitely more fashionable than the Clarks shoes I usually buy. She isn't hard on shoes normally so I will be interested to see how these last seeing as they are a third the price I usually pay but they have polished up nice this morning.

Q3 Did the overall quality of the school uniforms match your expectations? If so, how? If not, why not?
I was impressed by the quality tbh for the price I paid I didn't expect it to be brilliant. I have washed all items and they have washed well and the shirts really do need minimum ironing (can't buy no iron as I'm obsessive about ironing school shirts)

Q4 Do you have any other feedback that could help F&F improve their schoolwear again next year?
I'd like Tesco to consider making slim fit trousers, dd is a skinny minnie and the adjustable waists aren't the most comfortable fit. I'd also like it if trouser leg length was shown on the site as that would be helpful when buying online.
I love the press stud cuffs on the long sleeve shirts I would be delighted if Tesco manufactured a shirt that instead of buttoning down the front had a false half front so that it could be pulled on and then press studs for the top three buttons it would make dd's life so much easier.

Q5 Did you use Click + Collect Delivery service? If so, would you use to again, or not? Is it your preferred method of delivery? Yes I did, it's a service I prefer to use as it is more convenient than waiting in for deliveries or traipsing around the store with dd in tow

Q5 Finally, if it came up in conversation would you recommend F&F schoolwear range to friends or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes I would recommend for quality and price the test has made me reconsider automatically nipping to M&S as the default option as there is no discernible difference in quality but a huge difference in price.

Thank you Tesco and Mumsnet for the opportunity.

Bought: polo shirts, white shirts, grey trousers, plimsolls, wellies and trainers, all for my 2 boys. Came to just over the 50 voucher. Shirts more expensive than M&S with their 20% discount. Trousers MUCH cheaper, as are all the footwear. Equivalent price to ASDA, but better quality, I'd say.

Shirts are "no iron", and I would say they are as non iron as any other non iron shirt - ie very easy to iron, but still need smoothing (shirts are the only thing I iron). I can attest they are not marker pen resistant - so don't know what stains they would resist.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the fact you have recognised skinny kids exist. We are now stocked up on 4-5 Tall trousers for my 5 yr old. They are are still too big in the waist, so are pulled in to the max, but 1000 times better than having to buy 5-6 to get the length. I'm converted to your trousers on this alone - tho you had long trousers 2012 (not sure if they were specific, or just luck), and none 2013, so consistency is important. Never seen anything other than generous fit before.

Shoes: all the ones I bought are great.

Is there anyway to make top buttons easier for little fingers? Reception onwards require button through shirts, and it is the top button which is really difficult.

Click and collect is great - I often use it. Uniform is like a great rummage sale, and finding what you need (if indeed it exists) in store is a nightmare. I'd love to see one example of each size / style on display in store, all for click and collect. Saves the inevitable "sorry we missed you" card I come back from work to receive.

Yes, would recommend them to others.

Q1 Which items from the range did you buy and how much did you spend? Would you say this was good value for money or not?
Lots of shirts, skirts, pinafores, joggers. Very good value - I got lots for my money (about £56).
BUT I really wanted gingham dresses - none available.

Also, were there trousers for skinny children? I didn't see any.
I did NOT find the site easy to find my way around. Indeed, if I hadn't had the voucher, I'd have given up once I realised I couldn't get the dresses, and it was all being so hassley. The shopping basket is particularly badly laid out (I cancelled a couple of things i wanted, as it was set out so strangely)

Q2 In particular, what did you think about the scuff resistant shoes and stain resistant pinafores?
Didn't get shoes - right sizes not in stock.
Stain resistant pinafores will be great if they work! Far too hot to try them now!

Q3 Did the overall quality of the school uniforms match your expectations? If so, how? If not, why not?
Yes they look good, quite thick fabric.

Q4 Do you have any other feedback that could help F&F improve their schoolwear again next year?

• do 2/3 fits (skinny/standard/plus) on trousers and skirts.
• get more stock!

Q5 Did you use Click + Collect Delivery service? If so, would you use to again, or not? Is it your preferred method of delivery?
No: no stores handy (we're in central London so I was surprised, but the many local Tescos don't do it)

Q5 Finally, if it came up in conversation would you recommend F&F schoolwear range to friends or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes I think so, tho I'll wait and see how it wears. So far I'd recommend the clothes, but not the shopping experience!

Crystal I would message HQ but car see why not ? I wanted to do that when the trutex thread was live but forgot to chase it up

Q1 Which items from the range did you buy and how much did you spend? Would you say this was good value for money or not?
I got a pair of boys shoes, 7 grey (antibacterial!) socks, a 2 pack of polo shirts for PE, 2 pairs of jogging bottoms for PE kit and 2 packs of 5 polo shirts for day to day uniform. It came to £51.50 which I thought was brilliant! I could have got a lot more (trousers, etc) but what I really needed - shorts - wasn't available. I had some trouble with the site when I changed my mind about some items and tried removing them from the basket as it kept freezing, and then for some reason I couldn't change my credit card details as it kept defaulting to those I'd previously saved - it suddenly miraculously fixed itself after 20 minutes of me huffing and puffing at it though.

Q2 In particular, what did you think about the scuff resistant shoes and stain resistant pinafores?
I loved the style of the shoes - much more 'grown up' looking than Clarks, and DS1 loved the skull motif inside. They look like they're sturdy. DS did say that they were "stiff" compared to what he's used to, and his feet have been rather sweaty in this weather (but hey, we also bought antibacterial socks!) He's only had them on for 2 school days so far, but there has been no obvious wear and tear as yet despite one tumble in the playground. The shoes were definitely on the 'roomy' size for DS1 though - he is only just into an 11 in Clarks and there is a lot of room for growth within these.

Q3 Did the overall quality of the school uniforms match your expectations? If so, how? If not, why not?
Above and beyond. I think there has been a definite improvement this year - and I'm really, really pleased with the shoes. I've avoided supermarket shoes for many years after a few negative experiences a number of years ago after buying myself a couple of pairs, but these have really restored my faith - I would be happy to recommend them based on what I have seen so far.

Q4 Do you have any other feedback that could help F&F improve their schoolwear again next year?
The jogging bottoms seem to have the same problem that a lot of people are mentioning about school trousers above - that for the narrow waisted child they just fall down! This is a problem I have with Tesco trousers in general for DS1 anyway, but jogging bottoms don't have an adjustable waistband. We can't go down a size age-wise as they're too short in the leg, but he does worry about them falling down when he runs.

More stock please!

Q5 Did you use Click + Collect Delivery service? If so, would you use to again, or not? Is it your preferred method of delivery?
Yes, I did. Very convenient - particularly receiving a text to say that it had been delivered, which meant that I could pick up the package when I was out elsewhere and thus get my hands on it quicker.

Q5 Finally, if it came up in conversation would you recommend F&F schoolwear range to friends or family? If so, why? If not, why not? Definitely, and already have. Value for money, good selection and seems to be good quality.

Will update the thread later on in the week if we have any further feedback.

1 Which items from the range did you buy and how much did you spend? Would you say this was good value for money or not?
i got loads! trousers (girls and boys), shirts, socks, pants, pe shirts and pe shorts. Spent £52 i think, very good value.

Q2 In particular, what did you think about the scuff resistant shoes and stain resistant pinafores?
none of these were in the sizes i wanted and to be honest I would really only want to buy shoes that the kids have been measured for.

Q3 Did the overall quality of the school uniforms match your expectations? If so, how? If not, why not?
yes i think everything was good quality although some things were huuuge!

Q4 Do you have any other feedback that could help F&F improve their schoolwear again next year?
just about sizing really, somethings very big! my daughter is a small seven year old so is difficult when things are sized 5-6 or 7-8!

Q5 Did you use Click + Collect Delivery service? If so, would you use to again, or not? Is it your preferred method of delivery?
yes and def yes again

Q5 Finally, if it came up in conversation would you recommend F&F schoolwear range to friends or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
yes absolutely

thanks!

Q1 Which items from the range did you buy and how much did you spend? Would you say this was good value for money or not?

I bought 4 pairs of trousers and 8 shirts. It came to £58

Q2 In particular, what did you think about the scuff resistant shoes and stain resistant pinafores?

My daughter has a specific uniform for her school so I couldn't try the pinafore. My sons both need lace up shoes for school and you didn't have any in your range.

Q3 Did the overall quality of the school uniforms match your expectations? If so, how? If not, why not?

We have tried the items and the quality is excellent.

Q4 Do you have any other feedback that could help F&F improve their schoolwear again next year?

Lace up boys shoes!

Q5 Did you use Click + Collect Delivery service? If so, would you use to again, or not? Is it your preferred method of delivery?

Yes, it was very convenient. I was sent a text message when the items were at my local Tesco, and collecting them was very easy. Yes I would use again to avoid postage costs.

Q5 Finally, if it came up in conversation would you recommend F&F schoolwear range to friends or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes. It is excellent value and very good quality. Looks like it will last the year!

Thank you for the opportunity to try the products! Am really pleased!

Q1 Which items from the range did you buy and how much did you spend? Would you say this was good value for money or not?

Thanks - I got 4 non-iron shirts (as I'm keen to see if this is true), 4 pairs of trousers (got confused and thought I was buying 2 pairs!), 1 pair of scuff resistant shoes, as-new sports joggers and as-new sports top. The total was £48.

Was really disappointed that you don't appear to stock school shorts. This is what we really needed. I try and put him in shorts to save on trouser knees...

Q2 In particular, what did you think about the scuff resistant shoes and stain resistant pinafores?

The shoes look really good, a lot better than last year. More sturdy. It will be very difficult to tell within a week especially as we have two non-uniform days!

I did buy a pair of tesco shoes last year and they only lasted from September-early December so I wasn't that impressed. They were only £10. These look better already, hopefully the extra £5 will make the difference.

I would quite like a pair that have a rubber bit that extends over the front of the shoe - especially for younger boys. This seems to be the section that my son manages to damage the most (down to his toes). I ended up buying a pair of Clark's Stomposaurus ones after Christmas last year as they were the only ones I could find with this rubber bit. But I would much rather not spend £36!

Q3 Did the overall quality of the school uniforms match your expectations? If so, how? If not, why not?

They seem fine. It is really difficult to tell so far, he only has one more day with school uniform! The boys trousers are maybe a bit thin.

Q4 Do you have any other feedback that could help F&F improve their schoolwear again next year?

I think that the boys' trousers are very large around the waist. I find this with all manufacturers. My son isn't particularly thin for his age but I find that all school trousers (and shorts) are too big in the waist even when fully tightened.

Q5 Did you use Click + Collect Delivery service? If so, would you use to again, or not? Is it your preferred method of delivery?

Yes - this is much better than waiting for a delivery.

Q5 Finally, if it came up in conversation would you recommend F&F schoolwear range to friends or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

So far I would say it is quite similar to other brands (I had M&S, Tesco and Asda last year). I would say the shoes look good and better than last year's but time will tell. I find that Asda shoes are particularly poor.

day 3 here of wearing the boys' shoes

ds2 age 5 has elected to wear them, I left it up to him and he has picked them over his clarks ones 3/3 times now so I assume they are comfortable
he is approx. an F width in clarks BTW
the v neck jumper is going good on day 3 too

am wondering how it will compare to asda's which faded dramatically and generally looked shabby rather quickly

so there were tights on the site? totally missed those
also agree no shoes suited/would've fit my 8yo dd who is a size 2E - and agree a warmer winter gapless shoe would be brill, still pretty but foot covering

also coats on the same site would've been easier - although I may have missed those too?? winter coats etc

Q1 Which items from the range did you buy and how much did you spend? Would you say this was good value for money or not?

I bought:

F&F School Coated Leather Flower Shoes
F&F Permanent Pleat School Pinafore
F&F School 5 Pack of Girls Polo Shirts with As New Technology
F&F Girls Jersey School Trousers
F&F Girls Bootleg School Trousers
Trespass Tomboy Jacket (listed under school coats)

I spent £50 exactly.

I would say it was excellent value for money. The quality seems excellent, though at present I am judging this on the products "out of the box". When DD's been wearing them for a few weeks I will have to let you know if the quality is bearing up to use!

I had a slight niggle as to just how the trousers and polo shirts can be so cheap (and really not flimsy at all) and still have a decent supply chain, but I Googled a bit and was pleasantly surprised - it does seem to be something Tesco takes seriously, and genuinely appears to have its money where its mouth is.

Q2 In particular, what did you think about the scuff resistant shoes and stain resistant pinafores?

I deliberately bought a pair of shoes that looked very similar to DD's current Clarks ones. Examining them side by side they are virtually indistinguishable from shoes I typically pay £35 for. I'm very grateful for this opportunity as I'd never have thought to get school shoes from Tesco before. I bought a pair of trainers for DD from Tesco once and they didn't offer anywhere near enough ankle support, so to be honest, I'd written Tesco off for shoes. But these appear to be a completely different level of quality.

However, I can't comment on how they wear yet, as I ordered a size 11 when I should have ordered a size 12. I realise in retrospect I should have ordered both the 11 and the 12 and taken one pair back. I tried to swap the shoes in-store but they didn't have any in stock. They were waiting on a delivery the following day, but when I went back in there were still no school shoes. I looked online and there's no stock in size 12 for the style I ordered.

It's not obvious how you can get a replacement ordered from the website so I emailed customer service to see if they can help. They phoned back within 24 hours to tell me I couldn't swap the shoes for another style, I had to put another order in to collect and then they could refund the other shoes at the Click & Collect desk in-store. My order should arrive in-store tomorrow so I will collect it then - I'm not sure how easy it will be to get the other shoes refunded in practice as the delivery note which I was sent with my order has discounted the £50 voucher as a % off each item so the shoes look like they cost £3 (as I bought another coat at my own cost, the total order came to £71 so the £21 has been split across each item. It is a bit confusing, so I am expecting to have problems when I collect the shoes tomorrow, but I will report back on how it goes in reality! Apparently this happens with all online orders when you apply a voucher, which seems an odd way of doing it to me.)

DD really liked the star detail on the pinafore zip. She said it looked like a sheriff's star! She got suncream all over the pinafore on the way out of the house. I didn't have time to clean it up properly before school, it didn't really rub off but then I was a bit hesitant to rub it in case it got the grease more embedded in the fabric. It did wash a treat though - and I washed it at 30 to really test it. It came out spotless, so that was pretty impressive. However - see Q6 for why I can't say I'd recommend it.

Q3 Did the overall quality of the school uniforms match your expectations? If so, how? If not, why not?

The quality was really good. The clothes washed well and came up lovely and soft. The jersey trousers felt soft to start with, but I wasn't sure how they would look on - they weren't the usual sort I would buy as they looked less smart, a bit slouchy, but they actually looked great on! The other trousers felt a bit stiff and scratchy but looked smart and DD said they felt fine on. When it had been through the washing machine with some fabric conditioner they feel pretty good too.

The polo shirts were softer than ones I have had previously. They look very bright white, and show up just how grey DD's other ones have got! They didn't wash as well as the pinafore - DD tends to sweat round her neck and often there is a tide-mark of suncream that's been sweated out. After one wash at 30 degrees, the collar is still yellowed where this has marked. DD's wearing a different one today, which I will wash at 40 degrees and see if that gets it clean.

Q4 Do you have any other feedback that could help F&F improve their schoolwear again next year?

The adjustable waist on the trousers had to be adjusted quite a lot (too baggy). Maybe as well as a choice of leg lengths, different waist sizes could be offered?

Half sizes for the shoes would be useful. Width fittings would also be good. The width seemed to be fine for my DD's feet, but I would feel more reassured about the fit if I could choose the width as well as the length of the shoe.

Q5 Did you use Click + Collect Delivery service? If so, would you use to again, or not? Is it your preferred method of delivery?

I did use the Click + Collect. It was convenient and quick, though I wasn't sure whether to collect it from the outside (grocery) Click + Collect or the F+F desk. As it was, the F+F desk/till lady pointed me at the internal Click + Collect desk. On balance, I think it probably is my prefered method of delivery as I don't have to wait in for someone to call, so there's less wasted time.

It would have been handy to be able to exchange the shoes in-store, but the stock issue prevented that. The way that the voucher had been discounted against the items also posed the in-store assistant with a problem as the prices didn't tally, so it was unclear if I could swap them in store anyway.

Q6 Finally, if it came up in conversation would you recommend F&F schoolwear range to friends or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

With the exception of the Teflon products I would, as they seem really well made, and "thought through" - e.g. everything is machine washable and can be tumble-dried, and they have spaces to write names in which save me having to sort out name tags. I can't fault the quality at all. It feels really nice, and the stitching and seams are all very secure.

The Teflon coating really does seem to work - however it did occur to me that I have friends who avoid Teflon/non-stick cooking products because of harmful chemicals, so I did a bit of research into whether that applies to clothes.

It seems that the problematic chemical used in Teflon was PFOA, a.k.a. C8 which has been replaced by a substitute (C6) that seems little better. The DuPont website is very cagey and the fact I can't find anything reassuring about C6 on there to me speaks volumes.

Meanwhile the Environmental Working Group has the following to say, backed up by studies: www.ewg.org/research/credibility-gap-toxic-chemicals-food-packaging-and-duponts-greenwashing -

"PFOA is so remarkably persistent in the environment and broadly toxic to living organisms that using it as a bar against which to judge "green chemistry" is like calling anything under 200 miles per hour a safe speed limit. For C6 replacements, the full extent of the public record on their safety consists of a PowerPoint presentation delivered by Asahi Glass Company to the Environmental Protection Agency. Public records show that DuPont, Asahi, and Clariant are all shifting from PFOA to C6 chemistries despite an absolute dearth of public safety data, and despite the fact that on 3 critical counts, C6 may be as great a concern as PFOA:

C6, like all the other PFCs, is extraordinarily persistent in the environment (NAS 1972).
C6 is potentially 3 to 5 times more toxic than C8 to aquatic organisms (Asahi 2006).
C6 crosses the placenta to contaminate children before birth, according to an EWG study of umbilical cord blood from 10 newborn babies (EWG 2005). While many studies of thousands of people by CDC, industry, and academic university researchers show that PFOA contaminates nearly the entire U.S. population, industry has failed to publish even a single study of C6 in people. EWG's tests of cord blood show it to be potentially as great a concern as PFOA."

So, on the Teflon coating I'm a bit conflicted, and I wouldn't recommend it to friends. I would definitely recommend the Tesco range in general though!

At least 6 schools near us (within 2 miles) have gold polo shirts - the Tesco ones are a bit pale really (esp when they fade a bit). A gold option as well as yellow would be great.
Another win is everything having spare buttons - makes my life much easier thx

Q1 Which items from the range did you buy and how much did you spend? Would you say this was good value for money or not?

I spent 53. Got loads. A pair of shoes, A pinafore, 2 skirts (one with pleats and one with a belt) 2 non iron shirts, 4 polo shirts, 2 cardigans and 1 PE hoodie. I think this is great value for money, especially the shoes.

Q2 In particular, what did you think about the scuff resistant shoes and stain resistant pinafores?

The scuff resistant shoes are really good, I have always bought Clarks before but these actually look sturdier and DD loves them. She's worn them for 3 days and no scuffs yet. I would buy them again.

The pinafore looks good but she is in a summer dress this week so will give it a better test next term.

Q3 Did the overall quality of the school uniforms match your expectations? If so, how? If not, why not?

Yes it matched and even exceeded my expectations. We haven't worn everything yet but the cardigan has been through its paces and seems really good quality, I was very impressed, better than other supermarket cardigans I have bought in the past.

Q4 Do you have any other feedback that could help F&F improve their schoolwear again next year?

I didn't get the PE clothes because I wasn't sure of the sizing, they seem to go 5-6, 7-8, 9-10etc rather than 5-6, 6-7 so I didn't get this from here. Also the range of PE wear seems more limited than other places. DD often wears leggings instead of trousers and these weren't available.

Q5 Did you use Click + Collect Delivery service? If so, would you use to again, or not? Is it your preferred method of delivery?

I had it delivered this time but I have used click and collect before and think that it is actually better/quicker than having it delivered to your home. Whenever I have used click and collect it has worked really well.

Q5 Finally, if it came up in conversation would you recommend F&F schoolwear range to friends or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes definitely, especially the shoes.

I would have brought bright gold polo shirts too.

Q1. Yes good value, three children almost completely kitted out, I did spend more than £50, not much more though.

Q2. I didn't buy shoes, I don't really trust Tesco for shoes, I would want good quality leather and would want to try them on so wouldn't buy shoes for my children online. I didn't buy the stain resistant pinafore, I bought the soft slip over one because my daughter really liked it.

Q3. Yes, no better or worse than expected.

Q4. Yes, school summer dresses, can we please have some more in green, I don't like the sleeveless ones.

Q5. I used click and collect in store. I have used it before and it's fine, my preferred method. How long does the order stay at the store for though? I was away for a few days and was a bit worried it might be sent back before I had time to collect it.

Q6. Yes, but no more than I would M&S or John Lewis, I haven't tried Sainsbury's or Asda but I'm sure they're fine as well.

Q1. I bought
5 x 2 pack boys pleat front school trousers
2 pack boys sports shorts
2 x 2 pack unisex tshirts with as new technology
5 pair pack Antibacterial trainer socks
1 pair scuff resistant leather rip tape shoes
It came to £64. I was buying for my 3 sons. That was a LOT to get for my money! It's only good value if it performs well though..

Q2. I really, REALLY didn't want shoes from a supermarket. But I ordered them as I'd been asked to get them specifically. I thought they looked very cheap when they arrived, and let's face it, for £15 they were! My 7 year old DS seemed happy enough and ripped off the tags immediately so I decided to let him wear them (I was wary as I have always had all my 6 children properly fitted for shoes and this felt wrong!). Anyway, I tried my best to check the fit and they did seem ok. After wearing them for a couple of days, he declares them to be extremely comfy, that his feet feel less hot in them than his Clarks which he'd been wearing - and that they MAKE HIM RUN FASTER . I'm not entirely convinced, but they certainly do seem to fit his particular feet pretty well and they look better for a couple of days' wear. They haven't scuffed, but my boys don't seem to make such a mess of their shoes anyway.

Q3. The quality was ok. Not stellar (but who would expect that anyway?). The PE shorts and tshirts did seem not that great but perfectly acceptable. The school trousers look fine. I've bought better but also bought worse.

Q4. I agree that I'd have liked to buy shorts rather than (or as well as) trousers. I had to buy navy for the first time - we are moving - and there was only one style available, whereas other colours had more choice. I agree that the waists are really rather large - I have one skinny, one average and one chunky boy. Thanks to the elastic/button combo, they all fitted but were generally huge.

Q5. I did use click & collect. It's very convenient for me and I've used it several times before.

Q6. I've not yet washed and dried the uniform so can't comment on how it might last, but yes, I'd say to give it a go as it's very competitively priced. £15 for leather shoes is a steal too despite the fact I feel uncomfortable about buying off the shelf, I do realise that I'm lucky in being able to buy more expensive and not everyone can do so. If they last, that will turn out to be a really excellent bargain.

1 - I bought: a pair of scuff resistant shoes, 2 kilt skirts, a belted skirt, 2 stain resistant pinifores, 5 polo shirts for dd1, 5 for dd2 and 4 for ds (14 polo shirts in total). It came to £52.50 which is brilliant for the amount of uniform I've ordered.

2 - dd2 has worn her pinifore to school and, as is usual for her, got it covered on paint and felt tip. It hasn't quite dried yet but it looks like all the pen and paint has come out. She's also worn the shoes the past three days and has managed to slightly scuff one of them but a bit of polish sorted that. Its worth saying though that dd2 managed to completely ruin a pair of Clarks shoes on four days to the point that no amount of polishing would make them look near decent.

3 - On the whole quality is better than I expected so far. I'm expecting the polo shirts to shrink slightly after a while but I've found that with every brand of polo shirts whether they're from asda or m&s. The skirts and pinifores feel lovely and thick and look smart, especially the kilt skirts. As others have said, the sizes are generous but the button waist sorts that out. That said I didn't order and trousers for ds due to the generous sizes. He is tall for his age but very skinny so generous sized trousers look awful on him as he ends up looking like he's wearing a nappy due to the extra material.

4 - Other feedback. Having slim fit trousers (and/or long length) would be ideal, as I've said, my ds is tall and skinny so needs 5-6 for length but 3-4 for the waist. Even if these sizes had to be ordered online, it would make my life so much easier and stop me having to spend hours taking his trousers in. It doesn't matter as much for girls as skirts tend to look okay when pulling them in with the button waist as the excess material doesn't bunch round their bum like it does with trousers.
It would also be helpful to have somewhere on the website that gives available sizes even if sold out, either in the size selection box with sold out next to it or a line in the description saying what sizes the product is made in. I really wanted the leather shoes for ds but there were only two sizes in stock and nowhere saying what other sizes can be available, I'd have gone to the nearest store if I knew there was a chance they'd have his size in as the shoes looked smart and robust.

5 - I didn't use click and collect for this order but I have in the past an found it really good. The only reason I didn't use it this time is that the nearest tesco is in the next town and it takes ages to get there by bus and the DCs have lots on at school this week.

6 - Yes I'd recommend tesco Unicom based on what I've seen so far. It looks smart and the DCs say its comfortable.

Q1 Which items from the range did you buy and how much did you spend? Would you say this was good value for money or not?
I bought 2 jersey school skirts, 2x2 pack boys non-iron short sleeve shirts, 3 pack ladder resistant 40 denier tights, boys coated leather scuff resistant riptape shoes, unisex zip-through hoodie with As New Technology, 2 pack of boys sports shorts.

Q2 In particular, what did you think about the scuff resistant shoes and stain resistant pinafores?
I didn't get pinafores as dd (10) wouldn't entertain them. I thought the shoes looked a little cheap and not like they'll last a long time but ds (8)is happy with them so we'll see. Only a week of school to go, and most of that in PE kit, so I don't really feel we can test them properly till September. This is the first time I have bought either of the dc shoes without getting them measured and as it was online too it feels like a bit of a risk.

Q3 Did the overall quality of the school uniforms match your expectations? If so, how? If not, why not?
The skirts and shirts are similar to M&S which is where I would normally buy. The shirts in particular seem good quality and a good fit with plenty of room around the neck and across the back. I'm yet to be convinced about the shoes.

Q4 Do you have any other feedback that could help F&F improve their schoolwear again next year?
I find the waist on most F&F childrens clothes far too big for either of my dc. For the skirt, we went a whole size down, but the shorts have a big non-adjustable waist and bum and so fit very badly which is a shame as the material is lovely and soft and they look very robust.
We also attempted to 'try on' instore before ordering as I was unsure what sizes to order, especially shoes, but we were unable to find any of the items there in the sizes we wanted to try. This was very frustrating as we made a special trip. This would normally put me off ordering online.

Q5 Did you use Click + Collect Delivery service? If so, would you use to again, or not? Is it your preferred method of delivery?
I did use click and collect, but it was a hassle picking it up. I don't think I'd use it again, as I prefer delivery direct to the house.

Q5 Finally, if it came up in conversation would you recommend F&F schoolwear range to friends or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
I would recommend in terms of price, and the quality was better than I expected.

I suggest keeping this thread open so we can all feedback later in the year when we've had a chance to see how the uniform holds up after a term of regular use.

Forgot to mention that bottle green polo shirts would be very welcome. They're very hard to find anywhere.

..... and I spent $51.