Does anyone else stress buying children's uniform

[Blackbird18]

Sorry but this is mainly just a rant. I hope IANBU

So it will soon be the beginning of a new school year and it's that dreaded time where I have to get all my daughters uniform. She's always been rather tall and last year I had to buy her all clothes ages 5 when she was 4. This year I've measured her and tried on clothes and she's in aged 7 but the waist looks too big as she's only 5 but she's so tall. Does anyone else have these issues ???

At the end of the school year last year two weeks before end of term my daughter had another big growth spurt and the teacher told her that her dress was too short and gave her a spare. She came home and told me and I felt like a horrible mother. I bought her another dress to put her on but money was especially tight at that point and I just couldn't afford a whole new uniform with 2 weeks left of school especially when I knew by September she'd be bigger again, which she is. I feel like I'm constantly buying clothes and the school Uniform has the badge on most things and is so expensive. This years School uniform with PE kit shoes etc cost me over £150 ! She's bound to need more come Easter if she keeps growing. How do people manage it ??

If she's tall, I wouldn't be buying her age 5 clothes when she's 4, I'd be buying her age 6 clothes when she's 4, but it looks like that's what you've done for this September, so maybe they'll last longer this time.

Take the waist in on her clothes - it's not difficult to do. It might be worth looking on line, and buying school uniform that'll be two ages bigger than her actual age will be this time next year, in the sale.

Your best bet will probably be to have a look at all the shops that do uniform online, look late September & you might bag some bargains.

I've learned the hard way, & always buy things like coats at lease 2 ages sizes to big, that way, when I'm having to buy everything in September, the coats still fit, but might need replacing after Christmas, or in the spring, when you can often pick them up in the sale, if you have a good rummage around on line.

HTH

PS - You'll get more replies if you post things that are generic in more main stream areas e.g. AIBU to feel broke after buying school uniforms? , rather than in the one child families section.

My daughter is very tall for her age. She's 11 and wear girls age 14 and women's size 8/10. Next school skirts come in slim fit with adjustable waists so you get the extra length but smaller waist.

I would buy adjustable waist trousers (like these www.marksandspencer.com/girls-slim-fit-crease-resistant-trousers/p/p60100722?image=SD_04_T76_1245_T0_X_EC_90&color=GREY&prevPage=plp&pdpredirect also available in supermarkets at cheaper price) so you can get the length you need.

Buy the dresses long (a good couple of sizes up).

I wouldn’t have bothered buying a new dress if the school had lent one for the end of term!

Is there a uniform sale? Easy to get rid of old uniform that is too small and buy new there.

Is there no second hand sale at your school? My DDs are very tall too and I bought most of their stuff second hand from the school.

Thanks everyone I actually bought age 7 and adjustable waist lines this year I am hoping these will be better than last years. I haven't even bothered buying the summer dresses yet just incase as I think this was my biggest problem last year I bought them too early !!

Yup!

DD is 9 and some of the age 12 and 13 stuff I bought her is looking on the small side. What colours do you need of the non logo stuff...

I think Children’s clothes sizing is silly anyway-there is no way she is 158 cm or whatever an age 13 is, but still the skirts and trousers are too small.

My 9 year old is in age 12 clothes. I buy big with room to grow and buy main uniform now but will buy more in Spring to accommodate change of weather. I always ensure clothes are adjustable wherever possible