Do you replace everything for a new school year?

[DocBunny]

Uniforms except maybe jumpers or p.e. shorts still in good nick I replace every year (I've already bought September's). School shoes always.

But what about rucksacks, lunchboxes, pencil cases, p.e. bags etc?

Do you replace these regardless of wear and tear? Is it unfair not to when their friends have all new? Is there a social norm? I should really know by now but it still baffles me. There doesn't seem to be any reliable logic to it.

No, I don't replace anything that doesn't need replacing, uniform, shoes etc included.

Yes, I may very well be socially challenged.

CMOT That is very logical. That I understand. Do the kids moan?

No, I replace what needs replacing. I don't believe in new for the sake of it, it's very wasteful throwing away perfectly good stuff just because a new school year is starting. My kids are fine with it - they know if a bag rips or their feet grow, they will get new when they need it.

Uniform and things are easily available all year round so I replace as they need it. I am not going to replace perfectly good things just because it's September!

I do tend to buy the next sizes up in the sales tnough so I have them ready for when he needs them. I currently have 3 packs of polo shirts in the cupboard I got for £1 a pack in asda last year

I should add that I put off replacing things towards the end of the school year, so that they definitely do need replacing. Especially the boys shoes as I'm sure they use them to walk over hot coals/ beat people to death/ stir acid with.

£1 a pack?? Da-amn!

Check out your local Oxfam too - ours has brand new M&S school shirts in a variety of styles and colours for £1 each.

I replace things as they're needed (although DS's trousers are now heading towards his knees it appears and shoes have sprouted a hole. They break up next Tuesday so need to keep going until then )

Yes I do. new uniforms (3 sets of dress, cardi, polo shirts) new coat, new bag, new pe kits, new shoes , new pe pumps. I like dd to start the new year with everything new. She usually goes through 3 pairs of school shoes a year as she's very heavy on her shoes. Then after Easter half term she has summer dresses and a new lightweight jacket.

Scoose - may I ask your reasoning for replacing everything?

Mine get new socks whether they need them or not. I'm gearing up for the £360 at least shoe bill I'll have next month when I need to buy about ten pairs. For the last few years they've had new school shoes, trainers, etc in August and one lasts the full school year and the younger two generally have two school shoes per school years.

Bought one school jumper for DD and PE shorts.

I buy whenever they need it but for some reason I'm obsessed with new socks every September.

DS1 needs new trousers but I can't find any long enough so worrying a bit.

No, after initial set up when joining the school, I buy only when something needs replacing.

I just couldn't afford to spend again by getting the same item when we already have a perfectly serviceable one, just because it's a particular month.

DS2 is getting a new bag, as his ripped a week or 2 before the end of term - I put it in the machine, as yoghurt escaped....
DS1 needs a new lunch box.
School shoes for both, I suspect.
Both got bigger shorts part way through the year (8 months of shorts, 2 months of trousers, 2 months of holidays, aprox).
DS1 moves into KS2, so I think will need a PE shirt in team colours. Will find out more when they go back in August!

No, just what needs replacing. I wouldn't expect to buy a new school bag at all, one should see them all the way through (junior school). It's expensive enough as it is without adding extra unneeded replacements! Not to mention the wastefulness.

Usually the previous years is tatty or faded after multiple washes or too small/too short etc. I do buy things throughout the year too. When needed (usually school shoes). Plus I just like her to start a new year with new clothes. I only have one child to buy for though

I used to get them a new set of everything but we are skint just now so i'll just get the bare minimum this summer.

I replace uniform / sports gear. But generally with ds it's all in a terrible state and dd has generally outgrown it. Come September almost everyone looks really smart in new stuff so think knackered clothing stands out more.
Shoes, pencil cases, ruck sacks etc are kept / only replaced when necessary.

DD1 has new school shirts every Sept as her shirts are always wrecked. Same with cardigans and shoes. Everything else gets replaced as and when. DD2 is just starting reception so she's brand spanking new this year.

I replace uniform as and when it's needed but dd gets to choose a new backpack and pencil case and stationery for the start of every school year. She's in secondary though and there are very definite trends that she observes.

Yes I replace everything expect Blazers sometimes do two years. My dc grow, things get worn and picking new bag stationary is the best bit of a new school year.
They also get new shoes in January and summer dress ( primary) and a new coat at Easter.

err no

DD1 went through 5 years of secondary with same blazer and PE kit.

DD2 has just (almost) finished primary. Most uniform lasted 2 years, the sizes don't go 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 for nothing!

Rucksacks, lunchbags, pencil cases replaced whenever but not as frequently as yearly.

Similarly coats etc are expected to last at least 2 years, 3 if I'm lucky.

No I only replace things that desperately need replacing and I do that any time of year. The environment is my main concern, I don't like to be wasteful

I also buy a size too big so that things last