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.

[AnneGables]

I buy as and when it is grown out of. Although ds has been wearing too small jumpers for a while now, the new bigger ones are being kept for September .

Polo shirts get replaced frequently, I just can't keep them white, despite washing separately and using whitener. Wish they were blue!

He has had the same shoes since Sept, still surprisingly look ok and feet haven't grown, so not sure what I'll do about them. Seems daft to replace when he is bound to grow soon.

[BackforGood]

No.
Can't understand why anyone would.
I only replace things (incl uniform and shoes) as and when they need replacing.
You do realise you can go and buy a replacement at any time of year, if something wears out or they have a growth spurt ?

[Andbabymakesthree]

Ridiculous to replace unless necessary both from a financial and environmental point of view.

[AtSea1979]

No I only replace things that need replacing. There must be a lot of tatty kids come Easter if people are replacing everything in September.

[irregularegular]

No of course not. I only replace what needs replacing. And I do it throughout the year, not just for the beginning of the school year - though there is a bit of a tendency to leave it until then. Apart from shoes and DS's shirts, everything else lasts more than a year. We do always go for a trip to replenish the pencil case, which the children enjoy, but even that doesn't mean replacing everything (the case itself lasts about 3 years)

[deutschland83]

Yes but only because it's usually been needing replaced from Easter onwards and I've not replaced it

[deutschland83]

Yes but only because it's usually been needing replaced from Easter onwards and I've not replaced it

[Voteforpedr0]

Only replace school uniform if badly faded or torn or holes. We buy good quality school shoes that quite easily last the year (sporty active mud magnets too ) unless they have a growth spurt, i don't get how it's possible for a child to go through 5 pairs of shoes in the year or why you would replace something for the sake of it ? (As the saying goes) a fool and their money easily separated.

[Claraoswald36]

I buy everything once a year when the m and s 20% code is valid. Now I only have to buy school shoes for sept. Dd1 is a lanky giraffe and grows out of her gear every year.
Her school bag is quite grubby but she doesn't want another one. It's the paperchase unicorn bag which sold out so I can't even replace it with identical! I'm a bit obsessional about the kids going to school as smart as possible.

[splendide]

I used to get a new pencil case and pens and things every year. It was the only good thing about going back to school! Now I think about it it seems really unlike my mum though, I'll have to interrogate her about it.

I think if he wants it I will let DS have new pencil case things every year. Maybe I'll get granny to take him!

[Mumonthesofa]

Polo shirts and shoes are replaced but I hang on to what has got life left in as long as possible! I have bought the new jumpers but they will start the year in old if they still fit after summer.