Where and when to buy school uniform basics?

[wishIwasonholiday10]

This is my first year buying school uniforms. Any recommendations on where and when to buy the basics? Which shop is best for basics that will wash well and are cotton with no waterproof/stain proof coatings? Are there sales closer to the time or fine to buy now eg with the 20% off Tu (haven’t checked it covers uniforms yet).

Most supermarkets sell the basics - grey trousers/skirt/pinafore.

they usually start with all the back to school stuff just as soon as the schools break up (July).

I get most things off vinted. I think I got the first uniform stuff from Asda as if fits my daughter well and over time realised she refers button down dresses over zips, likes pockets and that white collars stain with sun cream. That sort of thing. All the supermarkets sell the different colour gingham, polo shirts, grey bottoms. Go with what you can access easily and fits your child the best. Second hand is definitely wise as I know DD has grown so fast the dresses still look like new after a year of wear but I buy new white t shirts as they don’t look great after a while.

I buy ours from Next. They are maybe a bit more expensive than, say, Tesco or Asda, but they wear really well. I have shirts and trousers currently in their 2nd and 3rd school year of use that still look relatively new ish. I buy school shoes from Next as well often.

Check if your primary school have a second hand uniform sale for parents to hand things down.

Don't buy too early, especially shoes and summer uniform bits as they will invariably have a growth spurt.