Uniform virgin - what do I need?

[jennifersofia]

I know it has been done before, but...
My 2dds (9 and 7) will be needing uniform in September for the first time.
How much / what do I need?
Do iron labels work? Are laundry markers better - if so, where can I get one?
Where is the best place to get standard tights/ white shirts / grey skirts? M&S or John Lewis?
TIA

iron-in labels DO NOT WORK ... well, none of the ones I've tried do

people tend to use sew-on labels for the first lot of uniform and after that it's laundry marker all the way

personally I prefer John Lewis to M&S but that might just be that I've got odd-shaped children (v tall and thin) and M&S doesn't seem to fit them so well

as far as how much you need, I tend to work on the basis of one on, one in the wash and one spare for things like skirts/shirts, 2 sweatshirts/cardigans/pullovers, only 1 blazer (if they need one cos they cost a fortune) - has your dds' school not given you a list?

I always used to hate uniform - my dc's primary changed from non-uniform to uniform when ds1 was going into y2 and I was one of hte few parents campaigning against it, however ..... now they've been wearing it for several years, I have to admit it's so much easier - no more "I'm not wearing these trousers" just before we leave the house and no pressure to keep up with everyone else's trends. The main reason the school brought uniform in was the y6 girls were just pushing the 'guidelines' to a ridiculous extent and coming in wearing completely inappropriate clothes, so now dd's going into juniors I'm quite glad there's a uniform

Thanks that is all really helpful!
We have just found out which school they will be in, and they haven't given us a list. Doesn't seem to be anyone in the office (prob. because of school holiday!) to ask.
Just hope I get the right stuff!

I found that the easy2name fab and funky iron on labels worked fine - they sometimes faded but I just stuck another one on top. I have never (and will never) use sew in ones!! DD is going into P2 (equivalent Year1) and I have got her 5 polo shirts (so I only need to wash once a week), 3 skirts and 2 pairs of trousers, 1 logo jumper as she slings it off as soon as she gets into the class, school shoes and indoor shoes (they have to change into indoor shoes when she gets into school and then change back out of them for playtime, lunchtime, hometime).

DD's skirts and trousers have come from Asda and Tesco, her socks were from Matalan and I havent got tights yet but again they will be from the supermarket or the schoolwear shop.

Both Ds' have five sets of uniform, they have never been able to get two wears out it, and it means I don't have to worry about washing it after work.

M and S, Next and Tesco have all been fine for uniform. I never buy Asda uniform, the hems always come down on the trousers after about two wears.

Label wise I tend to write in the label with a biro, this lasts for ages and is easier that faffing with name tapes.

That said, Ds2 has some tapes in his, iron on ones from ebay and they have been fine.

AGree with easy to name for eg lunch bag/ water bottles, but I still like the sew-in labels for clothes. And I take them out of worn-out clothes and re-use (sad? green? whatever!).

Five shirts will make life easier, but probably only 2 or 3 skirts. Would suggest big Tesco for tights as they'll probably go through a lot, although maybe worth not buying too many if all their friends wear socks or trousers.

In fact, probably don't stock up too soon! Peer pressure at 7 and 9 can be quite strong and if all friends are wearing trousers, your dds might want to too.

Yet another thanks for responses.
I went to a big Tesco's today but they didn't have much in / all wrong sizes. I was amazed at how cheap it all was.
I was wondering though if we would be better off with proper wool/cotton mix - or is that too much faff, washing wise? The stuff I saw today was thin-ish polyester. It didn't look very warm.
I was thinking about going to John Lewis, but someone tells me I will spend much much more there. Does it make much difference (Tesco vs John Lewis)?

I went to big Tesco yeasterday as well and I did not like their uniform. I did not see the Fairtrade trousers.

I remember I bought a few things from Adams Kids a few years ago. I checked the website last night and they do not sell anything natural from the school uniform.

I think that GAP, M&S have nice cotton things. I need to check Sainsburys this weekend.