How much uniform do I need to buy?

[MarionCole]

I know I'm getting ahead of myself.

Surely I'm not going to need 5 of everything? I have no idea how messy they get in reception though.

For the first year:
3 logo sweatshirts (2 new and one second hand) - always used, fresh one each day, always washed,
2 logo polo (one new and one second hand) and pack of 3 non-logo polos (white) - always used or in wash!
also bought 3 non-logo polos in alternative school colour and using those only this week for special activity week - won't bother again
2 v-neck cotton sweaters from M&S (for summer and when the school is so overheated!) - great alternative for son's comfort but not strictly necessary
2 pairs trousers - always used, always in wash!
1 pair shorts - worth it

school winter jacket - always used
2 fleece jackets (one second hand for spare) - always used or in wash!
school waterproof - wont bother again
school wooly hat - can use this winter and would buy again

gym shorts from sainsburys, plimsolls from M&S, school logo t-shirt (second hand) - used weekly!

Ask school about second hand uniform sales. I bought second hand when I realised how much uniform they lose on a daily basis!

Oh my! We haven't had an details from school at all yet, but I have twins starting. I hope we get some information so I can make good use of all the info on here.

White shirts/polo tops - 6 (I had 6 for my DS - well worth it, imo. )
Trousers - 2 pairs
Jumpers - 2
Shorts - 2 pairs
School fleece - 1 (these wash well and dry really quickly overnight)
Hat - well worth the winter and summer options
Socks - go for quantity from M&S/John Lewis

PE kit - if logo'd then you might have to buy from school outfitters but jogging bottoms are good quality and reasonably priced from John Lewis.
Trainers/Plimsolls - this depends as my DS destroyed those black plimsolls on an almost weekly basis so I bought a more substantial pair and found that they lasted.

I found that many bought from the school outfitters at first and ended up spending much more than they needed too (I did this myself). If I had any advice to give it would be to buy only the items that have logo's from them and source the other stuff from places like M&S or John Lewis - much cheaper and much better quality.

Tesco plain polo shirts have a dirt-resist/repelling treatment on them, which actually seems to work! My DTs always come home covered in paint, mud, and goodness knows what, and the White shirts still come up white in the wash

Oh, and if you do jave to buy logo stuff, buy it in the next size up! My boys' first jumpers lasted a term before they grew out of them, at £13 each. They now wear the plain £2.50 ones from Asda, as do a lot of other children!

DS goes to pre school 5 monrings a week and I've managed with 2 sets but I was planning on 3 for Primary as he'll be there all day getting it all mucky.

Like the idea of a special photo set too..

My problem is going to be trousers. DS is super skinny and I struggle to buy for him. Even the ones with the adjustable waists end up too big before they're long enough - or so puffed up round the bum they look silly! It's hard enough when I can buy whatever I want but when the choice is limited to just school trousers it's going to be even harder!

DD has 3 logo-ed polo shirts and originally had 2 logo-ed sweatshirts but I got an extra one a short while ago as she was tending to need a clean one each day. Unfortunately the polo shirts are navy and I've yet to find anywhere that does cheaper, plain ones. Luckily they are still big enough to wear next academic year.

They are allowed to wear anything on their bottom halfs so DD wears a selection of what she already owned or the 2 specific navy school skirts I got for her. Now that the weather is better, some of the girls are wearing gingham dresses (though they aren't officially part of the uniform). No rules regarding PE clothes or school coats etc - thank God - can't imagine having to shell out on the whole lot!