When do we need to start thinking about school uniform?

[MrsNouveauRichards]

DD starts reception in September. I am terrible at getting things done on time and I am determined not to be shopping the week she starts at school!

Are there any times when shops do deals on uniform? Where is best and where to avoid?

How much uniform do they really need? Please help a poor newbie school mum get it right :o

Sounds like a good plan. At my son's school you purchase a sweatshirt with a logo. They do not wash well at all. I am going to try and find an old fashioned knitted jumper for next year.

They also have proper ties that are a pita and far too short. John Lewis had a private school tie on elastic that matched.

Already struggling to find any tights in 4/5yrs. This could be what I spend my summer doing - looking for bloody tights!

I discovered school tights DO NOT EXIST in 4-5 - no kidding... seriously, sizes 3-4 then 5-6... put yourself out of your misery and give up on that one already!

Also - I use stick on labels for everything - special vinyl ones that stick in the clothes label, shoe ones, aswell as ones for water bottle etc - and you can get a picture or sonmething on - I use labels4kids, not cheap but I have had no probs - also I got a 'bag tag' from them - with the same pic and name, it is attached to her book bag so it stands out from the other 30 logod book bags!

M&S uniform is childproof - all shower resistant (read spilling drink) and stainaway and only needs ironing every couple of washes! All the girls stuff is adjustable waistband, but some is a little short - so maybe get a size up and bring the waist in.

get what you can when its on offer and spread it out so I got things like lunch bag / name stickers first, then some uniform when the 3for2s start, then shoes last

Just a bit of a warning with the tights - they are teeny tiny very often so lots of 4yos will be wearing 7-8.

Jade that's coz they are short and wide!

I hate hate hate buying tights for dd
Zeco and Boden. Hate Boden. ( having a bad day, sorry)

I hate buying tights as well. Although I would like to know where you find the short wide ones - the ones I have (pex) have a waist that looks like it would fit a newborn baby. For a 7-9yo! They are also short though.

Can I butt in? What kind (IYKWIM) and from where are you buying school coats?

Will they need something lighter for September and then a warmer one for later in the year?

Parker from H&M and rain mac from M&S.

DS has got a black Regatta coat that I'm hoping will last him through the first term at least. It's wind and waterproof. A bit like this although DS's has a hood and I'm not sure these will.
I might get him a plain fleece and pack-a-mac if I can find both cheaply. That should cover any eventuality!

Oh the reggatta ones look really practical. Many thanks.

DD has a Hatley coat (can't link on my phone) which I bought her in the autumn and should do her another winter. It is terry towelling inside, rubbery waterproof on the outside, brightly coloured and she loves it. Our school are fine on coats (as far as I know) and it means DD will find her coat easily.

We had our school list through yesterday, so now I feel a bit less in the wrt what is expected uniform wise.

Then today a friend turned up with a couple of school dresses - some even official logo'd ones! She has 4 girls so people generally pass on their girls uniform to her, but it has got to the stage where she has a ridiculous amount!

So DD now has 2 pinafore dresses and one summer dress.

Should I buy some more summer dresses this year? Should I get a couple but in age 6 so will fit next year, but are available this autumn if its warm?

Going to get another 2 pinafores I think, one school logo'd sweatshirt and some cardigans (from supermarket or somewhere) a million pairs of tights and socks, 6 polo shirts, a pair of plimsolls and then the bits from school - PE kit, PE bag and bookbag.

The school do a school fleece - is it worth getting?

BornToFolk Thu 26-Apr-12 13:20:05

Oooh, and where does the widest plimsolls? DS's feet are ridiculously wide

We have a high instep situation here, so same problem. M&S's gym shoes with the velcro strap are the widest ones we've found. Kitted out now up to size 4 I think, bought probably half a dozen pairs year before last during the 3 for 2 offer.

20% off M&S school uniforms email landed in my inbox this morning !!

Just thought I would add to the thread, I have always bought DDs uniform from BHS.
Pinafores keep everything tucked in!!
easy2name fab n funky iron on labels have never come off or worn off (if only they ironed onto DD to stop her loosing cardigans!!)
Made the mistake of thinking 2 pinafores would get DD through week, buy at least 4. A shirt for each day of the week and in reception and year 1 she needed a minimum of 3 cardigans as she was a very messy girl with school dinners/paint/chalk.

Completely forgot about bhs, going near one next week, will take a look.