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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

School uniform basics - M&S, John Lewis or somewhere else?

45 replies

shelley72 · 29/05/2012 07:49

I see that M&S currently have 20% off school uniform. With DS starting reception in Sept, is now a good time to buy or is it too early? Also how does the M&S uniform compare to JL - which is likely to last longest / wash well?

DS is just above average height I would say, but is quite skinny - his trousers are forever falling down as he has no bottom to keep them up (unlike his mummy ). Is there somewhere else that I havent thought of for uniform basics for skinny types?

TIA

OP posts:

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MimsyBorogroves · 29/05/2012 07:58

Watching with interest as I am in the same boat, OP.

Sparklingbrook · 29/05/2012 07:58

DS1 has always been skinny. He's 13 nearly but we still have the trouser problem. He has always had M&S trousers as they have the adjustable waist button things. Not had a problem with wear. They also do long/short versions for small or tall children.

lostinpants · 29/05/2012 08:03

I found Tesco shirts just as good as M&S and BHS trousers the best fit and wear well.

Sparklingbrook · 29/05/2012 08:05

Sometimes the school uniform shops are really good. DS has 'Banner' brand shirts and they are great.

Houseworkprocrastinator · 29/05/2012 09:39

I get all mine from asda. Found they wash fine.

KitKatGirl1 · 29/05/2012 21:15

Always found Next to be much better quality than M&S - trousers are a better fit for a skinny bum and the shirts wash and iron much better. Not near enough to JL to have used them. BHS also better than M&S, yes, lostin, but not as good as Next.

KitKatGirl1 · 29/05/2012 21:17

Hadn't read full OP, OP and just noticed you did mention skinny bums!! Yes, definitely Next and we've also occasionally had some from the market - can't remember the brand but really nice and skinny fit though more expensive than Next etc!

shattereddreams · 29/05/2012 21:48

Sainsbury all the way for skinny kids
And I was v pleased with quality, miles better than asda

Seeing as I hate M&S because their clothes are too short and wide, I won't recommend them at all

shattereddreams · 29/05/2012 21:49

Don't get me started on tights! Grrrrr

1805 · 29/05/2012 22:07

another vote for sainsbury. also m and s.

mumblecrumble · 29/05/2012 22:14

I am a shop at George person...

However I am evangelistic about this skirt from M and S. link

We got 4 of them, sized 6-7 for our tall 4 year old and they are super dooper and look emcualate still. Nice and long for not showing her opants and the waist is really adjustable. very pleased.

Ireckon polo tops you could get rom anywhere..... they get fairly wrecked... but wash well.

We have not bought dresses and socks, skirt and polo top is just as cool and she looks fab..

Casn;t believe its a year since DD was xst5arting school - its been so lovely, enjoy.

mumblecrumble · 29/05/2012 22:15

Balls. just read your little one is son..... prob not need the skirts then... sorry I didnlt read properly!!!

slalomsuki · 29/05/2012 22:21

2 skinny boys here and it's M & S adjustable waist trousers all the way and M & S non iron white shirts as well
Saves a lot of time and effort and they wash and wear well.

RiversideMum · 30/05/2012 06:57

As a teacher, I always tell parents to buy as cheap as possible. Clothes are likely to get covered in mud, paint, glue, water, sand etc at some stage - however careful the staff at school are.

jomidmum · 30/05/2012 07:48

Next online do slimfit trousers which are great, rather than just adjustable waists. They are so much comfier on our DS as they aren't just scrunched up round the waist but with baggy legs and bottoms. They for slim children v well.

littlemslazybones · 30/05/2012 07:55

My son started reception last year and, after a lot of research, opted for one of the more expensive uniforms from m&s. However, given the rate he goes through trousers I can only assume my son spends his playtime seeing how far he can slide on his knees.

Now I just throw another pair of bog standard asda trousers in the trolley every couple of weeks. I like the m&s polo shirts though.

Original poster

shelley72 · 30/05/2012 08:05

mumblecrumble . he would probably LOVE to wear a skirt - will bear it in mind for when i have to go through this trauma again with DD.

so i think i will be avoiding M&S then from what you all say, which does surprise me as i am sure i remember being carted off to M&S to get pinafores (the horror) when i was small. mind you have always been of the short and wide variety .

as part of the 'how exciting it is to go to big school' project i have bribed with the promise of cake said to DS that we will go shopping to the 'big shops near the boats' (west quay) to buy his uniform. they have all the shops you mention so i guess its just a matter of trying on and see what fits the best.

so, how many of each thing will i need? i am SAHM so can wash / iron most days if i've nothing better to do. we had school mtg yesterday so i know we need logoed sweatshirt and PE kit but they didnt advise on how many of each of the basic items. i almost need a list that i can check off!

i think i may be a bit abnormal, but i am finding this whole starting school thing so difficult. i'm not sure i want him to go. i worry for him. i am putting on a positive front to DS about it - the only solace for me will be the shopping i think!

OP posts:

ChopstheScarletduck · 30/05/2012 08:15

sainsburys currently have 25% off everything. Considering how quickly stuff gets stained or ripped, I've given up paying for M&S. Sainsburys is reasonable quality, a good fit, and a lot cheaper.

ChopstheScarletduck · 30/05/2012 08:16

i usually have three shirts and three trousers, each. Its the sweatshirts I find I need the most of. The number that get lost, get dirty, disappear home with a friend for the night. I have about 4-5 each of those, but stocked up in the second hand uniform sales!

peppajay · 30/05/2012 09:50

I always get pinafores, skirts and trousers from M and S they last so much longer than the supermarkets, in fact this year I got my DD a skirt and pinafore in a charity shop that were both from a charity shop and as good as new. When she started in reception I got everything from Sainsburys but found the dresses and pinafores shrunk. Shirts I found ok in Sainsburys and Asda I would never buy m and s shirts as they get wrecked!!

peppajay · 30/05/2012 09:52

Sorry was meant to say was originally M and S but got in a charity shop!!

ScallyFloss · 30/05/2012 09:59

Next girls' cardigans were rubbish and would definitely go for M&S - much better quality.

Pinafores, skirts etc M&S are much better quality than the supermarkets.

T-shirts - I bought from supermarkets as they soon get paint and all sorts splattered on them.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 30/05/2012 10:09

I have found M&S trousers to be poorer quality over the last few years (used to be marvelous). There was a real problem last year with the knees going white very quickly.

We have some Banner trousers from the school uniform shop.

One option is to get cheaper trousers from the supermarket and not worry too much if they get trashed (which they will if your DS is anything like my two).

I found John Lewis shirts (proper shirts not polo shirts) tend to last well and are very easy to iron and sometimes don't need ironing.

mumeuro · 30/05/2012 11:06

I would recommend Sainsbury's

Ghoulwithadragontattoo · 30/05/2012 12:29

Thanks Chops. I've just been to Sainsbury's and gots lots of school uniform for very little money as 25% off. The quality looks pretty good to me too :)

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