Proper school shirts/ blouses that aren't stiff and uncomfortable?

[Closetlibrarian]

Does such a thing exist? DD starts school in Sept and they require proper shirts (i.e. not polos). Don't get me started on how I think this is completely ridiculous I bought some short-sleeve blouses from M&S but she's complaining that they are uncomfortable - the collar in particular. Has anyone bought short-sleeve girls' school shirts/ blouses that are actually soft and comfy, and not stiff and starchy?

Have you washed them? Wash them a couple of times without fabric conditioner then once with (if you use it). Lots of starch in newly bought cotton.

Agree with lots of washing. We buy a lot of DD's shirts second hand and they are lovely and soft.

Asda ones, after a wash or two. M&S ones are softer after 4/5 washes because they are better quality but Asda ones are cheap and as I found out with DD reception children ruin proper shirts so quickly that quality really isn't an issue! (I recommend having a new one stashed away for school photo day btw)

I buy the next size up and wash a few times with lots of fabric softener.

Great, thanks all. :)

M&S do shirts that are 100% cotton. The are really soft after a couple of washes.

www.marksandspencer.com/easy-dressing-ultimate-non-iron-girls-shirt-sleeve-shirt/p/p22471588?intid=KW_ED_LEGO_1_TXT_1&pdpredirect

Does she have to wear a tie?

If not, get ones that have a more open collar that you can't wear a tie with.

If you do have to have a tie, then rounded collars are still more comfortable than pointed ones, and try to get 100% cotton ones that are't reinforced at the collar.

It is easier to find comfortable collars for girls than for boys, imo.

Dd had to wear proper shirts with a tie from year 1. She couldn't stand the feel of the Marks collar around her neck. I tried Next which she was fine with. She still has Next shirts at high school, although they are revere collar.

Yes Clembarrass she has to wear a tie again, don't get me started on how fricking ridiculous I think it is that 4 year olds have to wear ties

Will look out for 100% cotton next time around.

Sigh I feel bad for her. She's never worn a shirt with her collar in her life and is always just in comfy clothes that are easy to run around and play in. This whole uniform thing seems so anti-child.

John Lewis ones are good and also soft ime.