School Uniform - which can you recommend and why?

[aintnomountainhighenough]

Not sure if I am posting this in the right place but here goes. I need to by my DD's uniform soon. The sweatshirt needs to come from National Schoolwear shop but can buy the rest from anywhere. Can you recommend any shop in particular and why? e.g M&S, Asda, Woolies.

Also any you definitely wouldn't go for!

Many thanks!

What is this general muck that kids get on their shirts anyway??! Mine have the occasional remnants of pudding, but nothing that won't wash out?

Maybe they've changed them since I last bought them Soupie - I've noticed a lot of M&S being downgraded in quality over the last couple of years...

The Primark ones have lasted longer than the M&S ones did, I can assure you of that!

M&S do two types of polo shirt - 3 for £2 and 2 for £2. the 2 for £2 ones are much better quality.

my m&s ones look fine, but were 2 sizes too small after washing several times

could be difference between boys and girls - dd's was covered up under a pinafore most of time , so no stains anywhere

paint
pen
mud
glue

Dinner usually comes out though! This is why I switched to cheap ones. The expensive ones got ruined just as easily but I was loath to ditch them. With cheap ones DSs always look gleaming white. Asda ones were thin and horrid but I've been immensely pleased with Primark.

Woolies blue polo shirts are a horrible colour and look really cheap.

Sorry, earlier post should read 3 for £4 or 2 for £4.

I'd second John Lewis. They do grey shirts, the only other plce that have them are m & S and theirs just look like dirty white.

Have just bought more M&S shirts and trousers after being very impressed with their stuff this year. Three for two on everything including school coats.
Noticed they have a new 'stain away' polo shirt, (100% cotton). here. Not tried them because we have shirts and ties

I have found John Lewis stuff to be great.I only bought two pairs of shorts and a few polo shirts but they still look good. I can't remember how much they were but they weren't expensive and they'll definately be OK to pass on to my youngest ds.

We have the stain away one and not one of them is still marked despite a whole year of DS1 spilling his lunch down them. DS2 will wear them next year.

I like John Lewis too, mainly cos the restaurant does lovely cakes and it's easy to park!

I tried to get some white 'girly' age 4/5 polo shirts from M&S, adams and John Lewis on Monday and none of them have any left!

Where in primark is their school wear? I went a couple of weeks age and couldn't see it - anyone go to the Primark in Manchester and can tell me?

M&S warm/cool tights are by far the best I've found.

I'm not sure this shop has ever been mentioned on Mumsnet before, but I always get polo shirts from Quality Seconds! They are excellent quality, come in most school colours and vary in price from 1 pound each to 3 for a fiver depending on the time of year.

I understand that I may be asked outline my ponce credentials before I'm allowed to post again and I am happy to do so.

Yes sorry all for so long in replying, have been out and about this morning. I thought this thread had died last night but thank you so much for the responses. I am not a shop snob so it is great to know that Primark polos come out well. I too had the thought (not very environmentally friendly I know) but for polos buy cheap (as long as they aren't think) as they will probably get ruined very quickly.

I had a sneeky feeling M&S would come out well and it has! Lots of good advice - thank you very much.

You have to prove that you not a shop snob by joining me in Quality Seconds............!!!!!

I'm after some nice pinafore(sp) dresses in age 3 if anyone can reccomend anywhere .Have only looked at asda so far and they had none.

Mothercare start at 3-4yrs
Next and M&S start at 3
Adams start at 2-3 if she's on the smaller side.

katelyle - I can prove it already - bought a T shirt from their shop in Bracknell when I was pregnant (put it in my M&S bag though! ).

next all the way

I am tempted to order a load of stuff on line from M&S - one other question for those who have bought M&S - how does their stuff come up size wise. My DD is only 4.5 but over the height for 5 year old already (height for 5 year old is about 110). I have routinely been buying 5-6 for other stuff such as T shirts but their sizes are in 5 or 6 etc. I always like their stuff personally as I find it a good size (if you know what I mean)is the childrens stuff also quite generous or does it come up small?

Thanks!

size guides here if that's any help. My DC are on the small size, so i'm not sure how the sizes work for bigger children.

I find M&S quite generous sizes. My boys are usually in 1-2 yrs above their age (because of height) in Tescos/Asda sizing, but in M&S their actual age is usually about right.

In the past M&S trousers have been too wide for my skinny boys, but either my boys are becoming more average and less skinny, or their sizing is adjusting!

my dd 4.8 is small for her age and today i bought pinifore and skirt from m&s in age 5 usually she has to get 3-4, i got age 4-5 cardigans and age 4-5 coat but i got 5-6 tights
i have bought polo shirts from asda in age 3-4 the girl ones are lovely with scollop collor and puff sleeves