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Original poster

Another school uniform thread...

52 replies

DumbleDork · 04/08/2019 18:29

After readying a few of these type threads I’m beginning to worry I don’t have enough uniform for my DD starting school (reception class) in September.

I’ve only got her:
3 polo shirts
2 pinafores
2 cardigans

Plus the usual pants, socks, vests etc and pe kit which consists of 2 pairs of shorts and 2 T-shirt’s. They don’t need plimsoles / trainers in her school for reception.

I thought this would be plenty but I see loads of people saying they have fresh everyday Hmm

Do I need to buy more or it enough would you say?

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dementedpixie · 04/08/2019 18:36

I like having fresh for each day so I don't need to wash mid week

lorisparkle · 04/08/2019 18:37

I personally would get more polo shirts. Especially if they don't have a logo! They are so cheap and get dirty (and often ruined) very quickly. I always had three pairs of trousers and three sweatshirts which were plenty. You might get away with 2 sets of uniform!

FannyFeatures · 04/08/2019 18:39

It depends how mucky your DD is, how often you wash and how quickly you can get things dried - especially in winter.

My DD is going into P2 and we had to have fresh on every day as she's a total muck magnet and we have no drier so that potentially meant 1 set on, 1 in wash and 1 drying at any time.

We've bought 5 of each this time.

ritzbiscuits · 04/08/2019 18:40

How messy is your child? My DS has just finished reception and he wore a jumper per day in autumn/winter. Often dropping food down him!

He also got quite muddy playing outside, but this is more likely to go on her tights/socks?

I'd at least want 3 cardigans/dresses so you could do a mid week wash.

Original poster
DumbleDork · 04/08/2019 18:43

She often comes home grubby from preschool but is clean at home. I did wonder if because they are less “careful” about it there whereas I hate mess and dirt. I think I’ll buy another set at least based on advice here Smile

OP posts:
Candlesonthetable · 04/08/2019 18:47

I think it also depends on your own standards. My stance is that school uniform is there to stop children ruining their own clothes so I have no problem with sending my children to school covered in paint/whiteboard pen/chalk from the day before. I also don't replace uniform until they grow out of it, regardless of the many stains. I figure that since the school is encouraging them to do mucky activities they can't mind the stains on the uniform. I certainly haven't had any complaints from the school.

teaandbiscuitsforme · 04/08/2019 19:13

My DD starts Reception in September and as a primary teacher, I'd definitely get more polo shirts, possibly another dress or two. Their dinner always gets everywhere!

PantsyMcPantsface · 04/08/2019 19:29

I have a shirt a day and 4 cardigans - but mine has dyspraxia so struggles remembering to bring cardigans home (so I have to mount a regular retrieval mission in class) and gets more messy than the average child.

Also partly is affected by what colour your uniform is - I've found red is an utter utter bastard for making stains from whiteboard pen particularly really obvious but something like navy or green you could get away with a lot more. An infants local to us has yellow expensively logoed cardigans - I cringe at this!

Original poster
DumbleDork · 04/08/2019 19:52

We have grey pinafores / skirts / trousers with white polo and navy cardigan / jumper

OP posts:
septemberismyfavouritemonth · 04/08/2019 19:58

Definitely fresh shirt for every day so you don't have to do washing.

Wigeon · 04/08/2019 19:59

I would definitely get more - and it’s largely the pinafore and cardigan which will bear the brunt of the muck, not the polo shirt, given the shirt is largely covered by the pinafore. Mine got plenty of food, paint, pen, glue, mud etc etc on theirs in reception.

Also makes a big difference if you have a tumble dryer - we don’t, so usually stuff takes quite a while to dry.

elliejjtiny · 04/08/2019 20:07

I would get more. My ds needs a fresh uniform every day and I put a fresh set of uniform in my 5 and 6 year olds book bags in case of toilet accidents.

Passthecherrycoke · 04/08/2019 20:10

I have 4 polo shirts, 2 skirts, 1 pinafore and a cardigan. 1 set of PE kit as I assume it’s once a week?

Can’t you buy more if it’s not enough? That’s why I’m intending to do as D.C. might go up a size

stucknoue · 04/08/2019 20:18

Sounds ok but I would suggest 2 more polo shirts (pack of 3 from the supermarket perhaps) so you aren't having to do a midweek white wash, a cheap skirt/trousers plus knickers and tights for the gym bag is also a good option because they sometimes are so busy they forget to go to the toilet in time.

stucknoue · 04/08/2019 20:19

Ps we coped with just one cardigan

Lwmommy · 04/08/2019 20:21

They seem to use whiteboards and markers a lot at DDs school in reception so she constantly has black marks on her shirts and skin.

I have a polo for each day, 3 x cardi/ sweatshirts and 3 x pinafore/skirts. We can usually get 2 days wear out of a pinafore and cardi but never re-wear a polo shirt.

I also make sure I have a multi pack of socks and polo shirts put away to pull out when the y start to go grey.

I would wait for the Sainsbury's 25% off at the end of the holidays and get the extra bits then.

Original poster
DumbleDork · 04/08/2019 20:22

I will get some more but I’m waiting for Sainsbury’s 25% off event to save some cash as I have senior uniform for DS to buy and they have to be all logo stuff

OP posts:
danni0509 · 04/08/2019 20:27

@DumbleDork do you happen to know when the Sainsbury's sale is on? Thanks

Also if anyone knows when matalan do it?

Have the money sat waiting for ds' uniform but bought it all last year and a few days later matalan did a 20% off so I'm holding out this year...

lorisparkle · 04/08/2019 20:49

The Sainsbury's sale is usually just before a bank holiday I think.

Original poster
DumbleDork · 04/08/2019 20:49

I’m not 100% but saw someone mention online that’s it’s the 13th August

OP posts:
Gryffindorwin2991 · 04/08/2019 20:53

I have bought similar to you OP.
2 pinafores
2 skirts
2 cardigans
I have 2 logo polo tops and a pack of three plain polos from Sainsbury’s for the days she will be wearing a pinafore.

ElstreeViaduct · 05/08/2019 14:10

We found trousers good for the coldest days and for PE days.

You can't see logos under pinafores and plain polos are about £4 for a 2 pack. For us the convenience of having 5 outweighs the benefit of saving £4 over a year or so.

I tend to buy a spare of most things in next size up, so it is there for emergencies this year and normal use next year.

But why not start with what you have and buy more if you need it? The smaller sizes can go out of stock in Sept but you'll be able to find something somewhere if needed.

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 12/08/2019 20:06

Mine always had five shirts/blouses each, two pinafores (trousers for DS), two jumpers, two ties. Usually the jumpers and pinafores/trousers would last a week each and they had clean shirt/blouse every day, spare tie was for when they lost them.

JamMakingWannaBe · 15/08/2019 20:50

If you have an Aldi or Lidl near you, you can pick up a pack of two polo-shirts for less than £2.

I'm planning a fresh polo shirt each day but the pinafore / skirt and cardigan to last 2-3 days.

Soontobe60 · 15/08/2019 21:23

With both my DDs I had loads of shirts! They were the only whites we had so I reckoned that if I had to wash anweeks worth in one go it would be extravagant so went for more and washed fortnightly. Then straight into the dryer and folded whist warm so no ironing needed.