uniform recommendations please

[pinklemonade84]

Hi

Dd got into our first choice of school and in my excitement I've been trying to price up where to get her skirts etc from. Dh has been furloughed, so I'm trying to put away as much as possible in preparation to buy dd's uniform.

I want to get her a few skirts and a pinafore for when she's got pe (as I think the zip will be easier for her to manage) and then some non logo polo shirts too.

I don't want to fork out loads if it's not going to live up to wear and tear. But, on the other hand, don't mind paying slightly more for stuff that will last.

Ive never had to buy uniform before, so thought I'd check and see where people rate the most so that I can try and get a little list and budget together

Thanks in advance xx

Sainsbury’s school uniform is very good quality - well priced and even better when they have 25% off.

We got DD pinafores and skirts from tu At Sainsbury’s when she started reception. Got it a bit big, it’s lasted reception and year 1, only just put it away for DD2.

I would buy the cheapest you can for reception and invest in biotex. They need clean uniform every day at that age.

Honestly, just supermarket stuff. We’ve got Tesco 2x pinnies 2x skirts, infinite x t-shirts as she’s got through them pretty quickly with either outgrowing or stains.

I’ve also found the skirts are better for PE days as they’re simple pull-on stretchy waistband.

We got her decent shoes and coat but cheap and cheerful uniform. She’s on her 3rd cardigan already - which comes from official uniform shop.

I'd consider trousers for PE days - tights can be a real challenge to get back on when you are little. If you have a choice of colour either the darkest possible polo shirts ( show fewer marks) or white ( can wash at higher temperatures). They get whiteboard pen marks on which don't come off. I kept logoed polo shirts for first days, photo day etc so had one that was presentable, and bought cheaper non logoed for everyday. Same with cardigan or jumper. Soft jersey pull on skirts or trousers more comfy than the Teflon coated, these can be a bit scratchy. Look at what other children wear if that will be important to your child - if all the girls wear a cardi and you've only bought jumpers she might not want to stand out.

Asda are good quality for the price. I made the mistake of buying m&s and lelli Kelli shoes first time round but when she had a growth spurt 3 month later I went to Asda and I would say their stuff is just as good.

Oh and I also bought a set of uniform for everyday incase I didn't have time to wash and dry and it's been a lifesaver!

Sainsburys. DTs has a full set of uniform for every day in reception and y1 so I didn't have to wash in the week.

thank you so much for all of the recommendations so far, it's really appreciated

once we've got it all, I'm going to work on getting her confident at getting herself dressed and undressed in it, so that she ideally will be able to get changed for pe without any help

she's quite tough on shoes, so I definitely want something sturdy for her. That will probably be my next question further down the line 😂

I always look out for the 25% sales at Sainsbury's, they are usually just before a bank holiday I think.

It might also be worth seeing if there is a Facebook group selling second hand uniform, I often have a 'good' top for photos, class assemblies etc and then everyday ones, then some old second hand ones when my ds has lost his third jumper of the week!

Although our school do have a set day for PE, the children must have their PE kit in school every day so the teacher can change the day to suit any other things going on in the school that week. I therefore wouldn't bother having certain clothes for PE day as you wouldn't necessarily know when she would be doing it that week

@Oneofeachclub thank you for that tip, that makes a lot of sense and wasn't something that had crossed my mind. I'll try to make sure she's confident getting changed regardless of whether she's in a pinafore or skirt

If possible, buy knee socks instead of tights. They are easier to put on, and skinned knees don't ruin them as with tights.

For the shoes, Asda does a really sturdy and hardwearing pair of velcro brogues. Very easy for little ones to take off and put on themselves

My little girl loves them, and because they're closed on the top it means her feet don't get as wet during play time. I'm sure other shops do similar styles, but I really can recommend these ones

direct.asda.com/george/kids/shoes/girls-black-patent-bow-trim-brogue-school-shoes/GEM694348,default,pd.html

My DD wears trousers, though happily her school don't make them get changed (they just wear PE kit all day on PE days).
She has a mix of supermarket, some ancient BHS ones (bought just as they closed!) and M&S, they've all lasted well as they were worn by my DS first.

(But I can't say the same of white polos. Even if it wasn't for the whiteboard pen and the spaghetti sauce, they rip and are impossible to mend neatly).

Asda uniform is completely indestructible. DS is Y4 now. His Reception trousers are still in circulation having been passed onto several families! It comes up quite wide though, so we tend to go down an age and buy the extra long versions.

For reception I'd recommend at least 5 changes of uniform. It gets mucky. We bought a couple of official logo jumpers and then a few cheap Asda ones in the same colour as spares.

Friends with girls find they need to change uniform a little more frequently though - there's so many options of skirts, pinafores, shorts, trousers, dresses - they do like to follow the fashions of their friends. Boys are easier - trousers in the winter and shorts in the summer!

Sainsburys always for my DC's uniforms.
They are 9+10 now.
4× polo shirts
4× trousers/skirts
4×jumper/cardigan

PE kit we buy from school.

As a pp stated Asda shoes are really good. I've bought them for DD and DS. I rate them better than Sainsburys definitely.

DD now in Y6 and I've bought from BHS, M&S, John Lewis, Sainsbury and Asda over the years.

Bought some of her uniform for secondary this week (want small sizes and they always sell out fast) and I bought the whole lot from Asda as their stuff seems to wash and wear best.

The jersey pinafores and trousers are really nice and much preferred by DD. The jersey cardigans also wear better than the knitted ones.

Tights were always a moan from DD, so I get the thin thermal ones from John Lewis - they're not cheap but at least there is no whinging.