uniform question, what would you do?

[roastedfox]

ok ds starts in sept. his school says that they can either wear the school uniform with all the logos on etc which cost the earth or can wear just a plain grey jumper and shirt. was going to just go for the plain cheap option and get him the school tie and book bag so still has a few 'offical' bits but at his intake day EVERY parent was buying the logo uniform.
i am a single parent so would be a far cheaper option to go the asda route but could afford to get the proper stuff if wanted.
i don't know what to do don't want ds to look shabby if all other kids are all dressed the same.

buy a bit each week?

My 2 have a couple of the logo cardis/jumpers and then the cheaper Asda or Matalan ones. To be honest only about half of the kids have the logo stuff.

I would go for the plain option. Far less stressful when they lose the stuff after getting changed for PE, and means you're more likely to get it back.

every parent might have been buying one or two sets with the logo, but not necessarily all the uniform with the logo

I would buy one jumper with the logo and extra sets without

I would buy what you can afford. It HONESTLY does not matter. No one will really notice. Plus kids loose stuff especially at that age. So just go with plain school uniform.

If you feel really pressured - buy just the one logo sweatshirt but personally I would not bother.

I only ever bought 2 logo sweatshirts for my DD. I was so disgusted with the quality for what they cost in comparison to an Asda equivalent I never botherd again.

You will probably find alot of people will have some logo uniform bt not everyone will have all. The novelty will wear off for alot of parents as it comes home messy or does not come home at all because it is lost.

Its really not a big deal - not in all of the 5 primary schools my DDs have attended. Please dont worry.

they wear ties in reception? crikey
well get the trousers from Asda, and maybe the shirt, with a logo jumper on top
that way he starts with the kit and you can suss it out how much to relax as he goes up school
make sure you buy the jumper with a bit of growing room and it will last all year

I would buy one jumper, in a generous size. Have you asked about 2nd hand uniform? Our school sell it for 50p an item and its often pretty good quality.

DS starts school in september and we are buying one sweatshirt with the logo for school photo's and all the rest is being bought from Asda.

At My DDs school about half the children wear the logo clothes. I bought a few things, but they have hardly been worn (some things havent been worn at all), because the bits of uniform that I bought elsewhere seem to be more comfortable, and look a bit smarter.

i would agree with many other posters who say just get one logo jumper (in a generous size).
i bet many parents buying the logo uniform are just buying one set, and you will need at least 2 sets, if not 3 depending on how quickly you turnaround your wash basket!

it's nice to look smart the first week of school and for any official photos they take, but apart from that anything goes ime.

I am in a similar position. I have decided already to go down the Asda route - but my mum kindly said she will buy 1 school jumper. I will have this one, and other ones from Asda to rotate. Polo shirts i will buy plain as will mainly be under jumpers, and book bags I am buying different as DS1 will be able to recognise it quickly in a sea of blue generic ones.

I dont think they stick out in reception tbh.

Have you tried the school PTA though? They may sell off lost property etc cheap which you could afford a bit better? Also, try putting an advert on freecycle?

yeah they have the option of wearing a tie if they wish, ds likes the idea of this! ok so starting to think maybe not get the logo stuff. just ndon't want him seen as different before his even started! am paranoid of everyone thinking oh typical single mum

Try for some 2nd hand. Ask the office or grab someone from the PA if you can. They might know someone who would be glad to off load a few for a couple of pounds. Also freecycle?

If not, get the plain. He won't care, and if he does when he's older you can start adding bits in.

I think they care about this stuff when they are a bit bigger, where as we imagine them caring now - because we do and we are projecting our feelngs onto them.

If he does seem bothered, or you really feel it, maybe get one jumper? On a good week it might last a good few days. On a bad week it will be covered by crap before you leave the house

thanx for the good ideas everyone

2nd hand or non logo - why waste money on getting a logo. See how quick the expensive stuff is replaced with supermarket brand - falls in the playground, paint marks...

How much do jumpers/cardis cost in general? Ours are £7, is that average?

Ours are £10 here.

and roasted, feel the same as you - I am single mum sending my son to a school in a different demographic area and I think the only one from council housing. But hey, anyone who judges us on that is too shallow for us (repeat daily, repeat daily!!)

ours are £16.50!! (trim) but pretty good quality.

jumper is £12.40, not sure about polo tops.
smokinaces know what you mean, although i'm not in a council house but feel like everyone knows my situation as soon as they see just me turn up to intake days with him.

I would buy what you can afford ..but I hate uniform anyway and think ties for reception children are ridiculous...

I would go with what smokinaces says. Most PTAs hold second hand uniform stock where you could get some logo stuff such as the jumper. I wouldn't bother with a logo polo until the summer as its covered up the rest of the year.