Generous Fit uniform

[glesgal]

Slightly pointless question but does anyone see the point of all these larger size uniforms for bigger than average kids. You do need larger sizes for some, but BHS for example has their larger sizes for age 4 the same as about age 8 regular (so why not just buy an age 8). My DD is 13 and usually wears age 15 or 16, the generous fit trousers or skirt for that age fall right off her. BHS even have and age 12 gingham dress supposedly adult size 16, like a p7 pupil would be that big (or a 16 year old would wear these things). M&S have a Plus Fit, which I could say the same things about.

tbh if a teen is so big they don't fit childrens' clothes, why not buy adult shirts, trousers, skirts etc. in the appropriate colour. School specific items like badged jumpers can be specially made if necessary.

There doesn't seem much point when they reach adult height if school-style clothes are available in adult sizes, but there is definitely a point at primary age as things that fit an average child of a certain height will almost certainly be too tight or too baggy for a lot of children that height (most places that do plus-size uniform also do slim-fitting).

adult clothes have VAT on them
kids clothes don't

I have the reverse problem with my children - both very, very slim and skirts and trousers all too big round the waist - not so much an issue with DS who is quite small for his age but DD is tall and needs to be wearing clothes for one/two years older girls.
I guess if there is no VAT on children's clothes it does make sense to extend the ranges....all those £1s do add up over the course of a year or so of uniform buying.....

You can't really by a navy blue blazer for an adult that doesn't cost a fortune. Just wish they would make the length instead of the width.

MY DS is 15 and 6ft and skinny (and has been since 14). I have to buy a 40inch chest blazer to get the correct length, but it hangs off him. That was from the school uniform shop, m&s don't cater for him either.

As it is we now buym&s mens trousers for him as they are cheaper than the school uniform ones

Good point about the VAT Eldon - I'd forgotten about that, and at 20 per cent it really makes a difference.

Gazzalw, have you tried looking for slimmer-fitting uniform online? Next does slim and plus-fit school uniform online/through catalogues, and I expect some of the other retailers do too - you just can't get it in the shops.

Gingham dresses are a complete pain to buy! DD is 8 and too 'wide' for all supermarket / m+s / next dresses - she is also tall and for the length I buy age 11/12 - i have looked at plus (bhs, next etc) but the plus size dresses are massive! Far too wide and look like sacks! I finally found a style that fits in the standard range but it took some searching!!! Same with trousers... Shops seem to think children are tiny or v big....just a little moan!!! :-)

Surely the larger sizes are wider but not as long?

I know of one boy who aged 9 had to wear age 13 trousers, taken up about a foot, but maybe the plus size might have fitted better?

I like the fact uniforms vary. I have 2 kids - one extremely skinny and one quite well built. It's not really a question of just sizing up/down because the relative proportioning of height and width need to be different for different children. It can be VERY hard to find uniforms for children who are skinny or well built and I took 2 uniform items to the cleaners to be altered for my DS today!