Uniform for secondary school - do you buy just one size bigger or two?

[therestishistory]

Hi all, as September is approaching, can I ask how many size up you are buying your blazers? I know all of us will be buying larger size to grow into, but just wondered those with experience, are you buying two sizes up, or just the one size up? Your advice would be appreciated.

If someone knows how to tell when their child will have a growth spurt

When it is most expensive or inconvenient.

My children usually have two a year: one in September when I've already bought everything, and another half-way through the school year when the shops stock hardly any uniform.

I have three DCs fairly close in age, so I don't need to buy oversized because they just get handed down. Three blazers in total will see them all through secondary.

Glad to see I'm not the only person who doesn't buy excessively big blazers, I was beginning to think I was unusual / wasteful after I posted yesterday.
There are some children at my DS school whose parents have bought blazers which are much too big and some of them look quite ridiculous. The blazers are far too long in the body and sleeves and far too wide in the chest.
My husband wouldn't buy a work suit which is 2 sizes too big as he would look silly. Obviously DH isn't growing and DC are but if you buy a blazer with what seems to be just the right amount of room it should last at least a year (by which time it might need replacing anyway due to wear and tear).

DS is the only one of mine who wears a blazer. Each year (he is just finishing y9) I've bought one that looks like it has a reasonable amount of room, but doesn't look ridiculous, and then each summer I've had to buy a new one, and will need to again before this September. His school has a well-stocked secondhand uniform shop, so I'm not buying new any more.

A £35 blazer costs less than a pound a week if it lasts a year, 50p if they get two years out of it.

Why would you NOT get one that fits reasonably well?

Mind you, DC3's new (state) school blazer is in excess of £80 so I may be eating my words after the fitting next week!

Ds wears sweatshirt so never experienced buying blazers

I buy clothes that are generous but fit. The blazer was £28 so not too expensive anyway. DS wears it all the time and it is now, nearly at the end of yr 7 looking a bit small but it will do to the end of term. But regardless, it is really quite worn out too, with a few small mends and the elbows going. I don't think there's any point buying massive if it wears out before he grows into it! He does play lots of kick about football in it at break and lunch, perhaps this is the problem.

Why buy 3 pairs of trousers Electrolux? Seems a lot! Though I got 6 shirts (3 packs of 2) as I try to wash whites once a week. The total uniform, including the things you mentioned and trainers, football boots, new shoes, was £320. It won't be quite so much next year as the pe kit ( which was pricy) won't need replacing, and last year I purchased a jumper and track suit bottoms, neither of which were worn so will not be replaced, though everything else will need to be bought again. If he can squeeze into the football boots I won't replace them!

Thank you so much everyone. That is really helpful…especially re the PE kit. I didn;t even think about that yet, but makes really good sense to buy the biggest as hopefully they will be moving around too much for anyone to care. Byeee

My sons measures 28 inches on his chest . What size school blazer should I get. 30 or 31 or 32? We have to buy online from website . Also pe tops I know bigger probably better so 32/33? Any advice thank you