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Secondary education

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Original poster

Boys - how many pairs of school trousers do you buy?

46 replies

outrage · 08/01/2017 20:20

DS is in Year 8, and I reckon our optimum number is 3 - but M&S trousers come in packs of 2 so I always have a dilemma whether to go for 2 or 4. Just about to up-size again and I'm hovering over the shopping basket wondering whether an extra £17 is worth the reassurance of a surplus. What's the Mumsnet consensus?

OP posts:
Blu · 09/01/2017 23:41

2

Suppermummy02 · 09/01/2017 23:46

two

Specialagentblond · 09/01/2017 23:47

I have 5 pairs - DS1 is filthy when he gets home from school so new pair daily - but they will get worn again by DS2 or made into shorts as they only get used half as much.

Maybe get 2 from m&s and a cheaper pair as a spare?

paxillin · 09/01/2017 23:52

How small is the last size? Can you get 2 and keep the old ones for dire emergencies or are they Bermuda-short length already?

Yoarchie · 09/01/2017 23:59

My ds has 2 pairs of trousers that fit properly. we have an older pair with a small hole/rip just in case.

AveEldon · 10/01/2017 09:14

2 pairs has been fine here

Cakingbad · 10/01/2017 09:17

3 or 4. I would rather have underused trousers than the stress of last-minute washing emergencies in a busy week.

schmack · 10/01/2017 09:20

ive got 5 but agree you dont need that many. I think 3 is fine. I recently noticed that ds in Y7 had been wearing the same 3 all last term and 2 havent moved from their hangers.

Newtssuitcase · 10/01/2017 09:23

In primary we had five shirts and five pairs of trousers.

In secondary DS1 has four pairs of trousers (because of the packs of 2 issue) and this has been fine.

Reality16 · 10/01/2017 09:23

I always work with 5.

Slightly perplexed at the poster who said they could get away with one as you only need wash once a week though. Mine walk out of the door wearing clean clothes every day.

IfNotNowThenWhenever · 10/01/2017 09:39

How can a kid only need 1 pair of school trousers?
Mine gets 6 pairs at the start of the year. They get muddy most days, so need a clean pair daily.
So, from M and S thats, what? less than £30 for an entire school year?
They are at school 39 weeks (in England) out of 52, so all the pairs get used.

NotThrowAwayMyShot · 10/01/2017 10:37

The Op's DS is in Year 8, not primary school. Most boys if that age can get at least 2/3 days out of a pair of trousers. they have to go a whole half term with their Blazers after all.

Reality16 · 10/01/2017 10:39

they have to go a whole half term with their Blazers after all. fortunately for us the high school recommend Tesco blazers which can be chucked in the washing machine weekly along with their trousers.

NotThrowAwayMyShot · 10/01/2017 10:41

Ours are a wool blend dry clean only blazer. The trousers are suit trousers to match but at least they are machine washable (though not tumble dryable)

Most schools round here specify logo trousers/skirts only available in a specific style from the official supplier.

Laniakea · 10/01/2017 10:43

The packs of two are so annoying!

Dd had ended up with four skirts & six blouses, she's stopped growing so they last a couple of years. She's year 11 & wearing last year's (no more uniform after this year!). I hate being under pressure to get it washed during the week.

paxillin · 10/01/2017 10:52

Wouldn't most teenage boys honk if the trousers were washed only weekly?

IfNotNowThenWhenever · 10/01/2017 11:03

Mines yr 6, but cant see him ceasing to play football at break in the next 2 years, so am expecting the trashed trousers to continue.
Yeah , a week of teenage boy in the same keks would be rank wouldn't it!

NotThrowAwayMyShot · 10/01/2017 11:16

Depends whether he's allowed at secondary.

with only 10 mins at break to include getting from one class to another which depending on the size of the school could be a considerable distance he may not even go near the 'playground' & I doubt balls would be allowed at morning break.

Lunchtimes depend on the school. At ds's school they have just over an hour but that's unusual. Most other local schools only get 40 mins or so. Children often have a Rita as to which order they are allowed to enter the dining room in.

At ds's school footballs are allowed on the Astro at lunchtime as long as it isn't in use for a club/match. Otherwise not allowed.

lljkk · 10/01/2017 11:26

DS2 is in yr8 & we have managed with just 2 prs. he's not a teen for a long while, yet, mind. he's a messy kid, but can sponge down any spills.
16yo DS1 also managed on just 2 prs towards the end.

PantyLiner · 20/01/2017 00:59

DS has 3 pairs of trousers but could really do with 4 pair. Only because he insists on rolling around in the mud, playing rugby, after school with his mates while walking home - which requires walking across playing fields. My washing machine has a pair of school trousers in it every evening.

BastardGoDarkly · 20/01/2017 01:07

My DS is year 4, so has 4 pairs, his whole uniform has to be clean on every day, I don't know what he does, mud wrestling by the look of it Hmm

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