Coats for School - what are yours wearing?

[jodee]

Just dawned on me that I have all ds's uniform for reception except a coat - there is no school policy so anything would do, but do I get a lightweight coat with a hood for late summer/autumn plus a winter one as well (looking to save money, btw!) ? He has a kagoul but it's the over-the-head type and he can't manage it on his own, I can just see the tears of frustration now!

Oh, I would get him a proper coat that does up at the front, jodee - one that he can fasten easily himself. They do play out a lot of the time, unless it's tipping down. Doesn't have to be heavy but water and windproof is good. He could probably manage with a fleece thing for the first few weeks though.

I am terrible mother who has bought myself raincoat and flat boots for the walk to school (another mum called it my back to school clothes) and I still haven't found a coat for ds! He has a raincoat which zips up (I just hope the teachers will be able to help with that part) and I'm still looking for something for winter. Have seen a 'cozy jacket' on the Gap website which is hooded in cord and am quite tempted by that but they don't seem to have it in yet.

DD's friend has one of those coats which is waterproof with a fleece lining you can add when it gets cold , she's used it all the year round.

I just bought DS a great coat. Basically it's a navy quilted anorak thing for the autumn/spring weather and it comes with a seperate quilted sleevles hooded jacket which you can wear over the top when it gets cold. Or wear it seperately now, which is dead trendy in this area. Better still, it only cost about £10!

I should have a coat somewhere if you need one jodee? My DS1 isn't very ruff and tumble so his didn't wear out. DS2's been bought one from nana and I was given one. Plus he isn't reception age yet.

our school has just brought out a jacket wich i will buy for ds(6) and dd(4),it's reversible fleece on one side and water proof on the other with a hood and the school badge,they do have summer and winter jackets but i like them to have the school one too.

Both of mine wear Duffle coats, they are part of the uniform. They cost a fortune, but last forever! They have pakamacs for warmer wet days.

Glad it's not just me, then! Thanks everyone, ds has a fleece from Spring that might do for the start of the year (as long as it's not raining ...). Juniper, that's so kind of you, where abouts are you (maybe you can CAT me?). Albert, where did you get the coats for a tenner?

Hi jodee, I'm in the NE. When does ds start school?

Hi Juniper, I'm in bournemouth! ds starts on 7 Sept (but for one day), doesn't start properly until 13th.

albert is in Venice, jodee

Asda are doing some lovely coats for £8. Unfortunately they don't have ds's size whenever I go and check . I really don't think it's worth spending a lot on school coats as they get wrecked. They do in this house anyway!

I've emailed u through mn jodee.

DS has a barbour... does that sound ok? He's just starting reception.

Hm - bit heavy and unyielding for playing in, maybe, zebra? (Fits water- and wind-proof criteria though!)

He's got thin layer waterproofs, too (bright tiger design on coat, & navy waterproof trousers, too). I just wondered if other folk were merely going for fashion, or if there was a reason for the particular coats they've chosen. DS's seems excelent to me, cuz it's tough, durable & waterproof. Perfect for the active boy.(?) But maybe I'm missing something obvious!

not wearing one yet
its so warm today!

Juniper, emailed you. :)

My mum got my DS a nice one in Matalan with a waterproof outer - complete with fluorescent stripe for dark days - and a removable fleece jacket.
It also has a fleece lined hood.
Cost £ 14 which I reckon is good value.

Thanks Scotlou for the Matalan recommendation, got myself down there today and got that coat, it was just what I was looking for!