Tell F&F what you really look for in a school uniform and have a chance to win a £200 voucher NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

You may have seen we recently asked 100 MNers to put the new F&F school uniform range to the test - you can see what they thought here. F&F would now like to know what Mumsnetters look for when searching for the ideal school uniform for your DCs.

Here's what F&F say: "At F&F we're really proud of the value and quality of our products and have spent the last year really improving our schoolwear range. Our schoolwear offering, which is available online all year round, is designed to last. With features including Teflon fabric protector across skirts, trousers and pinafores, we believe that we've made it easier to get those stains out. Also, we've included adjustable waistbands to ensure a more comfortable fit for your children that will also help the items last that little bit longer as they grow. Finally, we've helped reduce ironing with our permanent pleats in skirts."

If you had the chance to design your own school uniform for your DCs what would it look like? What special features would you want? Extra long t-shirts or trousers for your tall children? Wrinkle free clothes to cut down on the ironing? What's the one thing that is missing from current school uniform ranges?

We'd also like to know what you think of the specific features of the new F&F school uniform range, .

~ How important are adjustable waistbands to you? Would they factor into your ideal school uniform?

~ What do you think of Teflon coated fabrics? Do you think it is an effective way of minimising stains on school uniforms or not? Do you think it helps improves the longevity of the clothing or not?

~ How helpful, if at all, is having permanent pleats in skirts?

~ If you could manufacture your ideal school uniform range would you make it available to parents online or not? Do you think that this makes parents' life easier or not?

Everyone who shares their thoughts with us will be entered into a prize draw to win £200 worth of e-vouchers for Tesco.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Yes to adjustable waistbands. No to Teflon. No opinion re pleats. No to online making it easier - it's a faff when sizings are so unreliable.

[BreakOutTheKaraoke]

Adjustable waistbands- not an issue for me. DD is fast approaching puberty, filling out in typical places, so we find trousers often too tight on her. They seem to be quite narrow on the hips. We much prefer jersey style trousers, but these aren't easy to find, or tend to be really long.

Teflon- not noticed any difference. Any way to make white polo shirts stay really white, and repel whatever orange stuff DD attracts each day?

Pleats- woud rather have other options of skirts tbh, pleats are an unneccessary evil here.

Online- definitely, and order more stocks of the basics, you shouldn't sell out of white polo tshirts, these must be the most common item, you need lots!

Any ideas- I agree with the above, put a bit of shape in the polos, particularly girls. And do some rigourous tumble dryer testing. In winter, they generally go through the dryer a couple of times a week, it would be nice if they didn't shrink upwards as much as they do.

[emanu]

If you had the chance to design your own school uniform for your DCs what would it look like?
I would really like to see jeans-cut trousers for boys. Ideally not always black or grey but that's up to schools! I would love some blue.

How important are adjustable waistbands to you?
Yes, definitely, very important at least at primary school age.

What do you think of Teflon coated fabrics?
Loathe it. I do not want any Teflon near my children. I have 100% cotton coloured jeans that have been used and washed for YEARS and are good. Why are all school trousers destroyed at the knees AND discoloured after a couple of months (cotton and Teflon covered are alike)?

How helpful, if at all, is having permanent pleats in skirts?
I don't have girls, but again: no chemicals on children's clothes please!

If you could manufacture your ideal school uniform range would you make it available to parents online or not? Do you think that this makes parents' life easier or not?
A lot easier. Although I sometimes don't buy online if I feel the delivery fee is too high compared to what I need.

[missorinoco]

Like the advert, it captures the point, which for my children is that the uniform will take a hammering through activities.

What is important for me?
Adjustable waistbands.

A plus size range, as well as adjustable waistbands.

Teflon, not sure. Many of the items I buy have it, but it wasn't in the polo shirts and sweaters that were attacked by felt tips, so I don't know if it would have saved the day. It isn't a push for me either way.

Easy iron items. I am not keen on ironing pleats into a primary school child's trousers thankyou.

Stop with the gender sterotypes of primary school children. Why could I buy normal white t shirts for my son for PE, but the girls' version is more fitted and has pretty tucks at the shoulders. And why does she need bootleg trousers aged 4. And pretty shoes.

I would be more likely to shop somewhere without these forced choices. I can buy boys clothes for her, but why can't they be marketed as unisex?

On line is good but I need to check the fit, so consider free returns and offers with free delivery, or order to collect from store for free.

[nextphase]

How important are adjustable waistbands to you? Would they factor into your ideal school uniform?

Adjustable waistbands, or trousers for skinny kids are essential. My 4 year old, who needed full uniform to go to preschool, can still fit in shorts designed for his 12-18 month brother. Even on full adjustment, 3-4 trousers are on the loose side.

What do you think of Teflon coated fabrics? Do you think it is an effective way of minimising stains on school uniforms or not? Do you think it helps improves the longevity of the clothing or not?

Awful. I'd like cotton, which I can then wash hot or scrub to get the stains out. Polyester with teflon doesn't help with sensitive, eczema prone skin.

How helpful, if at all, is having permanent pleats in skirts?

No ideas, got boys!

If you could manufacture your ideal school uniform range would you make it available to parents online or not? Do you think that this makes parents' life easier or not?

Yes, online please. The horror of having to filter through the myriad of shirt, trouser styles and sizes, of which you never have age 3-4 left is horrible. And while your at it, please make more of the smaller sizes. I know this doesn't fit with a supermarket model, but what about a 1 of each size of each style as a display we can measure against the kids (to see how small I can go and get the trousers length required), and then order for next day to store delivery?

Stop with the stupid promotions to make us buy the uniform in June. Make it constant, reasonably priced all year round.

[janekirk]

1/ Durability
2/ Price
3/ Easy to wash and iron

[mrscumberbatch]

We don't personally need adjustable waistbands as DD seems to be quite a standard fit, but I can see that it's a lifesaver for many families!

I'm not bothered about teflon really, what I really do like is good non polyester fabrics in classic styles.

If they were properly permanent then yes, great idea as it makes life easier.

And yes yes yes. Online. I tend to buy things in shop to try on/have a feel of item etc but for school uniform things need replaced throughout the year and it would be great to do it at the click of a button!

[daisybrown]

Plenty of turn-up on trousers & shorts to counter those growth spurts.
Expandable waist bands.
Well sewn buttons & zips.
Easy stain removal.

[wavesandsmiles]

Adjustable waistbands are a really high priority, together with fabric that doesn't need too much any ironing.

Teflon coated fabrics certainly reduce staining, but the insurmountable problem remains white polo shirts which seemed to get stained on day one of wearing! Pockets are great, would be super to have these in dresses and skirts as well as in trousers though.

Anything that makes name labelling uniform would be good too!

[Visadiva]

Adjustable waists are essential. I once bought age5 shorts with no adjustable waist - didn't fit till DS was 8!
Also has to wash well, and iron easily. There is no need for cute designs - little hearts and bows for example. I'm not too keen on online shopping for school age children either, as sizes vary so much.
I would like colours that don't fade and more choice of colours in polo shirts. I have to go to the specialist uniform shop for DS bottle green polo.

[NaturalBaby]

~ I need adjustable waistbands in all my boys shorts and trousers, and no fastenings as they are only 4 and 5 so can't do them up yet.

~ I don't know how good teflon coated fabrics are but my boys wear art and lunch aprons so I've been lucky with stains.

~ I only have boys so no comments on skirts

~ I like to have the option of buying online, especially if I can collect in store to check it before taking home, that definitely makes my life easier!

[ThePortlyPinUp]

I have 4dd's at school from September, adjustable waistbands are a must as well as a greater range in smaller sizes, dd4 is swamped by age 3 clothes even though she is nearly 5. I'm not fussed by Teflon and actually prefer pleat free skirts and dresses. Cheap and hardwearing are my only requirements really.

[Wonderstuff]

~ How important are adjustable waistbands to you? Would they factor into your ideal school uniform?
I like them, kids waists vary so much, DD likes to wear trousers, but I stopped sending her in them because the girls ones were cut so low, and her polo shirt would ride up, leaving her back exposed and she got awful eczema on her back, so she goes to school in a dress now.

~ What do you think of Teflon coated fabrics? Do you think it is an effective way of minimising stains on school uniforms or not? Do you think it helps improves the longevity of the clothing or not? Not sure, did get through a lot of summer dresses this year as they got stained, so will look out for Teflon on summer dresses.

~ How helpful, if at all, is having permanent pleats in skirts? Helpful

~ If you could manufacture your ideal school uniform range would you make it available to parents online or not? Do you think that this makes parents' life easier or not? I haven't bought uniform online, I tend to get it at the supermarket. I think because I don't do a big shop, but grab bits as I need them and don't want to wait or pay postage.

[CheeryCherry]

I like adjustable waistbands, my DCs are tall but slim so need to alter the waistband sometimes, and I can't sew very well!
I'm not too fussed about Teflon, I go for style and fit first, I'm just relieved when we've found suitable uniform. I can't say either way if it helps with stains.
I would definitely sell it online, I tend to buy uniform online anyway, as it is available all year round in all sizes, instead of this mad summer rush. I like free returns though for when its not quite right! Much easier and far less hassle with 3 DCs.

[RubySparks]

Having teenagers it is important for items to be fashionable and for my DD (who has sensitive skin) the soft cotton and natural fabrics are important. Many of the no iron or no stain clothes look fine but feel horrible.

[LentilAsAnything]

Adjustable waistbands for sure.
Non-iron.
No Teflon.
No polyester, yuck.

Everything should be available online.

[MrsMaryCooper]

~ How important are adjustable waistbands to you? Would they factor into your ideal school uniform?

Very important. DS is long and skinny.

~ What do you think of Teflon coated fabrics? Do you think it is an effective way of minimising stains on school uniforms or not? Do you think it helps improves the longevity of the clothing or not?

Yes, I like them. Fabric is a bit hard to begin with, though

~ How helpful, if at all, is having permanent pleats in skirts?

Yes, helpful

~ If you could manufacture your ideal school uniform range would you make it available to parents online or not? Do you think that this makes parents' life easier or not?

Online makes things a lot easier.

Keeping a supply of polo shirts etc throughout the year is also very useful. Especially if your child is prone to growth spurts or hard on clothes. Sometimes difficult to obtain colours other than white/navy.

[Hasitfallendownagain]

Definite yes to adjustable waists. I'd also like to see maybe tall and petite sizing, or slim, standard and husky sizing - or whatever you want to call it. Sometimes even with an elasticated waist you have to pull in so much fabric that it bunches up around the waist - having a slimmer cut would reduce the problem.

I don't really care one way or another about teflon coating.

I'd really like to see a high/ 100% cotton content in everything - especially summer dresses and jumpers.

Reduced ironing things are nice, but I'd iron everything anyway, so not that essential to me.

Having uniform in the right colour for the local schools in the local store is a must!! (though it was another supermarket, not Tesco that did this - racks and racks of red jumpers and cardigans (and no other colours!) when not one of the three primary schools in the town have a red uniform .

Everything should definitely be available online.

[LaTrucha]

~ How important are adjustable waistbands to you? Would they factor into your ideal school uniform?
Essential. Trousers and skirts would not stay on without one.

~ What do you think of Teflon coated fabrics? Do you think it is an effective way of minimising stains on school uniforms or not? Do you think it helps improves the longevity of the clothing or not?
I really have no idea.

~ How helpful, if at all, is having permanent pleats in skirts?
Very helpful.

~ If you could manufacture your ideal school uniform range would you make it available to parents online or not? Do you think that this makes parents' life easier or not?
I do most of my shopping online, so if it not online it is not bought, preferably with free delivery.

[loopyloou]

For us an adjustable Waistband is very important, as the clothes otherwise never fit my daughter, she is tall and skinny!

I'm not sure whether Teflon helps avoid stains, I don't buy it, I tend to buy the style I want, whatever material it comes in.

I would only buy a pleated skirt with permanent pleats, I have no time to iron pleats in! I need a pleated skirt I can wash and hang up to dry without needing to iron it.

I prefer to buy online, as I rarely get into a large town where there is plenty of choice, so nearly always buy uniform online.

[iwasyoungonce]

Adjustable waistbands - yes, always look for this on trousers/ skirts.

Also a personal bugbear - my local Tesco Extra is less than half a mike from DD's school. In fact, it is the closest school to the store. However, the Tesco store does every colour jumper/ cardigan apart from our colour! Very occasionally a few in our colour seem to appear, and they are instantly snapped up, then we see no more for the rest of the year. Very annoying.

I find the shoes are really poor quality. Rock hard, no nice soft leather.

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

Ideally it'd come in sizes like men's trousers not in ages.

Adjustable waists are important

I also wish more schools had coloured polos rather than the white that soon turns grey.

Shorts for girls

[MsMarple]

In answer to your questions:

• Adjustable waistbands are absolutely essential - DS is skinny so without them his trousers would never stay up.
  

~ Teflon sounds like a bit of a gimmick. In fact I'd actually avoid buying something for my children that was coated with strange chemical substances. I give DS clean trousers everyday and the normal ones seem to wash just fine.

~ Being able to buy uniform online is very much easier, as shopping with restless children isn't much fun. I actually ordered all uniform last year from Tesco online and collected it free from my nearest store, which meant I was sure of getting the sizes I wanted. Very convenient, thank you.

• Finally what I would REALLY like to be able to buy, but haven't been able to find, are
  

long-sleeved white polo shirts that are 100% cotton (highlighted in case you are only skim reading!) His school uniform policy says that they can wear long sleeved ones if they like but they don't tell you where on earth to buy the things!

[cece]

Adjustable waist bands are essential to me otherwise the clothes do not fit my DC - without them the trousers/skirts are too big. I would not buy them if they didn't have adjustable waists.

~

I have no view on Teflon coating - my DS1 has clean clothes for school everyday as he gets very dirty. I have no idea which, if any, of his clothes have Teflon coatings.


DD's school skirts are not allowed to have pleats. But make them longer please as they are always too short!


Online yes please, as it so easy to buy all in one go without the dreaded dragging kids to a busy shop. Also make it available all year around, as kids grow. Another problem I have had this year is buying boys shorts in sizes bigger than 12 yrs old - apparently there is 'no demand' for them. Well my DS1 is in yr4 and would like some shorts - he is just very big for his age!

I also only ever buy non iron white shirts. I suggest that each store finds out the colour of the local school's polo shirts and stock the correct colours accordingly. Maddening to go into store to look for yellow polo shirts to find them all gone but hundreds of red ones as no local schools are red but three local schools wear yellow. Ditto with school dresses.

I never buy shoes from Tesco for school always go to Clarks.