Let's talk School Uniform - Matalan would love to know what you think - £300 to be won NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

Following winning a Mumsnet Rated badge for their range of Teflon coated school uniform, the team at Matalan would love to explore further with Mumsnetters their general views on School Uniform.

Matalan say "we all know uniform can be expensive and time consuming to keep clean/ keep on top of - at Matalan you can kit your kids out for less with our school uniform range, it's packed full of new features and benefits that will mean less ironing and washing for parents - better still, shop the full range online and collect in store for free! We'd love to know your tips and views on uniform in general and how you help your child feel confident at school"

Please share on this thread your views on all or some of the below:

Your general thoughts on school uniform items - what do you want to see in a uniform? What's important to you when picking school uniform for your children? What features do you look for? What styles do your children like/ hate?

Do you think a school uniform helps your child feel confident during the school year? How?

How do you encourage your children to go back to school after school holidays with confidence? What concerns do you have - if any - about sending your children to school for the first time/back to school after the holidays?
What tips do you have for helping your child get the most out of school all year round?

At what age do your children start getting dressed themselves for school: what tips can you share for encouraging this?

And for those who do a school run - how much - if at all, do you care or think about what you wear to drop off or pick up from school?

Add your comments to this thread and you will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will win a £300 voucher to spend in Matalan (a Love2Shop voucher)

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Standard Insight T and Cs apply

My son will be starting school sept 2018, he is currently in pre school and wears a uniform I feel its a brilliant idea and saves from his nice at homes clothes getting dirty.
My son is very tall and skinny so trousers that aren't slim fit looks so silly on him, so slim fit (not skinny!) would be fab as he the normal ones just fall straight down or look like 3/4 lengths on him! also tops that don't shrink up and outward after a few months of washing would be amazing! :D

I love the fact my son wears a school uniform.... i like that it creates an identity for a school and it should be work with pride as it teaches children to take pride in their appearence! So it's massively important my son looks smart but feels comfortable! It winds me up that it goes by age.... as my son is taller than most in his class & has to go up 2 sizes usually for the length to fit him.... so elasticated buttons on the waist are a must! I think they should go on height not age as my son doesn't like the fact he has to wear a different age as all kids are different heights/weights/shapes! I don't think it makes them feel very good if they have to wear a different age to what they are!

I'm in favour of school uniform as long as it is reasonably priced and not too difficult to source ... having all the children dressed similarly is a great "leveller" provided it is smart, simple and not, for example only available via the school at an exhorbitant price.

Uniform items need to reflect different shapes and sizes of kids. Adjustable waists are essential. One of my DS's was quite chubby round the waist the other was very thin.
Very glad for online shopping where you can buy uniform all year round. If you have a child who grows rapidly and needs the bigger size by Christmas / Easter it is hard to find a full range of uniform in shops other than at the summer holiday time.
Think about what I wear for drop off and pick up? Are you aware that this is 2017 and a lot of parents work and so are in work clothes when they drop off their children ponders having enough time/ mind-space to worry about what I wear when I drop my kids off
ALSO IN SCOTLAND SUMMER HOLIDAYS ARE AT A DIFFERENT TIME TO THE ENGLISH SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. HAVE SCHOOL UNIFORM IN THE SHOPS AT THE RIGHT TIME!

I like School uniforms, the children look smart and if you shop around you can get some good deals, ironing the school uniform on a sunday night with a family film on is a tradition passed down to me from my mum and its a good start to a new week

Great range from matalan cheap top quality gear my princess looks Awsome in it

I like my little girl to wear a dress for school I think it's important for the uniform to be easy to put in (a zip) because my daughter likes to try and dress herself. I like the dresses to not need ironing lol because I do seem to have to wash them everyday ! It's also important for them to wash nice and look smart.

I'm half and half, my kids hate it, I hate it but they all look smart, but then surely the kid should be allowed to express themselves with their clothing

School uniform is a god send, could you imagine the issues if kids had to wear normal clothes to school. How much drama would that be with teenagers! My daughter uniform is standard black blazer, white shirt and tie, which is great, simple, easy and no trouble. The only issues that I have that schools insist on having their branded jumpers, cardigans, polo shirts which are typically only available in school shops which are not supermarket prices. I think secondary schools should drop the branded jumpers and cardigans which at least could make some of the buying of the school uniform a bit more affordable. This can be hard on the pockets especially when going up a term.

I'm most defo a fan of school uniform but the prices are silly high. £32 for a blazer and trousers £22. That's £50 just for two items. They should make it a bit more cheaper. If you have more then one child that attends the school it works out quit abit :( xx

I like school uniform and prioritise durability and comfort. I also like clothes that don't stain easily/colour run.
In terms of what I'd like to see more of, it would have to be slim fit trousers - DS1 is very slim and looks almost comical in trousers that are his length, even those with adjustable waists.

Not that keen on school uniform but it does stop arguments. For the little ones Velcro on top button of shirts and blouses is invaluable.

waste of money and wash powder

I like school uniforms. As long as you can get them fairly cheap, decent quality and not having to iron them.

I love seeing the children in a school uniform, makes them look smart. I really dislike non uniform days, as for when I was younger it was all about wearing the in thing and I hated not fitting in with the other children, because my mum couldn't afford the latest fashion trend.

For me I wear casual on the school run, some mums you see, to me they seem dressed up to the nines and makeup plastered on.

Love uniforms. Need to be well made, easy to wash and love the stuff that doesn't need ironing!
Favourite trousers are the flat front with the elastic around the back of the waist for boys so they don't grow out of them too fast. I'd like extra strong groin reinforcement please as my boys seem to frequently split their trousers!
Areas to put a name is great as well!
I remember when my youngest were smaller some of their shoes had half a face in the bottoms so they could put the pair together and know what foot they went on as it made a whole face. Easy but effective.

Think it gives students a sense of identity and saves on cloth bills

Ds is a slim 10 year old with what I can only describe as an amazing arse. He struggles to get trousers to fit his lovely bum without them being too baggy round the waist and too long. Fix that problem and I'll be happy

i think uniform is great, kids all look smart and no worries about not having the fashion brands, cost is expensive to start but tend to last the year, it gives them confidence and part of the school team

I love my daughters school uniform as it is very smart but it is school specific so we can only buy it from one place. Its quite expensive for some of the items - the summer dresses are £40 each and she needs 2 or 3 so it really does become costly each time she grows!

Totally love school uniforms, it saves time in the mornings, they're smart and everybody fits in..There is no bulling when everyone wears the same clothes (not like muffty day!) Mine love getting dressed by them selves,we make it fun with coloured stickers on and they have to pair them up within a time limit. Would also love to see coats has school uniform with reflecting badges on them.

Uniforms are great as all children are the same & i personality think it stops some bullying.
Most supermarkets offer great value for money uniforms. I personally like Asda.

A tie is the most antiquated part of the school uniform

I love the children wearing school uniforms. I believe that it shows respect for the school and gives the children a sense of belonging

Your general thoughts on school uniform items - what do you want to see in a uniform? What's important to you when picking school uniform for your children? What features do you look for? What styles do your children like/ hate?
Trousers with an adjustable inner belt. Clothes that are hard wearing and wash well. I can't abide polo t-shirts that bobble after a few washes.

Do you think a school uniform helps your child feel confident during the school year? How?
I think a school uniform helps kids to feel like they belong to the school. It doesn't differenciate between classes/ rich/ poor etc. This is the main benefit of a uniform in my eyes.

How do you encourage your children to go back to school after school holidays with confidence?
I always ask if they have missed friends who they don't see outside school. Luckily my children generally like school so there isn't much of a struggle

What tips do you have for helping your child get the most out of school all year round?
Try hard, make friends and make the most of the opportunities you have whilst at school. Get involved in clubs and enjoy what you do.

At what age do your children start getting dressed themselves for school: what tips can you share for encouraging this?
My 5 year old is starting to dress himself though struggles with taking his jumper back off. My eldest 2 were around the same age when they started to dress themselves. I encourage them by giving lots of praise when they put clothes on by themselves.

And for those who do a school run - how much - if at all, do you care or think about what you wear to drop off or pick up from school?
I wouldn't go in pj's but otherwise I just wear my general day to day clothes and don't give it much thought.