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

I like to see items that don't need to be ironed!! Stain proof too...

Yes, they don't need to worry that their clothes aren't the same as everyone, and with a few minor differences, they are!

My child loves going to school to see his friends! We don't usually see them outside of school, so he can't wait to get back to them.

I don't really have concerns about sending them back, he's a confident boy, and popular in his class.

Remind them how important it is to have fun but also learn so they can get a good job that they will enjoy.

My little one had to as soon as his brother was born, he is the SLOWEST at getting dressed ever though! Reward getting dressed with promises of reward chart stickers!

I would never wear PJS, I always do my make up and brush my hair. I don't care if I look stylish or not (ever) but I do draw the line at wearing bedtime clothes!

Love uniforms, don't have to think about what the kids need to wear in the morning and there's no tantrumming over what to wear. Also it's easier for low income families as there's no pressure to have expensive branded stuff like trainers.

When buying I look out for comfort first then price and elasticated waists as my DC are super skinny!

I am totally a fan of school uniform, but I think it should be as simple as possible especially for primary schools - no ties or blazers or stiff shirts, just polo shirts, sweaters and skirts/ trousers (or just trousers). It should be hardwearing and easy to clean, designed for getting stuff silt down it, climbing, playing etc, and available from a number of different outlets, or if a branded top is used they should be available second hand as well.

I do not care at all what I wear for the school run, apart from as I tend to cycle it would be trousers or shorts. I would hope my hair is bruished but that's where it ends.

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?

I want something that's comfortable and durable. My children like them to look good too. For e.g. my little girl likes the ones with cute buttons or a little lace.

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

I think the uniform ensures that all are equal and there are no problems with what one wears especially as one grows older.

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?

My children love school so that's a big plus. I have had concerns over first time at school like most parents but the children have adjusted so well that it's been fine. I always encourage them to get ready for school themselves, pack their bags, choose their own lunchbox and bottles and even their stationery.

What tips do you have for helping your child get the most out of school all year round?

I support my child with homework and make sure that I am interested in knowing about their school day. They also do a bit of extra work at home so they are confident in school.

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

Age 5. I encourage them by taking pride in dressing themselves. My 2 have a competition where the fastest gets 10p and the runners up gets 5p.

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 do care about what I wear to drop off and pick up. I don't believe in going to school in my PJs. If the children can get ready - so can I. I may not make an effort to put make up on but I'm definitely dressed for the day every morning at school.

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?

I'd prefer not to have a uniform at all - most other European countries seem to manage perfectly well without one. But if we have to have uniform, I'd like it to be comfortable and hard-wearing, and preferably not made in a dangerous sweatshop in Bangladesh. My children have to wear ties with a white polo shirt or shirt. I'd prefer a darker coloured polo shirt and no tie - white is not a great colour for young children!

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

I think they're used to wearing uniforms now..not sure if it makes them confident or not.

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?

They usually say they don't want to go back, but are fine when they get there.

What tips do you have for helping your child get the most out of school all year round?

Provide a loving, supportive and stimulating home environment, help them with home learning.

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

DS(6) gets dressed very slowly...DD(4) needs help. Bribe them with TV if they finish?

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?

Well, I wouldn't wear my pyjamas, but other than that I don't really notice what others are wearing and doubt they think much about what I am wearing.

Just one comment. Please can shops stock it all year round? We needed a blazer three weeks ago and it was nigh impossible! Kids don't just grow in the summer holidays...

My little boy has just started nursery so I've been buying boys uniform for the first time. DS is better with cardigans than jumpers (he must have a big head?! and can get in and out if a cardigan by himself). I was surprised you couldn't buy a boys cardigan anywhere. I ended up going online for what I was after- a boys cardigan, black, in sweatshirt type material with quite chunky buttons.

I'd love to think I looked glamorous myself in the morning but if I'm being honest I'm probably winning the day if I've even brushed my teeth before the school run.

Love school uniform. It makes life so much easier in the mornings than having to choose.

I think school uniforms are a pain, especially in the early years when they need such frequent washing and changes.
My perspective is my daughter is going to be wearing these clothes most of the week so I look for comfort, practical clothes that she will feel good in. Natural material like cotton is important to me as well as ethically produced clothing. Id much rather pay more for something I know isn't causing misery and suffering in the developing world but there seems very few fairtrade options around.

I find it hard to know how to strike the balance between promoting a smart appearance/ taking care of oneself alongside not putting a huge emphasis on physical appearance because it is so unimportant compared to personal qualities. I think being positive with your child and taking an interest in their day is good but loads of questions can be really frustrating or overwhelming for them. I think just saying 'I'm glad to see you' and waiting for them to respond is a good tip.

All children have different motor skills but I think ideally if the child has the skill to put on the uniform it's confidence building to do it themselves.

I don't have time or money to get too get up about my appearance for the school run, for me it's mascara and chuck a reasonable coat over anything. Also dry shampoo is a complete life saver!

Don't people who think uniform makes life easier ensure that their child has all the items of uniform clean and ready, perhaps laid out on a chair or hanging on the wardrobe, the night before?

Because that's exactly what happens when children go to non uniform schools - they put their clothes out the night before, meaning no need to choose in the morning.

A whole lot of absolutely unfounded and frankly illogical assumptions are trotted out on every uniform thread, almost always by people who have no personal experience of non uniform schools whatsoever.

School uniform is great saves on choosing what to wear. I've given my preschooler a uniform.
Uniform should be no ironing required, long lasting, full age ranges and have a place for names to be written in so you don't have to buy and see in / iron on name labels (that always fall off in tumbledryer

I think school uniforms need to be available all year round. So many stores stop selling them when it gets to late Sept. And my son was always a funny shape so adjustable trousers especially are important. And non iron as well.

Secondary schools need common sense. My step dds school insist on a blazer even when it is roasting and will not allow coats when it is snowing which is crazy.

At the beginning of school term it's nice to have new shiny things. Even now I remember the excitement and smell of a new pencil case and bag, and pointy new pencils 😊

I dont do the school run now but when I did I was always clean and tidy but I never made a huge effort. Life is too short for dressing up on the school run imo.

Love uniform, keeps everybody equal. Don't love this rush to saturate the clothes with chemicals so you don't have to iron/wash often/staycreased etc etc. Also they are all polyester, itchy and poor quality. Would love to see normal breathable cotton versions even if they are a little more effort to iron.

I like to have non scuff shoes, non iron polo shirts, a warmer Cardigan for the winter (our school website sells one with sweatshirt like material which is good with a fleece feel on the inside) no itchy labels too!

I think school uniform is a much better option than letting them try to decide what to wear every day ("oh but my friend doesn't wear these!"), but I don't think any school should enforce items with embroidered logos on that are much more expensive than generic items. If they want a logo then they should sell packs of them that you can just sew onto the supermarket clothing.

I'll be starting the school run this year (eek!) and it will just be whatever I'm wearing to work and if I'm as tired then as I am now I don't suppose I'll notice or care what anyone else is wearing or whether they 'approve' of what I'm wearing .

What's important to you when picking school uniform for your children?
Definitely price and nice easy to wear fabric.

What features do you look for?
Clothes that can be tumble dried, not too many zips, fastenings especially if the child is young. Stretchy material too.

What styles do your children like/ hate?
My daughter hates wearing school trousers. They just don't seem to fit her as she's tall and has a low waist. She much prefers dresses or skirts.

At what age do your children start getting dressed themselves for school: what tips can you share for encouraging this?
My daughter started as early as 4 years when she started pre school. I lay all her clothes out the night before and we usually have a race to see who gets dressed first.

I like that uniforms make life easier but they are so dull! I want a uniform that washes well and doesn't need ironing. Dd and I both prefer a pointelle cardigan to a sweatshirt and I prefer a proper blouse to a polo shirt. I love the jersey pinafore dresses, they wash brilliantly.

I don't mind uniform but it needs to be practical and comfortable. Musts for me: polo shirts which keep their shape, slim fit trousers for boys, skirts which don't need ironed! Also cardigans and jumpers which come in a wide range of colours - burgundy, royal blues, bottle green etc. Hate it when I can only find navy or grey.

My daughter is now 12 so has been getting dressed herself for a good few years. The thing she most complains about is the colour of her school uniform fading in the wash. She has dark blue sweatshirts and polo shirts which look almost purple now they have been washed so many times. I don't think it matters but she is very fussy about this!

I have two DDs so I try and buy decent quality uniforms so that it will last for both children. I do shop around for shoes and try to get good quality at an affordable price. My DD (aged 4) is tiny, so I did buy leggings for her as want her to be comfortable and warm. So long as you stick to the school colours, I think schools are quite flexible about clothing choices at Primary level.

I like my ds having school uniform - I think it helps the kids feel the same and doesn't single kids out. Our school also sells off second hand donated uniform so if for any reason parents cannot afford the uniform with school crest on, they do have an option to buy. I try and buy stain resistant and crease resistant trousers.

My son has no waist at all but isn't short for his age. He needs a really good elasticated waist and the option to adjust the waist so he can keep trousers up.

I but from supermarkets and did buy from Marks and Spencer when he first went to school nursery as they tended to have the smaller sizes in good supply.

I love uniform for the hassle it removes from the day - limited choices over what to wear. I want to be able to wash it, stick it in the tumble drier, and have it back on the child with no ironing needed.

My 5 year old has dressed herself for years, the challenge is to remember to lay the clothes out the night before so she can be left to get on with it. It does mean I want clothes with no complicated fastenings.

If anyone could invent cardigans that reattach themselves to their owners before they leave the school building so each child comes home with the one they arrived in that would be amazing!

That's a lot of questions!
Uniform - washable, and doesn't take too long to dry. I like it durable and easy for DD to put on herself/change into after PE.
School run - I go straight to work afterwards, so wear work clothing.
Confidence going back to school after hols - routine helps, as does having gentle reminders a week/few days before - "oh, back to school next weds, what shall we do today". And seeing her school mates during the long summer hols helps.

Uniform makes getting dressed each day much easier. What I don't like is having to go to a specific shop for the overpriced items which have school logos on. The items are no better than Matalan or supermarket quality but cost us 4 times as much.

I would like to see better quality socks and tights, we get through loads.

Everything has to be non-iron to keep me truly happy!

I prefer school uniforms - it means there isn't peer pressure to wear designer gear and means it is less likely to be able to distinguish between those children from richer or poorer families.

I like natural fibres - cotton or wool. Yes, they are more expensive but kinder to skin, more breathable and long lasting if well made (my dd is wearing the same pure wool cardigan for the third year now). I have concerns about the health and environmental impacts of all these chemical coatings on clothing these days - the tests just haven't been done to prove they won't have negative impacts. It's hard to find pure natural fibre clothing though: Mand S does some. There is also a concern about where clothes are made - I'd love to be certain that school uniform isn't made by child labour by poor kids in another country - would buy from a company that guaranteed that is not the case.