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 uniforms in theory but in practice the "one style fits all" attitude many secondary schools have at the moment causes no end of problems to parents who don't have standard size children and yet have limited or no choice in style or fit of clothing. I speak as the mother of a fairly normal sized daughter but sons who are six feet two at 14 and 5 feet 10 at 13 (28" waist 34" leg- you try finding school trousers to fit!)

I think SU is great... No arguments for what to wear, no bullying because of those clothes/trainers and I think it shows off the pride of the school they represent.

I think school uniforms should be scrapped - just let them wear their own clothes.

It makes it so much easier to have a school uniform as there is no arguments about what they will be wearing. And they also don't have to feel left out if they haven't got the latest trendy clothes.

uniforms are great saves finding different clothes for them to wear and competiting for the best outfit
unifroms should be easy wash and dry and not needing to be ironed lol

my children always got dressed quite easily, pull up elasticated trousers helped

I really struggle with uniform as my daughter went through early puberty and has hips and a waist. I find nearly all school trousers stop there elasticated waist at age 11 so I have to buy my daughter women's trousers and pay to get them altered. I do prefer washing uniform and finds it dries really quickly as well. My daughter's school let you buy your own trousers and shirts but the rest has to be bought from the school and is quite expensive.

While the children don't like wearing school uniform, especially ties, it keeps life simple and prevents bullying if everyone looks the same. I am just glad we can buy cheaper versions at the supermarket for a few pounds because they are soon outgrown.

I think school uniforms makes getting ready in the mornings easier. I don't have to fight over what ridiculous outfit they are planning on wearing!

But, I would love to find one for tall, skinny kids! That is non iron straight from the tumble dryer (yes, I really am this lazy!) without it looking like cheap.

I honestly dont put much thought into it at all. A uniform is necessary for school so we buy a few uniforms in case one gets dirty or ruined and wash them every weekend. It's fairly simple, doesn't cost a lot and easy to stay on top of :)

I love a school uniform! I think they look smart, make children feel part of the school, and takes away the decision around what to wear in a morning!

Essential features include comfort, easy to wash & iron, long lasting and good value for money. I don't think we should be forced to pay ridiculou amounts for branded uniform at specialist shops.

I quite like uniforms, but my preference is for ones that don't need too much care.

I don't iron anything, so polo shirts are preferred rather than proper shirts. White shirts are a pain in the bum because they look grubby really easily, so prefer coloured ones.

I really like school trousers which have sewn up hemmed bottoms which can be let down to make them last longer before they grow out of them. Adjustable waists on skirts and trousers are essential for my kids too - the ones with the buttons and elastic on the inside of the waistbands.

yes definatly...it great that all the wear the same, as not everyone can afford designer clothes...kids these days are all about branded items and names...at lease this way kids are not singled out

I like a basic, smart uniform for little ones that is soft and well made and something less generic for older children. Uniforms help with a sense of identity, reduce competition based over fashion and parent's income, they are a great equalizer. I think schools need a fund for parents in financial trouble and a box of second hand items.

A teacher of mine once said that teenagers need uniforms so that you can have petty restrictions giving them something unimportant to rebel against making it less likely they will need to do anything extreme in order to rebel.

i love school uniform! this way there is no competition as to who has what who can afford and who cant afford expensive designer clothing. i do feel our school is too strict on footwear though! my kids started dressing themselves at about 6 and its actually my teen who struggles to get ready on time. save time by settng out whats needed the night before

I am in favour of a uniform which is easy for my child to put on and manage whilst at school. Time is of an essence in the morning and at school so being able to dress himself is essential.
As the school holidays come to an end I drop things about school into the conversation so he gets used to the idea that school is about to start. I make sure he has something exciting to tell or take in helping him to be eager to get into the classroom.

Confidence is all down to knowing you can do well at school. We always encouraged our children with as much interesting learning as we could. As to uniform, I am French, so we never had any when I was in school!

I think school uniforms are great. Younger kids look so cute all dressed up in their uniforms & being all in the same outfit means there's no bullying about their clothing if they can't afford the various fashions

My kids are perfectly happy in their uniform for school as long as it doesnot 'itch'!!
Change when they get home to play in/out.

I am usually going on to work as a teacher myself so sometimes I drop them in my quite smart 'teacher suits' !! (rather be in my gym gear though!). Sometimes my eldest son, who is at secondary now, tells me that I'm not to get out of the car!! (unless I am wearing a bag over my head??!)

I think uniforms is really good way for kids to see everyone as the same, and not judge by the clothes they wear. They make mornings much easier as it's always the same thing, don't have to mix and match to make outfits and if you're into fashion like me, it saves so much time! I normally get the uniforms from local supermarkets, e.g. Asda or Tesco. They are much cheaper and very comfortable and long wearing!

I liked ds' primary school uniform: while there was logo-ed stuff available (at a very reasonable price), they were happy with plain (and very cheap) read sweatshirts and white polo shirts, easily bought from Asda, Tesco or Sainsbury's (and presumably Matalan ).

Secondary school is equally flexible: black/dark grey/dark navy trousers/skirts/jumpers (preferably black) and white shirts. Blazer is strongly encouraged (and reasonably priced) but not compulsory. Only compulsory thing is school tie, which iirc, is £3.

School uniform is great as it eliminates the daily dilemma over what to wear.
That said, from my point of view, it needs to be durable, not ridiculously expensive and not need ironing.
The kids need it to be comfortable in summer and winter with no itchy seams or labels.

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

Yes. I think that school uniform in general helps create an equal environment where children feel part of a community. But it is important that children feel comfortable in what they are wearing and that school uniform offers enough choice to support individuality without detracting from the purpose of wearing a uniform.

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?

My children are often anxious about going back to school after the holidays. We talk about their concerns (often worries about new classes and friendship issues) beforehand. I also ensure they have a good lunch and comfy shoes! We plan a treat for after school on their first day back, a nice dinner or a cinema trip.

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

3/4 years old for DD, 5/6 for DS but with some supervision still. I believe that it really depends on the individual child! Laying out their clothes in the order that they should put them on can be helpful.

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 don't worry about it at all. I am usually in office clothes when doing the school run but on the odd day off I am happy to do the school run in my scruffy jeans with no make up!

Anyone who can make hard-wearing, stain-resistant, self-ironing uniform items at an affordable price will get both my custom and undying gratitude!

i haven't found a pair of trousers that my son hasn't put holes in the knees within weeks yet! even the one with extra knee support don't help.
I also like a slim fit & leg for one son & short leg for the other.
It takes all my time in the morning to get out & to both schools with a toddler & two children on time to think about what i wear. winter is good as i cover up in a big coat!

School uniforms do save time and drama in the mornings.