Pick your favourite back to school pieces from George at ASDA and share your back to school tips - £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[EmmaMumsnet]

It’s never too early to start thinking about the kids starting or heading back to school. There’s so much to buy that it’s hard to remember everything or even know how much of each thing you need - are 5 shirts enough/too much? Where should I shop? What should I buy? Are all common questions our MNers have.

Here’s what George at ASDA has to say: “Our schoolwear and footwear are such brilliant quality, we’re proud to offer a no-quibble 100 day satisfaction guarantee. This means that if you’re not happy with an item you’ve brought with 100 days, we’ll give you a full refund. So you can shop with complete confidence.”

George at ASDA would like you to go to their website here and pick out your favourite back to school items, whether that’s uniform, shoes, lunchboxes, or stationary and come back and share them (ideally with a link to make it easy on anyone who wants to check them out). It would be great if you could also share your back to school tips and tricks with your fellow MNers, especially those who may have DC going to school for the first time this year!

So how many shirts do you buy? Don’t forget about the PE kit! What are the most comfy school shoes for your DC? Have you found an amazing lunchbox with lots of handy compartments? Do you label EVERYTHING? How do you get your kids in the mindset for going back to school? Whatever your favourite back to school items and tricks, please share them on the thread below and you will be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 George at ASDA voucher.

Thanks and good luck

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

My son starts school this September, so I'm reading this thread with interest! We've opted for x2 sweatshirts (although reading this, I think I need to get more!) & 4 polo shirts. I haven't bought trousers, shoes, PE kit or any other bits yet - but will definitely hit Asda for these items.
We've had a great experience with the George range & find that clothing washes really well & retains colour & shape even after repeated washing.. which, with kids, is inevitable!
I'm reassured by the 100 Day Satisfaction Guarantee, although I have never had to use this.
Browsing the range now, my son would LOVE this bag;
direct.asda.com/george/kids/accessories/shark-print-rucksack/GEM560324,default,pd.html
He is shark crazy!! :)

I really like this pinafore as the design is so unusual. Overall I find a mix of logo tips and plain ones from Asda works best and is most economical.

I normally buy the children 4 new polo shirts at least but they my littlest has been wearing his that I bought when he first started school too, he's so little!
I buy 2 pairs trousers and grey shorts for the littlest and a skirt and couple pinafores for my daughter, she will also still be in her gingham dresses in September.
They have embroidered sweatshirts and cardigans.
I get packs of 2 sports shorts for them and they have a school top for PE too.
My daughter will be having packed lunches this year as they're not free any more as she's going up to Key Stage 2.
I do label everything - I just write their names in their labels. They have short names and both of them are they only ones with that name in whole school.
I love this pinafore for my daughter direct.asda.com/george/school/pinafores-dresses/girls-school-bow-detail-skater-pinafore-grey/GEM279548,default,pd.html
I'll get a few packs of these tops for both of them - a great price
direct.asda.com/george/boys-school-polo-shirts/school-2-pack-teflon-stain-release-lasting-colour-polo-shirts-dark-blue/GEM585580,default,pd.html
This looks a good lunchbox for my daughter too direct.asda.com/george/home-garden/kids-lunchbags-dining-sets/smash-heart-bag-and-bottle/050200016,default,pd.html?cgid=D26M08G08C20

These polo tee's are great quality
direct.asda.com/george/boys-school-polo-shirts/school-2-pack-teflon-stain-release-polo-shirts-light-blue/GEM527329,default,pd.html
Minimal ironing, they don't fade and keep their shape!

At least 5 polo shirts to avoid mid week washing panic. 3 jumpers. I label everything because DS pretty careless! Not iron or sew on labels though, just his surname and year on the shop label with a Sharpie.

No school uniform at our school but love the ra ra pinafore dresses - wondering if I can get one to team with a bright shirt as they are great value.
Love the rucksacks and lunch boxes. Think we'll pick up some of those.
My top top is to regularly talk about the school day in the build-up. What time you'll leave the house, how you'll get there, what time lunch will be etc. If you have an older sibling or know someone older who goes to the school get them to chat about it too as they'll probably talk about things that matter more to children - where the different playgrounds are, what toys there are.

With a 7 year old son who loves to work his shoes hard, I've found ASDA's school shoes really good. We have these currently - direct.asda.com/george/kids/shoes-boots/boys-school-rugged-three-strap-shoes/GEM574357,default,pd.html

They're hard wearing, comfortable and have more protection around the front where they tend to get scuffed when boys play football on the playground.

My tip is to pop a Jelly Belly air freshener into shoes after school (until the next morning) to keep them smelling fresh. As they're fruity, the children like the smell too!

direct.asda.com/george/school/shorts/girls-school-belted-pleated-culottes-grey/GEM585597,default,pd.html

Absolutely love these culottes for my little girl. Just what I've been looking for.

I usually go OTT on shirts and. I buy two pairs of trousers/pinafores and 2 jumpers and wash and wear. Then I've got 3 now in school so it can get expensive although the George clothing looks great quality and price.

My son will be going to school nursery for the first time in September, i'm quite excited about it and have been looking at getting his uniform. Today a thought dawned on me that he will probably not be allowed to wear his colourful socks, and then I realised I need to get him plain shoes too. So I think we will try some of these black velcro fitted boys shoes.
direct.asda.com/george/school/shoes-trainers/boys-school-shoes-black/GEM544768,default,pd.html

Its very useful reading these tips, as I was also unsure how many trousers/tops/jumpers he might need.

The Green Pinafore dress in Asda are brilliant bought some last year for my girls and will be doing the same in next few weeks.
Normally buy 5 shirts and 3 trousers.
Do not require a pack lunch box just yet but good range available and will look in Asda as and when required.

These school trousers are the best ever.

Whoops, link fail!

direct.asda.com/george/school/trousers/boys-school-slim-leg-with-adjustable-waist-trousers-black/GEM561010,default,pd.html

I have a very skinny teen boy, regular school trousers hang off him. These have adjustable waists and are such a huge bargain.

My top tip would not to buy too much as all the retailers have schoolwear available online year-round. Learned this the hard way when my daughter started school, I bought 5 matching grey pinafores and she'd grown out of them all by Christmas.

Generally I buy bits weekly through the summer holidays to make it easier, no last minute wading through the queues! The polo tops are great, trousers too, they wash brilliantly and last ages.

4 polo tops (2 packs) direct.asda.com/george/boys-school-polo-shirts/school-2-pack-teflon-stain-release-polo-shirt-white/GEM462703,default,pd.html

2 pairs trousers direct.asda.com/george/school/trousers/boys-school-regular-fit-trousers-grey/GEM462911,default,pd.html

The 2 jumpers have to have the school logo on which is unfortunate and a lot more expensive!

I can't do links.
Asda polo shirts are the best. I can wash and tumble dry them. They come up like new and for some weird reason the collars lie flat and don't "crumple" like those I have bought elsewhere. Good weight and smart.
Thanks Asda!

Buy a ridiculous number of identical socks - direct.asda.com/george/kids/underwear-socks/boys-school-7-pack-feel-fresh-ankle-socks-grey/GEM477522,default,pd.html - I buy two packs of these for one of my boys. Nothing worse than trying to scrounge around for socks in the morning.

Also, buy two identical lunch boxes per child - makes life much easier.

My daughter has to have a black P.E. bag and shoe bag. I'm wondering if these swim bags could be used for those purposes. They look small, lightweight, and easy to access. direct.asda.com/george/kids/accessories/swim-bag-black/G005755663,default,pd.html#choice:colour

I like this lunch box direct.asda.com/george/home-garden/kids-lunchbags-dining-sets/sistema-1-5l-slimline-quaddie-blue/002059248,default,pd.html?cgid=D26M08G08C20

It will hopefully keep everything cool and safe

The skater skirts and flippy skirt are the best skirts we've had. here and my ASD daughter will only wear a v-neck pinafore so we bulk buy these at the start of every year.

We also buy the multi packs of boy shirts as neither of mine like the restrictive cut of the girls shirts.

their grey tights are also by far the softest we buy.

We have 5 shirts each, 3 jumpers/cardigans, 3 skirts/dresses and about 50 pairs of socks and tights!

The White polo shirts are fabulous. So much better the the school outfitters ones and a fraction of the price.

Revere collar short sleeved white school blouses in age 17-18 ( shame they are sold out so I'll have to buy them elsewhere ) unfortunately the navy blue school trousers didn't go up to a big enough size for my daughter but I was able to buy a pair of size 10 navy office trousers last week in Asda.
I make sure I take the last few days before the start of school off for haircut, school shoe buying etc which gets her in the mood for school.
I wish I'd done what a friend with twins did and take a photo in front of the front door on the first day of school each year.

I LOVE these uniforms!

I usually buy two pinafore dresses and two summer dresses for my daughter and two pairs of trousers and a pair of shorts for my son. The also have a pack of polo shirts each.

They fit lovely and wash really well, in fact, I never need to replace them due to wear and tear but only when the kiddies grow out of them and even then they are in such good condition, I pass on to smaller children.

I also love the shoes as they are just as good, if not better, than the expensive branded shoes. They do not scuff and believe me, my daughter especially, is an expert at scuffing :)

As you can probably tell I'm a big fan!

These pinafores are great, easy wearing and very comfortable and no ironing needed.

Seem to be out of stock in my DD's size so I hope that changes!!

The one with pockets is similar to one at Next but much cheaper!

Star Wars Light-up School Shoes - £14 seems very reasonable and the reviews look great. DS wrecks his shoes pretty quickly so the sturdiness is important.

My daughter is desperate for this...

direct.asda.com/george/school/dresses/girls-school-gingham-playsuit-light-blue/GEM423334,default,pd.html?dual=0&placement_id=GRGTOP&config_id=GRGTOP&strategy=PWBAB&product_id=GEM423334&parent_item_id=GEM526570

It is obviously very popular as I have never been able to get her one either in store or online in her size.

Generally I have had asda's polo shirts & they are great. Trainers are good too.

Best back to school tips from me are be organised. Get badges put on at uniform shops before the start of the Summer holidays & don't leave the sewing in of name labels till the last minute. try to spread it out!

This year we will be purchasing these blouses from Asda. Last year we had the soft and stretchy polo shirts and they have been great. Our school is switching to shirt and tie this year or I would have bought them again. Both items (jersey polo shirts and nice slim fit blouses) are very, very hard to find in blue. Asda is one of the few places that does stock them so I'm greatful for that.

We need to buy a lot of logo items so can get cardigans etc out with supplier. I do like Asdas other school clothing but the soft jersey trousers and shirts do not have adjustable waistbands so we need to purchase these items in other shops.

For uniform quantities I would say 3 tops and bottoms as a minimum - 5 is ideal but it's possible to get by on less if you don't mind washing mid week or if you have a particularly tidy / neat child. Mine isn't too bad and most stuff could do 2 days before it needs a wash. I like to have fresh stuff for each day but something does always get misplaced (in the house or just left at school) so we rarely have 5 full sets of uniform.

DD has been trying to talk me into a smuggle lunch box this year but I don't see that happening as they are far too expensive.