School uniform for dd - help please

[Fabulouslfromfarringdon]

Dd is starting YR in September and I need some help with putting her school uniform together. I grew up abroad so have no experience with wearing a school uniform myself.

So far I have bought:

• 2 grey pinafore dresses
• 1 grey skirt
• 2 summer dresses (gingham ones)

• 6 x white socks (not knee high)
• 6 x grey socks (knee high)
• 3 x grey tights

Planning to buy:

• 2 school cardigans
• 1 school jumper
• 3 school polo shirts
• black shoes

My questions are:

• does the list sound reasonable or is it too much, too little?
• should we use knee high socks or shorter ones?
• what kind of shoes would you recommend (links?)
• does anyone use 'shorts skirts' instead of skirts?
• should I get her some trousers?
• I hate ironing so bought the storm wear stuff from M&S but quite £££. Where else can I look in the future?

for your help.

I meant Mountain Warehouse ... It was similar to this one 3-in-1 waterproof jacket

I bought the size 7-8 for my DD who is in size 4-5 tops at the moment and has a 5-6 top from MW which is similar size to other 4-5 tops.

MW do have 20% off with maybank and 7% cash back with Quidco.

My dd started last September. I bought her jersey trousers from Asda 3 pounds and they're brilliant, fit very well, bootcut rather than wide legged. One thing which I didn't do is buy ahead in sizes - she outgrew the summer dresses in in March and they're very hard to get hold off at Easter when the weather warms up. Same with some pinafores - if you like them, buy next size up & stash especially if M&S are having a deal on. Same for tights, plain grey or navy ones can be hard to find sometimes past September. I also buy the next size of plimsoll for all the dc.

M&S do soft jersey pinafores which just pull on over your head which are really cosy in winter and very easy to put on and take off.

My standard list is
3 short sleeved polo shirts
3 3/4 length polo shirts
3 cardigans
4 summer dresses
1 skirt
1 pinafore
1 pair trousers
1 tracksuit
2 PE Tshirts
1 PE skort
1 pair trainers
5 pairs tights minimum
5 pairs gray socks
5 pairs white socks

(Winter coat, raincoat, waterproof trousers, hat, scarf, gloves, wellies, maybe snow boots, sun hat, water bottle, lunchbox, book bag, PE bag)

M and s didn't do anything other than 20% off last year so don't hold out for much more. Don't buy their outstanding value anything as s it looks rubbish after a few weeks (esp tights). The knee length socks are great and more expensive tights are good.
I found the cotton cardigans faded and looked scruffy whilst the wool ones have been brilliant.
Cycling shorts and pumps always sell out fast and most girls wear these under skirts if they are wearing socks.

Do they? It had never occurred to me to put cycling shorts under dd's dresses or skirts. None of my friends have ever mentioned it for their dd's either. I always buy big pants for dd anyway so that she's covered.

I don't know of anyone who wears shorts under skirts at DD's school, certainly not in KS1. Next are better than M&S for tights as the Next tights have shaped feet which are a lot more comfortable.

Cycling shorts under skirts? That's a new one on me! Primark tights are great - cheap as chips and wash well.

Does anyone have a similar list for boys please?

Fififolie, I have 3 boys. At a minimum, they all have

3 pairs trousers (Next combat or jeans-style)
2 pairs shorts (M&S have lasted well)
3 jumpers (they all fade so I buy cheap!)
5 pack school socks, in winter it doesn't matte what colour
At least 5 polos (keep one aside for photo days) Next/Sainsbos
If poss, don't buy black or navy coat - something different makes them easier to spot in line & find in lost property!

Thank you accessorize, some great tips there esp for the coat.

I have two older boys one has left school but one in yr7.

The basic uniform requirements are the same though.
At least 3shirts/polos
At least 2 pairs of trousers
At least 2 jumpers
At least 5 pairs of socks

I'd say two coats both machine washable. One more fleece like and one waterproof padded type. Also make sure everything labelled. Sew in labels as well as permanent marker on all labels.

Hi, I'm back again.

I have bought most of the kit now apart from PE stuff and shoes.

I found some plain polo shirts at tesco which were great value. Correct me if I'm wrong but when they wear a dress, they don't really have to wear a shirt with logo as it's not visible anyway or am I missing something?

Also, do most of you iron the uniform and polo shirts?

I don't iron the dcs uniform unless it's photo day!

Honestly they get so dirty I just don't see the point

Re school shoes I find whatever I buy be they expensive clarks or cheap supermarket ones they only last both my boys one term and they are in bits

I personally haven't found the M&S stormwear/non-ironing stuff worth the money. It seems to require more ironing than the cheaper supermarket stuff - particularly with regard to boys trousers (with creases).

If you need shirts, buy short sleeved and wear all year round. Saves slaving over disgusting cuffs.

My DDs find skirts easier than pinafore dresses - also more forgiving with a sudden growth spurt... We found tights in YR a pain on PE days and tricky if in a hurry for the toilet (which we invariably were). One of DD2's classmates has really long socks (think stocking/hold up length) which are warm like tights, but easier for toiletting/changing. We do trousers on PE/cold days to avoid the tights chaos. Some cheap trouser-coloured leggings are good for cold days under trousers, particularly if you walk to/from school.

If DD's have long hair and school is strict, look out for school colour headbands, hair bobbles etc. Has school asked for a painting apron? We had it sprung on us at the last minute - might be worth an ask.