School uniform - what to buy, what not to buy, marks and spencer quality better than the supermarkets?

[Snappyteabread]

I'm about to do a big shop for starting school. Will probably do this beginning August. There are so many different ranges, not quite sure where to start. Is Marks and Soencer better quality better than the supermarkets?, thinking of jumpers and trousers in the main. Is their "storm proof" stuff good? I'm going to be buying for a wild boy who I know will "wear" his school clothes a lot and I don't want to be buying cheap, paying twice, so want to know what you more experienced mums suggest.
Also, does marks do a 20% off school uniform and if so when is it normally?
What about Tesco and Asda? Is their stuff any good?
School shoes I'm thinking probably clarks or Startrite. Have read too much about people buying supermarket shoes then just having to replace more often.

So top advice from you seasoned school uniform buyers?

Jumpers, polos, games kit and PE kit all needs to be logoed here
School trousers have always come from Next (slim fit, jeans style) and always last the year.
Shoes have to be Clarks as DS has super skinny feet. The Timberland ones I bought last September lasted precisely one term

Doc Martens would be banned at all schools my DC go to.

Wincher have you bought new M and S ones? Second hand ones would be softer, and I never had pre-patched trousers from M and S (which we often bought as we struggled to find school Uniform ones after Christmas which was when my DS grew).

Sorry yes, I've heard of a few schools that have banned Docs. It's because you can buy safety Docs that have steel toecap and its hard to tell the difference.

I like M and S skirts and pinafores for younger girls, I once bought some Sainsbury's ones and M and S ones and the Sainsbury's ones had bobbles on them and the pleats fell out in about one wash! They just looked so thin and cheap.

But then I don't like the cut of the girls trousers in M and S, too low slung around the waist and flared at the bottom, not stylish at all and don't fit either of mine- so we are back to Sainsbury's soft fabric (jersey type) elasticated waist trousers which fit well.

I liked the M and S 100% cotton jumpers but that's because one of mine had eczema and so anything else brought out the rash/itch- they didn't wash that well but at least they aren't like the horrible encased polyester sweatshirts that they are supposed to wear (mine never actually wear them).

Uniform is a bit trial and error and also depends on the shape of the child!

Start-rite shoes here too. They have lasted both my DS well. We do also have Clarks as there is an outlet store nearby and they have been OK. I do think Start-rite last longer. DS1 has grown out of his Start-rites rather than worn them out.

JL shirts and white PE shorts have all worn well. The JL shirts have been worn by both my DC and are only now begining to look a bit worse for wear. M&S white shorts also were OK.

Trousers are more about finding the shape that suits your child. We have used M&S, ASDA and Sainsburys and have found the supermarket ones to be fine.

mummytime yes in fact he outgrew the first lot of trousers so I bought new ones from M&S and they are the ones with the patches behind the knees. Yes, they weren't so soft at first but they have washed soft now.

Sainsbury's is best value IMO.

Tesco ginghams shrink in the wash, and the buttons fall off of Asda stuff quite easily.

Hi all,

With the kind permission of the OP, we are now going to move this fab thread over here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/clothes_and_shoes_chat

As you were!

I like M and S Ultimate non- iron shirts. Like the non-iron aspect, but also elastcated cuffs and velcro on the top button.
Startrite shoes for us - the soles are lovely and thick making them more comfortable and long lasting than Clarks IMO. I think they don't try to be so trendy and are often a couple of £ more, but well worth it in my opinion.
My DC have had a variety if school shoes but say Startrite are by far the most comfy they have had - and they still prize comfort over everything else luckily.

After trial and error - I get trousers from M&S - stay looking smart longer. White polos from Next. School sweatshirts I've found Trutex are the best and I get those on Amazon - they come in all different colours. M&S sweatshirts are terrible - the colours run.

And shoes from startrite. We had Tarantula for a few years - wide toe box and scuff resistant rubber toe. Then for bigger sizes we now have Oliver.