Can we have a school uniform thread?

[lottieandmia]

I'm going to post my experiences with different brands and also ask about school shoes.

Next - I like the style of the cardigans but they tend to go bobbly.

The pleated skirts are very nice and wash / wear well. They also do nice track suits for PE.

Sainsbury - great polo shirts which stay white and wear well

Cardigans also very nice but although they don't bobble they do fade in colour.

Marks & Spencer - generally good quality - I have to buy skirts for dd3 from there because nowhere else does green.

John Lewis - do the best most hardwearing summer dresses. Also the shirts are very good. Unfortunately as my girls become older I'm finding the styles they do aren't as fashionable as other places though.

Usually we buy Startrite or Clarks shoes. This year I was wondering about trying Next shoes as I've seen some reviews saying they are comfortable. I also wondered about M&S. Does anyone have a view about that or do they all get similarly trashed?

Marks cardigans are rubbish. Sains much better.

Clarks girls shoes are absolutely diabolical now. I won't buy them again.

I fought against LelliKelli for the longest time but eventually cracked and DD actually grew out of them and they still looked great.

Primagi, Hush puppies and Geox are also good.

Tesco leather school shoes are rubbish. I bought them in an emergency and the heel collapsed and the side split after three weeks.

Has anyone tried next boys shoes? DS starting this September and have everything but shoes so far!

Really struggling with Clarks's shoes. DS grew out of his thisvyear but DD went through 2 pairs and finished in a pair of M&S! Tempted to try Lelli Kelli's!

We have found Asda wonderful for more classic pinafore dresses and our DD loves the skater skirts too. Our uniform supplier is expensive and their garments are not great quality but fortunately our school is also registered with Tesco for school badge embroidered bits and their scalloped cardigans have been excellent.

We also buy the 3 packs of polo shirts from Asda and get a single school badge polo for DD to wear with skirts. We bought larger sizes when she started reception and some of the longer dresses saw her through until the end of year one. No bobbling, all outgrown rather than worn out.

About to try Lelli Kelly shoes for the first time (pester power) after great experience with DM Mary Janes. Found chunkier soled T-bars with bows to satisfy DD and good reviews to please us. Got from Schuh for their 365 day returns policy in case we need to return to DMs after all!

I am going to try some Startrite 'Warriors' this year as DSs feet are not growing so fast now.

I've just bought some Tesco V-neck cotton jumpers as they were really soft and thin material. DS hates anything even slightly woolly and overheats easily, so I'm hoping he will actually wear these (all others have just been peg decorations). I'm worried they are going to shrink though, got one in the wash now to see.

Any recommendations for boys slim fitting school trousers for a 11 yr old ?

Look at m and S they do skinny fit and slim legs

I've noticed that M&S and Next both now do slim fitting and regular fitting polo shirts.

Thanks so much cece, is never thought to order Geox shoes from Amazon, I've just done so and got a great deal!

M&S white polo shirts seemed to hold the stains, plus, came from the wash very wrinkly.
(Despite my prissy washing and fabric conditioning).
The Asda ones dry on the hangers without creasing.

Asda do slim fit trousers. They don't feel good in the hand though. Feel teflonny.

M&S trousers are good.

John Lewis revere shirts miles better than Asda, however, 4X the price.
Also, John Lewis aged 15 shirts (new) came up smaller than DD's old age 13's !
Sizing all changed.

I need a good quality green cardigan. That can stand up to weekly washing & tumble dryig.
I Used to get a cable design M & S one but it's horribly thin & wobbly this year, so I returned it. Does anyone have any suggestions pls?

DS1 has had shoes from clarks, m&s, plae and Lonsdale. M&S were by far the best so I've bought them this year again and also for DS2 who starts p1 next week. I would recommend the Lonsdale ones for a super cheap option though, they are £13.99 from sports direct, leather uppers, and they lasted well!

Thanks-will investigate m&s and next

Place marking in case my favourite poster turns up - plimsoles anyone?

Also I bought these for dd really good quality and the soles are good. You have to buy a size bigger though, they come up very small.

Rocket Dog Women's Roscoe Ballet Flats, Black (Tiff Black), 6 UK 39 EU www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GH47H5I/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_apip_kJmRfFz4CtZlg?tag=mumsnetforum-21
Rocket Dog Women's Roscoe Ballet Flats, Black (Tiff Black), 6 UK 39 EU www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GH47H5I/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_apip_kJmRfFz4CtZlg?tag=mumsnetforum-21

I've always bought M & S trousers for DS and bought three pairs last year. Every single pair had split somewhere by Christmas. I ended up buying more in Tesco and they lasted much better, so I'm giving M & S a miss this year.

£14.

Tesco and Asda all good. Like Asda shoes esp their coated leather uppers.I never bother with clarks. Lovely price but for 3 children I just will not pay those prices especially since the children have to change into indoor shoes so they basically only wear and then change them.
M&S always lovely quality but unless you get the items with 20% off, your really cant beat the supermarkets. I like next aswell. They used to do a shirt and pinafore dress that was all in one. Pity they dont make them anymore. They were absolutely lovely.

*lovely quality not price!

I don't rate M&S uniform. Girls red cardigans fade fast to orangey colour and don't have a 'pretty' element to them, very plain. Boys trousers material is horrible and stiff. DD had some very robust patent shoes from them though this year that I would buy again. Sainsbury's do the nicest gingham dresses and white polo shirts. Next overall are my uniform provider of choice and their skinny fit trousers are great. DS has had the same style Geox shoe for 2 years now and they've consistently lasted the entire year. But more expensive but worth it.

The last few years I've been getting DS uniform from EcoOutfitters, they're 100% organic cotton and wash really well. Super soft and comfy, nice styles, DS really happy to wear them plus all ethically made, no sweat shop guilt