Cheap School Uniform Discussion

alice's_mum

Matalan are also doing 3 for 2 on school uniforms, and I have found over the past couple of years, that the quality of the uniforms are better than any of the others, they wash well, don't bobble, don't shrink and stay looking first class until the end of the school year - not just the term but the whole school year. Prices start from £3 for two cotton blouses.

Hope this helps someone.
Alice's mum

Zed42

Oh dear, for some strange reason I'd never contemplated the horrors of school uniform buying ... the ethics, the competition, the price .. the fact that they grow like billy-o at just the wrong moment.

However, having my DD who is due to start school in um, just over 2wks, I find myself .. a parent with a problem!

I don't like buying cheap, when cheap isn't actually cheap longer term, because it doesn't wear well.

I don't like buying cheap, when child or general sweat labour is at the foundation of it.

But, I'm not made of money either and object heavily at paying over the odds.

So, any suggestions on where I ought to go?

I looked at Woolies earlier .. and all their stuff said was "imported for Woolworths" .. but from where and at what cost? Is it ethical and does it last?

And do I just stop feeding my DD, as she keeps on growing ... oh ok, so I know that this one isn't an option! (DD .. 4 and 3/4 (let's not forget the 3/4!) and wearing 6yr old clothing heightwise ...

Tomorrow, we're going to bite the bullet and get the feet measured .. always the most expensive part ... good luck all !!

LittleBrownFrog

M&S do some fair trade items ... shirts for example. As for growth, I'm pretty sure that as well as a secret pocket containing a doll (don't do it!!!) Clarkes have a secret compartment inside all school shoes containing well-rotted manure ... 'tis the only explanation I can think of for such excessive growth rates :rotfl:

tattoed_bum

hi zed42 , you will find with any type of uniform at the first couple of years at school they will be destroyed with paint and glue before they wear out or even grow out ,

my son can wear joggers to school but they have to be either grey or burgandy does anyone know of anywhere that have these colours ?

he is only 5 bless but he needs an 8-9 cause he is really tall for his age the specialist recon he is going to be at least 6ft 4 in fully grown ( im only a titchy 5ft 8 lol)

Carmina_Piranha_3

i don't know about ehtical, but i saw in a marks and spencer catalogue that some of their uniform is made from recycled plastic bottles!

an1179

My DD goes to a school that specifies Trutex blazer blouse and skirt.
If they do not have regulation uniform they are sent home

I have found a web-site that has Trutex at much cheaper prices than the shops by me and spend over £35 p&p is free

http://www.schooluniformshop.co.uk/index.php

They sell genuine Trutex as I have checked the Trutex site to make sure

jodie

If anyone lives in Cheshunt then go to the Cheshunt Extra Tesco and pick up a few £5 off vouchers from the front of the main store and stock up on 3 for 2's, working out when yiou have done over £15 and using a voucher, I used these vouchers 4/5 times yesterday and the no one minded (there was one jobsworth on one till that said she had to check I was allowed to buy so much, I told her it was bare minimum for my 4 sons for school).

I ended saving a fortune, even got their shoes there and got the woman to do shoes on their own to make sure I got £9 item free rather then cheaper item.

Jo_F

I have had to buy the embroidered Trutex polo shirts and sweatshirts, which I don't have a problem with, as my daughter is about to start year 9 with the same ones we bought her for year 7.

Am stocking up at the moment as my son starts year 7 in 12 days (yep I am counting), got him 3 polo shirts today, for £7.99 each, and a sheartshirt at £9.99. The shoes cost the most at £12.99. But I am sticking with the £4 trousers from Asda ....... mainly because his legs keep growing and he grows out of them pretty quick. I get sick of seeing his ankles!

chrisgregory

I have three kids in private education and the cost of uniform is scary!! Matters are made worse by them outgrowing and losing items.
This year my wife and I managed to save a couple of hundred pounds by buying where possible second hand uniform and sports kit. Our children's school closed their second hand shop due to a lack of space but instead recommended parents to use the free listing site at https://www.blazered.co.uk
This actually works really well! You register for free and then add your school or multiple schools to your profile. Then, when you log in you are presented with links which show all items for sale pertinent to your school catgorised by clothing, musical instruments and sports kit. When you view an item it gives out contact details for the parent selling the item (some people just give an email address - others give telephone numbers, address etc). What I found cool was when I found someone selling a 30" Blazer (for a tenner!) there was a link saying "View all items from this seller". Hey presto! I not only found my daughter a blazer but half her sports kit in the appropriate size.
Of course, another benefit is that us working parents aren't governed by shop opening times. I also have "redundant" school uniform left over from my children's previous schools but unfortunately these schoold have not heard of Blazered and therefore parents aren't using it - shame. I guess that like many other web sites it needs the word to spread for everyone to get the maximum benefit - just like this one!
Anyway, I hope that my experience will help other struggling parents save money on uniform purchases and also generate a few quid by getting shot of the old clothes tucked away in a cupboard.

chick1_2

Last year I bought trousers with an adjustable waist for my little boy from M & S paid a little bit more than usual but they have washed lovely and still look great. Also he is small and the length is good so no need for any alterations to be done. The problem I have is with the school jumpers they are expensive, I think schools should find a way to lower the cost or let children wear the jumpers available from supermarkets etc without the school logo on them, I always feel like I am being ripped off just because they have the school name on them.