Your School will have specific guidance about the uniform that is acceptable, so make sure you know what options you have (this is often sent out in the new starters pack, or may be available on the school website). Some schools offer quite a variety of colour choices making shopping much easier, if your school if quite specific about what to wear then it may be that only certain shops stock that option, so definitely worth checking before heading out to the shops!
Most schools allow the bulk of the uniform to be purchased without the logos (ie generic from supermarkets etc) this is much cheaper than buying the official uniform with logos from the school (once again check what’s acceptable). Some people buy just one ”official” top with logo from the school to wear for school photos trips etc, so you have that option if you wish.
For the bottom half:
Trousers / Skirts / Culottes / Shorts
For the top half:
Polo shirt / Shirt / Jumper / Cardigan
Dresses:
Pinafores / Gingham dresses / playsuits (we found these great this summer for cartwheeling girls!)
For the Feet:
School socks / Tights/ School shoes
Coat
Ok, so not technically uniform, but definitely required!
PE Kit
Top / shorts / socks / trainers or pumps
Zero Waste Leeds has set up a Leeds School Uniform Exchange which is a brilliant initiative running across the city encouraging people to reuse school uniform and help Leeds become a Zero Waste City by 2030.
This ultimately comes down to how often you want to be doing the laundry and how good your child is at bringing home what they took to school (see labelling section below!)
Advice from the Mumbler Experts:
5 polo shirts, 2 jumpers, 3 pairs of trousers, 5 pairs of socks.
Mumbler MW
3 skirts 4 polo shirts 4 tights 2 cardigans
Mumbler HD
5 polo shirts (coloured rather than white if that’s an option), 4 trousers, 4 shorts, 3 jumpers.
Mumbler RN
It will depend on how messy your child is. If they can eat their dinner without getting it down them, you can manage on 2 jumpers. If not, you’ll need 3 (one wearing, one drying, one in wash. Polo top for every day. Usually come in packs of 3s so 2 packs are great.
Mumbler HH
Of course you can mix and match from different shops, here’s the most popular school uniform suppliers:
“Marks and spencer or next for shirts and trousers/skirts. My son plays football every day and his trousers come up immaculate every wash. There’s no tears or holes. It pays off to spend a bit more.”
Mumbler JM
“M&S definitely, great quality you pay a bit more but it’s worth it”
Mumbler KP
“Got all our uniform from Asda. Trousers still like new and the polo tops are still going strong and still white.”
Mumbler CW
“I like Sainsbury’s, it washes well and I always stock up when it’s 25% off!”
Mumbler JO
“I like Sainsbury’s uniform . They outgrow it before they can out wear it!”
Mumbler LB
“When will the next 25% off sale be?” gets asked a lot in the Mumbler chat group. Rumours are it will be around the August bank holiday, although some have warned re stock availability if waiting so close to the start of the school year, so keep that in mind.
“Tried boys school trousers from every shop over the years and I found Tesco to be fab.”
Mumbler PB
“Matalan often do some bargains for School uniform”
Mumbler AR
“Definitely prefer the quality of these over the supermarket, and don’t mind paying a little bit more for it.”
Mumbler LC
“Just wanted to share that aldi are doing school uniform. School skirts great quality, polo tops, blouses, tights and socks. Really good price.”
Mumbler LW
“Aldi are doing a great range of uniform at the moment”
Mumbler DP
“My son has Lidl t shirts and they are still white after nearly a year.”
Mumbler SH
There’s also:
John Lewis and Debenhams
Again, check the schools policy. It might be that they specify black shoes only or a certain style of school if not accepted.
Mumbler LH, Sept 18
We’ve always loved Hopscotch in Chapel Allerton and found them helpful at getting in other styles / sizes if nothing suitable in stock there.
Mumbler AR, Nov 18
Charles Clinkard in Wetherby and Leeds City Centre always have a wide range of school shoes
Mumbler LP, May 19
Trendy Steps in Pudsey is a great kids shoe shop
Mumbler JM, Aug 18
“Always had Clarks for my lb and have always lasted him a full school year and would still be ok if not outgrown
Mumbler JJ
“M&S shoes are amazing!”
Mumbler EM
“Geox shoe – they are pretty much indestructible; we get them every year now. We go for the ones with rubber around the toes, but they still look smart and they’re fairly weatherproof.”
Mumbler EM
“My 5 year old boy has worn kickers since September and there still good as new. I use shoe polish on them every other day and they look new then”
Mumbler JK
“I got some from Asda which were scuff resistant and they was great”
Mumbler KT
Local uniform shops include:
Second Hand Uniform: It’s worth asking at the school if they stock this, or the PTA may do a sale.
This is a MUST DO task!
My children have misplaced several cardigans and jumpers this year and as much as I enjoy my regular trips to lost property to rummage through the clothes mountain, it’s much easier when the teaching staff can see the label and pop it back on the child’s peg for them.
There’s plenty of options: labels (stick on / iron on / sew on), stamps or writing on with pens. Pick one and get busy!
“Stikins from Amazon…they are amazing”
Mumbler DR
“Boyes iron on ones are amazing lasted 3 years so far. So easy and cheap 59 for £2.”
Mumbler NP
“Sharpie easy and quick to do uniforms and it does not wash off”
Mumbler AS
“My nametags, they have a FB page. Don’t fade or come off and are lovely”
Mumbler JS
“Stikins are fab stay stuck wash after wash and stick to anything from fabric to plastic – absolutely everything in between.”
Mumbler AS
“Stikins. Fab and so easy /no ironing etc”
Mumbler KC
“Black biro! Lasts well. Cheap. Simple. No messing”
Mumbler EI
“Stamptastic! Stamp your labels in no time at all! I’ve used pens, stick/iron on and fabric and so far the stamp was the easiest by a mile. Apparently it lasts the year too”
Mumbler MM
“So, I may be a bit late to the party on this one, but thought I’d share in case anyone else didn’t know about these playsuits. Sooooooooo much more practical than school dresses and no need to wear cycling shirts under them anymore. My daughter loves them (and it appears I’ve wasted money on her school dresses as I suspect she’ll just be wearing these now!)”
Mumbler KK
“Jersey polo tops are the most comfy and far less rough. Pinafores protect the white under and don’t show the marks as much.”
Mumbler GH
“Always trousers on PE days because they can’t wear tights for PE so have to take them off, so trousers are easier.”
Mumbler RM
“Pinafores keep tops clean and look smarter than skirts (tshirts always hanging out).”
Mumbler HH
Hopefully, you feel well informed by the marvellous Mumbler Community and fully prepared to embark on the mission of school uniform shopping.
With all this talk about September, don’t forget to enjoy the Summer Holidays!! For all the family fun inspiration you need visit northleeds.mumbler.co.uk/whats-on/school-holidays/