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The benefit of quality uniform

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:58 am
by T.i.p.s.y
I have just been to the uniform shop. :evil: I did try to get most things second hand however as they were so expensive to start with I don't feel £30 for a blazer was cheap!

Anyway, I normally always buy school shirts and trousers from the supermarket, M&S or JL as they are very affordable. Due to time constraints I rather oddly decided that he would try on the school shirts and trousers from the school shop. Trousers - £20 each, Shirt - £10 each! :shock:

Well my stocky lad with the largest derrier of any boy (ever) found a pair of trousers that fitted his cuddly body perfectly but they were a tad too short. Now normally this means buying the next size up or down which makes them either too tight or too loose. Well, the woman in the shop just said well we have this size in four different lengths! What! Is this normal? Have I been squashing that poor booty into tight trousers unnecessarily for years? :oops: Then the shirts came out and again my poor lad was strangled with the collar but it fitted perfectly everywhere else. Again she said, "Oh we have this size in 4 collar widths." By this point I think she thought I must be the childminder and not the mother. :oops:

Well, I'm sold on pricey school uniform, much to our pockets misfortune. :(

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:31 am
by Freya
Hiya Tips

£30 is pretty good for a blazer. I think DS's was more like £45. I'm with you though on pricey but quality uniform!

We had a similar experience at the fitting with collar widths and trouser lengths and I remember thinking how fab that was. As a consequence all the boys look very smart because although people still buy with a bit of room for growth, generally the proportions are right.

The other thing I've noticed with DS's uniform is the quality of the material used. The shirt collars are nice and thick so don't start curling up over time. The trousers are a much thicker material than those I used to buy from supermarkets and DS hasn't yet managed to put holes in the knees (which he used to do at least once a month) - fingers crossed! The jumpers are wool not sweatshirt material so don't fade after a few washes and the blazers don't go all shiny.

Yep, I'm pretty pleased!

PS: How is Forbes?

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:36 am
by T.i.p.s.y
That was it at second hand price Freya! :x

With you on the trousers. The most expensive pair I've ever bought my kids and they can feel it too! :lol:

We don't mention the F word at the moment! :roll:

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:38 am
by Freya
:shock: oh dear! Won't ask!

:D :D :D :D

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:39 am
by Chelmsford mum
I paid very nearly that for a second hand blazer.I am glad I went down that route as middle DD will need a complete new uniform in one more year ,due to a change of uniform for the school. :roll:

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:48 pm
by Cats12
is there a shop called the Uniform Shop or is it a generic term? Have usually bought uniform at John Lewis as that's where primary logo'd uniform was located but have bought M&S and Next polo shirts and trousers before. Must say logo uniform washes better. DD now needing new PE kit (logos again and pricey) and new uniform and not sure son will hold out either til end of term.

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:55 pm
by KB
M&S can be a good compromise if your DC are a fairly standard size.

Only problem with buying the better quality is when they are growing so quickly - my DC has had a mega growth spurt so uniform purchased in September is now too small! Cheap stuff doesn't fit long enough to get worn out atm :)

Do agree it snice to be able to get the different sizes & you can tell the difference in quality.

Btw - eldest DC's final blazer I had to buy was £90! (State school)

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:57 pm
by Midget Man
OMG, what state school is that? :lol:

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:59 pm
by chad
Btw - eldest DC's final blazer I had to buy was £90! (State school)
:shock: !!!!!!!!!

Agree M&S good for regular sizes....and usually a choice of lengths. After spending a fortune on trousers (DS very stocky until recently) it is wonderful to be able to walk into a high st store and select a reasonably priced pair of trousers.

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:01 pm
by Milla
Tips was that the shop on the lower high street?? you know, the, ahem, famous one??