It’s that time of year again, the time to shop for school uniform!
We’ve built up some useful information and advice amongst Mumblers in the Doncaster Mumbler Chat Group over the past couple of years including what to buy, where, labels etc. A lot of it still relevant and I hope it’s helpful, especially if you have a little one starting school for the first time.
Your School will have specific guidance about the uniform that is acceptable for students, 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 is 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, or in my case a tie to wear on those occasions, 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 (yes, these are a thing and we embraced them in the summer – great for girls who like handstands and cartwheels!)
For the Feet:
School socks / Tights/ School shoes
Coat:
Ok, so not technically uniform, but definitely required!
PE Kit:
Top / Shorts / Socks / Joggers/ Trainers or Pumps
Tie:
Not sure how many schools still make tie’s obligatory (ours doesn’t) but I do buy one as I like to see them on photos!
Bags/Stationary:
Book bags are often available from the school reception. You may also need a PE Kit bag and/ or a lunch bag.
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 the wash. Polo top or shirt 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 are 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 currently have 20% off in their school uniform shop (July 2023). The offer is for a limited time only so if you want to benefit from this discount then it would be worth getting your order done quickly!
Got all our uniform from Asda. Trousers still like new and the polo tops are still going strong and still white. (Mumbler CW)
I can vouch for this myself. I absolutely love their cardigans. They wash really well and are only about £6 or something. Really good value, I’ve bought them for the past two years.
I like Sainsbury’s, it washes well and I always stock up when it’s 25% off! (Mumbler JO)
Tried boys school trousers from every shop over the years and I’ve found Tesco to be fab. (Mumbler PB)
Matalan often do some bargains for School uniform (Mumbler AR)
School uniform prices start from £4.
Definitely prefer the quality of these over the supermarket, and don’t mind paying a little bit more for it. (Mumbler LC)
Next day delivery and free returns online.
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)
Available in store now with the amazing price of just £5 for a full uniform bundle which includes a skirt/ trousers, a polo shirt and a sweatshirt!
My son has Lidl t-shirts and they are still white after nearly a year. (Mumbler SH)
Lidl are also offering a bundle deal at the very low price of £5 which includes a skirt/ trousers/ shorts, two polo shirts and a sweatshirt!
New Look have a school uniform shop that you can browse online for 9 years upwards.
There’s also:
John Lewis , Debenhams and Amazon!
TK Maxx can be good if you’re lucky. I use there or M & M Direct (Mumbler EB)
M & S have some nice ankle boots or Clinks for Kids at Meadowhall (Mumbler LL)
I always found Asda at the Dome to have lots of styles. The patent shoe styles last really well. (Mumbler RR)
I’d recommend Clarks as they last (Mumbler DD)
My son has only had 2 pair in a year from Matalan (NF)
I personally have shopped at the Clarks shop at Lakeside Village previously and found some great shoes at a reduced price there.
We ended up at Clinkards, so thanks for all the tips Mumblers!
Charles Clinkard in Meadowhall do Clark’s and other makes. In the past I’ve found they had a better size range in stock too (Mumbler EM)
Startrite shoes! They last for ages and are really comfortable (Mumbler GW)
There is a shop in Retford that sells Startrite and Lelly Kelly. It is on the other side of the road to Weatherspoons (AC)
I prefer Startrite shoes and usually go to Clinkards because they have a good range inclusing Geox and Hush Puppies (Mumbler NT)
Sainsbury’s will have their 25% off clothing so it is worth checking when this is running (Mumbler KC)
Mine are still in Clarks age 12 & 15 (Mumbler LT)
Clinkards Meadowhall (Mumbler SRH)
It can get very busy at Clarks in the school holidays with everyone trying to get organised for September! So why not skip the queues and book a 15-minute Clarks Kids Fitting Appointment at a time that suits you.
Clarks also usually offer an early buy guarantee whereby they will offer you a free exchange if your child grows out of their school shoes within a certain time frame.
I always remember how nice it was to get a shiny new pencil case with which to start the school year! Some schools don’t allow children to take their own pencil cases, but others do.
A couple of options for stationery include the popular Smiggle in the Frenchgate Centre and Skinny Dip have some cool things in Meadowhall for older girls. I always find The Works at Lakeside Outlet Store good for lower cost items aswell.
Direct from the school: The official school uniform with logos is usually available via an order form through the school or a link on their school website.
Uniform shop: Cliffs on Printing Office Street, Doncaster (it’s worth checking if they stock your school uniform before you make a trip).
Second hand uniform: It’s worth asking at the school if they stock this, or the PTA may do a sale. There’s always second hand uniform for sale on facebook marketplace or Vinted.
This is a MUST DO task!
We have mainly misplaced PE tops 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 or in their bag for them.
There are 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, they stay stuck wash after wash and stick to anything from fabric to plastic with 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)
I was a bit late to the party on this one, but thought I’d share in case anyone else didn’t know about girls’ playsuits. They are much more practical than school dresses and there’s 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)
Keeping those white polo shirts/socks white!
I bleach my boys’ whites. Hot water in my mop bucket and a good slug of household bleach (Mumbler JM)
I soak them in the sink in small amount of bleach or vanish then hang on the line in the sun to dry before a normal wash (Mumbler DF)
I use Ariel bio liquid and a scoop of vanish gold for whites on a normal wash and they come out good as new. My mother in law gave me that tip! (Mumbler CS)
We bought white socks for our daughter in Reception. All absolutely filthy, binned and navy socks it is from September! (Mumbler LH)
Hopefully you feel well informed by the marvellous Mumbler Community and fully prepared to embark on the mission of school uniform shopping!
