Buying school uniforms on a budget?

[crazymomof4]

Just last night our "public" school board voted in a "uniform dress code".
This will include a red or white polo-style shirt and "khaki" pants.

I am really upset over this bc. I am a clearance shopper and find 98% of my kids school clothing at the end of year sales. I often get name-brand things for $3-6!! I dress my kids really cute and enjoy doing it!! I already spent a ton of time and a good deal of money "school shopping" in February! I have so many pretty outfits for DD6 that she was to wear in 1st grade! And I have many brand new jeans that DS10 would have worn to school but now will hardly use bc. he changes into sweats when he comes home from school in the fall/winter. (gonna try to return some of these items)

Now, instead of ONLY being limited by my "hard to size" children and the selection from the clearance racks, I'm additionally limited by style and color! I don't want to spend a fortune every year bc. I cannot find what they need at reasonable prices.

What do you do?

Any suggestions as to where to find clothing such as this for cheap?

 

[punkin]

I feel your pain. Try finding comfortable solid color below the knee skirts for an 8 year old. Everything is a mini or dressy.

Anyway, I've given up. I did find some nice polos on clearance at the gap and old navy outlets for about $3 each, but my mainstay now is lands end. They are pricy but comfortable (DD doesn't do seams ) and I can usually pick up something in their clearance section for slightly lower price.

 

[crazymomof4]

I feel your pain. Try finding comfortable solid color below the knee skirts for an 8 year old. Everything is a mini or dressy.

Oh, geez! I never even thought of the skirt length! They probably will have limitations on that too! (I haven't gotten all of the nitty gritty details) There are so many variables that need to be specified and enforced.
I hope they choke on all the notes they have to print out to send home to non-compliant parents/students through out the school year!
I may have to whip out the old sewing machine and make some simple skirts for the warmer months since the classrooms are not air conditioned!

 

[shelly3girls]

When my girls wore uniforms I bought all of them at Burlington Coat Factory. The quality of their uniforms is outstanding (Lee Brand). They will have the khaki pants and the white polos. I love that they have numerous different shirt styles (all iron-free) so DDs did not feel like they were wearing the same thing all of the time. I believe I paid around $7 for a shirt and about $12 for pants. These clothes hold up well and lasted throug 2 DDs. I have been told that Frenchtoast.com is the company that makes these uniforms but I find that the ones ordered on their website to feel different (stiffer).

 

[crazymomof4]

When my girls wore uniforms I bought all of them at Burlington Coat Factory. The quality of their uniforms is outstanding (Lee Brand). They will have the khaki pants and the white polos. I love that they have numerous different shirt styles (all iron-free) so DDs did not feel like they were wearing the same thing all of the time. I believe I paid around $7 for a shirt and about $12 for pants. These clothes hold up well and lasted throug 2 DDs. I have been told that Frenchtoast.com is the company that makes these uniforms but I find that the ones ordered on their website to feel different (stiffer).

Thanks for this! We have 2 Burl. Coat Fact. close to us (Franklin Mills and Marlton) Also, since you mentioned Lee brand- we have a"VF Outlet" very close to us that has Lee kids stuff. Maybe they will have the Lee uniforms come back-to-school time! (??)

 

[snomofinn]

http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/category.do?cid=6042
http://www.4clothingcoupons.com/old-navy-coupons.html

Here's a couple of websites for old navy. One shows the uniforms and the other has coupon codes.

Hope that helps!

 

[luvsgrumpy]

I understand how you feel! DS13 has had a uniform dress code since K, now in 7th. Only one more year to go before high school and no uniform required (unless they change that next year, would be my luck ) Anyway, ours are Khaki pants too, but they can wear any style (cargo are fine, don't have to be dress pants). Until he started wearing 16's or so, I had little trouble finding fairly inexpensive pants at Kohl's and K-Mart. As for the polo's, I just keep my eyes open, as does DM when she shops TJMaxx, etc and we do fairly well. There are always a bunch of sales over the summer around here. One thing our school started last year is a uniform bank of clothes kids have grown out of. I have to admit, I've never used it but I believe they only charge $1/item unless you donate something then it can be a swap, donate one, take one home. We are lucky enough to receive a bunch of hand-me-downs for the younger ones.

Do try to see the other side of the whole uniform thing, the kids know what they are allowed to wear, no questions. Also, even DD6 can coordinate navy, white, and khaki and it's quick and easy for them to pick out their clothes. There is always the "no competition" thought also, heck, DS10 was even told not to wear a certain polo because it had a tiny logo on it and NO other colors, stripes, etc. are allowed. Just be careful of that if you come across a great deal, be sure it fits the "code"

It took me a while of being really irked by the "system", but now I really like having a uniform dress code. Especially after seeing how some of the teens dress around here.

Sorry I just rambled on, this is one of those things that just hits a nerve every once in a while.

 

[crazymomof4]

Lisa,
Thanks for your understanding and for helping me to see that I may not always HATE the uniform thing.
Part of it is that I was "fashion-repressed" by dressing 3 boys (can you say "jeans and tee shirts" every day) before I had my DD. I so enjoy shopping for and dressing her for school! I'm so proud of how she looks each day! I've only had one school year of that and now it's being taken away. When she comes home, she generally changes into "play" clothes that I don't mind if she gets stained or worn. We save her nice clothes for school and going out. Now, I suppose I will have her wear her nice things around the house just so I can see her in them. Kinda like using your good china every day!

I did hear that logos of any kind will not be permitted on the shirts. I sure hope they are allowed to have the cargo style pants! That would make it so much easier for DS! Do the schools usually allow long sleeved polos for winter. It gets pretty cold here in the NE.....can't see them wearing short sleeves!

 

[crazymomof4]

Thanks snomofinn for the links.
I will have to get the specifics of what the dress code is.
I really like that girl's jumper. If that is permitted, I'll be getting some of those!

 

[luvsgrumpy]

Glad to help out some!
Forgot to mention though, your DD can still look cute in some of the jumpers they have available. I try to find the ones that are just a little bit "different" than the French Toast or other uniform brands so she can stand out a little while still being acceptable.

 

[leight]

For clearance check Target in late september- I bought cute jumpers and skirts, tops & polos for $3-4 there. I think they too are the Lee brand but don't quote me on that

 

[crazymomof4]

For clearance check Target in late september- I bought cute jumpers and skirts, tops & polos for $3-4 there. I think they too are the Lee brand but don't quote me on that

Sounds good! I'm always in Target!

 

[left210]

Buy just enough to get you started in the school year and then in late August Target will clearance their stuff 75% off. I bought a ton of stuff last year - pants $3.74 and shirts $1.74. Also, at our school you can wear long sleeve polos in the winter and we can wear white turtle necks or white long sleeve shirts under the polos. We can also wear the approved school logo sweatshirt in the winter. Also, keep an eye out at Childrens Place. I got lots of uniform shirts there too on clearance. They had pants but they were button pants and my son likes the ones with the hook. Target carries the French Toast brand. For boys they had two different style pants - one was flat front with a thinner material and the other was pleated with a heavier material. Personally I like the look of the flat front better but the pleated ones held up better. Another tip is do not put your uniforms in the dryer. I air dry all of mine and they stay nicer for a longer time. At first I thought this would be a pain but it really isnt. I just use one of those foldable wood clothes dryer things? Not sure what it is called. Uniforms really do make your mornings much easier and the kids know what is expected. The first year you will get the hang of it. I was worried at first too but now I have a closet that looks like a uniform store with all of my bargains I have stocked up for years to come. Good luck with it.

 

[crazymomof4]

Well here it is! A local paper announced the uniform code specifics.
No cargo or painter's pants- That's just GREAT!

do you think "skirts" would include jumpers?

What's in:

* Black or tan dress pants and khakis.

* Black or tan Bermuda or walking shorts and skirts that are no shorter than mid thigh.

* Red or white collared dress shirts, polo/golf shirts, sweaters and turtlenecks with school logos only.

* Rubber- or hard-soled shoes and sneakers.

* Headwear specific to religious affiliations.

What's out:

* Denim, hip-huggers, mini-skirts, cargo and painter's pants and low-cut shorts

* Sweatshirts, midriffs, mesh shirts and tank, tube and strapless tops.

* Any clothing identifying gang affiliations or made of fishnet, sheer, see-through, shiny nylon, corduroy or tight-fitting or stretch-type materials.

* Heels higher than 2 inches, flip-flops, shower sandals and open-toed shoes.

* Hats, scarves, headbands, visors, bandannas, wave caps, sunglasses, etc.

 

[Tiffer]

Just last night our "public" school board voted in a "uniform dress code".
This will include a red or white polo-style shirt and "khaki" pants.

I am really upset over this bc. I am a clearance shopper and find 98% of my kids school clothing at the end of year sales. I often get name-brand things for $3-6!! I dress my kids really cute and enjoy doing it!! I already spent a ton of time and a good deal of money "school shopping" in February! I have so many pretty outfits for DD6 that she was to wear in 1st grade! And I have many brand new jeans that DS10 would have worn to school but now will hardly use bc. he changes into sweats when he comes home from school in the fall/winter. (gonna try to return some of these items)

Now, instead of ONLY being limited by my "hard to size" children and the selection from the clearance racks, I'm additionally limited by style and color! I don't want to spend a fortune every year bc. I cannot find what they need at reasonable prices.

What do you do?

Any suggestions as to where to find clothing such as this for cheap?

Places on-line like Old Navy, even disney shopping have "uniforms" on clearance alot of times.

 

[crazymomof4]

I bought a ton of stuff last year - pants $3.74 and shirts $1.74. ........................... The first year you will get the hang of it. I was worried at first too but now I have a closet that looks like a uniform store with all of my bargains I have stocked up for years to come. Good luck with it.

Great tips! Those are my kind of prices!! Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[carone0318]

Being that my kids go to catholic school, I have to buy uniforms too. I found the website www.frenchtoast.com to have really good prices and the pants are really good for my ds, they have a reinforced knee, so they don't rip easily. You can always google for a code and they run sales all the time, currently you can get bottoms at either 10 or 20% off, can't remember.

Take a look there.

 

[cheerbop]

YOu are all very lucky

Our kids can only wear French Toast brand (not too badly priced, but sometimes hard to find "bargains") or uniforms from 1 particular uniform store that is 45 minutes from us!! (pants at $25ea and shirts at $16 ea short sleeve, $18 long sleeve)
OUr colors are navy or khaki dress pants (no cargos) and navy, burgundy, white or hunter green polos.
I do pay more for our pants because the cheap ones, even some of the French Toast ones fall apart or wear out before even a school year is over. The pants I buy have a 1 shcool year guarantee they will not fade or wear out at the knees.
I have seen some French Toast at Value City and Target. The quality is different between the stores and online site though. It is odd. I have some French Toast that are nice quality and then some that seem paper thin. French Toast is the maker for the Lee brand school uniforms.

I have this site bookmarked for future use that I found. It is www.thechildrenswearoutlet.com

My DS is SUPER thin and we have to buy slim pants, which can be hard to find.

Good luck shopping for your new wardrobes!

 

[NotUrsula]

You'll only have to buy new the first year; after that there will be uniform sales and swaps, and all your local consignment stores will get uniforms, too. Girls are much pricier in parochial school because the plaid jumpers are school-specific and you usually have to buy from a preferred supplier, but everything else is fairly generic. Mine wears her brother's outgrown shirts and shorts -- pre-puberty a kid is a kid. (BTW, I often hit consignment stores or outlet mall tax holiday sales while on vacation; last year I bought all of DS' things at an Old Navy outlet in Florida and dodged the sales tax.)

Also, watch Sears. They have a nice uniform club program that gives discount points, and their pants are guaranteed for free replacement if they tear out at the knees.

Your kids will still wear their civvies; you'll need to get the uniforms off them after they come home to get them into the wash (most people only buy 3 sets per season), and there will probably be an occasional "dress-down" fundraiser day here and there.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

We have to buy our uniforms from one place for the pants, jumpers, tie, sweater and gym sweats. But the white shirts, socks, tights, belt I buy the French Toast brand.There is a kid's store near me that sells them but i think I saw them online at dmart2000.com. We also have to buy specific shoes that I can't find cheaper and I've searched the net. The brand is Willits. For my 8 yo the shoes are $70.00 and they get scuffed so badly by my son. Most parents just let the shoes ride it out until June, even if the toes are peeking through LOL!