school uniforms

[fortheluvofpooh]

those of you whose children wear uniforms to public school, where do you buy yours? I have 2 children to outfit for next year (1 boy age 13 and 1 girl age 8). Where do you find bargains? I saw french toast .com, kmart, lands end (they are on the high end for my budget).

 

[*BTMRR*]

My kids have been in uniforms for a few years now. We've been very happy with the uniforms we've ordered online from JC Penney, Children's Place (that would only work for your Elementary daughter), and Old Navy. You have to watch for the sales--they usually have them on sale during "back to school" time--because the regular price can be pretty high. Look for pieces that have adjustable waistbands; these are best IMO.

We have a couple of French Toast polo shirts and shorts but my kids hate them. The shirts are made of a fabric that doesn't have a lot of give so they feel constricting, and the shorts aren't skinny enough for their waists and don't have an adjustable waistband (maybe there are some French Toast items that are better but these are the ones our stores carry).

Our very favorites are the Lands End. They're soooo soft and nice. They're awfully expensive but we've picked up a few pieces when they've been in their Overstocks section and/or when we have a good discount code. If your school isn't particular about the exact cut and fabric type of uniforms you can find good deals sometimes on regular shorts/skirts/polos that are not technically "uniform" but are just plain khaki or red or whatever color you're required to use.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

DS has uniforms. We got them at K-Mart, Target, Walmart. It is very basic...blue pants/shorts, a white button down shirt, blue tie, a patch (sold by the school), a black belt, and black shoes. The PE uniforms are sold by the school (major ripoff!). Personally, I HATE that he has to wear a uniform...fortunately he'll attend a new school next year with out uniforms.

I agree with PP...if you can find pants with the adjustable waist all the better! And make sure you buy them with enough room to grow for the entire year.

 

[Leajess99]

those of you whose children wear uniforms to public school, where do you buy yours? I have 2 children to outfit for next year (1 boy age 13 and 1 girl age 8). Where do you find bargains? I saw french toast .com, kmart, lands end (they are on the high end for my budget).

Check with the school as some of our schools have uniforms that they pass on to kids who need them. Target normally has uniforms closer to school start and then they clearance them out. Buy a couple and wait for the clearance sales if you can.

 

[pookybean]

The old navy uniform shirts for boys are great (the button down oxford ones) they are stain/wrinkle resistant and really do stay clean for a good long while. they also just look like they sit better on his body (i have a 14 y/o) than the cheaper ones do. they are usually on sale 2 for something on old navy.com, and for pants we go with dickies. they are "cool" but they last so much longer. i held off on getting them because i didnt like how the boys try to wear them really baggy, but you can get them to fit good. I get them at forman mills (i see you live in the poconos...im in philly....dont know if they have them up there) but you can also get them during good sales at models. my dd goes to a charter school and has to wear a real (from the uniform store) jumper so i cant help you there. i like them having to wear a uniform its so much faster in the am.

 

[mamacatnv]

My DD wears a uniform and I love it. This was our first year. I bought 1 pair long pants, 2 skorts, 3 shirts and 1 sweatshirt.
Next year I will get 2 pants and 1 skort since she prefers the pants.

The logo'd polo shirts we have to buy thru the school at $17 ea.
Our bottoms are navy blue, shoes, tights and socks must be black or navy.

I purchased 1 polyester skort at JC Pennys in the store $12, 1 cotton skort at Sears $16 and the pants came from the JC Penneys catalog $25.
The pants were the most expensive no matter where I looked. $25+

I purchase thick black cotton tights at Target for about $6 pr.
I wash all items once a week.

The uniform items are available via catalog year round, I didn't see anything on store shelves until late July and then the selection was not huge and it was not replenished. When it was gone, it was gone.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

DD's uniforms were from a uniform company only, but I always got great deals at penneys for DS's pants, shirts, and ties. Keep checking online and in the catalog. Also make sure to use the $10.00 off coupon for a purchase of $10.00 for the ties... We get ours mailed in our area. I started out with pants from Kmart but they never lasted that long. They do work in a tight budget pinch though. Wash gentle and alternate line dry and dryer to make them last longer. Also, check with the school office. See if you can hook up with a parent of a student a year or two older who may be able to send down some hand-me-downs.

 

[karliebug]

My daughter, 10, is plus size and we are starting uniforms next year. I really am afraid I'll have trouble finding something to fit her correctly.

 

[The Moonk's Mom]

I have ordered from The Children's Wear outlet and I have been happy with the service and quality.

http://www.thechildrenswearoutlet.com/shop/index.php?target=categories&category_id=191

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

You really can't just look at price. When DS was younger (he is 13 now) he could only wear Tommy Hilfiger and Polo pants because he was so skinny. They were terrific and would last an entire school year. We bought a pair from Kohl's and they looked horrible after about 3 washes!

If you have a choice in colors I would go with khaki, because black and navy fade. Also, make sure your kids don't have any weird quirks about what colors they will wear. Last year DS would ONLY wear navy - he had one pair of khaki and he would balk if those were the only clean pants in his closet. This year he wants ONLY khaki pants, the navy and black haven't been worn more than twice. Same thing with shirts - he can wear black or white. Last year he wore white every day. This year he ONLY wants to wear black.

I bought some black Izod polos at Macy's for like $6 on clearance. They have now faded to what looks more like dark brown. The Gap polos (long and short sleeve) hold their color much better. The Target polos aren't bad, either, if you can find the colors you need. The Gap and Children's Place pants are pretty good. (DS is tiny, so he still wears a size 10 from Children's Place even though he is in 7th grade.)

I typically donate DS's outgrown uniforms back to the school, but if I am feeling lazy they go to Goodwill so you might be able to get some nice things through resale or consignment.

 

[powellrj]

I'm going to assume your DS wears adult sizes. Thats where they get you. I would start looking now for bargains on pants and shirts. I don't know if you have a finish line where you live, but every years at back to school time they have adult sized polos 5 for $20 and they are the nicer quality.

My DS is tall and skinny so we have to get most of his clothes at Gap. He wears a 28x34 which are really hard to find. Last year I was able to get several pair on sale at of all places American Eagle.

I know others don't agree with me, but I HATE uniforms. All it has done is empty my wallet and make me do double laundry. The kids never wear their uniforms to after school things. They always take jeans and shirts to change into, so its just double the clothes and the laundry.

Old Navy also sells uniform clothes, but we have found they don't last as long.

 

[The Moonk's Mom]

I'm going to assume your DS wears adult sizes. Thats where they get you. I would start looking now for bargains on pants and shirts. I don't know if you have a finish line where you live, but every years at back to school time they have adult sized polos 5 for $20 and they are the nicer quality.

My DS is tall and skinny so we have to get most of his clothes at Gap. He wears a 28x34 which are really hard to find. Last year I was able to get several pair on sale at of all places American Eagle.

I know others don't agree with me, but I HATE uniforms. All it has done is empty my wallet and make me do double laundry. The kids never wear their uniforms to after school things. They always take jeans and shirts to change into, so its just double the clothes and the laundry.
Old Navy also sells uniform clothes, but we have found they don't last as long.

YES! ITA!!!! I am so sick of laundry!!! Between 2 in school and #3 starts next year, DH changes everyday after work...I am tired of it piling up!!!!

Back to the original dis....sorry!

 

[CRdisMom]

Lands end are expensive but last a long time. Burlington Coat factory also has uniform pieces. They last as long as the one from kohls do. About 3 months of looking very good then fading.

 

[mamacatnv]

My daughter, 10, is plus size and we are starting uniforms next year. I really am afraid I'll have trouble finding something to fit her correctly.

JC Penneys has a good selection in their girls plus uniforms check their catalogs.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

Until this school year I had been buying school shirts from walmart and khaki pant I buy at JCP when they go on sale buy one get one for .99. This year I bought the pants from JCP but I bought all of dd's shirts and shorts and skorts from old navy and I will continue to buy them from there. The shirts have held up nicely where the walmart ones I usually have to replace once or twice a year due to pilling. The school shirts are onsale right now for six dollars but they only have a few colors left.

 

[worm761]

Our walmart here has the school uniform bottoms on clearance right now. Unfortunately none were in DS size. But I saw a bunch of them for anywhere from $2-$5 each!

 

[princessmom29]

My daughter, 10, is plus size and we are starting uniforms next year. I really am afraid I'll have trouble finding something to fit her correctly.

Sears has a great selection for plus size girls. The styles are relatively trendy, but take into account the there are things they just can't wear that skinny girls can.

 

[momofrrr]

Where we live only Intermediate school (grades 6-8) wear standardized dress. I started out bargin shopping with my first child and soon realized that it was really not a bargin. I learned that buying the Lands End in a size larger that they would normally wear and by not drying them completely in the dryer that they would last really well. I only dry them for about 13 minutes and then hang them for the rest of the time. The last until they are outgrown.

 

[alexandria674]

those of you whose children wear uniforms to public school, where do you buy yours? I have 2 children to outfit for next year (1 boy age 13 and 1 girl age 8). Where do you find bargains? I saw french toast .com, kmart, lands end (they are on the high end for my budget).

I don't have kids, but I did go to a school where I wore uniforms. My mom went to retail stores, walmart and target for my uniforms. We also went to thrift shops where they sold the uniforms. At the thrift shops, there were disney pins and old vintage brooches so I would buy some and give my uniform some zazz.