School Uniforms

[naomi78155]

This is DS 5th year in school uniforms and I still haven't found any I love. I do have some pretty tough standards, no shrinkage, fading, stretching! I have found Lands End to be better than GAP, Old Navy and Academy, but for the price difference, I am wondering if I should just suck it up and buy twice as many in a cheaper brand?
He and DD both have to wear navy polo and khaki bottoms. I am set on Lands End for the pants for both, but open to polo suggestions.
Also, has anyone tried Gymboree uniforms? Thanks!

 

[almostfive]

Honestly, I have switched completely from Land's End and Gap uniforms to almost exclusively Walmart. Yes, Walmart. Their George brand holds up beautifully. They don't shrink or fade and never need to be ironed, even if I forget to get them out of the dryer immediately. I just bought 8 shirts, 2 dresses and 2 shorts for less than $100.

 

[tvguy]

We used lands end down' know about Walmart other than I buy all my slacks there and their George brand is great.

 

[delmar411]

Gymbo ones are not good anymore. They used to be great but the new ones aren't.


We found Gap khakis to be pretty good and they definitely last as I've had both boys in the Gap ones and YDS will be wearing the same uniform pants that have made it through 3 yrs already. The old navy ones have all ripped knees within months of purchasing them but they are inexpensive.

 

[danygirl]

my kids went to Catholic school, and we had to buy our uniforms from the uniform store. Ours was Flynn and Ohara http://www.flynnohara.com/

you could order blue or khaki pants from there, even if your school is not one with a contract.

They boys pants last forever and stay decent looking. They have something built into the knees to take a little playground abuse and they are made with an extra size built into the waist - you can let out a seam in the back and you get an extra waist size.

uniforms are all they do, and they do it well.

 

[naomi78155]

OP here. Thanks for the info. DS and DD go to Catholic school, but they don't have a required store. It would be easier if they did. I may check out the Wal Mart polos. Can't hurt. I have Gymbucks that I was hoping to use and don't really need anything else.

 

[NYCDiane]

The "required" uniform stores are a ripoff!!! When my DD was in Catholic school, the sweatpants were $20. Same exact ones at Wal Mart? $5. The skorts were $30+. Same exact one at Children's Place? $10.

As others, I would stick with Wal Mart for the khakis and polo. You'll be saving yourself a lot of money and headaches!

 

[mrsp1030]

We've found children's place to hold up pretty decent. Much better than old navy

 

[disneymom06]

The uniform stores are a ripoff but I have to second flynn and ohara. My son is rough on clothes and his clothes came out of the washer looking good. Dirt washed off, clothes did not pill or show wear. The knees were reinforced and held up. I had to purchase new pants only because he outgrew the old ones. And the white shirts, they held up just as well.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

My son's private school REQUIRES the polos to be embroidered with their school logo, so Land's End is the only way to go for us.

Luckily, they just had a great "early school" promo I took advantage of. If it weren't for that, I would go with Children's Place, or WalMart, too.

All the polos I bought from Gymboree and Old Navy faded BAD. Even without putting them in the dryer.

I heard the Land's End pants/short/etc are great for kids..durable, stains come out...but for now, my DS6 has Gymboree khaki's and Old Navy shorts. Luckily the kids can wear any brand bottoms as long as they are navy blue or khaki.

 

[naomi78155]

Luckily no expensive embroidery, but we are required to purchase an iron on patch. The cool thing is that on registration day, a few moms bring their machines up to the school and volunteer to sew the patches on (the iron on stuff only lasts a few washes).