new to school uniforms - need advice

[VBMama]

Ds1 will be starting kindy in the fall. I'm wondering where is the best place to buy uniforms (can be from anywhere as long as they meet requirements) and how many pants, shirts, etc I should get. We are in Oregon, so it will be cool weather for most of the school year, and ds1 is pretty hard on clothes. We have to buy an embroidered fleece from Lands End, and I initially thought I should just order everything from there, but maybe it is too expensive compared to other stores. Just looking for advice on from any other BTDT moms! If you have any other thoughts about uniforms that would help a newbie, please share!

[momof2kiddos]

I used to buy DS when he was in uniform at French Toast. http://frenchtoast.com/

They are excellent quality and very fairly priced.

[griffin2004]

I get pants from Dickies and pants, skorts, etc. from Dennis Uniforms. Her white polos I get at Target, Kohls, or anywhere cheap.

For my DD, I have 5 pairs of long pants, 3 skorts, and a uniform jumper. I have 3 cardigans, 1 pullover sweater, and 1 sweater vest. I have probably a dozen white polos in short and long sleeves.

If you need any navy blue pants, I've got several. After 1 year in them--and they still fit fine--the uniform code changed. Grrrrr.

[Evan&Anna's_Mom]

Our school is very restrictive on uniforms (have to be from certain store, all logoed, no choices), so I can't address the "where" question. However, I would suggest that you buy a minimum amount of stuff to start and then expand depending on what you actually see the kids wearing and what your child likes. Just because a "long sleeved button down shirt in white" is on the approved uniform list doesn't mean anyone will actually wear it. Our school does have a skort option for girls but I only see maybe 1 girl a month actually wear it. It would be a shame to buy something that doesn't get worn.

Also, both of my kids went through at least one size shift during K. So buy what you need now and leave the winter stuff until you need it. Buying it now may or may not mean your child can wear it a couple of months from now. For the same reason, make friends with the parents of kids who are a size bigger than yours if you are OK with mid-year handmedowns. They are lifesavers for me -- about February everyone shifts stuff down because they don't fit anymore but still look good.

"How much" will be driven by your laundry schedule more than anything. Because the girl's dresses are so expensive, I only buy 2 everyday dresses and 1 dress uniform dress. I know that I absolutely have to do laundry on Tuesday to make it through the week. But its better than spending another $200 to get enough dresses for the week. If your laundry routine is more sporatic, you'll want at least enough to get through the week.

Buy lots of the extras that get lost -- especially socks! I cannot tell you how often the morning panic is caused by lack of uniform socks! I swear the kids eat them in their sleep. Ditto if you have a uniform requirement on hair bows. The search for blue bows at 7 AM is a nightmare!

[sahmmie]

Gymboree has a line of school uniform clothing. You can look at it online at www.gymboree.com.

[RufusBeans]

we have to get ours at Lands End

They seem to have a different piece of uniform on sale every week. so I've been buying the uniform piece by piece. they always seem to have a free shipping code out there.

[GuildJenn]

Just addressing the 'how many' - I think it does depend on laundry. For my son we do fine with 5 polos and 5 pairs of pants. (He actually doesn't have to wear it on Fridays, so that gives us one extra per week.) We change out of uniforms before dinner, which helps. Our school is not hugely picky though.

[VBMama]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm going to start by looking at the secondhand uniforms the school has available today - maybe buy a few summer things he can wear for the first few weeks of September before rainy weather sets in.

[Graceoc]

I make sure there is a full outfit for each day of the week - so at least 5 pants, 5 shirts, ect. For my son he has 6 long sleeved shirts, 6 short sleeved shirts, 4 pants (hoping we are ok with this) and 5 shorts. I also bought him a sweater for when it gets cooler that he can wear over his shirts.

DD has pants for winter and some skorts/jumpers until then. I will get her tights/leggings as well. Again she has 6 shirts in both long and short sleeved and a sweater.

I buy pants at GAP because going on our 5th year those are the ones that hold up the best. All others I have bought have holes or stains within a few months. I buy shirts at Walmart (online has TONS of uniform stuff for CHEAP!). Shoes I splurge on since they wear them everyday...same with jackets/sweaters.

[miss_sonja]

My kids are starting at a uniform school in the fall. I've gotten all their stuff so far from thrift stores. There is a uniform exchange at the beginning of the year and again later on. Some things HAVE to come from the school (logo sweatshirt) and some from the uniform store (any of the plaid items), but other items can come from anywhere as long as they meet the guidelines.

We'll see what is popular/what the kids find most comfortable as the year goes on, but right now, we're set at a very low $ outlay.

Nordstrom's current anniversary sale includes some uniform items (socks and tights)--high quality, very good prices.

[Polliwog]

Gymboree, GAP, and Lands End have been having tons of sales, specials, and coupons lately. Their uniform stuff looks really nice. Much nicer than the icky polyester of the past.

That being said, I'd never send my kids to a school with uniforms (public or private.) It's just not my thing.

[meemee]

i buy my dd's at Target. mainly coz she outgrows things v. fast. i have never found second hand uniforms. plus she wanted dresses. most of her first grade stuff she wont be able to wear to second grade.

and by uniform i mean just colours. solid colours that are available at many places.