School uniform challenge: the best kit based on price, comfort and how long it lasts

Felicity Hannah looks at high street school uniforms to find out which is the best value for money.

It’s the last few days of the back-to-school frenzy and across the UK mums, dads and guardians are dragging their kids around the shops in search of school uniform that will last.

And it’s important that it does last. There are lots of different numbers being bandied around just now but the likelihood is that most parents will spend upwards of £150 getting two children kitted out for the new term.

In fact, American Express claims that mums typically spend £192 and dads fork out £366 on back-to-school items.

No one wants to have to replace all that kit before Easter because it’s gone at the knee or faded.

So, to find the best value uniform we’ve looked at the current deals and reviewed the current quality.

But more importantly we’ve spoken to mums and dads who bought the uniforms from different retailers last year to find out how well those outfits stood the test of time. Here’s what they told us and what you need to know.

Sainsbury’s

What do you pay?

The prices are not the lowest of the supermarkets but they still beat the high street. A pack of two navy cardigans costs £4, while 3 unisex polo shirts sell for as little as £3.50.

Two pairs of school trousers start at £7 and 2 V-neck jumpers start from £6.

What did I think?

I found the Sainsbury’s uniform to be generally very good quality. Small details were taken care of, such as adjustable waistbands in the trousers. However, the fabric did not feel as high quality to touch as high street alternatives.

There was a good selection of different fits, such as slim, generous and longer-leg.

The uniforms were clearly designed to be easy for young children, with lots of elastic and zips rather than fiddly buttons.

What did last year’s parents say?

“I bought trousers from Sainsbury's they were fine but not as soft as M&S’ and didn't wash as well.”

“I buy all my uniform from Sainsbury’s and then get it embroidered. It’s easily the best quality I have found for what I want to pay.”

Tesco

What do you pay?

A 2-pack of trousers at Tesco will cost parents £7, while a 2-pack of short-sleeved shirts is selling for as little as £3. Polo shirts start at £3.50 for 2 and a single skirt sells for £3.50 or £4 for a kilt-style skirt.

What did I think?

Tesco had a huge range of uniforms, including different styles and different colours, giving parents real choice. It also offers an in-house embroidery service, saving parents the faff of getting that organised elsewhere.

The uniforms were well put together and appeared sturdy, but the fabric on some items did not feel as soft and comfortable as pricier high street options.

I also liked that the uniforms had reinforced knees and stain-repellent fabric. It’s like they have met my children!

What did last year’s parents say?

“I used Tesco either in-store or online and get Clubcard points too, dresses and skirts very good and true to size. Jumpers bit on the small side but good, never went bobbly, white polo shirts – don't stay white but then my daughter has just finished reception and was always mucky.”

ASDA

What do you pay?

Trousers are available from £3 a pair, you can get a pack of two shirts from £3 and polo shirts are going for as little as £2.50 for a pack of two. Skirts start at £3 and you can buy pinafores for £5.

What did I think?

These uniforms were excellently priced for parents and there was a great selection but the quality of the materials used seemed to let them down. Some of the trousers felt thin and shiny before they had even been washed.

However, the prices and the choice available will make these popular with many parents.

What did last year’s parents say?

“ASDA trousers seem to keep their shape but are a bit more synthetic and less comfy.”

“Asda t-shirts end up slightly cardboardy after lots of washing and go grey quickly.”

“The girls pinafore dresses in ASDA are fab wash well no iron lasted all year (daughter refused to wear summer dresses) and I think they are still in fab condition. They will do for her little sister too.”

What do you pay?

A pair of trousers from Next will cost from £8, while a give-pack of short-sleeved shirts is £20 (or slightly more for larger sizes).

Five polo shirts costs £15, while skirts cost £6 or more, depending on the design.

What did I think?

I thought this uniform was very well made and out of very good quality fabrics. I thought Next’s school uniform options were some of the best on the market – but the prices definitely reflect that.

There were also some very cool additions, such as a skater-style skirt.

So if you’re a parent who suspects their child is due a growth-spurt then you may well decide not to shell out on pricier, top quality uniforms.

What did last year’s parents say?

“We have had Next school trousers, they are amazing, wash & wash with no bother, we usually get one lot in September, grow out of them and then get another lot at Christmas which last us through to summer.”

M&S

What do you pay?

A 2-pack of school blouses from M&S is £8, while a 2-pack of trousers sells for £11+. A pack of 3 pure cotton polo shirts was between £7 and £15, depending on size and 2 non-iron shirts cost from £8.

What did I think?

These are very good quality school uniforms. They are well made, from good fabrics and they are true to size. They also offer a wide range of different styles and shapes, which is particularly helpful for kids who are on the skinny side but also for those with rounder figures.

I liked that they also have quite ‘cool’ cargo-style option, which seems more rugged and also more fun than more formal straight-legged uniforms.

What did last year’s parents say?

“I bought all my little boys uniform from M&S and think it was definitely worth paying the bit extra for. They have washed really well and the extra inch you get in the 'hidden seam' of the boys pants was a godsend!”

“I like the choice of fits at M&S like slim fit, tall, adjustable, flat front, pleated front and so on.”

“'I’ve always bought from M&S as the quality is definitely worth that extra cost. But I have to say I think the quality is dropping. The non-iron shirts are not non-iron (for me anyway) & I felt the quality of the white shirts last year was not as high.”

Aldi

What do you pay?

The prices here are excellent: a two-pack of polo shirts for just £1.65, a jumper for £1.40, trousers and skirts for £1.95, and a two-pack of cardigans for £5.99.

Lots of shops have already sold out of these deals but you can still order online if you’re quick.

What did I think?

These sold out so fast that I could not get my hands on a full set. However, I did check out a friend’s purchases and I was pleasantly surprised.

At those prices you would assume the quality must have taken a real hit but the fabrics were soft and comfortable and the fit good.

What did last year’s parents say?

“I actually picked up a pack of polo t-shirts from Aldi as a spare to the usual M&S ones and can honestly say they're the best polo shirts I've ever bought! Wash lovely and stayed thick and fresh looking!”

“I tried the red jumper from Aldi but I found the colour faded after a few washes – won't buy them again.”

Lidl

What do you pay?

Two short-sleeved shirts cost £1.99 and both boy and girl trousers sell for £1.25 a pair. A 2-pack of polo shirts is just £1.25 and plimsolls are selling for as little as £1.99.

What did I think?

Again, I struggled to get my hands on this popular uniform as, like Aldi, it claims to offer a complete school uniform for just £3.75.

Having managed to locate a set from a savvier, quicker parent than me (who heard about the deal the day it launched and sent her mum off to buy it while she was at work) I can say that I was once again quite impressed by the quality. It might not compare to the high street offerings but it was good enough to compete with the other supermarket school uniforms.

On balance I would say the Aldi items had the edge, but only just. Whether you can get your hands on a set now is another matter.

What did last year’s parents say?

“I bought my son two pairs of school pants from Lidl last year and they have stayed like new.”

“I bought these because they were cheap but I had to buy a whole new set just a few weeks later because my little boy said he didn’t like how they felt by his skin. He can be quite sensitive though so a less sensitive kid might be fine.”

What do you think matters more, price or quality? Where have you found the best value this year? Have your say using the comments below.

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