If your school requires uniforms...
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Anonymous
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How much do you spend per child, per year on uniforms?
If you have a boy, for example, how many pants do you get? I am new to this, and I wondered how many sets of uniforms I need. I have 2 little boys starting jk and k. How many sets do you need? |
Anonymous
| I find 3 is a minimum (based on how often I'm willing to wash. I often get 1 or 2 used ones as well as backups (the school offers used uniform sales a couple of times a year). Also, I've got to know people with older siblings (of the right gender) who've given me some second hand ones as backups. They get worn really quickly so I still get 3 new sets for each kid. For the summer and winter uniforms, plus backpack, wet/cold weather gear, shoes, we probably spend around $300-$400 per kid. |
Anonymous
| I never get more than one new set. The uniforms take such a beating they will look very used quickly. One new set plus a couple of used sets has been ample for us. I think with coat, backpack, shoes and uniforms we spend maybe 200 a year per child. Hand me downs and used uniform sales are fantastic. |
Anonymous
| I work FT and don't really want to do laundry mid-week. Therefore, I purchase 5 of everything. Our school requires a uniform sock so I purchase 10 pairs per child so I don't have to worry about lost socks. I buy 2 PE uniforms per kid. I spend about $800 total for 2 kids for clothing. Add in backpacks and shoes its probably about $1100 or so per year. |
Anonymous
| Boys pants really take a beating. Get new ones with reinforeced knees. I recommend JCP or flynn ohara has indestrible pants. Or you can patch them ahead of time - buy iron patches at target. |
Anonymous
| PP here. I have 3 kids with uniforms and i don't think i spend more than $500 for all of them including shoes. |
Anonymous
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Word of warning. I thought I was being really smart and buying a nice big set at the beginning of the year (August sales). Problems is, kids have growth spurts! It was really frustrating to have to buy a week's worth, only to have to replace within a few months.
Check with the school. Lots of times they have a "uniform exchange" where you can pick up pieces that are still in good shape. Supplement that with sales (in August Target will have uniform sales that coincide with state tax holidays on school supplies) and don't expect that you will be buying "everything" you need for a season, because that kid will grow! |
Anonymous
Just buy a little big and this won't be a problem. For example, for second grade I bought DD size 8 jumpers which ran a bit large on her. She wore the jumpers again for 3rd grade. My son's pants occasionally need the hems to be let down after Christmas but that's been about it. |
Anonymous
| I buy very little new now. Our school has a well organized used uniform sale several times per year so I get most of my pieces that way. I buy blouses new, but only because I most of the blouses that come into the sale are pretty dingy looking. When I buy new blouses, I buy on sale from JCP, LE, or Burlington. So I usually spend no more than $20 to $40 total. I buy shoes new as well - one uniform pair and one pair of athletic shoes. |
Anonymous
Heh. Must have just has super growth spurt kids, because I assure you I bought large and they STILL grew out of them.  (twins, btw, so I didn't have a chance to "learn" from oldest child, just learned from both at the same time!)
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Anonymous
| 5 skirts and 5 shirts.. Cost about $250 to $300 |
Anonymous
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5 khakis-20 each
5 blue polos-15 each shoes-50 sneakers-50 gym clothes-50 coat-100 (has a younger brother so I dont mind spending more so it lasts for the other) $325 I try to buy used during the year for fill ins. Ifind old navy great for the polos. I order on line. |
Anonymous
| This is our first year with uniforms. I just bought 3 short sleeved shirts, one long sleeved shirt, one pair of shorts, and three pairs of slacks. That's to start the fall with. It was $190. Not sure how the rest of the year will go. |
Anonymous
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OP here. Thank you for your great responses. 2 Follow up questions.
1) Does Lands End have a uniform sale every year? If so when-ish? 2) Is your school super strict about standard items coming from specific vendors? For example, mine requires flat front navy blue shorts for boys from Lands End. We just got some from Kitestrings, and I am wondering if we could use those. Don't want my son in trouble because of me at his new school, but I also don't want to buy extras we don't need. Thanks soooo much! |
Anonymous
| Wondering the same thing, OP. My rising Kindergartener does best w elastic waist pants/shorts, but the only "approved" shorts are button front. Also, gym shirts at Land's End are more expensive than the ones at Target. Does it really matter for a plain white t? I guess these are questions for the school, but I don't want to be a PITA right out of the starting blocks! I suppose that's why we're asking fellow parents... |