Back to school shopping for my own school supplies is something I remember fondly. About two weeks before school was due to start again, my mum would load me and my younger sister and brother into the car and head into town.
First stop would be the uniform shop to get all the badged items before we headed to Woolworths (RIP) for the non-branded basics and, more excitingly for me, the stationery! Finding the perfect writing pen, folders, and pencil case was high on my agenda – a personality trait that has followed me into adulthood.
After Woolworths and a quick stop off for a Greggs pasty and a custard tart, we would head to the shoe shop. I still remember feeling elated the year mum finally caved and let me have a pair of Kickers. The final stop would be the sports shop for PE trainers – another battle would ensue over the very real need for a branded backpack and trainers. For mum, it was managing the budget with three children needing to be kitted out; for me, it was the threat of social ruin to be seen with the wrong items. Back then, it took us one day, spread across four or five shops, and a Greggs lunch to get everything we needed for the year.
Fast forward a few(!) years and I’m now a working mum of two, frantically running around to get everything bought, ironed and labelled ready for September. This year is particularly special as my youngest is starting in reception, so for the first time, I have two school-age children to kit out.
Luckily, I feel like a bit of an expert in the back-to-school shop now as my oldest will be going into year four, so here are 5 tricks I’ve learned along the way:
-
Check the second-hand items at school before buying anything. It is guaranteed that my son will lose or wreck at least two school sweatshirts before the school year finishes, so I always try to pick up a couple of preloved spares. With the average uniform cost for a primary-aged child being around £340 per year*, it makes financial sense and saves uniforms that are in better condition than ours from heading to landfill. Vinted and eBay sellers also often have unbranded basics for good prices if your school doesn’t have a swap shop.
-
Start even earlier than you think you should. With two kids needing uniforms this year, I thought I’d start early to spread the cost a bit – but even at the start of July, I couldn’t get all the items I needed in the correct sizes. At the time of writing this – mid-August – I have visited seven(!) retailers either in-store or online and I still haven’t managed to pick up any grey tights in my daughter’s size. The traditional ‘August rush’ from my school days is no longer a thing and back to school has turned into a full season with planning for some families starting as early as May*.
-
Take your child with you (maybe just the once). There’s something really special about seeing your four-year-old try on their first school uniform – it’s a milestone for you both. And, from a practicality point of view, you need to make sure the fit is right. In my experience, the size or colour you want may not always be in stock, so I try on any available colour to check fit, then order online or purchase later if needed. Do a couple of uniform run throughs at home and stress test them a bit if you can, just in case there are any itchy fabrics or labels that can be dealt with before that first week. And finally, take tissues to that first ever fitting – you might need them (I certainly did).
-
Social Media/TikTok is often great for inspiration. Looking for an indestructible water bottle or gingham hairbands to match the summer dress? Even great deals on branded stuff like trainers or backpacks – you can find a parenting influencer to guide you in the right direction. If you have older children, the likelihood is that they’ll be looking for items they’ve seen on TikTok and YouTube* – so if you’re already tuned into that space, you’re onto a winner. And if you have an eye on price, there are often flash deals to be had on TikTok Shop, but you’ll have to act fast as they’re often only live for a limited time period.
-
Shop Around. Parents are feeling the pinch and many have reported feeling the need to cut back on non-essential spend in order to cover the cost of school kit.* But if you shop smartly you can find ways to make your budget go further. For example I know that my son is likely to come home with scuffed knees within the first week from playing football at break and my daughter will come home covered in paint so I’m not going to spend a fortune on uniforms that may not survive the first term. I make sure they have a smart branded school jumper or cardigan and good shoes. For the rest I shop around and fit my budget.