For many families, the cost-of-living crisis is already putting pressure on the family purse without the extra worries of the cost of school uniform. If you are already worrying about funding uniform for when your kids return to school, these tips will help.
Reduce the cost of school uniform – tips
1. Audit the current uniform
How many of us shove uniform into a cupboard and forget about it until a clear out? Many items are likely to have a few months extra wear in them which could help you to reduce the cost of buying everything in one go. Wash, press and then lay everything out and persuade the kids to have a quick trying on session before you make a list of the essentials you actually do need to buy.
You never know, you might have forgotten about some uniform you stowed away because it was too big a year ago.
2. Buy bigger
We can all relate to the cringe-factor of wearing an oversized blazer on the first day of school, but there is logic in sizing up to extend the wear of certain items. If you don’t want to buy ludicrously big items, look for school uniform pieces with adjustable waistbands and oversized hems to enable kids to grow into them without feeling swamped.
3. Get swapping
There is still plenty of wear in school uniform even after a busy year. Does your school run a swap shop or is there a Facebook group that encourages swapping? These can be a great place to find spare items such as cardigans, sweatshirts and P.E kits from older kids. Adding in some pre-worn items to their wardrobes could save you plenty on the cost of school uniform, not to mention the convenience of having spares when uniform mysteriously disappears!
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4. Repair what you have
Don’t let a fallen hem or loose button be the end for a perfectly wearable piece of uniform. Quick fixes can breathe new life into skirts and trousers.
5. Upcycle items
Did you know you can extend the life of trousers by turning them into shorts for the summer? With some simple hemming, ankle-skimming trousers can get a new lease of life.
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6. Spread the Cost
Ask your independent retailer about payment plans. If you’re shopping online, look out for credit options such as Klarna and Clearpay, which can help spread the cost of buying uniform.
7. Research support grants
Additional financial support is available for families who are struggling with the cost of school uniform. Ask at your school office for details of discretionary bursaries that may be available via your local council or through uniform suppliers in the area.
Now you know how to save money, read our article on how to make school uniform more durable and better value.
