School uniform can be very expensive - in fact, according to The Children's Society, the cost of uniform for a primary aged child was £287 last year, and £422 for those of secondary age.
But the good news is there are ways to save. Read on for our expert tips on saving money on uniform.
1. Stock up early at the supermarket
Aldi and Lidl'sinclude two polo shirts, one sweatshirt (or cardigan in the case of Aldi) and a choice of trousers, skirt or shorts -Supermarkets are also often pretty competitive with each other on the cost of school uniform essentials.
Of course, super-cheap products can sometimes be a false economy, so it's worth checking items' quality and making a decision based on your needs and budget.Find out more:2. Look out for sales
Some shops selling school uniform have regular sales with deep discounts - so watch out for these as they can save you up to 25% off your shop.
Find out more3. Use outlet stores
This works particularly well for children's school shoes, which can be really pricey.
A quick spot check by Which? showed a pair of girls' black patent school shoes reduced from £40 to £28.
And don't worry if you don't have an outlet store near you - you can always order online (although you would need to be confident measuring and fitting your child yourself).
Find out more:
4. Buy second hand
Buying second-hand uniform is a great way to save cash. The savings are often even greater on branded items or those with a school logo.
Most school PTAs sell preloved uniform, often at school open days or summer fairs. You can also look on Facebook selling pages, eBay, or charity shops.
Find out more:5. Avoid logos
Often, items of clothing with a school logo are more expensive than those without one.
Check your school's uniform policy carefully and only buy badged items where absolutely necessary.
6. Look for grants
If you can't afford to buy your child's school uniform, contact the headteacher to ask what support is available.
7. Make it last
You'll spend less money overall if you make the uniform last longer, so buy items with plenty of growing room if you can.
Some shops also sell clothing with extendable hems to offer more growing room, which could offer a saving in the long term.
Also be sure to attach good-quality name tags to everything your child owns - with the best will in the world, children leave items of clothing all over the place but if they're named they're more likely to find their way back.
8. Share costs with friends
Team up with other parents to buy in bulk.
Not only will you save on delivery costs, but some uniform is sold in multipacks which might work out cheaper than buying individual items - so you could buy a multipack and share out the items if you don't need them all.
9. Buy throughout the year
Parents often tend to buy new uniform in the summer ready for September, which can make sense (see tip 1). But unless your children are starting a new school or have grown out of their previous uniform, you don't need to follow this trend.
It's quite likely that if their old uniform fits them at the end of July, it'll still be useable by the beginning of September.
And if you're looking for accessories such as lunch boxes, school bags, stationery equipment and water bottles, there are often big out-of-season discounts to be had once schools go back in September.
Find out more:source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/ways-to-save-on-school-uniform-aK9GN2E2t4TS