The countdown to the new school year is on. More and more schools are moving to uniforms and we thought that we would pass on our tips on uniform shopping. Before I start listing the retailers that carry uniform lines, I want to share my non-retail tips. Many schools have resale closets or uniform exchange days where you can go purchase or exchange for gently used uniforms. This is a great starting point and money saver. You can also connect with a family with older children that would be willing to pass on their uniforms as they outgrow them.
Lands End in Sears at Carolina Place Mall – Lands End is owned by Sears. They have a fabulous selection of uniform clothes that hold up great for siblings. Their selection in the store starts at size 4. If they don’t have what you’re looking for, you can order online/catalog and receive FREE shipping. Lands End can be one stop shopping for all you uniform pieces including socks, tights, backpacks, lunch boxes and rain gear. They also carry a small selection of their shoes.
Target – has a great uniform line at inexpensive prices. Their inventory seems to decrease substantially after back-to-school, especially on shorts. So you may want to load up now. They have a full selection of both khaki and navy apparel.
Old Navy – also has an impressive uniform line at bargain prices. The cut on their shorts is the cutest but you have to iron their button down shirts. They have the overall selection and pricepoint.
Costco – For a short time Costco carries the Nautica uniform line. All their pieces are under $10. They have white, navy and pale blue shirts for boys and girls. Skorts and long pants for girls and shorts and long pants for boys. Sizes ran from 5and I think the largest size I saw was a 14. I love the boys shorts. They launder well and I don’t have to iron them.
Flynn & O’Hara (near Park Road Shopping Center)- for parochial school students. They have all the appropriate school plaids and uniforms for all the Catholic schools in the area.
Educational Outfitters (across from Costco on Tyvola) – also good for Catholic students. They have great hoody sweatshirts that aren’t always available at Flynn & O’Hara. Also carry the basics for other schools.
Gap – Much the same as Old Navy, little higher quality but also higher price point.
Belk – Has a very large selection and if you need slim or husky you may have good luck here.
JC Penney – Also a very large selection of the IZOD line as well as their own line. Good prices and they have very good coupons.
Many, many choices for the uniform shopper and don’t forget tax free weekend is coming up!
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8 comments
I ordered some stuff from Old Navy and the jumpers and shorts seem to run small and they looked cheap. Not sure how well they are going to hold up. Also The Children's Place has uniforms at good prices. This is our first year in school so i don't know about the quality of these.
Great tips, Court! We go to a uniform school too. My girls LOVE the Lands End Short and Long Sleeved Peter Pan Knit top. Looks super cute under jumpers and is really comfy, as opposed to the starchy uniform blouses at all uniform stores. They cost a little more, but well worth it in our house. I agree, shorts need to be purchased asap. I've had a hard time finding cute navy shorts for girls. I'm not a fan of the long Target bermudas. This year we bought Old Navy and I think they look pretty good – they run slim but they also have plus sizes that you can order online. And you can't beat the price.
This is great information! Just curious form all you experienced moms, how many items/pieces do you buy? Should I have 2 shorts, 2 skirts, a jumper and some pants? Then for shirts do I need 5 (or more depending how often I wash clothes!) short sleeve and 5 long sleeve? Do you kids ever wear the same clothes more than one day, or are they just too dirty from a day in kindergarten?? Thx!
Great question and I totally overbought my first year! I think you should buy the least amount possible and then reassess after the first week of school. You may get lucky and have PE staggered at the beginning and end of the week. Which means you only need one PE outfit. I think you can get away with two of whatever your child seems to like best. In my case, it was the jumper, so we buy two jumpers and one pair of shorts and pants. You probably need three tops to get you through the variety of bottoms. Does that make sense?
My kids have one "dress down" day but they still have to wear uniform bottoms. I have 5 days worth of clothes, so for my son 1 dress down shirt, 4 uniform shirts and 5 shorts or pants. For my duaghter, I have 1 dress down shirt, 4 shirts, 3 skirts and 2 jumpers. She is a skirt/jumper girl but the great thing about that is in the winter I just use long sleeve shirts and tights. I am all about trying only to wash uniforms once a week!
I second the comment on Land's End tops. They are a little more expensive but wear really well and stains come out great. As for how much to buy, I think that all depends on how often you do laundry and how rough your kids are on clothes. My kids only have a dress down day every other Friday and I only do laundry once a week so I make sure I have 6 uniform outfits (5 definite and 1 back up in case someone has an accident). 6 summer bottoms, 6 summer tops, 6 winter bottoms and 6 winter tops (For girls many of the bottoms can cross seasons…jumpers and skorts can be worn all year round when you add tights or leggings) My kids play HARD and there is no way any item could be worn more than once between washings. I highly recommend re-inforced knees for boys. Leggings are much more durable than tights if your school allows.
There is also Gymboree for soft shirts for girls and good navy sweaters from Childrens Place. All I need now are the shoes!!! I cannot seem to find cute navy shoes. We tried Lands End, but they look worn quickly. I wish Primigi made navy mary janes!
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