AD/PR/Affiliate
This year’s back to school shopping list is looking extra long because my youngest child is starting school! It’s both an exciting milestone and an expensive time. I don’t like to miss anything out when I’m buying school clothes, but I do tend to try and save money where I can.
When I say save where I can, I don’t mean trade down on quality. Yes, I’m partial to a bargain, but I’ll never be fooled by false economy again. Having a very chaotic son, known for destroying anything he owns, I’ve learnt that quality should always come up top in shoes an trousers – even if that means paying that little bit more.
Of course, there are places where you can really save money, so it all evens out in the end anyway.
Back to School Shopping List
Below is my best back to school shopping list:
New School Shoes
No matter what, you always have to buy new shoes. Even if you think last years will go again. Even if you think the pair that didn’t fit a sibling last year will now work for them. They won’t. I don’t know why – it’s the back to school curse.
I don’t mind shoe shopping. My kids have very normal tastes and very average-sized feet for their age, so it’s quite an easy job. We always go with Start- Rite shoes and this year we were very grateful to be sent some to review.
I’ve found in the past that these are the only shoes my son doesn’t manage to immediately destroy. He give his school shoes a huge hammering – spending his days running, climbing, kicking footballs and all kinds of other stunt in the park after school usually ensure the death of his school shoes around week three of term. Then when I found Start-Rite, I just never looked back.
Orlaith also has a pair of Start-Rite shoes and I’m hopeful they’ll be just as indestructible for her. She seems even wilder than Greg, if that’s even possible.
Polo Shirts
Our primary school uniform requests polo shirts, which I think feels quite lucky because you can pick up good ones cheaply. My favourite shirts are from the Asda stay white range.
I’m not great with the laundry. I always manage to accidently wash some darks with the whites and turn everything grey. I’ve found these polo shirts are the only ones out there that can withstand my lack of skill when it comes to washing them.
They stay white for nearly the full school year, which seems to beat their competitors by a lot.
School Trousers and Skirts
We love the school trousers from David Luke. They make really good quality uniform where the fabric feels thick and durable, but comfy for the kids to wear.
This year we even got Orlaith a skirt from the David Luke range because we loved the quality of the trousers for Greg. We think both kids look incredibly smart, ready for starting school.
Socks and Underwear
Yes, we even replace socks and underwear – I don’t want the kids looking raggy when they get changed for PE.
I buy my boys’ socks from a different place to my girls’ because I like what I like.
For Orlaith, I got some beautiful knee-high socks when Aldi had their uniform in the middle aisle. I’ve also got her some frilly fold-over socks from Asda, both in white.
Greg is a fussy sock wearer and he likes the seam to sit in a certain place and the socks to be a certain thickness, so we usually get his from Next. I’ve also got him some sporty socks from Asda, which seem to have passed the very stringent testing system he puts them through.
PE Kit
Our kids have a special logo PE kit and bag, so there’s not much leeway there, but I do like to try and pick up a pair of non-branded trainers for them to do PE in. I’ve found the best places to buy comfy trainers with a flexible sole and a decent price tag are Tesco or Sainsbury’s.
Packed Lunch Items
Packed lunch is another area you can save money. Sainsbury’s have a load of gorgeous own-brand lunch bags in stock. I prefer bags to boxes because I can run them though the washing machine every week and dry them out, and they manage to keep the food colder than just plastic containers.
When it comes to drinking bottles I’m on a bargain mission. My kids have a classroom drink and on the days they have pack up, they also have a drink with their lunch. Bargain places like B&M and Home Bargains often have a multibuy deal on. I think we settled on a 2 for £2 deal for Orlaith (found at the factory shop), and the slightly more expensive £2 per bottle sale at Dunelm for Greg.
I’ve learnt my lesson and always but cheap bottles because no matter how much you pay, your child will drop the bottle on the playground and it’ll smash into smithereens.
I’m really lucky I don’t need to bring a pencil case or anything else at this school, so my shopping list isn’t huge. We buy the logo jumpers from the local uniform shop but I’ve also invested in the right colour cardigans for Orlaith from Asda. Sainsbury’s and Tesco do plain jumpers and cardigans too, but Asda was the only one with the right shade of blue this year.
That’s my full shopping list and where I get my best bargains from for school. Have I missed anything? Do you have any helpful tips to share?