MUMS have voted on the best school uniform you can buy on the high street – and the winner might not surprise you.
M&S has been rated the winner in a survey by parenting website MadeForMums.
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Schools may only have been broken up for the summer a few days, but many parents are already thinking ahead to next term.
Uniform costs can easily rack up – especially if you have more than one child.
New rules brought in by the Government have aimed to bring down the cost of uniforms, but the price of new shoes, shirts and blazers can soon mount up.
Struggling families can check if they’re eligible for a grant of up to £200 to help with the costs.
While others will be hitting the high street to find the cheapest school uniforms.
Budget supermarkets Aldi and Lidl have launched bargain ranges where you can buy a full set for around a fiver.
MadeForMums found that around one in five parents spent more than £100 on uniform when their child started at a new school, and half spent between £25 and £50.
Specialist items embroidered with school logos, PE kits and outerwear were among the most expensive things to buy.
But there is more to consider than just price.
MadeForMums took into account the quality, fit, value for money and washing of uniform ranges from 12 retailers to find the best.
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It scored each factor out of 10, to give an overall school.
And M&S has been crowned the winner – coming out top on fit, washing and quality, and in fifth spot for value for money.
It scored 8.55/10 overall.
Susie Boone, editorial director at MadeForMums , said: “Pressures on household budgets means the challenge of where to shop for school uniform is being felt more than ever this year.
“It’s great to see retailers upping their game on quality, pricing and sustainability in these challenging times.”
Susie said M&S was a “worthy winner” and parents were particularly impressed with its adjustable hems, designs for SEN and sensitivity needs, as well as wash quality, fit and longevity.
Sainsbury’s Tu and Next came joint second with an overall score of 8.38, and John Lewis was close behind with 8.33/10.
Bottom of the pile with Lidl, which scored 7.58/10 despite its bargain price tag.
MadeForMums also compared the costs of a full school uniform – totting up the total to buy items to fit a 7-year-old boy.
It looked at the cost of one polo shirt, a knitted jumper, a pair of trousers, and pair of socks.
Here’s Aldi came out cheapest, with a total cost of £4.63 – but this was 50p higher than a year ago.
At John Lewis the cost of a uniform has dropped £4.50 from last year, but still comes in at a total of £17.14.
The most expensive option was Gap, where a full set cost a whopping £63.17.
