Children up and down the country will be posing on their doorsteps dressed in oversized blazers and shiny shoes next month ready for their first day at school.
While they get to enjoy the excitement of starting at Big School and making new friends, parents have to pick up the bill for their new uniforms.
Summer dresses, polo shirts, skirts, trousers and blazers don't come cheap, and the cost can end up looking pretty terrifying once you add in shoes, book bags, equipment and PE kits.
In recent years many supermarkets have started to offer bargain deals to make it more affordable for parents, but how do these offerings compare to the higher end alternatives?
We put uniforms from Asda, Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencer, Next and John Lewis to the test in terms of style, comfort, ease to put on and price to see if it's worth splashing out the cash.
Our experts for the occasion is four-year-old Amelie Clinton, from Hampshire, who is getting ready to start school in September, and her proud mum, Annabel.
This is what they thought...
Marks & Spencer
Price
Ease to put on - 4
Style - 2
Comfort - 4
Amelie's review - I like the pockets in the dress.
Annabel's review - There isn't as much of a choice for the polo shirts and they didn't have the right colour, which was a shame. The green gingham dress was more of a turquoise teal. Overall, it all felt good quality and it was a good fit. The button detailing and top pocket give a pretty finish to the dress. Pretty skirt and nice fitting trousers. Easy iron is a plus for us! M&S also has a jumpsuit in their range as an alternative to the summer dress, which I think is a great idea.
Next
Price
- Dress - £8.50
- Trousers - £7 for pack of two
- Skirt - £8
- Polo - £9 for pack of two
Ease to put on - 2
Style - 3
Comfort - 3
Amelie's review - I love the heart buttons.
Annabel's review - Amelie said she was uncomfortable after she struggled to put the dress on. However I love the scalloping around the collar of the polo shirt. There is really pretty detailing on green gingham dress and I love you can buy matching socks if needed. The trousers felt good quality and I think they would wear well. The belt on the skirt could be a bit longer, I’m not sure it will stay done up all day.
John Lewis
Price
Ease to put on - 5, only 3 buttons
Style - 4
Comfort - 4
Amelie's review - I love the shorts that like look like a skirt.
Annabel's review - This was the only dress that's 100% cotton and the detailing is really, really pretty. You could feel and the quality on the polo shirts, they're very soft and feel like they will last through a lot of washes. The trousers and culottes fit really nicely and have a nice feel to them.
Have you bought your child's school uniform yet? Which brand is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Sainsbury's
Price
- Dress - £7.50 for pack of two
- Trousers - £7 for pack of two
- Skirt - £7 for pack of two
- Polo - £2 for pack of two
Ease to put on - 2
Style - 4
Comfort - 4
Amelie's review - I like the frilly bits on the front.
Annabel's review - The style of the dress gives a very fitted and stylish look, but it makes it hard to get on. Polo shirts don’t have labels in the neckline which is a shame as you can't write their names on them. The position of the label on the side was irritating her so we’ll probably cut out, which means we'll have nowhere to write her name so will have to get the sew on patches. The trousers were probably the least fitted, but I think they will last a long time thanks to the adjustable waist and the slightly longer length. The skirt fitted really well.
Asda
Price
- Dress - £4.50 (currently on sale for £2)
- Trousers - £6 for pack of two
- Skirt - £8 for pack of two
- Polo - £2.50 for pack of two
Ease to put on - 5
Style - 2
Comfort - 3
Amelie's review - I like how the skirt flares when I twirl.
Annabel's review - This was the most basic of the lot, with the least detailing on all items. However it was the easiest to put on out of all the brands which will make the mornings a lot easier. They fitted well and looked okay on. And they are great value for money.
