Shopping for school

Trying to find uniforms, bags and general school paraphernalia for your children’s time at school can be a daunting prospect, especially when they seem to be growing out of everything at an alarming rate. It can also be frustrating to find that texta graffiti on school bags is the new cool thing to do. There’s not much you can do about their growth spurts or their friends’ affections for permanent markers but if you follow a few handy hints listed below, you may be able to make uniforms and equipment last longer.



Equipment



Try and buy your kids stationery and equipment that they love – that way they will be less inclined to break or lose it. There are a range of stores now that do reasonably priced but funky pens, paper and school necessities that kids go crazy for.



Uniforms and school equipment are built to last. Often you will find that spending a little bit more money on good quality items at the outset will save you money in the long run. Your kids and their uniforms are going to go through a bit of rough and tumble in the playground but that is, after all, what school children do best.



Uniforms



Kids school uniforms and schoolwear can be expensive if you have to buy new ones every season. If you can, buy shorts and pants with an elastic waistband in a slightly larger size. This way, you can hem up the bottom of the pants until your boy grows into them and once they get a bit too short, you can let the hem down again. Girls school skirts should also be bought in a larger size. Your daughter may want them to be shorter like the rest of the girls at school but this is a problem easily solved. Hem up the skirt like you did the pants and voila!... A skirt that should last at least a year.



Ask the school clothing store if they offer second hand exchanges and purchases. Providing your kids’ old uniforms are in good condition, stores will often let you sell them back at a reduced price. Make sure you check out what they have on offer too because you can often find second hand uniforms in near-perfect condition for a fraction of the cost of new ones.



You should also try and wash uniforms in cold water whenever possible because heat from hot water washing and drying can eventually take its toll on the fabric.



School bags



As soon as you buy a new schoolbag, generously spray it with a shoe protector like Scotchgard. It won’t protect it from paint or permanent marker but it will minimise rain damage and general wear and tear. If it does get stained, try soaking it in bathroom cleaner, it sounds bizarre but actually works!

Get your Kids school uniforms and schoolwear from a company that has been providing quality and affordable school uniforms to Australian children for 40 years at www.stubbiesschoolwear.com.au.