THE cost of school uniform can rack up fast, but there are ways to save money for the new year ahead.
You can find items on the cheap if you know where to look – including some major high street shops and supermarkets.
We reveal the cheapest retailer to pick up school uniform ahead of the new school year
Many retailers are running discounts or frozen prices to keep them low, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for any bargains.
That said, some chains are cheaper than others, and two in particular.
Aldi and Lidl come out the cheapest for a school uniform bundle.
Both the retailers are selling trousers or skirts, two-packs of polo shirts and sweatshirts for £5 all in.
We also checked out how much other retailers are selling school uniform items for as well. Here’s everything you need to know…
Of course, always remember to shop around before buying any product like school uniform clothes.
Just because you’ve spotted a good price at one retailer that doesn’t mean you can’t get the same or similar item for less.
You can use price comparison websites like trolley.co.uk or pricespy.co.uk that let you compare thousands of items across a number of supermarkets and retailers.
Meanwhile, you can always use the Google Shopping tab to do a quick scan of prices out there on the internet.
Aldi
German discounter Aldi has brought back its popular £5 school uniform bundle.
Prices for the outfits start at just £1.50 – the same as last year – meaning items are likely to sell quickly.
The bundles were available to buy online last year, but you can’t this year, meaning you’ll have to head to your local branch to find the kit.
You can find your nearest store by using the store locator on Aldi’s website.
Prices are as follows:
- Trousers – £1.75 each
- Pleated skirt – £1.75 each
- Two-pack polo shirts – £1.75 each
- Sweatshirts – £1.50 each
Lidl
Lidl is also bringing back its £5 school uniform offer for the second year running.
Product prices start from just £1.50, and the retailer is donating 50p to the NSPCC from every purchase.
As with Aldi, you can check out the back-to-school bundle on Lidl’s website, but can only buy in-store.
Lidl also has a store locator on its website where you can find your nearest branch.
Prices are as follows:
- Two-pack school polo shirt – £1.75
- Trousers – £1.75
- Skirt – £1.75
- Sweatshirt – £1.50
- Shorts – £1.75
Asda
Asda’s George school wear range offers customers prices from just £1.75.
It is selling a two-pack of polo shirts for £3 while a two-pack of shorts is £5 and a two-pack of skirts is £7.
Meanwhile, the retailer is selling shirts from £1.75, or you can buy a two-pack for £3.50.
Trousers cost £3.50 each and you can also nab a seven-pack of socks for £3.
Unlike Aldi and Lidl, you can buy the school uniform bits on Asda’s website.
Make sure you factor in delivery costs though – they start from £3.50.
Prices are as follows:
- Shirt – £1.75
- Two-pack polo shirts – £3
- Trousers – £3.50
- Shorts – £2.50
- Skirt – £3
Tesco
The UK’s biggest supermarket is selling school uniform items from just £4.
Shoppers can pick up three-packs of white polo shirts, cardigans, trousers and dresses.
The retailer also offers a one-year guarantee on the garments.
You won’t be able to buy the items online and they’re only available in selected larger stores though.
You can find your nearest branch by using Tesco’s store locator on its website – but you might want to call your local ahead of time to see if they stock the items you’re after.
Prices are as follows:
- Two-pack red cardigans – from £8
- Two-pack pleated dressed – from £10
- Blue sweatshirt – from £5
- Two-pack grey trousers – from £8
- Three-pack white polo shirts – from £4
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s through its clothing brand Tu has frozen its school uniform prices from 2022.
Parents can pick up everything from white polo shirts to sports wear, skirts and trousers.
You can order online with delivery costs starting at £3.95. Click and collect is free.
Prices are as follows:
- Two-pack white polo shirts – £3
- Three-pack t-shirts – £3
- Two-pack polo shirts – £3
- Skinny style trousers – £6
- Two-pack grey skirts – £7
M&S
Marks and Spencer has everything your kid would need for the new school term.
At the time of writing, shoppers can pick up polo shirts, shorts, trousers and skirts all from £5.60.
You can order the clothes online but there will be delivery costs incurred.
Price are as follows:
- Trousers – from £5.60
- Polo shirts – from £2.40
- Skirt – from £4.80
- Two-pack white shirts – from £6.40
Next
Next has over 4,000 items to choose from ahead of the new school term.
It has everything you’d need from skirts to trousers, socks and sports gear.
You can get the items delivered to your home, but charges start from £4.95.
Prices are as follows:
- Sweatshirt – £6
- Skirt – from £5
- Two-pack of polo-shirts – from £7
- Trousers – from £8
- White shirt – from £4.50
Peacocks
Peacocks also has a number of school uniform items for sale on its website.
You can pick up trousers and skirts that are school approved, as well as polo shirts.
You can get the items delivered to your home, and delivery is free of charge, saving you a few quid.
Here’s what you can get from the online store:
- Trousers – from £6
- Skirt – from £5
- Two-pack white polo shirt – £6
How else to save on school uniform
If you’re struggling to afford the cost of school uniform, you don’t have to go to your nearest supermarket or retailer.
You can always try buying second-hand from a charity shop, or there are some websites where you can bag items from as little as 50p.
Meanwhile, you can try a school swap. Some schools hand out second-hand items that have been handed in by parents for free.
It can be a good way of recycling anything your own children have grown out of as well.
Next, you should check out local Facebook groups to see if any other families are selling clothes for cheap.
If this fails, you might be able to get hold of a school uniform grant from your local council.
Local authorities offer them in Wales and some do in England and Scotland as well.
You should get in touch with yours to see what help you can get.
If you don’t know what council area you fall under, you can use the Government’s council locator tool on its website.
You just have to enter your postcode and it will tell you what area you fall under.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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