How to save money on school uniforms and Where’s the cheapest place for it?

Wondering how to save money on school uniforms this year? Another school term is just around the corner, which means it’s time for the back-to-school shop. And as many parents know, renewing school uniforms can feel like a hefty expense – but it doesn’t have to be!

With many of us looking to cut back and save wherever we can (us included!), we’ve delved into the best ways you can prep the kids for a new school year on a budget.

We’ve checked out prices from popular British supermarkets like Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco, as well as high street brands such as M&S and Matalan to find the cheapest products.

So, before you head out to do your back-to-school shopping, check out our top tips for getting the kids ready for the new term without breaking the bank.

Supermarket Vs High Street: Where should you shop?

Supermarket giants like Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s have long been go-to destinations for affordable school uniforms and essentials. With Aldi and Lidl now joining the mix, offering blouses, trousers, and school shoes in their middle aisles, it’s easier than ever for parents to stock up on uniforms without spending fortunes.

Supermarkets usually carry a wide range of items, from blouses and shirts for boys and girls, available in sizes from 4 to 16 years to trousers, shorts, skirts, cardigans, jumpers, and school shoes. On the other hand, high street stores like Next, Matalan, and Marks & Spencer often provide more premium-quality pieces, which come with a higher price tag.

Labour’s recent initiative to limit the number of branded items schools can require is also set to make uniforms more affordable for families, reducing the financial pressure even further.

So to help you out, we’ve done the legwork by gathering the prices of common uniform items, including packs of school shirts, polo shirts, trousers, skirts, pinafores, cardigans, and jumpers. To make it easier for you to find the best deals, we’ve ranked the stores from cheapest to most expensive, helping you make the most budget-friendly choices for your kids.

Check out our findings:

Ranking	Store	Cost of School Uniform
1	Lidl	£15.25
2	Aldi	£15.74
3	Sainsbury’s	£33.00
4	Argos	£34.00
5	ASDA	£37.00
6	Tesco	£40.00
7	Matalan	£46.50
8	Morrisons	£51.95
9	M&S	£54.00

Lidl and Aldi have come through as the go-to spots for affordable school uniforms this year! They’re miles ahead of the competition, offering the lowest prices across the board. If you’re looking to save some serious cash, these two budget supermarkets have you covered.

What makes Lidl and Aldi even better is their £5 school uniform bundles, where you can mix and match essentials like sweatshirts, polo shirts, skirts, trousers and shorts. This is a fantastic way to keep costs down while still getting everything your kids need for the new term.

While other supermarkets like Sainsbury’s, ASDA and Tesco offer relatively affordable prices, they still can’t compete with Lidl and Aldi. And if you’re thinking about the high street, stores like Matalan, Morrisons and M&S might have great quality, but they do come with a higher price tag!

We understand that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to shopping for school uniforms – some children require specialised options. Thankfully, there are still affordable choices out there.

Stores like M&S, Asda and Amazon have stepped up by offering adaptive school uniforms that cater to children with sensory issues or special needs. These uniforms are designed with comfort in mind, featuring easy-wear styles with no zips, buttons, or scratchy labels. So, you don’t have to pay over the odds at specialist stores to ensure your child is comfortable.

So, if you’re after the best deals without the hassle, according to our data, Lidl and Aldi are your best bets for school uniforms this year.

NetVoucherCodes Top Tips:

Shop Around

Every parent has their own preferences when it comes to school uniforms, but if you’re looking to save money, here’s our advice:

Stock up on the basics like polos and shirts that kids tend to outgrow or wear out quickly from your local supermarket. Then, consider investing in higher-quality items like shoes, trousers, or skirts that could last a year or two!

Remember, quality matters too! Kids can be tough on their uniforms, so sometimes paying slightly more for durability is worth it. Weigh your options, and don’t forget to browse online as well. Using a discount code at the checkout can often be cheaper than buying in-store, so it’s worth considering. We’ve rounded up our latest Back To School voucher codes here!

And when it comes to school supplies, avoid specialist stationery stores and head down to your local supermarket or bargain store! You’ll find aisles packed with pens & pencils galore towards the end of the summer with multi-buy offers and reasonable prices.

Size Up!

We all know how fast kids grow! Before you know it, they’re into the next size up before the term is over. If you want to make your child’s uniform last longer, it might be worth sizing up.

Shirts, tops, polo shirts or jumpers are perfect for sizing up as you can get away with them being slightly big, leaving room for your child to grow into them. And the best part is, you won’t need to buy new any time soon.

Spread out purchases

Not only will you need to stock up on enough uniforms to last the year, but there is also the cost of school shoes, school bags, PE Kits, school supplies and everything else that comes with school life. Take the pressure off by spreading out your purchases over the summer.

Buy something new once a week or every two weeks before the new term is set to begin! This way, it will feel less like a huge upfront cost.

Another great tip is to stock up on summer dresses and other summer uniform essentials in late July & August when they go on sale after the kids finish for the summer holidays. Simply buy bigger and you’re good to go next summer!

Make use of what you have

Just because a new school year is starting, it doesn’t mean you have to buy an all-new uniform! Jumpers, skirts, trousers or blazers may still be well in-tact from the previous year. If they still fit and are in good condition, why not save yourself some money and have them dry-cleaned in time for the new school year?

Branded blazers, school jumpers and PE Kits can cost a fortune! If they’re still perfectly usable and fit your child, there is no need to rush out and buy them again. Squeeze another year out of the things you already have to save yourself some extra cash.

The same goes for shirts & polos. If they still fit your child, make use of them and perhaps only buy a few new ones to keep your child well stocked.

Hand me downs

If you have kids that are just a few years apart, make sure you’re making the most of it! Once your oldest grows out of their uniform, save it for your younger one and save yourself some cash. You can even reuse coats, bags and PE kits if they’re still in good condition.

If your little one’s an only child, why not ask around at school and see if any fellow parents are up for a uniform swap? This is becoming a popular trend among parents to help reduce uniform costs. There may even be an online group for your local school where you can easily swap uniforms between year groups during the summer.

Before you start buying, have a look on Facebook to see if your school offers a community group for uniform swaps or create one yourself! Or, you could always join one of the national parenting groups to increase your chance of bagging a budget uniform.

Go directly to the school

A great way to save money on school uniforms is to go directly to your child’s school. A lot of uniforms are donated at the end of each school year and are usually available for collection during the first month back. Not only will this save you a fortune, but it’s also a great way to reuse clothing and help the environment.

Enquire at your child’s school to see if they offer a donation scheme. If not, you could always suggest the idea to teachers to help out those parents who are strapped for cash.

School Uniform Grant

Did you know that you could be eligible for a school uniform grant? Local councils across the UK are now offering clothing grants of up to £200 to households around the UK who may not be able to afford new uniforms. Amounts, eligibility and application processes vary from county to county. To see how it works in your county or if you’re eligible for this grant, use the Finder Tool on the Government website.

Check out our latest Back To School Sales & Discount Codes

In the run-up to September, make sure you keep an eye out for Back to School sales and discount codes.

These sale events are usually available during mid-late August so it may be worth holding off on buying your child’s uniform early as you’ll likely bag yourself a better deal if you shop later on.

Stores like Marks and Spencer, Asda George and Tu Clothing have Back to School sections on their websites and often provide discounts during the summer.

Other brands like Kickers and JD Sports also provide special offers on the more expensive items in your child’s back-to-school list such as shoes, bags and coats.

You can keep track of the latest discount codes on school uniforms, shoes and stationery in our Back To School section here at NetVoucherCodes.