As children return to school, many parents will be feeling the pinch financially as it can be a huge expense.
It’s always disheartening to see our little ones come home with scuffed shoes, torn tights or worn-out trouser knees within the first few days of term. Luckily, a school uniform expert has shared five top tips to help children’s clothes last longer.
Lacey Roebuck, Commercial Manager at Sports Direct, understands the importance of parents getting value for money when it comes to outfitting their children for school, whether that’s due to playground wear and tear or sudden growth spurts.
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The store’s research reveals that the top five items most frequently replaced are shirts and polos (33%); trousers or shorts (29%); socks or tights (25%); school shoes (25%); and dresses and skirts (15%).
The study also showed the top five items most often repaired are trousers or shorts (27%); shirts or polos (17%); jumpers or cardigans (15%); school shoes (12%); and blazers or smart jackets (12%).
Delay your shopping as much as you can.
“Whilst our research has shown that parents shop for school uniforms on average 16-18 days prior to the start of term, if you want your items to get their wear, we would advise leaving it later, as close to their first day as possible, especially if your children are still young”, Lacey explains.
“By purchasing items in the days leading up, such as school shoes and PE trainers, you ensure a better fit that will last longer throughout the year, avoiding the need for early replacements due to your little ones outgrowing them.”
Reinforce high-wear areas with fusible interfacing.
Fusible interfacing is a trick used in sewing and is an inexpensive way of reinforcing high-wear areas in uniform. What’s more, it’s easy to install, costing as little as £2.50 per roll.
“The best way to use it is to start by laying out all items of clothing you want to reinforce before the term starts, such as trousers, jumpers, cardigans, and shirts,” Lacey explains. “Measure and cut square pieces of the iron-on material, and attach them to the inside of any knees, elbows, or hems. This will help to prevent tears and extend the garment’s life.”
Try tweezers on school shoes.
“Tweezers will be your best friend when it comes to school shoes or trainers,” Lacey adds. “A lot of these items will have touch strap fasteners and as a result of its sticky nature, they can quickly become home to hair, dust, and thread, impacting their ability to stay put.”
Lacey also says that simply spending 10 minutes every few weeks picking the dirt out of the straps will extend the life of the shoes considerably, ensuring that they stay intact for longer. For lunch boxes and school bags with similar material, the same rule applies.
Use a fabric protector.
Fabric protector will “save the day” if your child is prone to staining their clothes, Lacey explains in her fourth piece of advice. “The key is to start using this before they return to the classroom and remain consistent,” she adds.
“Spray each item prior to their first wear and then continue this after every few washes. It will help stains from setting in and will make any spillages easier to clean when they get home.”
Consider bigger sizes and use metal poppers.
Buying your child’s uniform in the size above their usual one is another simple, yet low-cost trick all parents can adopt. Lacey concludes: “Installing metal poppers near the hem, so you can easily adjust the length of the item as they grow.”
“This works best on items such as trousers or shorts and dresses or skirts where the length can easily be altered.”