The school holidays have started which means two things; the kids are under your feet all day and you should start thinking about getting them ready for the new school year.
A new year at school means you’ll probably be in need of a bunch of new things; you know how quickly kids can go through clothes and other equipment. It can be quite an expensive time for parents but being green might help.
School uniforms are a case in point.
Not so long ago, supermarkets started selling ultra-cheap uniforms. But there’s a reason they’re cheap and when they’ve worn out you’ll be replacing them quicker than you might have liked. It might not bother you too much when you’re trying to save money but it worries us that this is just adding to the ever growing pile of textile waste.
So what’s the alternative?
Some of you may already be using hand-me-downs and that’s certainly the way to go, but it’s not always possible. What then?
How about second hand?
Many parents are turning to the second hand market for their school uniforms. Services such as Freecycle are being used by many to pass on old school uniforms, but there are other methods. Why not arrange a clothes swapping party with other parents? You can take your old stuff and come away with something that will fit you ever growing children. Obviously, the clothes you swap will need to be in good condition which is another good reason to buy the best you can afford in the first place.
Don’t be fooled by the false economy of cheap uniforms from supermarkets. If you can afford the better quality items, buy them. They’ll last you much longer and can be passed around when you have no more use of them.
Remember, talk to other parents, get organised and don’t dump old uniforms until you really have to.
