Clothing is a key cost for many families preparing to send their children back to school. Imogene Bedford discovers some savings tips and the pros and cons of wearing uniforms.
Claire Laing is already juggling uniform calculations for next year as her daughters prepare to move on to new school levels.
The Auckland mother of two hopes her youngest will be accepted at Marcellin College so she can use her sister’s hand-me-downs, which Laing estimates she spent over $1000 on last year.
“Otherwise, yeah, we’re going to have an expensive year next year as one enters high school, and the other one will be going into the senior part of Marcellin, so requiring a new uniform.”
More than 70% of New Zealand schools surveyed in 2017 required a uniform. But it doesn’t necessarily get any easier for parents whose children don’t have to wear one, as this creates more wear and tear on their normal clothes.
Although two of Sarah Ostergaard’s children wear mufti to attend Stanley Bay School, she said spending $400 to $500 on her oldest daughter’s uniform for Takapuna Grammar School just seemed fairer.
“Obviously, it puts a cost on buying a uniform, but it also stops children from feeling like they have to compare, because they’re not wearing the labels that some children are possibly wearing.”
Public health researcher Dr Johanna Reidy agrees that uniforms play an important role in reducing the social challenges young people face.
“You want to make sure that people are as comfortable as they can be in the class, so that means having a minimum set of clothing that’s serviceable.”
But she also says uniforms can create added pressure on struggling families, rather than minimising their socio-economic differences.
“If the uniform cost just can’t be accommodated within your household budget, then you’re either going to have gaps or an incomplete uniform - or you’re going to have to use other strategies to manage turning up at school where uniforms are a requirement.”
Prices vary wildly, with a compulsory blazer at St Cuthberts College costing $350 while an entire girls Green Bay High School uniform rings in just $265.
Many schools offer staggered payments for uniforms and repayable grants are available through Work and Income, yet Reidy says neither is a catch-all solution.
“If you’re broke, it’s not really helping you out in the long run. It’s just pushing the problem down the track.”
She recommended the Government look to Australia and the UK, which require school boards to consider cost in their uniform design policies and limit the number of branded items required.
Wellington Girls College offers a good example of a streamlined “capsule” wardrobe, with options to rent high-cost items like blazers.
“They’ve got an incredibly simple explanation about what the uniform is, what the minimum viable product is”, Reidy said.
Savvy parents have been able to slash the price of their children’s uniforms by shopping second-hand, like Auckland mother Jodie Peters.
“For our youngest starting, we managed to fully clothe him, and everything that he needed for about $600, which was almost half what we would have spent... for our eldest, right from Year 9.”
Westlake Boys High School has a dedicated second-hand uniform shop, an option Peters says has made all the difference. A blazer, which can cost $280 new, halves in price to $140 second-hand.
While Facebook groups around the country also help parents sell or exchange their pre-used items, for schools with smaller rolls, it is much more difficult to find cheap deals.
Laing said this is why Royal Oak Intermediate encouraged Year 8 leavers to donate their uniforms on their last day of school.
Parents should also consider practical ways of making their uniforms last longer, says David Bunnell, CEO of the NZ Uniforms chain of stores.
“Uniform prices have seen minimal movement over the years, and when you consider the cost per wear – often hundreds of days per item – uniforms represent excellent value compared to fast fashion."
He recommended investing in slightly oversized garments, giving children the room to grow into their uniforms over the years.
“Well-made uniforms are designed to last, which not only delivers great value, but also supports the circular nature of school uniforms.”
Tuesday: Devices
Wednesday: Lunches
Thursday: Transport
Friday: After-school activities