Money Hacks: Blazers to Biros – Get Set for the New School Year

To get your children's uniforms sorted in time, and at a good price, you need to start early – you will avoid long queues and have plenty of choice of style, size and price point.

- Shane Hickey

Uniform shop

There are typically two parts: the branded school jumper, cardigan or blazer that has to be bought from a supplier linked to the school, and the generic items – such as shirts, trousers and pinafores – that can be from any number of shops.

Many of the big supermarkets have competitively priced clothes that fit in with most schools' requirements. Sainsbury's Tu range has five white polo shirts starting at £7.50, and four sets of trousers from £14. Lidl has two pinafores for £6.99, and polo shirts at £1.75 each.

If your child can wear a non-specific top, Marks & Spencer has two black jumpers from £11 and two cardigans at £13. Prices usually increase as the sizes get bigger.

Sizes for primary and secondary schoolchildren are all available. Guidelines from the Department for Education say schools should ensure their uniform is affordable, and branded items should be kept to a minimum. They should give "the highest priority to cost and value", according to the guidelines.

There are many ways to buy secondhand. Parents will often sell on, or give away, used uniforms. During the year, parents' groups will hold "swap shops" or sales of secondhand clothes.

Online, it is worth looking at Vinted and eBay, and local Facebook groups and marketplace. There is also a dedicated online school uniform marketplace, Uniformly.

At the time of writing, Vinted had a bundle of seven used cardigans and two jumpers at £5. Facebook Marketplace had two dresses at £4.

Label everything so that lost items can be returned. You can do this with a permanent marker (£1.60) or by ordering bespoke labels online (these cost £9 for 30 at Petit Fernand or £15.95 for 56 at Mynametags.com).