I don’t know if it’s the same with your family, but school uniforms in my house used to have a shorter lifespan than a banana in a kid’s lunch box.
It’s like when my two get dressed in the morning and see themselves looking smart in the mirror, they think “challenge accepted”. Then they spend the rest of the day doing as much damage as humanly possible to what they are wearing.
Skidding on their knees. Pouring platefuls of food down their fronts. Colouring in both of the sleeves on their jumpers. I genuinely don’t know how they manage to get felt tip ink in some of the places I find it… And their uniforms just can’t withstand it. They are wrecked in a matter of weeks.
To combat this I must have tried every supermarket range going, and one brand stands out every time.
George at Asda.
It’s surprisingly tough given the price, and lasts longer than I expect. For shirts that cost the same as a posh coffee and trousers for less than a meal in the local Wetherspoons I really can’t fault them.
So if you are preparing for yet another ‘back-to-school’ period, or just replacing your third school jumper of the term, here’s why I recommend George at Asda.
Uniforms Designed for Real Kids, Not Perfect Ones
The kids on the posters and signs hanging around the shops always look so well put together, don’t they? Well guess what? My kids aren’t like that. I bet yours aren’t, either. Heck, no real kids are like that.
Real kids don’t tip toe through the school day and politely eat their lunch. Real kids launch themselves across playgrounds and school fields, they slide on their stomachs during PE, they pick their noses and don’t wash their hands and use their school jumper as a towel.
George gets that. Their trousers have reinforced knees that can withstand all sorts. The polo shirts are stain-resistant, a feat I can only imagine they achieved using witchcraft. The jumpers can take a lot of washing without coming out two sizes smaller or covered in bobbles. Honestly, I once got through an entire school year without having to replace a single sweatshirt from George.
The three main reasons I love George uniforms are:
- The Durability
- The Fit
- The Price
Getting these three elements right makes George a winner every time for me.
Durability – They Wear and Wash Well
Seriously, what do they put in the ketchup in school dinner halls? That stuff stains like blood.
Thankfully, Asda’s school uniforms don’t hold grudges. I have soaked, scrubbed, washed them at 60 degrees and left them in a soggy crumpled pile on the kitchen floor overnight – and they still come out for the next wear looking decent.
Other supermarket brands either fade in colour, shrink to the size of crop tops, or the seams come apart after a few washes. George stuff holds up whatever you put it through, and with a washing machine that works as hard as mine that’s something I really value.
Oh, and the Easy On Easy Wear range even comes without labels. They are printed on instead of sewn in, so no tantrums about scratchy bits 5 minutes before you need to get in the car.
The Fit – My Kids Actually Look Smart
I pretend they drive me mad – well, they do drive me mad – but I love my kids to pieces and I enjoy seeing them look smart. It’s not a pleasant feeling to ship them off to school in tops that bury them and trousers that finish half way up their legs.
George uniforms are very consistent. If the waist fits the trousers will be long enough, and the age ranges are accurate too. My kids are average height and build so it might be different if you have a child who is tall or short for their age, but for most kids the fit should be spot on.
Going back to the Easy On Easy Wear range, they even have Velcro fasteners and pull on trousers with no buttons etc. If you have a younger child who struggles with this stuff or hates collars, the Easy On range could solve many of your issues and still fit brilliantly.
The Price – Yes Please!
Asda may not always live up to their low price claims when it comes to food, but you can’t fault them on their uniform prices.
I’ve bought whole sets of uniform from George for less than what it costs for a pair of school logo jumpers from the official supplier.
You might find slightly cheaper prices at Aldi or Lidl if you live close to one of the big stores, but good luck getting your child’s size before other Mums have nabbed them. The supply is limited. I would be surprised if they match Asda for quality, too, although I must admit I haven’t tested them.
At Asda, they always have loads of stock, online and instore, and while cheap it never feels ultra budget. Plus, when you’re talking about £3 for two polo shirts and £7 for a pair of reinforced trousers, I would prefer to stick to what I know works.
Taking the Stress Out of Term Time
I think what I appreciate most about buying school uniforms from Asda, is the amount of stress it erases.
Yes the uniforms are cheap which is a great help on our finances, and yes they fit well and wash well and all of that other stuff. But what with all the reading records, parent assemblies, lost library books, costume instead of uniform days, and parents Whatsapp groups exploding, the last thing I need is yet another source of stress.
A uniform from George means no emergency repairs, no emergency (and expensive) trips to the school uniform shop, no rage inducing washing machine loads, and no permanently stains polo shirts that annoy you every time your little darling puts it on.
It’s a million tiny wins all in one!
So if you are on the fence about where to stock up for the next school year, I would say save yourself a headache and start with George at Asda. See how you get on. I was dubious at first as well. I paid for the branded stuff with the school crest on, but it was more expensive and offered no additional benefits.
George was the best of both worlds. That’s Asda price I guess!