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Back to School: Secondary School Uniforms- Quality over Quantity!



As many of you well know, trying to ‘shop around’ for uniforms is much harder to do for Secondary students then when they were in Primary school.

A lot of chain stores don't provide many uniform options for teens which can be frustrating for parents.

Don't fret though, there is wisdom in the old saying 'Quality over Quantity' and there are plenty of specialised uniform shops across the country offering good value for quality unforms that last that bit longer.

Most Secondary schools still have specific uniform requirements which mean parents need to go to certain shops to purchase items such as crested jumpers / cardigans or a particular type of skirt.

The crest represents the school and its students while also promoting a sense of solidarity within the student body. It is a very important part of most Irish school uniforms.


While crested jumpers and cardigans have been quite expensive in the past, announcements were previously made by the Department of Education stating that sew-on crests must be provided as an option for parents.

Secondary uniforms are generally more expensive than primary uniforms, but they are often quite good quality and if you buy clever (e.g. a size bigger than needed) you can often get quite a few years out of some of the items.

We recently heard from a parent whose daughter’s school skirt lasted the whole of secondary school - she had to roll it up at the waist for a few years and it was a little short above the knee by the time she finished so while it started out expensive it proved good value for money! It was a 'kilt' skirt which allowed for additional flexability around the waist.

Unfortunately the same trick won’t work with everyone, and certainly not boys! There are still other ways to get more bang for your buck however.

If possible, try to drag your teen to the uniform shop with you so you can get an accurate reading of their size.

Opt for the roomier fit rather than the perfect fit as teens can have major growth spurts in a matter of months. Use your own intuition in this situation. You should also go for a longer leg and get the hem temporarily taken up. This way, the hem can be let out as needed.

Unfortunately, if your teen grows a little wider rather than taller then there are few options apart from buying trousers with adjustable waist lines which may give you an inch or two extra.

So while you may feel you are saving a lot of money in cheaper stores, in the long run you may be spending much more than is needed each year. Consider carefully the quality of the item you are purchasing to see where a little extra spend on quality might save you money in the long run.

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