Cheap School Uniforms

I’ve just updated this article on how school uniforms can save money to be more about how to find cheap school uniforms.

The original concept of this blog post?

How school uniforms may save money over the long run.

Plus, how they save parents money when buying school clothes.

Why?

Because you can find school uniform components on the cheap, and I’m going to show you how.

Then, further down in this article, I’ll share other ways that school uniforms can save money.

Here’s a rundown of what I cover:

  • Cheap school uniform basics
  • Uniform dresses
  • Boys blazers
  • Jumpers
  • Uniform shirts, including polo shirts
  • Pants
  • Skirts
  • Money-saving tips for school uniforms
  • Stats of school uniforms

Cheap School Uniforms

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Even if your kid doesn’t need to wear a uniform to school, stocking up on uniform-like items when they’re on sale makes sense.

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Take my experience with my daughters.

My daughters did not have to wear a school uniform.

However, they did need chinos or khakis–aka school uniform pants–and polo shirts for certain school functions.

This included when they were both in the school band.

Even now, as college students, both of my girls have needed polo shirts and chinos for their jobs on campus.

So, whenever possible, we would stock up on these uniform basics when things are on sale, usually at Old Navy.

I’ll get into Old Navy a bit more below.

However, let me just say that it is one of my favorite school uniform brands, if you will.

It’s also where I think you’ll do well to find pieces of your child’s school uniforms for less.

Cheap School Uniform Basics

I’ve found that most school uniforms have certain basics for boys and girls.

Therefore, I’ve outlined those basics below.

As I said, these are uniform staples for all kids as well as juniors. I promise you’ll find the schoolwear you need on a budget.

  • Cheap school uniform dresses
  • School blazers
  • Cheap school jumpers
  • Cheap school pants
  • School uniform shirts on the cheap
  • Cheap school uniform skirts

You can even find some cheap school uniform basics when you shop back to school at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Finally, all of the prices I quote below were current as of this writing.

Cheap school uniform dresses

I saw some adorable and affordable uniform dresses from French Toast.

Where did I see them? On Amazon.

For example, one polo shirt dress for girls was under $9.

Also, it qualifies for Amazon Prime Try Before Your Buy.

School uniform blazers

I’ll admit it is harder to find a school blazer that is as cheap as other pieces of a uniform.

However, you could look at the blazer as being an investment piece that your child could wear for years.

Also, you may find the same brand of blazer cheaper on Amazon.

For example, on the Lands’ End website, boys’ blazers are close to $100.

However, at the Lands’ End shop on Amazon, you’ll find them for $68.

Yes, that’s still probably more than you want to spend, but it is cheaper than the brand site.

Another option?

Shop for more expensive school uniform pieces, like the blazer, at a thrift or resale store.

Cheap school jumpers

In writing this section on cheap school jumpers, I’m keeping both American and British-English readers in mind.

Why?

Because in the United States, a jumper is a sleeveless dress that a girl would wear with a shirt underneath.

In British English, a jumper is what we Americans call a sweater.

So, I’ve tracked down uniform options for both.

Cheap school dress jumpers

If you catch a Lands’ End sale, you can get a great price on a girls jumper dress.

For example, recently I saw a plaid jumper for just $20.

Same with The Children’s Place.

They sometimes have school uniform jumpers for girls as cheap as $10.

Cheap school sweater jumpers

If your child needs a sweater (aka British jumper) for a school uniform, I would definitely check the options over at Walmart.com.

I saw cheap pullovers as well as cardigans.

Cheap school uniform shirts

If you shop for cheap school uniform shirts on Amazon’s uniform shop, you’ll be able to choose from well-known brands.

This includes Dockers, IZOD and Nautica.

school uniforms save money

Then, within each brand, you can shop by age or style of clothing.

And you really can find cheap options.

For example, at the IZOD school uniform store, you can find boys oxford shirts as cheap as $5.

With Docker polo uniform tops for girls, like the blue polo shirt above, prices start around $6 on Amazon.

Finally, some of these styles qualify for Amazon Prime Try Before Your Buy.

School uniform pants

I’d mentioned that my daughters found school uniform-like khakis on the cheap at Old Navy.

Well, I did as their mom. But you get the point.

However, since then, I’ve actually seen better prices on cheaper school pants at the Classroom Uniforms Shop on Amazon.

Also check out Dickies brand school uniform pants on Walmart.

Cheap school uniform skirts

JCPenney stocks something called “scooter skirts” in its school uniform collection.

They have them in navy and tan/khaki.

These uniform skirts have a built-in short, so I guess they’re really a skort?

Anyway, they’re made of a wrinkle-resistant, stretch fabric.

Also, when they’re on sale, they are definitely affordable–about $11.

Stitch Fix Kids can help with school uniforms

I’ve been a happy Stitch Fix customer since 2015.

A number of my blog posts have covered various aspects of the Stitch Fix fashion styling services.

This includes:

Stitch Fix for workout clothing

Stitch Fix for big and tall men

How Stitch Fix helped me find a special occasion dress for my daughter’s college graduation.

With the introduction of Stitch Fix Kids, you can easily use this personal styling service to stock up on uniform basics.

Not all basics but many of them.

If you do decide to sign your child up for Stitch Fix Kids, make sure you schedule your first Fix immediately upon signing up.

I’ve learned that if you wait too long after first signing up, your shipment can be delayed by weeks.

School uniforms save money when you don’t have to buy new again

How does a lifetime warranty help you reduce spending on school uniforms?

And how does a guarantee make it so school uniforms save you money?

Well, over time, you have to buy fewer items of clothing, thus spending less.

Yet another brand that can help save you money on school uniforms–Target’s Cat & Jack line unique.

I like that the clothing is designed to be gender neutral.

Plus, it comes with a one-year guarantee.

Here’s a link directly to Target’s school uniform page.

target cat and jack uniforms

Brands and Stores with Cheap School Uniforms

If you’re looking to buy new school uniforms, here are some popular stores and brands that offer affordable school uniform options.

I prefer to stick with the brands that provide those aforementioned lifetime warranties or at least some kind of guarantee.

Because if a company stands behind the school uniforms it sells, then that saves you money in the long run. 

Kids can be hard on clothes.

You should get your money’s worth when buying school uniforms.

Below you’ll find 12 school uniform retailers and brands.

1. School uniforms at Amazon

There is an area on Amazon.com called the school uniform shop.

There you can find links to popular brands that offer school uniforms online.

Also, certain school uniforms qualify for Amazon’s Prime Try Before Your Buy program.

What does that mean? You order clothing and pay nothing.

You can have up to six pieces sent to you, and you pay nothing for 7 days.

It’s only when you keep an item does Amazon charge you.

Here are 32 brands on Amazon with lifetime warranties.

Here’s how to save money on an Amazon Prime membership

2. Classroom School Uniforms

I wasn’t aware of the Classroom School Uniforms brand until I stumbled on their store on Amazon.

Classroom School Uniforms seem to have many items that I haven’t seen from other brands or stores, such as a navy jacket and juniors uniforms.

So if you’ve been thinking about where to buy school uniforms for juniors, the Classroom School Uniforms store on Amazon may be your answer.

Amazon Try Before You Buy

Nearly all the clothing that Amazon sells qualifies for the “Try Before You Buy” program.

This includes school uniforms.

Prime Try Before You Buy

Prime Try Before You Buy is a Prime-exclusive program where you can try on eligible items for sale on Amazon. Some items mentioned in this article qualify for Amazon Prime Try Before You Buy. That’s because you’ll discover that eligible items run the gamut and include women’s, men’s, kids’, baby clothing, shoes and accessories, plus more.

Prime Try Before You Buy is part of Amazon Wardrobe. However, it doesn’t just apply to Amazon brands.

For example, the Peloton clothing on Amazon all are a part of Prime Try Before You Buy.

How do you know if fashion items for sale on item are eligible for Prime Try Before You Buy?

You’ll see this toggle on/toggle off button on the shopping page.

peloton on amazon try before you buy circled

Try at home for free

Here are the best parts. One, you can try on up to six items at home for free.

Two, take seven days to try everything on. And, three, you’ll only pay for what you keep. Returns are free.

Sign up for Prime Try Before You Buy.

3. Dickies School Uniforms

As I mentioned earlier, Dickies has a lifetime warranty.

You can find Dickies brand school uniform basics online and in person at Walmart.

Dickies come in regular, slim and husky school uniforms.

Walmart seems to stock mostly Dickies bottoms.

4. French Toast School Uniforms

French Toast is a clothing brand, sold at many retailers, that specializes in school uniform basics.

The company seems to be your best bet for clothing not in gray, white or blue.

For example, while perusing French Toast school uniforms on Amazon.com, I found French Toast green school uniform shirts.

They stocked them in red, burgundy and gold.

5. Gap School Uniform Basics

My girls were always particular about their pants having a little bit of stretch in them.

I know that Gap sells these kinds of pants because that’s where we would buy them.

You can browse the Gap website for school uniforms for girls (tops, dresses pants and more) and boys’ school uniforms.

They have a great selection.

6. JCPenney School Uniforms

JCPenney’s uniform store has clothing for young boys and girls, juniors and teens.

Sizes are for slim, tall, plus, and husky school uniforms, and everything in between.

They have school uniforms for sale online.

However, with JCPenney, you can pick up your purchase in a store near you.

This saves you money if you don’t want to pay for shipping.

7. Lands End School Uniforms

The Lands End school uniform section for boys, girls and, get this, adaptive clothing.

Rather than buttons and zippers, the Lands’ End adaptive clothing has magnets for easy dressing.

Bravo, Lands’ End!

Finally, if you’re wondering where to buy good quality school uniforms, I would think that Lands’ End is the answer.

My daughters always had Lands’ End bathing suits. Boy did they last.

Without fail they always outgrew them before the bathing suits wore out.

8. Lee Uniforms

If you’re wondering where to buy school uniforms for juniors, the Lee Uniforms section on Amazon.com is for you.

Lee Uniforms are specifically for juniors needing school uniforms.

The brand also sells uniforms for adults needing them for a job.

Lee Uniform pieces qualify for Amazon’s free Try Before You Buy program.

9. Old Navy School Uniforms

When I searched Oldnavy.com, I found more than 1,800 items that fell under the category of school uniform.

I found individual pieces prices at $4, $5, and $10.

In my book that definitely qualifies as affordable school uniforms!

10. Target School Uniforms

Target’s line of children’s clothing is called Cat & Jack.

This line includes school uniforms.

Here’s a link directly to Target’s school uniform page.

You can choose from four categories:

  1. girls uniforms
  2. boys uniforms
  3. adaptive uniforms
  4. toddler uniforms

You can even search by school color, P.E. essentials and other basics.

11. Walmart School Uniforms

I found uniform pieces at Walmart (actually Walmart.com) for as little as $4 per piece.

That’s a price worth checking out.

It’s definitely a way school uniforms save money on your back-to-school spending.

Also, on the Walmart.com website, you can get super granular with your school uniform needs.

You can choose from the following categories:

  • big girls
  • big boys
  • little girls
  • little boys
  • toddler girls
  • toddler boys
  • girls plus
  • boys husky
  • juniors uniforms

Finally, Walmart is one of the stores where you can shop online and pick up in store.

This is often available the same day.

12. Kohl’s

Kohl’s has an extensive uniform shop on Kohls.com.

There you can find uniform pieces in the following:

  • Girls school uniforms
  • Boys school uniforms
  • Juniors school uniforms
  • Young men’s uniforms

Kohl’s also stocks dress shoes.

These are the kinds of shoes schools often want students to wear with their uniforms.

How do school uniforms save money?

One of the best ways to show how school uniforms can save parents money is to look at what I’m calling school uniforms save money statistics.

That is, comparing spending on school uniforms with the spending on “regular” back to school clothing. 

First, the school uniform spending statistics.

These are courtesy of a survey from the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).*

How much do parents spend on school uniforms?

That survey found that the average cost of school uniforms per child, per year, was $150 or less.

school uniforms save money

Other ways to save money on school uniforms

If you have multiple children in the same school district, you can hand-down uniforms.

This is an obvious way that school uniforms save money–you’re not buying new.

Whereas with “regular” clothing, child two may not have the same taste as child one.

However, with school uniform basics, “taste” isn’t part of the equation.

So, like it or not, the cheaper, hand-me-down is the choice.

Your school district or parent-teacher group might even organize a uniform swap.

If one doesn’t exist, maybe you should get one going to save the most money on school uniforms?

Also, with state sales tax holidays happening each summer, school uniforms are nearly always included on the list of tax-exempt clothing.

This is a great way to save money if you live in a state that normally taxes clothing.

If you’re going to be buying school uniforms online, always start your online shopping at Rakuten.com.

Since I started using Rakuten years ago, I’ve earned more than $2,200 on things I was going to buy anyway!

Finally, savings on school uniforms is a topic I first tackled for Parade Magazine.

This blog post expands on that and takes this notion of saving money with school uniforms even farther.

However, if I’ve missed any points that you think are important, please let me know.

Why parents like school uniforms

A National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) survey found that 86 percent of parents surveyed believed that having school uniforms makes shopping for back to school a more budget-friendly endeavor.

I’ve also heard parents say how school uniforms save time in the morning.

I get that.

Fewer choices means kids get dressed faster in the morning.

There are other intangible benefits to school uniforms:

  • Eliminate wardrobe battles with kids (94 percent)
  • Easier to get kids ready in the morning (92 percent)
  • Time saving in the morning, as mentioned above (93 percent)
  • Easier to shop for school clothes (90 percent)

This is good information to keep in mind.

Why?

Because, the NAESP survey says that 49 percent of public schools have a school uniform policy in place.

If you watch the excellent show “Abbott Elementary,” you’ll notice the students there wear a kind of uniform.

That means nearly half of all children attending a public school have to wear a uniform.

Therefore, half of all parents are likely on the hunt for affordable school uniforms.

4 Comments

  1. I totally disagree that school uniforms save money. If parents use the clothes they’ve already bought for their children to wear it’s just an added expense. It can be very costly to purchase items especially at some of the places you mention. Places like Lands End charge $15 to $20 for a child’s shirt and as much or more for a pair of pants.They’re certainly going to spend more than $150 unless your buying from Walmart or Amazon and need to buy a limited amount of only the most basic items.You say many children may not have the same ‘TASTES’ that’s a good thing it helps them be individuals. What many schools today call uniform programs aren’t actually uniforms. I know of children in private schools who get their uniforms from lands end and they call them uniforms just because they have an embroidered logo of the school on the article of clothing. It doesn’t matter what it is. They can wear almost anything they sell in any color as long as it has the schools logo embroidered on it. (for an additional fee per item) In essence these schools use these kids as forms of advertising for themselves with embroidered uniforms. What happens to all of these embroidered uniforms once the child outgrows them in a few months? There’s little resale value in this type of item so they’ll end up in our landfills. I fail to see how uniforming like this meet your criteria of saving time or money. In my opinion school uniforms of any kind ( most definitely personalized or embroidered ) are a waste if they can’t or aren’t utilized in day to day living and add to the overall bill of dressing your kids in general.

    1. I appreciate hearing your point of view. Thank you for posting this comment.

  2. It doesn’t make sense though if schools don’t need uniforms then parents don’t even need to buy more clothes and can save money not having to buy clothes just for school. School tops can cost 3-35 dollars and bottoms can cost 5-50 dollars, if the uniform needs shoes that’ll add 5-75 dollars. People don’t just buy 1 top and bottom, if they were to buy 10 both that’ll multiply the cost of tops and bottoms by 10. This is obviously very expensive so I don’t see how it saves money

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