Our school requires uniforms. This has been a new thing for our family within the last few years. I have always taken pride in the way my children present themselves. Now as we have moved to uniforms, I have chosen to take special care of them. A quote from the school’s website states:
“A school uniform is part of instilling studious, respectful, and orderly habits in service of that pursuit.”
As my children wear their uniforms daily, I want them to feel good and prepared to learn. Wearing their uniforms with pride as they enter that building each day is my goal.
Why special attention on school uniforms?
I choose to take special care of the children’s uniforms for a few reasons:
First of all, they aren’t cheap. Most of them are from Land’s End with an additional required logo. We can’t afford to purchase more and more anytime something shrinks or gets a stain.
Secondly, I’d love if they could last through more than one child. Whether that be on to the next silbling or to resell.
Thirdly, I want my children to feel put together and prepared for a day of school in clothes “fit for the activity” as we say. As my children grow up, we discuss various clothing choices and if they fit the activity. Making sure to not wear dance clothes to church, or beach attire to the mall etc.
Purchasing school uniforms
I carefully assess what my children need each year and make a list. These range from polo shirts, oxford button downs to khaki skirts or pants. I have an excel worksheet organized with styles and sizes. This helps me record what I already have on hand, then I add in what is needed in red.
I do my very best to purchase when there is a sale. Typically making a large order and saving on shipping that way. I only purchase gray and navy shirts for Liam, my son, because he can get a bit dirty. Of course, each Wednesday he is required to wear a white oxford for formal Wednesdays. (The exception to my rule.) I order enough matching pieces to mix and match throughout the week.
I am also in a Facebook used uniform group from our school that I watch often. Other moms post pictures of what their children have outgrown or never worn and sell at reasonable prices.
I have also been known to grab several bottoms on clearance in larger sizes for the children, especially Liam. These then are stashed in the closet until needed.
Assessing the dirty
I check for stains in the uniforms every wash. This takes time. I usually don’t want to take this time, but I believe it is what keeps everything lasting. I turn each piece right-side-in if need be. Then I use my laundry bar to scrub out whatever is on the piece. There are certain pieces that are usually dirtier than others. You can imagine the white oxfords, white polos and khaki bottoms. The only stain I haven’t learned to get out is dry erase marker marks. If anyone has tips, send them my way!
Tips when washing
I turn each polo shirt inside out when washing; I believe this keeps the logo nicer, longer.
I line dry 90% of the uniform pieces. ALL of the polos are line dried. I do this to keep the shape and fabric composition. So many shirts, especially cotton, become short and wide when dried. I’m proud to say, my uniform polos do not become short or wide. I also dry all of my daughter’s skirts. This will also keep the shape and fabric from pilling as much. The khaki don’t pill bad; but the plaid skirts do.
For pilling, I have a fabric shaver next to my ironing board. I typically check the plaid skirts several times a year and shave off any little balls. This does WONDERS to the final look of the piece! Almost back to new.
Storing and creating sets
After each piece is washed and dried, I check to see if the stains have come out or if there is any mending to be done. Most pieces are then stored in my uniform cabinet. This is a cute pink armoire in my master closet that I store several things-uniforms being one.
My cabinet is organized and has a hanging bar inside. I have a shoe organizer that holds the uniform bottoms. Two baskets have piles of uniform shirts, all organized by color and kind.
The school uniforms sit there until my scheduled ironing days. Ironing adds a crisp sharpness that I absolutely LOVE. This is my favorite part. It’s definitely time consuming and can be a lot at times. Yet, it is when the whole process starts coming together into something beautiful.
I iron the bottoms first, match with a top and create outfits. These nice wooden hangers with clips are my favorite. I prefer a navy bottom with a white or gray shirt or a khaki bottom with a navy or white shirt. The outfit is then transferred into each child’s closets to wear throughout the week. I iron 2-3 times a week to keep up a stash of ready-to-go uniforms.
Unused or outgrown uniforms
I save any pieces that don’t fit the children at the time in boxes under my bed. These will come out when the children grow. My goal is to only have to purchase a few items each year.
The whole process takes some forethought but I truly take pride in the way my children present themselves in their school uniforms each day.
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