5 Ways to Save on Back-to-School Uniforms

Fretting over the rising cost of school clothes for your child? Check out our five easy ways to save on back-to-school uniforms & start stocking up now!

School uniforms are a double edged sword when it comes to school clothing.  They are great because it is a no brainer during the morning chaos.  You don’t have to deal with your child wanting the latest fashions (as much anyways) because everyone in school is wearing the same thing.  However, they can be costly.  Here are a few ways to save money on your back to school uniforms.

Related: Everything You Need for a Perfect Back to School Season

5 Ways to Save on Back-to-School Uniforms

Walmart:

Sounds weird I know, but unless your school’s uniform is a specific piece of clothing that needs to be ordered from the school, you can probably purchase what you need at your local Walmart.  For example, I had my daughter enrolled in a school that required a khaki or navy blue bottom, and a red, white or blue polo shirt.  The shirt did have to have the school logo, but you could have that embroidered on or you could order a pin.  It was much easier on the wallet to grab a $5 shirt from Walmart than the way more expensive one the school had for order.  Walmart actually carries items like these for local schools as well.  So take a look, because not every store will, but I have seen it myself.

Social Media:

Get on social media and start asking around.  Your school might even do a uniform exchange where you can bring your old ones, give them to the younger kids, and you are able to grab some for your child.  Talk to other moms in the school, maybe you can even set up the first one!  If that is not an option, try Facebook yard sale sites in your area, make a post about what you are looking for.  You might be amazed!  Help out another mom too, post that you have yours for sale!

Related: 4 Simple Ways To Save On Your Back To School Shopping

Thrift Stores:

You can check out Salvation Army or Goodwill or other local thrift stores for the back-to-school uniforms & items you need.  Your local mom and pop thrift store might have actual uniforms too if it is not something that you could purchase from Walmart.

Shop late:

Purchase a couple of back-to-school uniforms so they have enough to get through September.  You will find some sales from July through September, but if you wait until school has already started you can get some great sales and stock up.!

Buy big:

When you do get what you need, buy a little big so they can grow into them, and they will last the entire school year, and maybe even a portion of the next as well.  You might have to still buy a couple for the following year, but at least you will be saving money then as well because you won’t need to purchase as many!

School uniforms are just one of those things that goes along with buying pencils and hi-liters. Unfortunately they are the more expensive part of back-to-school (aside from maybe sneakers or other footwear).

Where have you found some deals on back-to-school uniforms?  Share your deal findings with the rest of us in the comments section below!

41 thoughts on “5 Ways to Save on Back-to-School Uniforms”

  1. Our District doesn’t have a uniform policy in place, but I found your post to be super helpful anyways! I wish that my mom would have had me shop AFTER school had started, because I never had my style right…

  2. These are some great ideas. You know, for a while, I saw a uniform exchange, too… It helped a lot of families. Thanks so much for sharing…

  3. A uniform exchange sounds neat! Thankfully, our daughter goes to an early college, so she doesn’t have to worry about any kind of dress code.

  4. It’s amazing to me how many schools use uniforms now. When I was a kid I didn’t know of any school that used uniforms unless you were in boarding school or something. I do see how it makes getting ready easier and lessens the likelihood of things like bullying, though.

  5. My kids don’t have uniforms. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a uniform at Walmart. I’ll have to check next time I’m there. I’m in a small community with only public schools.

  6. Shop late is such a good tip, but I am never organized enough to stay cool till the last minute. Thanks for the great savings tips!

  7. One thing that I love about our school is people will donate the ones that their kids have out grown and the school sells them for cheap. Every year we buy more from the donation rack it saves us money big time.

  8. Social media has been really great for discounts….I sometimes ask for promo codes, and have gotten lucky and saved quite a bit. Every bit counts :)

  9. I agree with these so much! Usually I wait till its 50% off at value village and than go get my daughters uniforms

  10. I totally recommend stocking up when you find a year-end sale. I do that for my son’s clothes so his wardrobe the following year cost me a fraction of what I’d normally pay.

  11. I don’t have to dress anyone for school but I have a friend telling me how expensive it is. These are great tips for those who do.

  12. It’s always cheaper to buy uniforms outside than order them from school. I usually buy them a little big, so they still fit by the end of the school year.

  13. I used to work for a school where parents donated at the end of the year. When the new school year was about to start parents would come in and go through them to find some for children their size. :)

  14. These are some great ideas! Thanks for sharing. I am a true believer that you can get everything you need without breaking the bank if you just know where to look!

    1. Yes! You have to know where to look :) Social media is great when it comes to second hand clothes. You can always get by with just a few brand new outfits and then second hand for the rest :)

  15. These are great! My brother doesn’t have a school uniform so this doesn’t really apply but I will share it with my cousin who does wear a uniform.

  16. This is neat to know. My son doesn’t have to wear a uniform, but I like that there are options like this incase they ever move to a uniform dresscode. I will probably buy most of my school supplies from walmart.

    1. I have noticed Walmart has a larger uniform section than I noticed last year. Just something to keep in mind should your school ever change their policy!

  17. I had no idea how expensive it was for kids to go to school! I worked at Staples and during back to school families would spend towards $400! These are great tips.

    1. Shopping for school supplies is not the same as it was when I was a kid! My daughter got a list this year for first grade and it included 3 boxes of Crayola crayons among other things that will be used for the entire classroom. It gets expensive!

  18. Robin Rue (@massholemommy)

    I am so glad my boys don’t go to a school where they require uniforms. This is great info for those who do.

  19. Hi Tabatha,

    My kids are grown but I’m going to start over again when my grandson starts pre-K next year. I can’t wait to buy those cute shirts and shorts. :)

    Thanks for sharing these tips with us. There are a lot of families on a budget and need these tips like this to save where they can.

    Take care,
    Cori

    1. Cori,
      Have fun shopping for your grandson! I know my mom had fun shopping with my daughter this year :) One thing I was not aware of is that many states do a tax-free weekend as well! It is on certain items that kids need, but clothing included typically.

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