School Uniforms...Where to buy online?

My oldest daughter will start Kindergarten in the fall at a local charter school. They require uniforms. Like any mom, okay, maybe just me, but, I like to shop early and frequently to get the best deals. I've found there are a lot of places that sell uniforms out there. I'll review some of my favorites. My review may change once the year goes by and I see how they hold up over time.

Land's End

If my budget were unlimited, I would probably buy all her skirts, jumpers, etc. from them. The quality is fantastic. I like that they have skirts and skorts that are knit, but nicer quality than what they call "gym" uniform clothing. They are definitely not the cheapest, but I have found that they are great quality. If you buy off season, like March/April, they hold sales which you can stock up on items here. I love the full elastic non-knit skirts that are not 100% polyester, too. I hate jumpers and skirts that are 100% polyester, though lots of places make them. I think they look cheap and, frankly, are way too hot for the summers around here.

Children's Place

So, if you are subscribed to them, you know they seem to always be having some sort of sale. I have gotten some serious steals on shorts for under skirts and leggings for under jumpers in the winter. My daughter hates clothing that isn't stretchy right now and she isn't great with buttons and zippers yet. I can't say that I blame her, after all, I have recently become a fan of pull-on pants for work, myself. Their jumpers have a bit of a stretch in them and they have some skirts/skorts with a full elastic in the back. Their leggings are better quality than places like Carter's or even Gymboree.

Sears

They are not a place I usually shop, but like Land's End, they seem to clearance out stuff in March/April. I purchased some short and long sleeve polo shirts made by Dockers and some knit jumpers for $5 each a couple of months ago. I believe you can get free shipping to a local store, if you have one nearby. 

Target

So, Target sells uniforms under their Cherokee brand. They are pretty decent quality. I actually purchased some of the items off of Swap.com and was surprised at how good of quality the jumpers and skirts/skorts are. 

Gap

Their quality is decent. Their polos are a bit softer than places like Children's Place, but maybe not as soft as Gymboree's. Watch for off-season sales. They've been clearancing their uniform stuff online for a while. I have a feeling they start putting them on sale starting in February. 

eBay

This is the place to find the type of uniform you like, but at better prices. I've purchased a few odds and ends here. 

Online Consigmment Stores

If you've read any of my other posts, you know I've become a fan of online consignment store shopping. Swap.com, MoxieJean, and Thredup are great places to find gently used pieces. 

Other Stores to Try

Old Navy is very popular, so I've been told. I have heard that the knees blow-out on the pants halfway through the year, but it may be worth it depending on the price and how fast your child grows. I've also bought a few items on Amazon. They carry a bunch of makers, like French Toast.   

French Toast has a website entirely devoted to school uniforms. I bought a couple of jumpers made by them on Amazon, but ended up sending them back because they seemed thin. I'm now rethinking that decision based on other jumpers I've purchased since then by Gymboree and Gap that were similar. Thin jumpers might be good in the summers if it's very hot, like it is here.

Where else do you buy school uniforms from online or in person? Any suggestions are appreciated as I'm sort of a newbie here in the uniform shopping department.

Kids' Uniforms...which brands last?

It's November and I've already started shopping for next year's uniforms. Perhaps, I'm a bit early, but I like to buy year round. I'm starting to figure out which uniforms will hold up and which ones will not. Partly this is because my daughter now comes home FILTHY from her new daycare. I'm going to do a brief review of my favorite items. My other review has good tips on where to find these items online.

Skorts/Skirts

As expected, the skorts and skirts I bought from Land's End are holding up beautifully. I bought some brand new skorts from Children's Place that are not holding up as well as the gently used skorts I've purchased that are Land's End. My favorite skorts are the canvas pull-on that have the elastic waist in back. You may pay more up front for the items if you buy new, but they will last. I've also purchased leggings from here. However, I'm not sure they are worth the extra cost. 

Leggings/Undershorts

While the skorts I've bought from Children's Place are not holding up so well, I love the leggings, especially for the price. If you hit one of their sales, you can get them for $5-$7 a piece. I also got shorts for under skirts from there and they are great. I like the stretch in the leggings.They are a combo of cotton and spandex. I also bought some Gymboree leggings and Carter's leggings. The Gymboree leggings are just as thick, but stretch out too much because they are 100% cotton. The Carter's leggings are a bit thinner and just not as great quality wise. 

Polo Shirts

I'm still figuring out here which polos are the best, but I'll give you my thoughts. For the price, you really can't beat Children's Place or Old Navy. They seem to be holding up pretty well. They aren't the softest out there, though. If you want softer polos, go for Gymboree or Gap. I can't comment on the polo shirts from Land's End, but I did break down and buy a couple of their long sleep polo dresses at my daughter's request. They are soft, but not as soft as the other places. Dockers and Izod also have decent shirts. The advantage of the rougher polos is they pill much less. My daughter hasn't complained that they are rough at all, by the way.

Other Pants

Because my daughter can't do buttons and zippers great yet, I really had to search around to find some pull-on pants. I finally found some made by Gap and Gymboree. Gap makes come cute corduroy pull-on pants. I've owned them before and they are well made. Gymboree has some pull-on ponte pants in navy that seem pretty thick. I'll update you if they don't last, but I've generally found Gymboree items hold up well.

Socks

So far the winners here are Gap and Gold Toe socks. I bought the Gold Toe socks on Amazon.

Jumpers

I don't have any clear favorites here yet. I do like the knit ones from Target. I think that they are nice because they have a bit of stretch in them. Children's Place also has some jumpers with spandex in them that are nice.