Mum of three give tips on how to get kids into uniform without breaking the bank.
As families across New Zealand prepare for the new school year, the cost of fitting children with school uniforms is hitting many parents hard. Buying second-hand can save parents hundreds and leave money for other essentials. Kirsty Wynn reports.
With three children all at different schools this year’s back-to-school uniformshopping has been the most expensive yet for Kirstie Holmes and husband Clayton.
Their daughter Matilda, 13, is starting Year 9 at Westlake Girls High School, while Eli, 11, is beginning at Northcote Intermediate, and Dulcie, 9, is heading into Year 5 at Chelsea School.
“I’d say it’s definitely the most expensive year and there’s a lot to pay for straight after Christmas and the holidays,” Kirstie Holmes said.
“We have both Matilda and Eli starting at new schools.”
Matilda Holmes, 13, will start the school year at Westlake Girls High School in a mix of new and second-hand items. Photo / Dean Purcell
With Matilda requiring at least 15 new items, from a blazer to new sandals, the cost of uniforms could have skyrocketed.
“Just to buy everything new for Matilda could cost close to $900,” Holmes said.
“Thankfully, Eli’s uniform was a bit cheaper because we could reuse some items Matilda wore last year – like the unisex shirts. But there were still new PE shorts, school shorts, shoes, and socks to buy.”
For Dulcie, however, the situation was different. “She’s saved us a lot of money because she can wear Matilda’s skorts and Eli’s shirts. She still fits her sandals from last year too,” Holmes explains. “She even has two hats from previous years, though they’re a bit faded. I might buy her a new one at some stage.”
With laptops, stationary and subject fees also to budget for, Holmes said buying new wasn’t an option.
By shopping smart and using Facebook Marketplace, her costs were reduced significantly.
“Buying secondhand has been a lifesaver, especially at this time of year when you’ve just had the holiday expenses, and then the school costs hit you all at once,” she said.
“The kids actually prefer the look and feel of a worn-in shirt and jumper.”
Eli Holmes, 11, will start at Northcote College with new socks and shoes and a pre-loved shirt. Photo / Dean Purcell
Buying secondhand was made easier by the options available at Westlake Girls, which has a lot of listings on Facebook Marketplace and even a secondhand uniform store with set opening hours.
Northcote Intermediate had fewer listings on Marketplace and no official secondhand store, while Chelsea School had no Marketplace listings but has a parent-run secondhand store.
“It’s definitely worth checking out Facebook Marketplace and other uniform pages early,” Holmes advises. “And if your school has a secondhand store, that’s a great option too.”
Holmes’ savvy shopping meant she could invest the money she saved into two new Chromebooks for Eli and Matilda, another crucial back-to-school purchase.
Dulcie Holmes, 9, has saved her parents money with a uniform handed down from her older siblings and sandals from the previous year. Photo / Dean Purcell
While secondhand options have been a huge money-saver, there are still a few items that Holmes has had to purchase new.
“I have bought things like socks, shoes, P.E. uniforms, and a few shirts,” she said.
“PE uniforms are harder to find secondhand because they’re often well-worn and specific to a student’s team or house.”
Despite the savings, Holmes knows she’ll also need to buy a few new items throughout the year.
“If something gets lost or if they grow out of something, I’ll buy new, but the good thing is, the cost is spread out over the year, so it’s easier to manage.”
Her advice to other parents? Start early and shop around.
“We went into the uniform shops to get properly fitted first, so we knew exactly what sizes we needed. Then we went onto Facebook Marketplace. It was pretty smooth, although sometimes it’s a bit of a time-saver when sellers don’t list sizes or condition properly.”
She’s also taken advantage of talking to friends whose children go to the same schools, helping to find great deals through word of mouth.
One of her biggest finds was a blazer for Matilda’s school at Westlake Girls, which would have cost $149 new, but she snagged for just $50.
She also bought two skirts in excellent condition for $30, a bargain compared to the $104 they would have cost new. The biggest expense, however, was a pair of leather Birkenstocks for $210.
Westlake Girls stipulates sandals must have a back on them so Holmes said there was little option apart from the more expensive Birkenstocks.
“I’d rather spend a bit more on quality shoes that will last anyway,” she said.
Top Tips for Saving on School Uniforms:
Start Early: Get your child properly fitted in-store, so you know what sizes to look for secondhand.
Check Facebook Marketplace: Search for local listings from parents whose children have outgrown their uniforms.
Talk to Friends: Ask around – you might be able to swap or buy gently used items from other parents.
Prioritise New Items: Some essentials like shoes, socks, and PE uniforms may still need to be bought new, but that can be easier to manage when other items are secondhand.
Quality Over Quantity: Look for well-maintained pre-loved items that still have plenty of life left.
