Buying School Uniforms: A Trutex Review

It's that time of the year again. Buying school uniforms. Don't you just love it when your little dude (or, indeed, dudette) is excitedly starting the new school year with all their friends? Their sleeves slightly too long and the hems of trousers taken up with magic-web. Afterall, they've gotta have room to grow haven't they? I say that, but what's the point if their uniforms aren't going to last long enough for them to grow into? 

Buying School Uniforms

We've all done it. Fell in to that 'false economy' trap. I'm especially guilt of that. Carson went through tens of polo tops last school year - each term! Get it slightly dirty once and that's your lot - no stain remover I've ever used got them white again. Then there's the stretching after them having been washed a few times. I don't own a dryer so resort to radiator, airer and washing-line drying you see. The jumpers tend to fray around the wrists and the trousers will scuff and bobble with one or two tumbles to the ground. 

When Trutex called for bloggers, I was right up there offering my services. Or should I say Carson's! I remember in secondary school our blazer had to be Trutex so it lasted more than one school year, lack of major growth spurts permitting! Carson has only just turned 7 years old last week. We normally buy age 6-7yr but decided to opt for age 7-8yr clothing to review, with the intention of making it last. 

Sweatshirt
(around £8.00 depending on stockist)
First Impressions:  
Thick, bold emerald coloured sweatshirt with a soft interior. Strong seams, cuffs and hem.
 

Wear/fit: 
I was surprised at just how well this size fits. Age 7-8 normally swim off of him so dare I say that Trutex uniforms come up a little small for their size? Whilst it fits him beautifully, I fear the sweatshirt may not last until Christmas though. Perhaps opt for a size larger than you would expect to buy. There are no bobbles either around the rib/underarm area either which is something I find always happens with supermarket sweatshirts.


After Washing: 
Thankfully, Trutex offer a non-iron range so there's no rushing on a Sunday evening over here anymore! As for washing, I see no colour run, no signs of stretching and the best thing about it is that there are no bobbles! Tumble dry-able.


Shirts
(around £12 twin-pack depending on stockist)
First Impressions: 
Bright white. Not thin, flimsy or see through - but a thick sturdy polycotton shirt. Strongly attached buttons (so many budget shirts have loose buttons that will fall off within the first few wears!) Elasticated extension attached to the top button so account for varying sized necks amongst the age range it's suitable for.


Wear/Fit.
Being such a thick shirt, I wondered about Carson's movement - could jumping around be restrictive or cause a rip? My worries were unfounded... he's been flailing around for hours in his uniform and he looks as flexible as ever! Again, age 7-8 fits him beautifully across the chest and it's a tad long in the body which is perfect for him to grow in to.  I especially love the shirt's elasticated extension on the top button, which really will help it to last and grow with him. It also makes it easier for him to button and unbutton.


After Washing:
Colour held well. Shape remains strong and stiff. The shirts are advertised as non-iron, which is true (yippee!). However, it would be better if tumble dried so the heat can pull out the creases. If you're like me, without a dryer, make sure it's dried on a hanger on an airer. Folded over the radiator does lead to a few wrinkles and ultimately needing ironed.


Trousers 
(around £11 depending on stockist)
First Impressions:
Stiff, thick and sturdy. Charcoal colour is a nice deep, dark grey. Close to black. Elasticated waist - good for those growth spurts we were talking about! A good long length - 22.5 inch inside leg for age 8 trousers.


Wear/fit:
I did think they may be a little too stiff for Carson but, again, his flailing around for the last few hours in them have posed no issue at all. If anything, Carson has commented on how comfortable and warm they are. I've taken the trousers up by 3 inches as Carson only has little legs but I can reverse that process at any time, and with the elasticated waist they should last for ages. I'm confident about these pants!


After washing:
Oh yes! It doesn't matter how these were dried, they didn't need ironing at all. The centre pleat holds fantastically well. Tumble dry-able  No bobble or fluffy surface frays.


Find your nearest Trutex school uniform stockist and take a look at the huge range available.

I have to say, I'm suitably impressed. 

The general quality of all 3 items I received are leagues above the usual suspects at supermarkets. Yes they're a little more expensive but the quality really does speak for themselves. They're built to last, particularly with the button extension on the shirts and the elasticated waist on the pants. 

I love that they're non iron and washing them doesn't seem to have any effect on their feel or appearance either. Carson feels comfortable and confident in his uniform. Something that is really important for kids in my opinion. How are they to concentrate, or even socialise properly, when they're feeling fidgety and uncomfortable?



Where are you buying from this year and what's your pet-hate about school uniforms?!

I was sent the above items FOC for the purposes of review. All opinions are my own.

27 comments:

  1. Great post, really helpful and informative! Carson looks so cute in his school uniform! xo

    http://rachelnicole.co.uk/

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  2. Being a teacher (with no children of my own) I have a love/hate relationship with uniforms... hate the price, love how stinkin' cute kids are in them!

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  3. What a little poser you've got - reckon he might be into modelling when he's older! My pet hate when I was at school was always cheap trousers. The fabric feels horrible, they rip if you even slightly step on the hem, and they go all bobbly in the wash. No fun!

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  4. I love reading online reviews when it comes to school uniform. Maxwell is starting school next September and I often shop around for bargains before he needs stuff so I will start shopping for next years uniform soon. This review has been a fantastic help, thank you.

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  5. These look fab and I love that you don't need to iron them. The colour of that sweatshirt is lovely x

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  6. Luckily we've not reached this age yet, but my gosh I know it'll be a tough one when we do. There are so many cheap uniforms to buy now that often I guess quality isn't quite as good. So reviews like this will be so helpful for me when the time comes. x

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  7. I have heard good things about Trutex....Carson looks so smart in his uniform!
    Great review x

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  8. This is the first year I've not had to buy school uniforms... my son is all grown up and off to college!

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  9. Wow! It's been a long time since I wore a primary school Uniform but I can still remember popping that jumper on (in red) every morning with my little pinafore. Those were the days!

    Lovely post, I hope your children have a blast at school! xx

    www.katiemeehan.co.uk

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  10. I can not stand see through shirts either. And wow... I need the non iron uniform! We have already bought for J and emptied out Sainsbury's. We are pretty lucky with her apart from a missing button on her cardigan we were still all on originals in July from September!

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  11. Ahh how cute does he look! We're getting uniform from Sainsburys this year apart from jumpers which we have to get from the school.

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  12. This is such a neat idea for a post! Maybe because I'm not a mother but I didn't realise how uniform can be an ordeal for some.

    Catstello | www.cattitudeandco.uk

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  13. Carson is a such an amazing model :) We never had school uniforms but I can imagine this can be a nightmare to iron everyday- i am so thankful to non iron shirts!

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  14. Trutex have been around forever which must say something for the quality of the children's clothes. Carson looks as though he thoroughly enjoyed being your model.

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  15. I've never heard of Trutex before but will definitely have to look into their clothes as they seem to be of high quality. There's nothing worse than uniform you need to replace every few months! xx

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  16. Trutex isn't a company I have ever come across before but they sound like good value for money and what a little poser Carson is :o)

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  17. These look like really good quality uniform. My girls have to have specific sweatshirts for secondary school and they are rubbish! They are supposed to be tumbledryable yet shrink just being washed, the amount of sleeves I've shrunk by accident over the last few years is ridiculous!

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  18. Great post and your wee boy looks so chuffed , I think he is the start of the post :)

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  19. I really don't like uniform shopping. My little dudes are messy, my eldest son has ruined so many shirts in art since being in senior school that I only buy cheap shirts. He has an apron, and that is uniform too but instead I find myself trying to wash red paint out of white shirts.

    This must be how Banksy's laundrette feels. Lol

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  20. I keep refusing to think about returning to school - but it's next week! Eeeek! Fab post with some great uniform options. Kaz x

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  21. I've found a lot of the trousers are really stiff, so much so that I've ended up buying M&S and Next for the softer ones. Hopefully they will still last. I'm liking the elasticated button length - I've not come across that before.

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  22. I'd never heard of them before today but will definitely be checking them out now, thanks.

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  23. Really interesting review, I haven't hear of them before but definitely worth checking out!

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  24. We buy our uniform from our local shop for logo'd stuff and then I add from George and F&F. Not sure who our local Trutex stockists are to be honest. It does cost an arm and a leg though!

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  25. Carson looks adorable in his uniform. We have to purchase ours from a school approved supplier and it costs us over £300 not including shoes (daughter is 15) I miss the days when uniform could be bought from marks and spencer.

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  26. We've tried Trutex before too and I agree, the quality is fantastic!

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  27. awww he looks so grown up bless him. I love trutex uniforms they're such great quality

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