The School Uniform Insider: Sponsored Post

Showing posts with label Sponsored Post. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Classroom Brand Polo from Schoolbelles

This is a sponsored post. Schoolbelles provided me a sample polo to use as a basis of this review. No additional compensation was provided for this post.

The folks at Schoolbelles sent a Classroom Fitted Jersey Polo for me to review. This is a classic polo with the following features:

3 button placket front and matching banded sleeve
The colorfast poly/cotton blend is made for easy care wash and wear.
60% Cotton/40% Polyester textured pique.
It is available in eight different colors and is available in all sizes from extra small youth through triple extra large adult.
At Schoolbelles, the youth sizes are priced at $13.75 and the most adult sizes are priced at $16.75.

Schoolbelles carries this product in their value line of products. They tout that these items are carefully created to be fashionable, durable school uniform tested in real world situations with real kids. Assuming your child doesn't have a crazy growth spurt, I have no doubt this item will last a full school year or longer. My daughter is just outgrowing size 7-8 shirts. While they still fit across the shoulders, they are too short when she lifts her hands over her head. The shirt she is wearing in this photo is a size 10-12 which is a big jump that is running a bit big on her in the shoulder.

We've tried quite a few brands of polos over the past 3 school years while my daughter has been wearing uniform and I have been reviewing schoolwear. Based on my past comparisons of pricing between vendors, I have found most retailers price polos between $5.50 and $18. Based on the weight of the fabric and feel of the texture of this Classroom brand polo, it is above average in quality and fits nicely at a competitive price just outside my target pricing range. At their full list price, it is as labeled - a great value. If you pick up a few of these polos when Schoolbelle's is having a sale, you can feel confident you are getting a great deal.

You can find this on Schoolbelles's site by using the green General Catalog tab on the left hand side. Select Girl from the gender drop down, then click the "Shop" button. Click to browse the Polo Shirts where you'll see this polo listed as style number 8730.

It comes in a variety of colors. You can get it in white (as shown here), light blue, navy, royal blue, maroon, red, dark green, and black. It is also available in a range of sizes to sit everyone - from Youth Extra Small through Adult Triple Extra Large.

Schoolbelles was recently featured in the Retail Round Up Series. Please use the school code S7001 when shopping online, when placing an order over the phone with customer service at 1-888-637-3037, or when shopping in one of their 13 retail locations across the mid-west..

Those living near one of their store locations should definitely visit to check out the additional quality items in their inventory. The rest of us can visit their website. To keep in touch and learn about their future sale notifications, Like their Facebook page and join their mailing list.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Lands' End Featherlight Backpack and Neoprene Tote, a Review

I'm working with Lands' End as a Brand Ambassador during the 2014 Back to School season. They gifted me school uniforms for me to evaluate so I could share my opinion of the items with you. All opinions are my own.

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Chevron is so IN right now. The colors in this bag are kid friendly, fun and feminine. The

Print FeatherLight™ Medium Backpack, in Fuchsia Plum Chevron, was an easy choice from the new colors and patterns of the Lands' End backpacks this fall.

I bought my daughter a backpack from Lands' End when she started Kindergarten. I liked that they are one of the few brands that offered backpacks in various sizes. We shopped in our local Sears store which had a more limited selection than Lands' End online. While a small Classmate backpack bag might have fit her frame better, she picked out a medium sized Classmate backpack that was in stock in the store that day. The medium was big, but not overwhelming for her size. The medium size is recommended for kids 4 feet tall to 5 foot, 6 inches tall. You can read my original review of that bag which she is still using two years later. It is light in color so it shows some dirt, but structurally, it is still in great condition. All of the zippers still work, the seams are still sewn tight, and the mesh pouch on the side is still intact. It has served her well for year round use at both school and summer camps. She used it in kindergarten and first grade. During those years, she was required to carry two folders back and forth to school each day. The bag is big enough to tote a stack of text books, so it sometimes seemed bigger than she really needed at that age. Now that she has a new bag to use this year, we'll hold on to her original bag to use as a backup.

This new Featherlight Backpack has a new, trendy pattern, but it also has different features. This bag has a padded laptop slot inside that you could use to tote a traditional laptop, a tablet, or another electronic device. But even if you don't have any electronics to tote around, you can place folders or notebooks in it keeping them separated from gym clothes and other items. The other noticeable difference is that this Featherlight bag seems thinner and looks less bulky on her frame than her Classmate style bag. From the videos, it looks like both styles of bag can hold a fair amount, so it might be the adjustable side compression straps that make it appear thinner. Most days, she totes around a few folders and papers. Occasionally it carries home an oddly shaped art project or we tuck a small umbrella in the side mesh pocket. We expect the amount of homework will increase this year, so she might begin to have a workbook or two to tote around. This bag is perfect size to hold everything she needs and fits her school aged frame perfectly. Here's a video from Lands' End showing what this bag can fit:

I "borrowed" the bag to bring home my work laptop this week. I commute by walking about a half mile to the Metro station, ride Metro into the city, and then walk a few more blocks to the office. When I use a standard tote bag to carry my laptop, I really notice the weight of it and the strap digs into my shoulder. My full size work laptop fit perfectly in the laptop slot of this backpack. The padding on the straps is wonderful. Combined with the padded back panel with the mesh lining, it made lugging the laptop on my half mile walk home a breeze. Thumbs up from me! My co-workers noticed the bag and commented on the hip pattern and trendy colors too.

My daughter loves everything about it. She can't stop playing with the bungee cord on the front of the bag. She tested it out this week packing it full of stuff needed for summer camp. It easily fit a large fluffy beach towel, her swim suit, goggles, sunscreen, bug spray and a poly folder for her arts and crafts projects. She loves the feel of the padded back and the mesh lining on her back. That bungee is perfect for keeping a sweater or light jacket handy yet securely tied on.

Of course, she loves the cute pattern and colors. For the past two years, there is one other girl at her school that had the same pattern backpack as her. Knowing this one will also be a popular style, we got it personalized with a monogram of her initials. She loves that she'll always be able to find "her" bag from among the pile of bags at after school care even without all the decorative trinkets she hangs on the loop at the top of the bag. She is so excited to have a new backpack this year!

Based on a great experience with the quality of her first Lands' End backpack, I am confident this one will hold up well too. I expect it will last her several years. We'll get another when she's grows taller and is ready for a large, or full size bag. The Featherlight style backpack is available in medium and large sizes and various colors and patterns. There is also a wheeled version and a messenger style. The regular retail price of the medium size bag is $44 and in my opinion, worth every penny. It's even more worth it, if you can grab one when they are on sale.

Solid FeatherLight™
Medium Backpack

FEATHERLIGHT BACKPACK FEATURES

no-tip design; water-repellent finish; plus an ergonomic design for comfort.
Die-cut EVA foam padding in the shoulder straps for superior comfort; padded back panels with air mesh lining for breathability
Tech savvy! Two internal chambers, one is padded for a laptop
Light but tough! Solids are 210 ripstop and 420D nylon body
Adjustable sternum strap keeps shoulder straps in the perfect position for comfort
Extra! extra! Bungee strap gives them external carrying capacity — great for quick access to a jacket
Side compression straps stabilize their load
Reflective trim also helps keep kids visible
Handy loop for clipping on a lunch box saves room inside the pack

Girls' Neoprene Lunch Tote -
Fuchsia Plum Chevron

Lands' End also offers coordinating lunch boxes in the EZ wipe style, the soft side style and the neoprene tote. We have a soft side one that she's been using for 2 years already. So, we opted to try the neoprene totes. I wish I could say that I am one of those Moms that pack a creative and healthy lunch, but I'm not. Like many other kids her age, she is a picky eater and sticks to known favorites. But she has commented on some kids that bring a hot thermos of soup, stew, or mac and cheese. This neoprene bag would easily carry her typical lunch fare, but it could also easily hold a small thermos of hot food, a juice box and a snack. I intend to pick up a new hot food container to try this year, and I hope to find a new lunch options to change things up and add variety to her packed lunches.

So, about the NEOPRENE LUNCH TOTE-

It is completely collapsible, easily fitting in a kitchen cabinet when not in use.
It is very lightweight.
It is also comfortable to carry.
It zips closed across the top.
It is made from 100 polyester with rubber backing.
It is tested to ensure safety from lead & phthalates.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Girls Zip-up School Uniform Sweater from Lands' End

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We've tried a bunch of cardigan sweaters from various brands over the past two years. While I was reviewing school uniform sweaters from all the major brands last summer, I noticed that a zip-up style sweater was totally absent from the girls uniform selection. Many brands offered a zip-up style for boys. Yet all of the girls' sweaters had buttons. My daughter is a rising second grader now, but when she was younger, buttons were tricky for her to do herself. Buttoning anything, especially an item with small buttons, took patience and some amount of time. So, I was excited to see that Lands' End is now offering a Girls' Zip-front Drifter Cardigan.

When I showed my daughter the list of choices for her to try a Lands End sweater, I wasn't surprised when she right away pointed to this zip up style. When it arrived, I immediately noticed that it is heavier and thicker than our Lands End School Uniform Girls' Fine Gauge Cotton Cardigan Sweaters. And while we love the basic cardigan for year round wear, I would definitely recommend this sweater for those living in a climate where the winters are colder. I think it would also double as a jacket for those in areas that don't get as much snow in the winter.

And besides the warmth, you notice the quality feel of the cotton. The product description calls it "upgraded cotton" and says that it "each sweater is knit to fit, instead of cut and sewn like lesser-made versions. So it fits right from the get-go, with no bunching or stretching." I love the cute fabric zipper pull because it is easy for little fingers.

Girls' Zip-front

Drifter Cardigan

FEATURES

Soft-as-can-be 100% cotton for all-day comfort
Knit to eliminate excess bulk under the arms
Full-zip front with easy grosgrain zipper pull
This product is eligible to receive a school logo or a personalized monogram.

This sweater is machine washable, however, the tag contains some special laundry instructions to keep it looking its best.

Turn it inside out when washing.
Avoid tumble drying or drying on a hanger. Instead, lay flat to dry and block into shape.
Use a sweater comb to remove any pills that may appear.

Lands' End offers this sweater in classic navy, black, red, burgundy and maize. It sizing includes little girls (4-7) big girls (7-16) and adults (S-XL). It retails for $50. When you get one, don't forget to to write your child's name on the label. You don't want this sweater to get lost and end up in the lost and found.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Girls School Uniform Double Knit Blazer from Lands End, a Review

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The new School Uniform Girls' Double Knit Button-front Blazer from Lands' End is a super cute layering alternative to a sweater. This blazer makes any outfit look adorable.

For some reason, school picture day for my daughter's class was held on PE day for the past two years. So she is wearing her basic white t-shirt, which is required with the Phys Ed uniform, in her annual school photos. This year, I will plan send this blazer with her on school picture day no matter if it falls on a PE day or not. This blazer works just as well over a shirt with a collar as it does over a basic t-shirt. I will also reach for this blazer to her to wear on a school assembly day when her class will be on stage in front of the rest of the school and all the parents.

Girls' Double Knit
Button-front Blazer

The side panels give the jacket structure and shape, yet the double knit fabric is soft and comfortable. It is offered in navy in Big Girl sizes 7 -16 and Women's sizes 2-16. As a school uniform item, you can personalize it with your school logo. It retails for $70. It is machine washable.

The highlighted features include the following:

100% cotton double knit is soft yet substantial
Resilient construction
Princes side panels lend a hint of shape
Easy care: machine wash
Single back vent
Patch pockets
Imported

A structure blazer is such a classic look on both girls and guys. Guys that are always complaining that blazers are too uncomfortable would love to have the comfort of a knit alternative. But they guys will have to wait their turn until they develop a comfortable blazer for them because this one is reserved for the ladies. And because it is so comfortable to wear, it will get used more often than a traditional blazer. It can also serve as a light jacket in the fall or spring months. These options make it worth the price difference from the basic cardigan sweater.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Lands' End new Ponte School Uniform items- knit skort and blouse, a Review #Sponsored

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Girls' Button-front Ponté Skort

Loyal readers of this blog know that I'm a huge fan of skorts for young ladies. I am also a huge fan of Lands' end ponté. So when I learned that they had a new ponté skort this fall, I was excited for my daughter to try the School Uniform Girls' Button-front Ponté Skort.

I love that the ponté knit is machine washable, and holds its color. It is made from 74% polyester/22% rayon/4% spandex. It is offered in classic navy or khaki and has hidden knit shorts for coverage underneath. It has a simple elastic waistband and the length of the skirt hits "above the knee". It comes in little girls sizes 4-7 and big girl sizes 7-16 and retails for $32.

If you prefer a pleated skirt, check out the other new ponté item, the School Uniform Girls' Pleated Ponté Skirt or the School Uniform Girls' Ponté Pleated Jumper.

The skirt pairs nicely with a classic, crisp blouse. This Girls' Short Sleeve Peter Pan Broadcloth Blouse

contains a bit of shaping so it's not boxy, and it has the more feminine peter pan style collar. This blouses can work alone or under a jumper. Layer a sweater over top to get the most use from a short sleeve blouse year round. Add a coordinating crisscross tie, even if it is not required as part of the uniform dress code. It adds a finished look.

The blouse is machine washable. Because it resists wrinkles, you can get away without ironing if you grab it straight from the dryer, otherwise, it needs only a light touch up with the iron. The other feature important to uniform kids is that it is long enough in length to tuck in, and stay tucked in.

Girls' Short Sleeve Peter Pan
Broadcloth Blouse

FEATURES

Broadcloth provides a smooth look all day.
Fabric wicks moisture, resists wrinkles.
55% cotton/45% polyester blend
Pretty, rounded collar
Gentle shaping
Available in white or light sea blue (shown to the right).
Offered in Little Girl (4-7), Big Girls (7-16) and Adult sizes.

These two school uniform wardrobe pieces make a great outfit together. They also mix and match nicely with other uniform items. The quality of Lands' End brand is evident wash after wash. It is more likely that your child will outgrow these items before they wear them out. You can then pass them along to a younger child or the school's uniform exchange program.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Lands' End School Uniform Perfect Fit Pants and Interlock Polo, a Review

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Today we'll take a look at two classic wardrobe staples: the Girls' Perfect Fit Pants from the Iron Knee collection and the Girls' Feminine Fit Interlock Polo Shirt from Lands' End.

I love the updated fit of the School Uniform Girls' Perfect Fit Plain Front Blend Chino Pants. They aren't a skinny pant, but the cut of the leg is just a bit narrower than a straight cut style. I think this will be a popular choice for fashion forward young ladies that wear uniforms to school. My daughter is used to wearing boot cut pants because she really doesn't like the feel of skinny jeans or pants. After putting them on, she pulled at the pant leg once noticing the difference in the style, but not being able to vocalize the difference at how they fit her closer in the leg. I then paid close attention to see if she continued to tug at them, but she quickly got used to them not giving it another thought.

As a Mom, I also love the features and quality of these pants. Because she is just growing into a new size, we had to take advantage of the adjustable waist and make it smaller. This is her first pair of reinforced knee pants. Back in preschool, she quickly blew out the knees on all her jeans and I had to resort to using iron on patches. So, I know she's going to put these Iron Knee Pants to the test this year. But the best part is the hem.

Lands' End does the hemming for you! Yeah, it seems so old school for a retailer to hem your pants, but it makes so much sense. I've never understood why women's pants are made all the same length while men's are sized both by waist and inseam. With these quickly growing kids, it seems the standard pant sizes are either too long or too short. With a custom inseam sized just to fit, it makes things simple. Because beyond a simple button repair, I'm no good at sewing and I don't even have a sewing machine or have access to one. This is so awesome for me because most standard pants in my daughter's new size are a good four or five or more inches too long for her.

When you place your online order, you enter your child's inseam. Now here's what's really important to know, there is no need to size up. They make the adjustment for us to allow some wiggle room for the fabric to shrink under recommended laundering instructions and to allow some growing room. I measured my daughter's inseam at 20 inches and, as advised, entered her actual measurements when ordering. The pants that arrived measure almost 22 inches. And as promised they will give her room to grow, but they don't look noticeably long and are totally wearable at this length.

Girls' Perfect Fit
Plain Front Blend Chino Pants

Features

Improved fit for comfort and flexibility
Little Girl & Big Girl sizes: New! reinforce patched Iron Knees for longer lasting wear
Wrinkle-resistant 60% cotton/40% polyester blend
Front & rear pockets
Little Girl & Big Girl sizes: adjustable inner waistband to fine-tune her fit
Little Girl sizes: easy-on elastic back & snap button close
Big Girl sizes: no-gap contoured waistband & FREE hemming available!
Women’s sizes: Contoured waistband prevents gaping at back

These pants are available in classic navy, khaki and black. They are available in sizes to fit everyone: Toddler 2T - 4T, Little Girls 4-7 (regular and slim), Big Girls 7 - 16 (regular, slim and plus), Junior and Adult (regular and tall). The regular retail price is $40.00.

The pants pair well with the School Uniform Girls' Short Sleeve Feminine Fit Interlock Polo Shirt. Personally, I prefer the feel of the interlock polos to mesh polos. And this polo is SO super soft, made from 100% cotton. It is by far the nicest kids' polo I've seen. If your child is fussy about the texture or feel of fabrics, you should definitely check this one out.

I always advocate that you look for brands and items with the word "resistant" in its product claims. This polo is said to resist stains, resists shrinkage and resists piling. No boxy fit either; the fit is distinctly all girl and shaped to be flattering to a young girls figure. It is machine washable for easy care. The other feature worth noting for uniform kids is that this polo hits the top of the hip, allowing the right amount of fabric to properly tuck in your uniform polo.

Girls' Short Sleeve Feminine Fit

Interlock Polo Shirt

Features

She-shaped, plush 100% cotton
Enhanced fabric keeps colors true
Resists stains and shrinkage
Top-of-hip length with side vents
Shaped: Not too slim or too loose
Sized to allow for shrinkage, please wash before wear

This polo is offered in a dozen different colors, so you're sure to find your school's colors. It comes in sizes for Little Girls 4-7, Big Girls 7 - 16, Junior and Adult (regular and tall). The regular retail price is $18.00. And when required or desired, you can get your school logo added to this polo.

I really love both of these school uniform items. These are high quality wardrobe staples that will last through the school year.

Girls School Uniform Double Knit Blazer from Lands End, a Review

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

My Favorite School Uniform items from Lands' End

Disclosure - I'm working with Lands' End as a Brand Ambassador during the 2014 Back to School season.

Below are some of my favorite school uniform items for girls and boys at schools with a standard or uniform dress code. These are classic wardrobe items that always make a popular choice for Back to School. A few of these items will be reviewed here at Uniform Mom in the next few weeks.

Follow Uniform Mom's board Uniform Mom Favorites at Lands' End on Pinterest.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Lands' End Phys Ed Performance T-shirt and Yoga Pants, Reviews

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My daughter is a Daddy's girl. So she loved the new School Uniform Girls' Performance V-neck T-shirt from Lands End, because it is just like Daddy's shirts. She was referring to the feel of the polyester moisture wicking fabric. She tends to sweat just like a Daddy when running around in PE class or just playing on the playground at recess, so this shirt will serve her well on PE days for school. This v-neck style is a nice change of pace from the run of the mill crew neck t-shirt. The fit has a feminine shape, and the v-neck is sporty with the lower point of the V hitting higher on the chest.

At my daughter's school, the kids do not change clothes for Phys Ed class; instead they wear a PE uniform all day. So the antimicrobial feature to fight odor will be especially appreciated during the second half of the school day. The shirt is machine-washable making it easy to get it clean and refreshed for the next PE day. It is available in white, classic navy and evergreen in little girl sizes 4-7, big girl sizes 7-16, and adult sizes S-XL.

The shirt pairs well with active bottoms. And since my daughter is not a fan of typical sweatpants, she mainly wears yoga style pants to school on PE days. She was happy to try the School Uniform Girls' Yoga Pants. The pant legs are made with a simple elastic waist and a slight flare at the bottom of the leg which is flattering for both little girls and big girls. After trying them on, my daughter liked the way they fit her and, more importantly, how comfortable they felt to wear. I love the quality of the bottoms. They are thick enough that you can't see through them when she bends to touch her toes. I also like that they wash up easily in the laundry and that they will hold their shape due to the 7% Lycra blend. Uniform kids colors include black, navy, khaki, and gray heather. For non-uniform kids or to add to your weekend wardrobe, they also come light fuchsia and purple. They are available in little girl sizes 4-7 and big girl sizes 7-16.

This outfit is perfect for PE days. It's comfortable for my daughter to wear and easy for me to launder. I will likely get my daughter a second set because she has PE two days a week and for some reason they always fall on back to back days. And although our school's uniform policy only allows navy and white, both the pants and tops are offered in additional color options.

School Uniform Girls'

Performance V-neck T-shirt

Features of the School Uniform Girls' Performance V-neck T-shirt:

Antimicrobial to fight odor
100% polyester fabric wicks moisture away
Slightly shorter sleeves and a shaped waist for a feminine fit
Fast-drying so she stays comfortable

School Uniform Girls'

Yoga Pants

Features of the School Uniform Girls' Yoga Pant :

Super stretchy 93% cotton/7% Lycra® spandex blend
Stays true to size wash after wash
Wider elastic waistband goes easy on her middle
Shaped at sides for a boxy-free fit

The Lands’ End School Uniform Phys Ed Collection sets them apart from other retailers by offering one-stop shopping convenience to fulfill all the clothing requirements of the entire school uniform wardrobe. And also check out their great selection on footwear, backpacks, lunch bags, and accessories like neck ties and headbands.

Adventures of Ai, a new e-book and app

Adventures of Ai is an children's eBook written by New York Times bestselling author, Craig Bouchard. The story is a part non-fiction and part fiction fantasy targeted at girls and boys ages 9-12 for the pressures they will encounter as they grow up, and incorporates subjects like art, history, poetry, music and mathematics.

There is also an Ai game available on Google Play or in iTunes store. Here is a brief description:

"Downloading and playing Ai’s Adventure places you in the driver’s seat of an addictive fast paced game to run, fly, duck and jump with Ai through a cool maze of challenging obstacles. Her journey across an incredible 3D Japanese landscape is mind-bending. Ai rides her stallion (who slides under obstacles even better than she does!), flies on her crane and runs farther and faster than the monsters that chase her. Collect points and coins along the way to her and your ultimate goal: the treasure chest her father has protected. Ai will never give up – will you?"

Scoring in this game is different in that you have the option to play for your country. Your score is contributed to the country’s total in the World Charity Cup. The charities in country with the highest average player scores at the end of the competition will receive a cash contribution from the worldwide earnings of the game! Check out the trailer below:

The Adventures of AI Book and Game Trailer

Download the eBook

The Adventures of Ai is available in ebook on iTunes, Google Books, Google Play, and Amazon platforms and has been translated from the original English version to Japanese, Mandarin (Chinese and Taiwanese), Spanish, and Arabic.

Enter to Win the eBook

2 winners, each will receive a copy of the eBook.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The event is open from 7/16/14 through 8/1/14 12:00 AM ET. OpenWorldwide. The winner will be chosen at random and will be notified via the email they used to enter the contest. If after 48 hours, there is no response, another winner will be chosen. Uniform Mom is not responsible for fulfillment of the prize. Open to US residents, 18+ only.

Disclosure: Uniform Mom, the giveaway host, was provided a complementary copy of the e-book to evaluate and review. No other compensation was received for the review or for coordinating this giveaway. Uniform Mom is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact navyplaid@comcast.net with questions or to see your business or product featured on the next event! This giveaway is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Name Labels from Bright Star Kids, a Review

The folks at Bright Star Kids contacted me to ask if I would take a look at their name labels and share my thoughts with you. They provided me a complementary sample of a school value label kit as the basis for my review. All opinions are my own.

I had never heard of Bright Star Kids so I spent some time familiarizing myself with the brand by spending time on their website. I loved the site and enjoyed looking at the seriously cute, kid friendly products that they offer. In addition to name labels, which I'll get to in a second, they carry cute wall art, personalized clothing, backpacks and kids accessories. I also figured out why I hadn't heard of them before; they are an Australian company which isn't normally on my radar because I'm in the US. They offer worldwide shipping in a reasonable time frame for a reasonable shipping fee. In fact name labels ship to the US, UK, the EU and Singapore and most arrive in 7-15 business days.

Many Uses for Name Labels

I'm a huge fan of using name labels for kids stuff. When my daughter was in preschool, I made homemade labels for her bottles and food containers by writing her name on blank shipping labels or simply using masking tape. They never held up, so I was replacing the labels on each week's supplies. The personalized name labels hold up SO much better. The stick-on labels actually stay on through the dishwasher cycle. The clothing labels last wash after wash.

I used the labels from the kit to label my daughter's summer camp supplies such as her sunscreen, her insect repellent spray, her sandwich container, and her flip flops. I even put a thin pencil tag on her favorite pair of goggles. When school starts up in the fall again, we'll tag her pencil box, pencils, colored pencils, markers, highlighters, her composition books and her folders. I'll put the clothing tags on all layering items such as coats, sweaters, and winter hats. The round tags with covers are great for rain and snow boots which she has to change out of after arriving at school. It is also great to tag stuff for her activities such as her ballet slippers, tap shoes, and her soccer cleats.

Sounds like a lot of tags, right? We'll it is, but there are over 175 labels in the School Value Label Kit:

10 Large Labels - these stick on labels are great for larger school items such as lunchboxes, water bottles, and food storage containers, pencil boxes, workbooks, or electronic devices. They are safe to use in the dishwasher, microwave or freezer.
30 Small Labels - these stick on labels are great for smaller school items such as glue sticks, rulers, staplers, notebooks, hair brushes, eye glasses case, calculator, and small toys.
10 Subject Labels - these stick on labels are made from vinyl which are perfect to put on all your kids school books or notebooks. You can write their subject and class with a permanent marker or pen.
80 Tiny Pencil Labels - these stick on labels are great for thin school items such as pencils, pens, markers, highlighters, or even, lunch utensils.
16 Large Round Labels and 16 Clear Covers - this combination is perfect for shoes. Use these in sneakers, flip flops, dance shoes, soccer cleats, or rain boots.
30 Iron on Labels - these labels are designed be used on clothing items. They are safe to use and stay on through the washer and the dryer.

Using the Iron on Labels

I had never used iron on labels previously, so I tested it out. I gathered up a few new sweaters and hoodies that hadn't yet been tagged. For first things first, I had to identify the iron-on labels in the package. All of the stickers in the package have a color background and white lettering, except, the iron on labels which have a white background and the lettering is in the color we had selected. They were otherwise indistinguishable to my untrained eye.

Being a newbie, I then read the directions:

First, I emptied my iron of any water and turned it on the highest, non-steam setting.
Once it was hot, I placed the sticker on the clothing, topped it with the parchment paper provided and gently moved the iron around it for approximately 10-15 seconds.
In the last step, I peeled the parchment paper off and checked the edges to make sure it had merged with the fabric.

It wasn't hard at all. And I'm NOT a crafty person. I did five items in just a few minutes. Since I like to pass along my daughter's clothes when she outgrows them, I placed the iron on label onto the manufacturers sewn-in tag on most of her sweaters. That way, we can simply cut out the tag before passing it along for another go in another child's closet. For some square tags, I cut the iron on tag into two pieces stacking them on top of each other. On another shorter tag, I simply cut off the extra space from the ends of the label to make it fit. Both variations seemed to work just fine.

The Value of Using Name Labels

In my opinion, the value of personalized tags is two-fold. First you save time by only tagging items once. These labels stay on throughout the school year. No more tagging with homemade tags every Sunday night. Second is the value of the kids stuff. We parents spend a pretty penny on back to school clothing and supplies. It is a pity when it ends up unclaimed in a bin at the lost and found. And then there is the sentimental value attached to a favorite sweater or super duper 4-color pen or sparkle gel pen. When those things disappear, sometimes, tears are shed. Prevent the tears and increase the chance that kids won't loose the stuff you buy them, but placing a label on it. It's like insurance for kids stuff.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

French Toast brand Skinny Stretch Twill Pant and Peter Pan Blouse, a Review

I received complementary school uniform clothing items from Ideal Uniforms to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Ideal Uniforms offered me the opportunity to review their web site and several items of French Toast brand clothing. I had only recently learned of them, so I was happy to learn more about the company and the products they offer. They are based in New York with two retail locations in Brooklyn and Elmont. Those of us outside the NY area can visit their website. Below are a few quotes from the About Us page on IdealUniform.com.

"For over 83 years, Ideal Uniforms has been a family owned and operated business. We specialize in designing and distributing professionally styled apparel, work-wear and outerwear for men, women and children. Ideal Uniforms is your one stop shop for all your educational, medical, corporate and scouting needs. Ideal presently outfits hundreds of schools, hospitals, boy and girl scout troops, and businesses. Ideal Uniforms has been a family owned and operated business. We specialize in designing and distributing professionally styled apparel, work-wear and outerwear for men, women and children."

When I began researching Ideal Uniforms, I found some negative online reviews. Comments centered around two types of issues, poor customer service and inventory management. Knowing that most companies pay attention to online feedback, I asked if they had made any efforts to address customer concerns in these areas. Jack Kassab, a Vice President at Ideal Uniform, told me that they made a large investment this year in both areas. He said, "We now have a system which helps us with inventory control as well as forecasting to avoid running out of merchandise prior to school opening. We also made some changes in our customer service department and we have been getting great feedback."

I had fun browsing the online store where school uniform items are organized together making it easy to view their selections. You can filter by gender and then type of clothing with logical groupings as "pants and shorts" and "blouses, knits and polos". You can also add additional filters by size and color. Because my daughter had recently outgrown her button up shirts, I selected both a French Toast brand short sleeve and a long sleeve peter pan blouses. I also selected the French Toast Girls Skinny Stretch Twill Pant. My final selection was a "Girl's American Doll Plaid Dress". I found these uniform dresses designed to fit the 18" dolls too cute to pass up. It is listed under Accessories and is available in many different plaid patterns. It made a perfect gift for my daughter since grandma planned to give her an American Girl doll as a Christmas gift this year. Personally, I had a positive experience shopping online with them. They contacted me via email to let me know the doll outfit was out of stock and requested feedback on how to fulfill the order giving me the option to wait until the items returned to stock or an alternate pattern. The correct items were shipped to me quickly as one complete order.

I had only previously seen the French Toast Girls Skinny Stretch Twill Pant online and in catalogs. They look skinnier in the photo than they really are. As you can see from my photo, they are thinner through the knee than a straight leg pants by about a 1/2 inch yet still have a boot cut bottom. These would be a nice option for girls that want to wear the currently fashionable skinny tight fitted pants if the school's dress code prohibit the fitted pants. They are made from cotton with 3% spandex which gives them the right amount of stretch. The do not have an adjustable waist. Instead they have several inches of sturdy elastic across the back to give them some wiggle room. Currently my daughter has been wearing a 6x in pants with any adjustable waist fully extended and no hem in the length. Her natural waist is a 22" while measuring the area where a waistband would hit her measures at 23". I ordered the French Toast girls size 7 pants which are labeled to fit a waist at 23 1/2" which seems about right since these are still just a bit too big for her. They fit nicely through the backside and the legs. They are labeled as machine wash cold, tumble dry low and iron when needed.

The peter pan blouses she'll be able to begin using right away. The fabric is 55% cotton and 45% poly. I ordered these in a size 7 also. Her similar blouses in a 6x are too short, showing her belly as she moves around and making it very difficult to keep her shirt tucked into her pants as her dress code requires. This short sleeve blouse fits her perfect. The long sleeve needs the sleeve turned up once which is expected as she is just growing into this size. The weight of the shirts are perfect for layering under a jumper or sweater; however, they are also thick enough to be worn alone or simply paired with a criss-cross tie. They are labeled as machine wash cold, tumble dry low and iron when needed. I put the "Wrinkle No More ™" fabric to the test. This photo shows the short sleeve blouse on the right straight from the dryer. The long sleeve blouse on the left I touched up with the iron. While I prefer the crisp look of the ironed blouse, I admit that I'd let my daughter wear it to school without ironing, especially if she would be wearing it under a jumper or sweater.

Overall, I had a positive retail experience with Ideal Uniforms. I am also pleased with the quality of the French Toast brand items I received. I like that they stock school uniform items year round so you can find the items you need in stock mid-year. You can connect with them online on Facebook or on Twitter to get a heads up when items go on sale and find useful coupons codes. To learn more about the items they carry, check out the details from the Ideal Uniforms post in the Retail Round up series.

Currently, Ideal Uniforms is sponsoring a giveaway that is being organized here on Uniform Mom. One lucky reader will win a prize pack which includes your choice of one top and one bottom of French Toast brand clothing for either a boy or girl! It ends on 1/13/14 at midnight ET. Enter now so you too can get a chance to pick out an school uniform outfit from Ideal Uniforms.

Ideal Uniforms: Retail Round Up

Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids

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French Toast brand Skinny Stretch Twill Pant and Peter Pan Blouse, a Review

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