KiddoTags.com $50 Voucher Giveaway - Ends 8/16/13 #2Kool4Skool

I continue to be amazed as I learn about the amount of clothing and other stuff that ends up in the lost and found bin at schools, camps and other places where kids spend time.  I took this picture (right) at my daughter's summer camp. Although the place my daughter attends camp is a private school during the school year, an administrator saw me snapping this photo and told me that this collection is only from the first two weeks of summer camp.  There are probably a few hundred kids that attend this camp, but Wow! That's not a bin, that's a lost and found hallway.


Still not convinced you need to get some labels to stick on your kids gear?

• Research by label retailer, My Nametags, published in February 2013 "shows that the average family could spent up to £150 this school year replacing lost school uniform… yet 64% of parents don't bother to use name tags to prevent this." (Read the full post)
• Then you can read about my experience that made me finally sit down and place an order with KiddoTags. (Read the full review.)

Uniform Mom and KiddoTags have partnered to offer a chance to win a $50 Voucher to KiddoTags.com. We are offering this giveaway as part of the 2Kool4Skool Giveaway Hop.

To Purchase:

Visit KiddoTags.com to view their full product line of laundry safe tags, dishwasher safe tags, daily use tags, as well as medical and allergy alert tags and bracelets.

To Win: 

Uniform Mom and KiddoTags are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a$50 voucher to KiddoTags.com. Enter the Rafflecopter below, all entries are optional with exception of your email address which is necessary to contact you if you are the winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Giveaway will end at 12:00am EST on 8/16/13. The winner will be chosen at random through Rafflecopter which uses Random.org. The winner will be announced on the Uniform Mom Facebook page and on Rafflecopter. The winner will have their prize sent to them by Kiddotags. UniformMom is not responsible for prize shipment. Must be 18 years and older. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google are in no way affiliated with this giveaway. No Purchase Necessary. US Only.

Disclosure - Earlier this year, KiddoTags provided me with complementary products to evaluate and review. No other compensation was received for the review or for coordinating this giveaway.

Back to School Uniform Challenge - $200 Budget for a Boy's Public School Wardrobe

This is the first in a series of posts from the Back to School Uniform Challenge.  Participants completed a survey with basics information, including the back to school shopping budget.  It was my job to find options that fit the dress code, the kid, and the budget.

Meet Noah

He is in 3rd grade and lives outside Pittsburgh, PA.  He attends public school with a dress code that requires pants or jeans and a collared shirt which can be solid, striped or plaid.  Noah's Mom, Amber, did a guest post for us last fall.  She told us that it is hard for her to find school clothes for him because he is tall and thin. Amber told us that she previously found school pants for Noah at Nordstrom's which were more expensive than she wanted to pay.

The Budget

The average cost on uniforms for school is $249 (per Statistics Brain), but Amber challenged me to find a full wardrobe with a budget of $200.  

The Climate

Near Pittsburgh, they experience all four seasons. When the kids head back to school in the fall, the weather soon turn to what I call 'football weather'. This is reflected in the dress code which doesn't allow for shorts. Pants year round for these boys.  Winters in Pittsburgh can be cold and snowy. For the most part, it doesn't begin to get summertime hot until after the kids are out of school for the year.

The Recommended Wardrobe

So given his slim frame and her tight budget, I looked for discount store that carry a slim fit.  I'm going to recommend she try George brand boys pants in a slim fit from Walmart.  Another option is French Toast which carries slim boys pants with an adjustable waist and a double knee. Since Noah is allowed to wear jeans to school, I'd recommend Amber snag one or two pair when she catches a sale.

For tops, I'm going to recommend Walmart again, the George Boys Polo 4 pack of short sleeve shirts. We have the long sleeve version for my daughter which is soft and has held up wonderfully (read more on the George Polo here).  When shopping online, you can select different colors and still take advantage of the bundle price.  They carry a choice of 14 colors.  For winter, I'll recommend the 2 pack of long sleeve George polos. Again, you can mix up the colors.  Boys oxford shirts can work for school or other dress up occasions.  French Toast offers great pricing on these in both the short and the long sleeve versions.  

Rounding out the wardrobe, I'll recommend a basic sweater which can be worn over polos when the weather turns colder. The budget friendly option in a nice cotton fabric is the v-neck sweater from the Children's Place. Another option from Walmart is a boys zip up in acrylic.  

French Toast carries boys accessories at a great price. So when ordering the pants and oxfords recommended above, add in the reversible dress belt and a boys tie to the order.

Lastly for shoes, Payless offers some of the most budget friendly options I've seen.  Loyal Uniform Mom readers know of my bias for shoes with a leather upper, and not "Man Made Materials". Payless offers many options in boys school shoes, but only one lace up dress shoe in leather.  They also carry Champion boys sneakers.  

So here's how the recommended options break down for a wardrobe for a slim boy at a public school:

Cost	Item
4/$20.00	George Short Sleeve Polo 4 pack
2/$11.00	George Long Sleeve Polos, 2 pack
$18.00	George - Slim Boys' Flat Front Pants, 2-Pack Value Bundle
$16.98	French Toast Boys Adjustable Waist Pants Slim
$10.98	French Toast Short Sleeve Oxford Shirt
$11.98	French Toast Long Sleeve Oxford Shirt
2 at $11.99 ea	Crazy 8 Straight Jeans (Reg $19.95)
$18.71	Children's Place Uniform Zip-Up Cardigan (Reg $24.99)
$22.99	Payless Shoes Champion Boys' Summit Runner
$24.99	Payless Smartfit Boys' Leather Lace-Up Oxford
$6.98	French Toast Reversible Dress Belt
$5.50	French Toast Solid Full Make Tie
$194.07	Total Back to School Spend on Clothing

Overall, this is a pretty good haul for under $200! There are 5 bottoms, 8 shirts, a sweater, 2 pair of shoes and accessories.With a tight budget, Amber can carefully sort through any items from last year that might carry into this year. If she finds some, she can then cross those items off this suggested list and instead buy additional sweaters, jackets, snow boots, backpack or lunchbox that might need replacing for this school year.

Best Bets in Girls Shorts for School

Updated: This post was most recently reviewed and updated in 2017 to update links and ensure pricing is accurate.  This post was originally published in 2013 and is updated regularly.

Regular retail prices for the basic girls school uniform shorts range from $9 to $30. Based on my review, the target price is to find uniform shorts for under $15 per pair. When you are watching the Back to School ads or out shopping, when you find a pair that at or below that target price range, make the purchase with confidence that you've found a good sale price. 

Quality Features in Girls School Uniform Shorts:

• Adjustable Waist
• Stain Resistant
• Wrinkle Resistant

Disclosure – Affiliate Links in Use

Thanks for supporting Uniform Mom

Walmart

George - Girls' Bermuda Shorts

Best on a Budget-Girls

• CookiesKids Universal Basic Pleated $11.99
  60% Cotton, 40% Polyester.Machine.
  Wash Cold. Made in Vietnam.

• French Toast Bermuda Shorts Girls $14.98
  97% Cotton 3% Spandex. Adjustable Waistband.
  Imported. Machine wash.

• Target Cat and Jack Girls Chino Shorts $12.99
  60 %: Cotton, 40 %: Polyester. Machine Wash Cold.
  
• Walmart Genuine Dickies Girls' Traditional School Uniform Style Flat Front Shorts $12.97
  
  Cotton blend. Wrinkle Resistant. Navy, Khaki

Best for Slim Fit

• Children's Place School Uniform Shorts - Slim $19.95
• Lands' End School Uniform Girls' Plain Front Blend Chino Shorts- Slim $27

Best for Plus Fit

• Children's Place School Uniform Shorts - Plus $19.95
• Lands' End School Uniform Girls' Plain Front Blend Chino Shorts - Plus $27
• French Toast Bermuda Shorts Plus $14.98
• Target Cat and Jack Girls Chino Shorts $12.99

Related Posts:

Best Bets for Kids Polo's for Back to School

Best Bets for Girls Sweaters for School

Best Bets in Girls Blouses for School

Best Bet in Girls Scooters for School

Best Bets on Girls Pants for Back to School

Take the ECOlunchbox Challenge #Ad

How ECO is your lunchbox?

ECOlunchbox, an affiliate partner and advertiser on Uniform Mom, is challenging people everywhere to ask this important question.

Whether it’s driving an energy-efficient Prius, packing reusable water bottles instead of throw-away plastic ones, or using non-toxic household cleaners – the trends now are all about eco chic lifestyles and consumer products. Making changes in our lunchtime habits is an easy first step toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle, says Sandra Harris, president of ECOlunchboxes.com specializing in no-waste lunchboxes.

"I was so tired of our family's over-reliance on leaching plastics food containers, plastic baggies and other throw-aways," explains Harris, a Lafayette, Calif. resident. "I started ECOlunchboxes.com so people could choose to pack their lunches in a way that's healthy for people and the planet. I truly believe that lunch by lunch we can green the world a whole bunch."

Tips & Tricks to Going Green

• Did you know an average U.S. family spends about $400 extra on disposable lunchware and creates about 4,320 pieces of trash unnecessarily? These are two stunning facts from the Lunchbox Waste Study by ECOlunchboxes. 

• Harris suggests that families interested in greening their lunchtime habits start by paying close attention to how they’re packing their lunches. How many pieces of trash do you throw away each day at lunchtime? Counting the number of throw-aways used in each lunch can be a great way to inspire children and adults to start selecting reusable containers instead.

• Need more motivation to go green at lunchtime? Start paying attention to how much pre-packaged foods, like yogurt cups, energy bars, cheese sticks, chips bags and more cost per unit. Then calculate how much your family would save by buying in bulk and packing these foods in reusable containers.

 "There are multiple bottom lines," says Sandra Harris, whose company is certified through the Bay Area Green Business Program. "When we green our lunches, the environment and our pocketbooks are both winners."

Uniform Mom participates in the EcoLunchbox affiliate program. 

Thanks for supporting Uniform Mom.

Best Bets in Boys Shorts for School

Regular retail prices for the basic boys school uniform shorts range from $9 to $30. Based on my review, the target price is to find boys uniform shorts for under $15 per pair. When you are out shopping, look for boys shorts to be priced at or below that target price range. There are several features that you should look for to ensure you've found a pair of quality shorts.  Look for features such as an adjustable waist to grow with your child during the school year, look for  items treated to be stain resistant and wrinkle resistant.

Disclosure – Affiliate Links in Use

Thanks for supporting Uniform Mom

Best on a Budget - Boys

Walmart George Boys

Uniform Flat Front Shorts

• Walmart Genuine Dickies Boy's Traditional School Uniform Style Shorts $12.97
  Cotton blend. Adjustable waistband.
  Navy, Khaki 

• French Toast Flat Front Adjustable Waist Boys Shorts $15.98
  Black, Green, Grey, Navy, Khaki.
  Cotton twill. Imported. Machine wash.

• Target Cat and Jack Flat Front Boys Shorts $11.99
• 60 %: Cotton, 40 %: Polyester.
  Machine Wash Cold. Adjustable Waistband.

Best for Slim Fit-Boys

• Lands' End School Uniform Boys' Plain Front Stain & Wrinkle Resistant Chino Shorts - Slim
• Old Navy Boys Built-In Flex Uniform Shorts - Slim

Best for Husky Fit-Boys

• Target Cat and Jack Flat Front Shorts Husky 
• French Toast Flat Front Adjustable Waist Boys Shorts Husky
• Lands' End School Uniform Boys' Plain Front Stain & Wrinkle Resistant Chino Shorts - Husky
• Old Navy Boys Built-In Flex Uniform Shorts - Husky

This post was updated in summer 2017. This post was originally published in 2013.  It is updated annually to reflect any changes in prices and features. 

Related Posts:

Best Bets for Boys Oxford Shirts

Best Bets on Boys Sweaters for School

Best Bets in Boys School Blazers

Best Bets for Boys Pants for Back to School

Best Bets on Girls Pants for Back to School

Updated: This post has been updated for the Back to School 2017 season. This post was originally published in 2013, but is reviewed an updated regularly to ensure the links and ensure pricing is still accurate.

The regular retail price for basic girls school uniform pants at the major retailers range from just under $10 and up to $30 a pair. Based on my comparison reviews, you should set a target price to find girls uniform pants for under $15 each. When you are watching the Back to School ads or out shopping and you find a pair that at or below that target price range, make the purchase with confidence that you've found a good sale price.

There are several features you should look for in girls uniform pants to get the best value for your dollar:

• Adjustable Waist 
• Stain Resistant 
• Wrinkle Resistant 
• Reinforced Knees 
• Adjustable Hem

Disclosure – Affiliate Links in Use 

Thanks for supporting Uniform Mom

Best on a Budget

George Girls Flat Front Pants at Walmart

• George Girls School Uniforms Flat Front Pants with Stain Resistant Scotchguard Treatment
  Navy, Black and Khaki
  60% Cotton/40% Polyester.
  Stain Resistant. Adjustable waistband.Machine Wash Cold. Imported.
  $12.97, also available in 2 pack (featured on right)
• CookiesKids Lee Uniforms Big Girls' Original Straight Leg Pant
  97% Cotton/3% Spandex. Machine Wash Cold.
  Made in Vietnam.
  $16.99

Best Bets for Slim Fit

• Children's Place Girls Uniform Skinny Pants
• French Toast Girls Adjustable Waist Pants Slim Fit (7S-14S)
• Gap Uniform Ponte Pants or Uniform Stretch Skinny Chinos  (Slim fit)
• JCPenney Izod Skinny Pants
• Lands' End (various options)
• Old Navy Girls Stretch Skinny Khaki Uniform Pants
• Walmart George Girls Skinny Pants

Best Bets for Plus Fit

• Children's Place Uniform Pants - Plus
• Cookies Genuine Girls Straight Leg Flat Front Pants (Plus sizes)
• French Toast Girls Adjustable Waist Pants Plus Fit (10.5P - 20.5P)
• JCPenney Izod Bootcut Flat Front Pants - Girls Plus
• Lands' End (various options)
• Walmart George Girls Plus Flat Front Adjustable Waist Pants

Related Posts:

Best Bets for Kids Polo's for Back to School

Best Bets for Girls Sweaters for School

Best Bets in Girls Blouses for School

Best Bet in Girls Scooters for School

Best Bets in Girls Shorts for School

Best Bets for Boys Pants for Back to School

Updated: This post was originally published in 2013; however, it has most recently been reviewed and updated in July 2017 to update links and ensure pricing is accurate for the Back to School Season.

There are a few features you want to look for when shopping for boys pants for school.  Top quality boys school uniform pants will contain all of the following features:

• Adjustable Waist - boys can grow quite a bit over a school year.  Ideally you want to buy new pants a bit on the big side and be able to adjust the waist smaller for a comfortable fit. Throughout the year, you can let out the waist as needed.
• Stain Resistant -  The playground and the lunchroom are all places your son will visit daily and they are the most likely places to encounter spills and acquire stains.  The stain resistant fabrics make it easier to keep the laundry regiment simple.
• Wrinkle Resistant - When you drop your son off for school in the morning, you want him to look his best.  However, few of us have time for ironing the laundry.  Wrinkle resistant pants look great right out of the dryer.
• Reinforced Knees - Kids spend a good deal of time on the floor of the classroom or library, running around in PE and on the playground at recess.  Basic pants aren't meant to take that type of abuse.  Lucky for us many of the uniform retailers make school pants with reinforced knees to help prevent wholes in the knees.

Regular retail prices for the basic boys school uniform pants range from $10 to $30. Based on my review, your target price should be to find boys uniform pants for under $15 per pair. When you are watching the Back to School ads or out shopping, when you find a pair that at or below that target price range with the features listed above, make the purchase with confidence that you've found a good sale price.

Disclosure – Affiliate Links in Use

Thanks for supporting Uniform Mom

Best on a Budget

Walmart George Boys' Flat Front Pants
(featured on right)

Navy, Black, Gary, Granite, & Khaki
Cotton blend.
Reinforced knees for durability.
Treated with Scotchgard protector.
Adjustable waistband. Wrinkle resistant.

$12.97 or 2/$25.00

CookiesKids Genuine Flat Front Twill Pants

Navy and Khaki
60% Cotton, 40% Polyester.
Machine Wash Cold. Made in Bangladesh
$14.00

CookiesKids U.S. Polo Assn. Boys Flat Front Pants
Navy and Khaki
60% Cotton, 40% Polyester.
Machine Wash Cold. Made in Bangladesh
$14.99

Best Bets for Slim Fit

• Walmart George - Slim Boys' Pleated Twill Pants
• Children's Place Boys Skinny Chino Pants
• French Toast Adjustable Waist Double Knee Pant
• Lands' End Slim Fit Iron Knee Plain Front Chinos

Best Bets for Husky Fit

• Walmart George Husky Boys' Flat Front Pants 
• Children's Place Chino Pants Husky
• CookiesKids (various options)
• French Toast (various options)
• Lands' End Husky Fit Iron Knee Plain Front Chinos

Related Posts:

Best Bets for Boys Oxford Shirts

Best Bets on Boys Sweaters for School

Best Bets in Boys School Blazers

Best Bets in Boys Shorts for School