The best back-to-school uniform from Next, M&S, Asda and more

If the summer sun continues on to September, you might want to keep your little one in a summer dress for a little longer. Available in Red and Blue, these checked school summer dresses come as a two-pack, making them great value for money. They're available from 4 - 16 years old and have lots of cute features, include little pin tucks on the sleeve and an elasticated waist to make them look smarter. One reviewer noted also noted this made them easier to use, saying "As there was no tie it was actually easier for my daughter to dress herself and the buttons were also easy for her to manage."

The reviews are overwhelmingly favourable, with one saying "These dresses are just great. Superb quality and great value." Reviewers found they washed well and many commented on the value for money, "Excellent quality at reasonable price. Will last the full school year even after multiple washes."

The Asda George School Polo Shirt is ideal as part of uniform or for their PE kit. It has a button down collar and short sleeves and comes as a pack of 5 so you can be sure you'll always have one to hand for each day, no matter how messy they get at school!

They come in Blue, Red, Yellow and White, and are available in sizes from 3-4 years to 15-16 years. This 5 pack of polo shirts comes highly rated by parent buyers, with one reviewer saying "Good quality product, washes really good, keeps its shape and colour, lasts for duration of school year."

Suitable for indoor shoes for PE, the Kids Riptape Plimsolls have a Freshfeet design to prevent odours. They're riptape so they're easy for little ones to take on and off, to swap for their outdoor shoes at school. They're a flexible cotton design with supportive underfoot foam. They're lightweight, so comfortable for little ones to wear, but schools will also appreciate that they're non-marking so shouldn't damage school hall floors.

Reviewers did mention they're quite wide, which some found to be a selling point "My kid is a G width fitting at Clark’s, and these are the widest plimsolls I could find. They have a soft cushioned sole and are machine washable which is a bonus."

M&S school uniform is consistently popular with parents and this pinafore dress doesn't disappoint. The sleeveless, cotton-rich pinafore is incredibly sweet and is available in a wide variety of sizes from 2-3 years to 11-12 years. The Girls' Jersey Frilled School Pinafore is perfect for most primary school uniforms and they can add a polo shirt underneath in their own school colours.

It's a traditional pinafore design but the frilled sleeves add a little edge, which one reviewer notes, "This is a lovely little dress and perfect for my little girl who loves things all pretty and girly. Conforms to the school uniform rules but lets her show her personality."

The fabric is responsibly sourced cotton and polyester to make it hard-wearing and mum reviewers agreed, with one saying "I've been buying these M&S jersey pinafores for 4 years now as they are so comfy and look good. They are also good quality so I've been passing them down when my daughter outgrows them."

These boys school trousers from Next offer all you need in terms of choice, with three colour options - Black, Grey and Navy - and four waist options - Plus, Regular, Regular Pull-on and Slim. They even offer three options for the leg style, with Slim, Skinny and Straight, so even the fussiest kid should find a combo of style options to suit their taste.

They boast an easy-iron finish and Teflon EcoElite™ technology which is a non-fluorinated plant-based finish that repels water and water-based stains for easy cleaning and quick drying. The adjustable elasticated waistband provides extra comfort and flexibility for different sized waists while the hook and bar fastening is easy for little fingers to manage.

Reviewers praised the quality, fit and material, with one echoing many of the reviews by saying "I used to buy supermarket trousers but after buying these for 2 years now, I continue to buy from Next. This is because the material is great and they keep the shape. Although they cost a little more, they look very smart, and the colour doesn’t fade. We have had our last pair for under a year and they still look like new. They can also be adjusted. I would highly recommend this product."

This Fruit of the Loom Kids Unisex Classic Sweatshirt is a slightly large fit that's comfortable to wear. It comes in a variety of colours too that adhere to plenty of school uniform colour policies and is a good value option for PE.

Reviewers mentioned that they're comfortable to wear, "I really like these jumpers as my son doesn't like fleeces if they have a hood. I was looking for new jumpers and these are lovely and he loves wearing them and they wash well" said one. A number of reviewers mention that the sizes are large though this could mean they'll last longer as your child grows throughout the year!

The Black Hampton Classics Emily School Shoes are one of Trotters' most popular school shoes thanks to the classic Mary Jane style and the comfortable fit. They're available in a wide range of sizes and 3 colours - Navy, Black and Patent Black. There's a single strap that's easy to adjust and fasten, to ensure comfort and it also has soft heel pads for comfort and support. They're made from 100% premium European leather and fully leather lined for extra comfort.

They do come with a fairly high price tag but the quality leather and design makes them a very smart option.

Like the Next school uniform trousers, this two pack of boys school shorts have a Teflon coating to resist stains and spills. They're also crease resistant, to save time on ironing and are tumble-dryer safe for those mornings when you discover they need a quick wash! They come in a range of sizes, from 3-4 years to 11-12 years and have an adjustable waistband so you can change them to fit your little one. The hook and bar fastening makes it easier for little fingers to do up and they have pockets waiting to be filled with rocks, twigs and other kiddy 'keepsakes'.

Reviewers were impressed with the quality, with one saying "Ordered school shorts for my son. They arrived really quickly and I am pleased with the quality versus the price. The shorts are a great length as well, and not as short as some other options on the market. Really good value."

This Trutex cotton blend school uniform cardigan is made from a mix of cotton, acrylic and nylon to make it durable, soft and warm with a low bobble finish. It's available in a wide range of sizes, making it suitable from 3 to 16 years old and is shaped at the waist with a regular fit. It boasts Stay Smart Technology with elastane on the neck, hem and cuffs which helps retain the shape after multiple wears and washes while the fine knit offers a super soft finish for extra comfort.

While reviewers noted that these are more expensive than cheap school uniform, they were agreed that they're worth the extra money. "Again, expensive. Yes.. But very good quality .. Not prone to tears at the seams or hems. Not too tight around the send either and a good length. I hope she doesn't lose these as I can't afford replacements.. But I won't be replacing them because they get holes in them etc like all the others I've bought before now."

If your child's school allows trainers for school shoes, these CicaStarbOrb school trainers are perfect and come highly rated by mum buyers. Even better, Clarks has frozen its 2023 prices for this shoe so you're getting better value for money. With a range of sizes available, from 7-2.5 in smaller sizes and 3-8 in larger sizes, with a range of widths available, you can make sure they're a perfect fit for your child's feet.

We love that they're machine washable to make it easy to clean up after running around a muddy field, and they've also been designed with comfort in mind. The padded tongue and collars to offer comfort and support around the ankle, while flex grooves and pivot points on the rubber sole aid with flexible, uninhibited movement. They'll stay smelling fresh thanks to the Microban® odour control lining and the perforated leather upper which helps with breathability.

Reviewers felt they could trust Clarks' shoes to last well, with one commenting, "Excellent quality, great value for money. The school shoes I buy my son from Clarks tend to survive the whole academic year, which is an achievement in itself."