More parents across the UK are turning to second-hand marketplaces for school uniforms as the cost of living crisis deepens, making the back-to-school shop a challenging task for many families. According to a study by Yodel, around 47% of parents are now opting for pre-owned uniforms, while another 28% say they would consider this option in the future. With the new school year beginning in September, concerns about the rising cost of uniforms are increasing, as 71% of parents reported seeing prices climb over the last two years.
Many parents are feeling the pressure to replace uniforms that their children have outgrown, and over half are worried about the costs associated with buying new clothing. As a result, around 43% are turning to charity shops, and many are also exploring school uniform banks—community-run initiatives where parents can donate, sell, or swap items their children no longer need. Nearly half of parents are also buying uniforms from online marketplaces like Vinted and eBay, although strict school uniform requirements, such as branded badges, can make finding affordable items challenging.
Branded items, including blazers, ties, and PE kits, often push costs into the hundreds for families with multiple children. Recognising this burden, the new Labour government has pledged to introduce a Children’s Wellbeing Bill, which aims to limit the number of branded items schools can require. According to the government, this will help “reduce costs for parents and remove barriers preventing children from accessing sport and other activities.” Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has stated that a cap of three branded items per uniform will be implemented.
A report by Hodge Bank highlights the financial strain, revealing that parents spend an average of £422 annually on school uniforms, with total costs before returning to school reaching as high as £1,100. In response to these pressures, more grandparents are stepping in to help, with Clearpay data showing a 483% increase in over-57s buying schoolbags and a 383% rise in purchases of PE kits over the past year.
While buying second-hand uniforms is one way to manage costs, selling old uniforms that children have outgrown or no longer need can also help parents recoup some money. Yodel estimates that parents could make up to £150 annually by selling unwanted uniforms, and 13% of parents have already turned to online platforms to do just that. Despite these savings, around a third of parents still choose to throw away or store old uniforms.
Sam Holden, Chief Commercial Officer of Yodel, commented, “The booming pre-owned market is a win-win for parents, and we’re seeing millions of second hand school uniforms travelling through our network to be given a new lease of life. There have never been so many options when it comes to the back-to-school shop—people are making significant savings as well as some extra cash by selling clothes their kids might have grown out of.”
According to the Department for Education’s guidelines on school uniforms, the proposed Children’s Wellbeing Bill aims to limit the number of branded items required, helping to reduce costs for families.
