YOU might feel the summer holidays have barely begun, but when it comes to buying uniform, it’s back to school as high street shops and supermarkets have launched a price war.

A few years ago, there was a limited choice available.

But big names have cottoned on to the fact there’s money to be made out of pleated skirts, jumpers and shirts.

The latest to launch a range is Lidl, who are selling a two-pack of polo shirts at an incredible £1.25.

Does that make Lidl top of the class? Or is it the school dunce because quality has to be sacrificed when prices are so cheap?

I checked out five of the most popular ranges.

Asda

Price – A two-pack of Stay White polo shirts will set you back from £2.50, basic black trousers are from £3 and a jumper from £3.

Range – A great choice, including plus size trousers and adjustable waistbands on lots of items. One of the best ranges of colours we found, so if your child’s school insists on a bright green polo shirt, don’t panic.

Style – There’s a College and Sixth Form range of trendier looks for fussier teenagers! Trend points for the city shorts and lovely peplum shirts, each from £4 and formal suits from £9 for the trousers.

Quality – Lots of the range is finished with Teflon Shield and Clean, so it should last longer. Whether it lasts a whole school year depends on how much rough and tumble your kids are involved in! Some mums in Dundee’s Asda weren’t convinced the polo shirts would hold their shape.

B – Good to see Asda taking their schoolwork more seriously.

Lidl

Price – With polo tops, skirts and sweatshirts from £1.25 each, it’s a budget-busting £3.75 for a basic uniform.

Range – From socks to a cosy parka and everything in between. The colours available are a bit more limited than some other ranges, but the traditional favourites of white, navy, black and grey are well catered for.

Style – Some of the styles are basic and lack the finishing touches of dearer ranges. But do you really care if the skirt doesn’t have a little touch of floral embroidery on it? The girls’ polo shirts are cute, with subtle scallop-edged collars.

Quality – We love the unisex parka at an unbeatable £9.99. The polo shirts might not hold their shape long – but at £1.25 for a two-pack, what’s to stop you from buying 10 to last throughout the year?

A – A great attempt from Lidl – well done!

M&S

Price – Expect to pay from £9-£15 for two-packs of girls’ non-iron blouses and £3-£5 on Skin Kind trousers. A whole uniform is from £11.50.

Range – There’s an extensive range and it goes from tots to teens. But it does tend to sell out of certain sizes quickly. Various styles of trousers, skirts and shirts in differing finishes and plus sizes available, too.

Pleat-front trousers, £9 — Pleat-front trousers, from £9

Style – Most of the skirts are slightly longer – but there are one or two shorter ones in there that we reckon lots of teenage girls will be begging Mum for! The culottes are a stylish practical option.

Quality – There’s a reason so many still choose M&S above all others. Quality is second to none and everything is built to last.

A – Top of the class!

Morrisons

Price – Budget. From £2 for a two-pack of polo shirts and £2 for a sweatshirt, you can kit out your little darling with trousers, polo shirt and sweatshirt for £7.

Range – More extensive than before, the range is obviously increasing in popularity as it seems to grow in size every year.

Style – The girls’ range still lacks some of the little touches that can make all the difference. It depends how fussy you or your wee princess is! Our junior fashion followers loved the boys’ cargo shorts.

Quality – It’s budget priced, but we reckon quality is pretty good considering what you’re paying.

C – A bit more effort on detail and Morrisons could get an A.

Verdict

For sheer quality, we reckon you still have to go a long way to beat M&S. But Lidl are certainly giving the old favourite a run for their money and the range is bound to be popular.

If you’re on a budget or buying for quite a few kids, there are plenty of options available. If your kids are younger and not particularly fussy, you can save money by going for one of these cheaper choices.

And if you’re thinking the school holidays have barely started and it’s far too soon to think about buying any uniform, then we’ve got news for you! Lots of sizes are already being snapped up, especially at the more popular shops.

Just think – if you get it out of the way now, you won’t have a mad dash a week before the holidays start. Trust us, that’s way more stressful than starting now!

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