Taller by Fall

When school uniforms go on clearance, and what size to buy

Uniform polos, khakis and skirts are cheapest in September and October, once the back-to-school rush is over and stores take the displays down. A second round of markdowns comes in January.

When the markdowns happen

July and August: the widest choice, and short sales on polos to bring shoppers in. This is the time to buy what is needed now.
September, and into October: the displays come down and what is left is marked down. This is the time to buy for next year.
January: a second round of markdowns.

Uniforms are the easiest clothes to buy a year ahead. A navy polo and khaki pants look the same next year as they do this year, so nothing goes out of style in the drawer.

What size to buy

Uniforms bought in September have to last a long time. They are first worn about 12 months later, and they are still being worn at the end of that school year, 21 months from now. This table is for a kid of average height.

Boys

Age in September	Wear now	Next fall	The spring after
4	4T	5	6
5	5	6	7
6	6	7	7
7	7	8	8
8	8	8	10
9	8	10	10
10	10	12	12
11	12	12	14
12	12	14	16

Girls

Age in September	Wear now	Next fall	The spring after
4	4T	5	6
5	5	6	7
6	6	7	7
7	7	8	8
8	8	8	10
9	8	10	10
10	10	12	12
11	12	14	14
12	14	14	14

Where the two yellow sizes are the same, buy that size. Where they differ, your kid will change size partway through the school year, and the list below says which to pick.

Get the size for your kid

Which size for which piece

Polos and sweaters: buy the bigger size. A roomy polo tucks in and nobody notices.
Pants, shorts and skirts with an adjustable waist: buy the bigger size and cinch the waist for the first few months.
Fitted pants with no adjustment: buy the smaller size, and plan on a second pair midyear.
Short sleeves and shorts are worn at both ends of the school year, in August and again in May. The bigger size covers both.

If pants in the right length never fit your kid's waist, uniform pants often come in slim, husky and plus sizes.

Before you stock up

Check the school's rules for the exact colors, and whether a logo is required. Plain pieces go on clearance. Pieces with the school's own logo usually come from one supplier and are rarely discounted.
If your kid may change schools, stick to white and navy polos and khaki or navy bottoms, the most widely accepted colors.
Ask whether the school runs a used-uniform sale or swap. For logo items it is often the only discount there is.

Where to look

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One short email when each season's markdowns begin: coats in January, swimsuits in July, costumes on November 1. Nothing else.

More guides

Clearance