The best school uniforms for 2025: tested, washed and worn by over 100 real families
Hundreds of families across the country have put school uniforms from the UK’s biggest brands to the test for us – here are the uniforms that came out on top for 2025
Choosing school uniform shouldn’t be a gamble – especially when you’re buying multipacks, hoping they'll survive the school year, or dressing a child who needs a little extra comfort or support.
That’s why, once again, we’ve called on real families to put the UK’s biggest school uniform brands to the test.
From supermarket staples to hidden gems, over 100 real family testers and more than 450 survey respondents rated uniforms for quality, fit, washability, value and ease of dressing.
The result? A trusted, real-world guide to the best school uniforms you can buy in 2025 – whatever your budget, priorities or family needs.
Jump to:
- Best Supermarket School Uniform: Tesco F&F
- Best High Street School Uniform: John Lewis
- Best Easy On School Uniform: George at Asda
- Best School Uniform for Durability: Next
- Best School Uniform Hidden Gem: Trutex
- Best Value School Uniform: Tu at Sainsbury's
- Most Trusted School Uniform Brand: Marks & Spencer
- Highly Commended – Best One-Stop Budget Deal: Aldi
- How we decided on the best school uniforms
Best Supermarket School Uniform 2025
Celebrating the best school uniform range available in UK supermarkets, based on value, fit, washability and everyday practicality.
Winner: F&F at Tesco
F&F at Tesco impressed both our parent testers and over 400 survey respondents with its standout mix of affordability, durability and quality.
It achieved the highest overall score from parent testers, along with top marks for value and wash performance. Parents consistently noted how the items felt well-made and looked smart even after repeated washing.
Parent tester Hollie shared, who tested F&F uniform with her daughter Elsie, told us:
My daughter was very excited and couldn’t wait to try the uniform on. She said they were all extremely comfortable and commented on how soft the polo tops and cardigans were on her skin.
Parent tester Amina, who tested F&F uniform with her son Aahad, told us:
We thought the uniform felt of great quality. The trousers seemed of good quality too especially round the knees... The material of the polo shirt and sweatshirt was soft and felt like it would be comfortable to wear. Even the trousers were soft material. The sizes seemed generous allowing for plenty of growing, which is another bonus.
Parent tester Lisa, who tested F&F uniform with her daughter Alyssa, said:
We were really impressed! All the uniform felt really nice quality and a soft material… I added up the cost of the uniform and I was really impressed with how much uniform we got for the price.
In our reader survey, Tesco ranked fourth most-used overall and scored highly for value, with many parents highlighting it as their “go-to” for multipack essentials. Its combination of accessibility, available in-store and online, and consistent quality made it a clear winner.
Best High Street School Uniform 2025
Recognising the best high street brand for families who want quality fabrics, smart finishes and schoolwear that lasts all term and beyond.
Winner: John Lewis
John Lewis claims this year’s Best High Street School Uniform award with an excellent overall tester score and standout performance in both quality and washability. Parents consistently praised the premium feel, smart appearance and long-lasting construction, making it a top-tier choice for families willing to invest a little more.
Parent tester Danielle, who tested John Lewis uniform with her daughter Poppy, told us:
First impressions were that the uniform looked and felt like really good quality! The quality of the materials felt premium. Poppy took particular attention to the summer dress and couldn’t wait to twirl around in it!
She added:
The fastenings (buttons, zips) felt sturdy and strong. The uniform was delivered in nice packaging and included hangers, which I liked.
In terms of performance, Danielle also noted:
The trousers, skirt and summer dress in particular held their shape very well. The rest of the uniform washed perfectly.
Despite being less frequently used than supermarkets in our survey, John Lewis earned strong word-of-mouth recommendations. Testers also noted the styling, soft feel, and durability, making it a high street uniform worth paying for.
Best Easy On School Uniform 2025
Awarded to the brand that makes school dressing easier – with features like Velcro fastenings, elasticated waists and sensory-friendly designs.
Winner: George at Asda
George at Asda stood out with its thoughtful approach to accessibility, earning the highest overall score among Easy On testers. Parents praised its use of Velcro fastenings, soft-feel polos, and elasticated waists that made dressing independently much easier for younger or sensory-sensitive children.
Parent tester Niharika, who tested George at Asda uniform with her daughter Ayra, told us:
My daughter found the uniform very comfortable to wear. The fabric felt soft against the skin, and the fit was just right. The skirts with the adjustable waist were particularly helpful, ensuring a snug yet comfortable fit that can adapt as she grows. The quality of the uniform was excellent. All the items felt durable, well-made and thoughtfully designed for everyday school use. We were very impressed with the craftsmanship.
Parent tester Katy, who tested George at Asda uniform with her daughter Elora, told us:
We loved the Velcro fastenings on the dresses and polo shirts. In fact, I thought they were real buttons and only realised they weren’t when we came to try them on! Elora said she liked the Velcro better than the zips and buttons on our usual uniform because “it went on quicker” - important for busy mornings!
Parent tester Jade, who tested George at Asda uniform with her son Oakley, who has sensory processing issues, told us:
This Velcro has changed dressing independently. Oakley masks all day at school and when he gets home it becomes very apparent, he needs to release his pent-up emotions. He can sometimes very quickly whip off his uniform in an emotional episode and buttons can make this process even more challenging. However, now he can independently remove his polo, which allows him to have the alone time he needs. He has had so much interest from his peers about his polo shirt which has really boosted his confidence!
She added:
You’ve made a little boy very happy with his new-found independence!
With impressive value marks, George at Asda combines affordability with inclusive design, making it the most accessible option for a wide range of children.
Best School Uniform for Durability 2025
Celebrating the uniform that holds up best to daily wear and tear – from reinforced knees to colours that survive dozens of washes.
Winner: Next
Next takes the award for Best School Uniform for Durability thanks to its exceptional tester scores for both wash rating and quality, and an impressive overall score.
Parents consistently highlighted how well the items held their shape and colour after multiple washes — with several noting they looked “good as new” even after weeks of wear.
Parent tester Emma, who tested Next’s uniform with her daughter Paris, told us:
I thought it felt amazing — like amazing quality fabric — and Paris just loves the colour of the polo shirt and thinks it’s very soft.
Parent tester Emily, who tested Next’s uniform with her son Milo, told us:
I was surprised how all of them could be washed at the same temperature, although I was a little bit hesitant about the red jumpers being washed, I did put a colour catcher in with them, but it wasn’t discoloured much at all.
Parent tester Lesley, who tested Next’s uniform with her child Lucy, told us:
This uniform is amazing - I have fallen in love! I’m very happy with wash results, personally I think it could pass as brand new and not worn. It’s a bit dearer than supermarket brands, but you’re definitely paying for the quality. I think it will last much longer before it starts to fade or show signs of wear. Lucy loved everything she wore.
Next’s combination of resilient fabrics and smart design proved ideal for daily wear, particularly for shirts and polos, which are often the first to show signs of wear. It’s a brand you can count on to go the distance.
Best School Uniform Hidden Gem 2025
Spotlighting an under-the-radar brand that wowed testers with unexpectedly high quality, value or comfort – despite being less well-known.
Winner: Trutex
Trutex may not be the most widely known name on the high street, but it received the highest overall score of any brand in our testing — outperforming even the biggest players on quality, value and durability.
Parent testers consistently praised the professional finish and standout attention to detail, with perfect 10s for quality and wash performance.
Parent tester Nisha, who tested Trutex uniform with her son Jacob, told us:
The quality is far better than the supermarket ranges we’ve tried — the stitching, thickness and construction felt noticeably better. All of the uniform was easy to wash, and it’s held its shape really well.
Parent tester Gillian, who tested Trutex with her daughter Mirren, said:
She thought the dress was great because it had pockets and the cardigan was soft. I agreed — the dress looked really smart, and the socks seemed thick and high quality.
And parent tester Lauryn, who tested Trutex with her daughter Eliza, shared:
The uniform came with a first-day tag and even had laundry care cards included — such a thoughtful touch. It looked and felt like proper premium schoolwear.
While not as widely stocked as supermarkets, Trutex is a specialist in schoolwear — and it shows. From sturdy seams to long-lasting colour and careful extras, it delivers high-performance pieces that hold their own against more premium high street brands.
If you haven’t discovered this hidden gem yet, it’s one to add to your shortlist.
Most Trusted School Uniform Brand 2025
Recognising the brand families return to year after year for reliable sizing, quality construction and fuss-free back-to-school shopping.
Winner: Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer remains one of the UK’s most trusted names in school uniform — and for good reason. While it didn’t take the top spot in value or budget categories, it earned consistently high scores from parent testers across quality, fit, wash performance and appearance.
Testers praised the smart finishes, well-cut designs, and reliable sizing that made M&S feel like a safe, easy choice.
Parent tester Katie, who tested M&S uniform with her son Robin, told us:
The feel of the materials of the jumper and socks were particularly soft and high quality — the kind you know would still look good at the end of term.
Parent tester Victoria, who tested M&S with her son Romeo, said:
They washed really well — probably the best uniform we’ve had in terms of coming out of the machine looking and feeling like new.
She added:
I’m now an M&S convert. It has a great reputation and I was really impressed.
In our reader survey, M&S was one of the most commonly used brands overall, with many parents saying it was the uniform they “always come back to.” From crease-resistant shirts to soft jersey trousers, M&S delivers polished, hard-wearing basics that have earned long-standing family loyalty.
For parents who want quality they can count on, M&S remains the brand they trust most.
Best Value School Uniform 2025
For the uniform that offers the strongest overall performance for the price – balancing quality, washability and affordability.
Winner: Tu at Sainsbury's
Tu at Sainsbury's is this year’s winner for Best Value, with the highest value-for-money rating and impressive scores for quality and wash performance.
Testers praised its soft fabrics, durable finishes, and the way it performed like a premium uniform at a supermarket price.
Parent tester Danielle, who tested Tu at Sainbury’s uniform with her son Otto, shared:
I thought that for the price point it was great — colours were good, quality looked good and the fact that most items were multipacks was great.
She added:
As a supermarket brand the value for money is great — you add in the potential for money-off offers or the ability to earn loyalty points and the value just increases. The multipacks make even better value as two pairs of trousers are £7.
Parent tester Kalisa, who tested Tu’s uniform with her daughter Harper, said:
I loved the quality and feel of the items. My daughter loved the collar of the T-shirt, and the frills on the summer dress. I think it is good value for money and along the same price as other supermarket stores. I would be happy to pay those prices.
Parent tester Cheryl, whose daughter Isabella-Mai, who has autism, also praised Tu's inclusive design:
We were both really impressed with the Velcro rather than having to do up buttons — she struggles with this and it can cause a lot of stress in the mornings. The uniform is definitely making it easier for autistic families. Very good value.
If you want the best of both worlds – quality and affordability – Tu is the top pick.
Highly Commended
Acknowledging the retailer offering incredible-value uniform bundles – ideal for last-minute or all-in-one schoolwear hauls.
Aldi – Best One-Stop Budget Deal
Many parents in our survey mentioned Aldi’s ultra-low-cost bundles as a go-to for last-minute, full-uniform hauls.
The brand’s limited-time Specialbuys — often including polo shirts, sweatshirts and trousers for under £5 — make it a fantastic option for families shopping on a shoestring.
If you can catch the stock while it's in, Aldi remains one of the most cost-effective ways to buy a complete uniform in one go.
How we decided on the best school uniforms
To find the best school uniforms for UK families in 2025, we combined in-depth parent testing with insights from hundreds of parents in the MadeForMums Big School Uniform Survey.
Parent testing
We asked 100 real families to trial school uniforms from a wide range of brands over several weeks. Each tester assessed the uniform on key criteria, including:
- Fit: How well the items fit straight out of the packet and after washing
- Quality: Fabric feel, construction, stitching and overall durability
- Wash performance: How well items stood up to regular washing and tumble drying
- Value for money: Whether parents felt the uniform justified its price
- Ease of dressing (for Easy On entries): Including features like Velcro, pull-on trousers and sensory-friendly fabrics
Testers also gave an overall score, shared before and after washing photos to monitor shrinkage and wash quality, images of the fit and style of the uniform on their child, and shared detailed written feedback, which helped us understand exactly what worked (or didn’t) in real homes.
National survey
In parallel, we ran a large-scale School Uniform Survey with more than 450 UK parents. This told us:
- Which brands were most commonly used
- How parents rated them for value, quality, fit and longevity
- Which brands families felt loyal to – or had moved on from
How we chose the winners
We selected winners by combining:
- Average tester scores
- Written insights and standout quotes
- Popularity and performance in our national survey
In one case, we created a new category (Most Trusted) to reflect how parents were genuinely using and experiencing different brands.
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