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School uniform has to cope with far more than the first-day photo. It needs to survive busy mornings, playgrounds, paint, grass stains and wash after wash, all while staying comfortable enough for children to forget they're wearing it. So for the 2026 MadeForMums School Uniform Awards, we set out to find the uniform and PE kit that genuinely stands up to everyday family life.
Rather than judging from a showroom, we put the UK's leading brands where it matters most: in real family homes. MadeForMums families tested uniform and PE kit with their own children, wearing, playing in and washing each item just as they would through a normal school term. They rated every piece on fit, quality, comfort, value, wash performance and ease of dressing, and shared detailed feedback along with before-and-after washing results.
To add even greater depth, we also gathered insight from more than 500 parents in our Big School Uniform Survey. Their real-world experiences enrich our findings, reinforcing and celebrating the results our testers uncovered first-hand. At the heart of every award, though, is how each uniform genuinely performed for the families who put it to the test — hands-on, at home, through real school life.
The result is a practical, tried-and-tested guide to the school uniform that truly stood out in 2026 — from durability and value to Easy On designs, everyday comfort and PE kit.
Every winner below has been tested, washed and worn by real families, so you can shop for the term ahead with confidence.
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The Winners
Best High Street School Uniform — John Lewis
Best School Uniform for Durability — Next
Best Easy On School Uniform — Marks & Spencer
Best School PE Kit (Joint Winner) — Very
Best School PE Kit (Joint Winner) — Nutmeg at Morrisons
Best Value School Uniform — Tu at Sainsbury's
Best Budget School Uniform — Matalan
Best Supermarket School Uniform — F&F at Tesco
Best Premium School Uniform — Trutex
Best Sustainable School Uniform — Price & Buckland
Best School Uniform for Comfort — George at Asda
Watch our winners videos!
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Best High Street School Uniform — John Lewis
John Lewis won our High Street category for uniform that looks smart, fits well and is built to last.
Our testers consistently praised the premium feel and reliable construction.
"The quality of the John Lewis uniform is fantastic. All the items feel very well made and durable," said tester Elena, while Andrea found the fit so good it justified the spend: "The quality and fit of the uniform is amazing and makes it so worth the price."
That value-for-quality verdict was echoed in our wider survey, where one parent told us: "As a family we love John Lewis uniform. It is nicely designed, soft and comfortable, long lasting and washes well."
For families wanting polished uniform designed to go the distance, John Lewis is our high-street pick.
Shop John Lewis school uniform
Best School Uniform for Durability — Next
When uniform is washed week after week, durability is everything, and Next impressed our testers with thick, dependable fabrics that held their colour and shape.
"Everything came out looking like new — no fading or stretching," reported tester Lesley. Ijeoma agreed: "The material felt durable, comfortable, and held up well after washing and everyday wear."
Survey parents backed this up, with one telling us: "Impressed with the Next uniform I bought. It has lasted well, nearly all year, and washed really well."
For hard-working schoolwear that keeps going until it's outgrown, Next takes our Durability award.
Best Easy On School Uniform — Marks & Spencer
Buttons, labels and fiddly fastenings can turn school mornings into a battle, so M&S won our Easy On category for adaptive details that make dressing simpler and more independent, without looking any different.
Tester Natasha called the Velcro polo tops "a game changer for children that find buttons difficult or sensory triggering," adding that "it was a delight to see her so receptive to school uniform."
Survey parents are equally devoted, with one telling us: "M&S school uniform is my absolute go-to. I love the quality, the fit, the huge range of options online and the value."
For thoughtful uniform that reduces stress on busy mornings, M&S is our Easy On winner.
Shop Marks and Spencer school uniform
Best School PE Kit (Joint Winner) — Very
A good PE kit needs to stay comfortable through running, jumping and a full day at school, and Very delivered with soft fabrics, freedom of movement and standout wash performance.
Tester Samantha said her son Ayden "found the kit very soft and comfortable and wanted to stay in it!" while Neha found it especially comfortable in warm weather: "She loved the comfort it provided during this heat."
Survey parents praised its longevity too: "The cardigans have not shrunk over 12 months of use, even with regular tumble drying, and that is unheard of."
Breathable, flexible and easy to wash, Very.co.uk is a joint winner of our PE Kit award.
Best School PE Kit (Joint Winner) — Nutmeg at Morrisons
PE doesn't always mean the same weather or activity, and Nutmeg at Morrisons stood out for versatile layers that work across the whole school day.
Tester Emma found her son Elliott "comfortable and cool in shorts and T-shirt, and warm in the joggers and hoody," while Sian valued the extra coverage: "The longer T-shirt made me feel my child was fully covered and comfortable whilst doing PE."
Our survey echoed the praise: "Really impressed with the sports T-shirt. It seems good quality and my child says they don't get too hot in it."
For adaptable PE kit that keeps children comfortable whatever the day brings, Nutmeg shares our PE Kit award.
Shop Nutmeg at Morrisons school uniform
Best Value School Uniform — Tu at Sainsbury's
Buying enough uniform for a full week adds up fast, and Tu at Sainsbury's won our Value category by combining accessible prices and useful multipacks with dependable quality.
"We couldn't believe how much we had for the price!" said tester Ashley.
Charlotte agreed it delivered on every front: "Very good value for money. Good quality, bright colours, washed well."
Survey parents felt the same, telling us: "The Tu brand is very good and affordable. The uniform items wash well and last a long time."
Tu proves, yet again, that value doesn't have to mean compromise!
Shop Tu at Sainsbury's school uniform
Best Budget School Uniform — Matalan
Affordable uniform is only a saving if it's comfortable, practical and able to last, and Matalan impressed testers with soft-feel basics, keen prices and thoughtful options including plus fits and easy fastenings.
Tester Tanya was won over: "Very good value for money. I was surprised and impressed."
Tamina felt the small premium over other budget brands paid off: "Slightly more than other affordable brands, but definitely worth it as the uniform would be longer lasting."
Survey parents agreed it ticks the everyday boxes: "The Easy On uniform is comfortable, good value for money and suitable for everyday school use."
For family-friendly prices with genuinely useful choices, Matalan is our Budget winner.
Best Supermarket School Uniform — F&F at Tesco
Supermarket uniform should be easy to buy and affordable, but F&F at Tesco went further, impressing testers with smart detailing and dependable washing that belied its price.
"If I didn't know where the uniform was from, I don't think I would have said it was a supermarket brand," said tester Lisa, while Katie added: "I was so impressed with the quality for the price."
Survey parents made it a firm favourite: "My favourite store to purchase uniform. Great fit, great quality for money and washes really well."
Stylish, hard-wearing and easy to grab with the weekly shop, F&F at Tesco is our Supermarket winner.
Best Premium School Uniform — Trutex
Premium uniform should feel better made from the moment it arrives and keep proving its quality after washing and wear, and Trutex delivered with substantial fabrics and specialist-schoolwear finishes.
"The quality of Trutex always impresses me. It feels like it is made to be durable," said tester Millie, while Paige loved the cold-weather pieces: "The school jumpers especially were lovely and thick with a fleece inside."
Survey parents felt it earned its price tag: "Although it's more expensive than high-street brands, it washes and lasts better. It was still immaculate when my child grew out of it."
For robust, traditional schoolwear with a noticeably elevated feel, Trutex is our Premium winner.
Best Sustainable School Uniform — Price & Buckland
More sustainable uniform starts with recycled materials, but it also needs to survive long enough to be worn, outgrown and passed on. Price and Buckland won our Sustainable category by pairing recycled-bottle ranges with sturdy, long-lasting construction.
Tester Annie praised the craftsmanship: "The fabric was thick and sturdy, the hems were well stitched, and the attention to detail felt good."
Evie felt it outperformed cheaper options: "It's super thick and has washed really well so far. It's just made with better materials."
For durability backed by a genuine environmental commitment, Price Buckland is our Sustainable winner.
Shop Price and Buckland school uniform
Best School Uniform for Comfort — George at Asda
Comfort isn't just about softness, for some children it can determine whether they can settle, focus and take part in the school day.
George at Asda won our Comfort category for soft, flexible clothing that feels good against the skin.
Tester Izzah said her autistic, non-verbal son Kaeden "showed zero signs of sensory distress, no tugging at the collar or attempts to pull the clothes off," while Katy found the PE kit "softer than the Tesco ones [her daughter] normally wears."
Survey parents praised its all-round resilience too: "We love Asda uniform. It's great quality, washes well and fits well. It stands up to messy play, outdoor exploration, art and impromptu football matches."
For child-first comfort, George at Asda takes our Comfort award.