We put Tesco, Aldi, Asda and Sainsbury’s budget school uniforms to the test… so which is really top of the class?
We wash uniforms from Aldi, Sainsbury's, Asda and Tesco 40 times to see which really are value for money
JUST £3.75 to kit out your kids with a new school uniform sounds too good to be true...and we can reveal that it is.
Budget supermarket Aldi launched a full uniform for a fiver and have now dropped the price to just £3.75 - but after our lab experts put school-wear from four supermarkets through the wringer, they scored bottom marks.
We put Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Tesco uniforms through 40 washes - the average number required each school term - and saw which polo shirts, sweaters and skirts looked like new afterwards.
Tesco’s £9.50 package came top of our rankings, Asda’s £8.50 2nd and Sainsbury’s £14.50 offering was 3rd.
The tests were carried out at Manchester Fashion Institute, and Barbara Shepherd, Head of Business Engagement, said: “Supermarkets are still relatively new to this market and are competing to get uniforms out cheaper than the next.
“Aldi will likely be selling this as a loss-leader but it gets people through the door.
“That’s why its really important that independent testing lets parents see exactly what quality they’re getting for their money.”
TESCO - The Sun's top marks
We tested a white polo shirt, a blue unisex sweatshirt containing ‘as new technology’ to make clothes look new for longer plus a pair of grey trousers and a pleat skirt that were coated with Teflon fabric protector.
Mum-of-two Jane Wood, who did the testing at the Institute, said: “Tesco was the best polo shirt for holding its colour. I have to buy badged polos for my boys - but these ones from Tesco have worn a million times better.
"The sweatshirt isn’t bad but many more washes and bobbling might start to be more visible.”
A Tesco spokesperson said: “We know kids like to put their school uniforms to the test, so our school wear is designed to provide top quality, great value clothes that will last for the long term. We’re delighted to have come top of The Sun’s quality rankings.”
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ASDA - The Sun's second place
Jane put white polo shirts, a navy sweatshirt, slim fit flat front grey trousers and a grey pleated skirt from George at Asda to the test.
The sweater - which they boast retains colour brightness for at least 20 washes - did well in the test, as their did their trousers and skirt which have Teflon protector.
But Jane said: “Asda didn’t do well on the polo shirt, which started to lose its colour. There’s some yellowing and it looks to have shrunk the most.
"To maintain colour you’d have to be extra careful washing it; put a brightener in or limit washes. Their sweater comes out best.”
A George at Asda spokesperson told us: “George is famous for offering a wide range of high quality school uniforms at affordable prices, guaranteeing our customers real value for money. We’re also proud to offer a 100 Day Satisfaction Guarantee to give them a real peace of mind.”
SAINSBURY’S - The Sun's third place
We tested the unisex white polo tops and navy crew sweatshirts, boys' grey slim fit trousers and girls' black pleated skirts.
Sainsbury’s say their sweatshirt stays brighter for longer and the trousers and skirt are easy iron.
Jane said: “The polo shirt held its colour reasonably well and appears to have shrunk the least. On the sweater though, there is colour loss on the seams and the neck, which has collapsed.”
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We always aim to make families’ lives easier with school wear that not only gives great quality and value, but withstands the day-to-day rough and tumble of the playground.”
ALDI - Bottom marks in The Sun tests
Jane put white polo shirts, grey trousers and black pleated skirt to the test - which Aldi say are all ecological, dry quicker and repel water-based stains so they look new for longer. We also tested their blue sweater.
But Jane told us: “I’m starting to see colour loss and degradation on the polo shirt. It has also shrunk.
"The trousers did well but the problem for Aldi is the sweatshirt was thin: it didn’t feel nice quality and wouldn’t keep your child as warm.
"There was also wear at the seams which have begun to look wrinkled.”
An Aldi spokesperson said: “Our rigorous testing and quality control procedures are among the best in the retail industry and we work closely with suppliers to manage these.”
Earlier this week, we revealed what it's like to work at Aldi and the Aldi sandwiches that cost half the price of the M&S versions...but taste just as good.
