With the summer holidays under way and the costly countdown to September beginning, new Gumtree data reveals parents could save around £75 by buying common school uniform essentials secondhand.
Based on average advertised prices on Gumtree, a school shirt, trousers, shoes and bag could cost approximately £33 combined.
A comparable basket using prices sampled across M&S, Next and Clarks would cost approximately £108, meaning families could potentially pay 69% less by choosing pre-loved items.
The £33 back-to-school basket:
| School item | Average advertised price on Gumtree | Indicative high-street price | Potential saving |
| School shoes | £12.72 | £40.00 | £27.28 |
| School shirt | £6.30 | £20.98 | £14.68 |
| School trousers | £6.46 | £20.34 | £13.88 |
| School bag | £7.60 | £27.10 | £19.50 |
| TOTAL | £33.08 | £108.42 | £75.34 |
For children wearing a skirt, the potential saving is slightly higher. A shirt, skirt, shoes and bag were advertised on Gumtree for approximately £31 combined, compared with around £108 using the sampled high-street prices – a difference of more than £76.
Parents start the September search early
Searches containing “school uniform” increased by 51% between May and June, while searches for school bags jumped by 262% over the same period.
The figures suggest the back-to-school rush was already gathering pace before pupils had broken up for the summer holidays, as parents began looking for ways to spread the cost of preparing for September.
Don’t leave every purchase until the August rush
Earlier Gumtree analysis suggests starting the search sooner could also help parents avoid paying a seasonal premium for some essentials.
The average advertised price of a school coat was £18 in April, compared with £28 during the peak July shopping period, a difference of £10.
With demand increasing as the new term approaches, parents are being encouraged to check their school’s uniform policy, measure their children and begin searching before the final weeks of the holidays.
Shoppers can also look beyond individual garments. School-uniform bundles can include shirts, trousers, skirts and PE kit, while seasonal bundles may contain jumpers, cardigans and coats.
Some sellers also offer items across several sizes, allowing parents to prepare for the next growth spurt while reducing the need for another full-price uniform shop later in the year.
England’s new branded uniform limit comes into force
The findings come ahead of new rules taking effect in England on 1 September 2026.
State funded schools will have to limit compulsory branded uniform and PE kit to three items. Secondary and middle schools may require a fourth branded item where one of those items is a tie.
Department for Education guidance also says schools should ensure opportunities to acquire secondhand uniform are freely accessible and publish clear information for parents on their websites.
Nav Dhillon, CEO at Gumtree, said: ‘’Back-to-school shopping lands at an expensive point in the year, when many families are already paying for childcare, activities and days out during the summer holidays.
Children often grow out of school uniform long before they wear it out, which means there are good quality shirts, trousers, skirts, shoes and coats sitting in wardrobes with plenty of school days left in them.
Our data suggests parents could find a basic basket of uniform essentials and a school bag for around £33 secondhand, potentially saving approximately £75 compared with the equivalent sampled high-street basket.
Starting the search now gives families more time to compare sizes, look for bundles and find the right items before the last-minute August rush. For parents with outgrown uniform at home, it is also a good time to list it, earn some extra summer money and help another family prepare for September for less.”
Five tips for buying pre-loved school uniform
- Check the school policy: Confirm the required colours and styles, which items must carry school branding and where generic alternatives are permitted.
- Ask for measurements: Sizes can vary between brands, so request actual waist, chest, inside-leg and shoe measurements rather than relying solely on the age label.
- Look for bundles: Sellers may group shirts, trousers, skirts and PE kit together, potentially saving parents time and money.
- Check high-wear areas: Look closely at trouser knees, shirt collars, cuffs, shoe soles, seams, zips and bag straps.
- Broaden the search: Listings available with Gumtree Delivery can allow parents to search beyond their immediate area and arrange delivery to a home, locker or parcel shop.
Parents should review photographs and descriptions carefully, ask sellers questions and wash or dry-clean clothing in line with its care instructions before use.
Five tips for selling outgrown school uniform
- List before the August rush: Searches are already increasing, giving sellers an opportunity to reach parents before the busiest back-to-school period.
- Clean and prepare items: Wash garments, polish shoes and replace missing buttons before photographing them.
- Include exact details: State the school, brand, labelled size, measurements, colour, condition and details of any alterations.
- Create useful bundles: Group items in the same size or from the same school together to create practical starter sets.
- Remove personal information: Cut out, cover or obscure labels containing a child’s name, class or other identifying details before taking photographs or handing items over.
Sellers should photograph any marks, fading or damage clearly and can consider enabling delivery to reach families outside their immediate area.
