Disclosure: This product was sent to us free of charge for the purpose of this review. However, as per my PR Info page, this review represents our honest opinion of the product. This post may contain affiliate links.
Product: David Luke School Uniform & Term Footwear
Price: Varies per item & size
Age Range: Primary & secondary school
Manufacturer’s Description: Manchester-based David Luke School Uniform has pioneered the use of recycled polyester in its Eco-Uniform range for over a decade. During that time, they have prevented over 100 million 1l plastic bottles (all post-consumer waste) from entering landfill.
Rating: (5/5 stars) Review: Georgie & Lydia are headed back to school next month, so we have been busy getting them kitted out for a new school year, sorting out all their uniform & supplies. David Luke kindly offered to send over a selection of their eco friendly uniform for the girls to check out, as well as a pair of Term Footwear shoes each. Much to my displeasure, their high school has a strict uniform policy (the document explaining it is over 20 pages long – and that doesn’t include the summer uniform information!) that includes a fair amount of expensive ‘uniform shop’ pieces with the school badge, house name custom embroidery, and in one case they even have to have their surname embroidered on the PE top! The school’s nod to the affordable uniform policy the government put out a few years ago is that now we can order our own black jumper with red & silver trim, and arrange to have the badge and house name embroidery done ourselves… I’m not sure that’s really an affordable alternative! However, they are allowed to wear plain black trousers or knee length pleated skirts, and plain white shirts, so David Luke were kind enough to send over a selection of pieces for the girls to review. Lydia was delighted with her new panel pleated skirt (£28 for size 28” waist). It’s a good length and has an adjustable waist, which will help it last longer in her wardrobe. The skirt looks very smart, and the fabric is nice to the touch. Both girls received two pairs of comfortable and well-fitting white blouses. Each received a two-pack of short-sleeve and a two-pack of long-sleeve blouses, priced at £22.50 per twin pack for sizes 30” and 32”. Since they need to keep their jumpers on for most of the day, it’s crucial that their shirts are breathable and comfortable against their skin to prevent overheating. These shirts are made from a 35% cotton and 65% polyester blend, making them ideal for daily wear. They are easy to wash, durable, and wrinkle-resistant, requiring no ironing if hung to dry. The only issue we encountered with any of the uniform we received was the sizing of the girls’ senior trousers (£33.60 for 29” waist). Georgie’s waist measured 29”, but the trousers labelled as such were far too large. When I measured them with a tape measure, they were closest to a 32” waist. I believe this may have been a simple mislabelling, especially considering everything else we received fit the measurements perfectly. Unfortunately (although they otherwise seem to be a very nice pair of school trousers) this style doesn’t include an adjustable waist or belt loops, so they’ll have to be put away until she grows into them. If this had been a regular online order, I would likely have contacted customer services to arrange for a replacement pair. I could have requested a replacement in the same size, but with the correct label (& measured to check my theory), or in a different style. Georgie and Lydia were also sent a hoodie each, as well as a matching pair of joggers and a pair of microfibre tracksuit bottoms. These items have been very well received and will be perfect for their out-of-school sporting activities. The hoodies, in particular, have been instant hits, with Lydia declaring them to be “Comfy comfy!” – I think these will be worn a lot during the cooler winter months. David Luke are committed to sustainability, and their eco-uniform range made from recycled polyester has prevented over 46 million 2L plastic bottles from entering landfill over the past decade. The quality of these uniform pieces we’ve received, which are better made than a lot of the uniform shop & supermarket uniform we’ve bought in the past, shows that they haven’t compromised on quality to meet their eco-targets. While the prices are higher compared to other uniform options, choosing eco-uniform supports good environmental choices. David Luke recently acquired Term Footwear, and they sent the girls a pair of shoes each for the new school year. Their school uniform policy on shoes is quite strict, but almost all of the Term Footwear shoes are suitable for their high school. They look smart and practical, which is perfect for the girls who walk over half a mile to and from school each day. Lydia was sent a pair of Harley Loafers in size 6 (£49.99). These are attractive slip-on shoes with a tassel detail on the front and subtle detailing down the side seams. This style is perfect for Lydia, who has high arches. Shoes that are constricted over the middle of her foot can be uncomfortable for her, so she’s very pleased with the fit and style of the shoes. She much prefers them to the shoes she wore last year. Georgie prefers lace-up shoes because she has longer, narrower feet. The Bella shoes (£54.99) are perfect for her. She was sent a pair in size 7 and is happy with the fit and how they look on her feet. The Bella shoes have a small black heel and detailing on the seams, making them a smart brogue-style footwear choice. They’re also very practical for a busy day at school and the walk to and from. Both girls are happy with their new uniform and shoes, with the exception of Georgie’s too-big trousers. They’re feeling well prepared for the new school year… they actually like school & enjoy learning!
