School uniforms on a shoestring

School costs may be rising as the credit crunch continues, but which.co.uk can reveal that shopping for your child's school uniform won't necessarily have the shirt off your back.

The consumer website put cheap uniforms available on the high street from Asda, M&S, Sainsbury's and Tesco through their paces. It found that, for as little as £5.70, parents can kit out their kids with a shirt, jumper and trousers or skirt that should withstand months of science experiments and playground antics.

However, no retailer came top of the class for every item, so parents searching for the hardest-wearing uniform will have to visit more than one store.

By item, which.co.uk found:

The Tesco shirt was best for withstanding wear and tear, but all were very durable
The M&S jumper just beat Tesco with the least bobbling, but they both perform well
There was very little to choose between the trousers and skirts, but the seam strength let down the Sainsbury's skirt.

Jess Ross, Editor, which.co.uk, says: "It's great news for parents that they can kit the kids out for school on a shoestring budget, without worrying that their new uniforms will be in tatters by the end of the first week. More expensive school clothes might well be more comfortable, but that doesn't mean they'll be more durable."