Coffee Chat: It's Time to Shop for School Uniforms!
Summer is officially underway and your kiddo is geared up to start a new school in the Fall. Here are some quick tips to knock out the dreaded uniform shopping so you can be ready come August.
Only buy what you have to from the school’s uniform store. Some of the local outfitters even offer virtual fittings. Take advantage of this, if possible! Swipe right to see our favorites.
Buy 6 mix-and-match outfits. You might be tempted to buy more (especially if it’s your child’s first year at a new school). Having enough to get you through a typical school-week of school plus one extra is ideal—bonus: no more overstuffed drawers.
Pick dark colors. If you’re allowed to choose between navy and khaki bottoms, the navy will look newer and cleaner much longer than khaki.
Buy more pants than shorts (you can always alter them if your kiddo hits a growth spurt mid-year!)
Choose short-sleeve: These will get much more use than long-sleeved. You can always add a uniform-approved sweater or jacket to layer on chilly mornings. Especially in lower schools, students move around a lot. Short-sleeved were always more popular.
Consider sizing up. If you start with your kiddo’s current size, it won’t give them enough room to grow. Consider trying on the next size up before you commit—adding a belt or utilizing the internal elastic can help cinch up the waist.
Add personality: While uniforms are pretty straightforward, there are some fun ways to infuse your child’s personality into their daily outfit—fun school supplies, a bold backpack, scrunchies (can you believe they’re back?!), fun socks for dress-up days, etc. Remember to skim your school’s uniform policy to know what you can and can’t accessorize!
Our favorite go-to’s (and Atlanta staples) for finding private school uniforms are: Flynn O’Hara (previously Buckhead Uniforms), Mills Uniforms, and Educational Outfitters of Atlanta. Of course, you can always shop by your school at Lands’ End. Some schools (@Lovett and @Woodward) have their very own campus stores. You can find outerwear and shirts at these stores and they usually follow the school’s academic calendar in regards to holiday breaks, closing, and early dismissals.
The inside scoop to purchasing school uniforms:
Flynn O’Hara Uniforms
(Previously Buckhead Uniforms)
6311 Roswell Road
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
(404)260-7584
Hours: Closed Thursday, Friday and Sunday
Monday 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Virtual Fittings available, schedule appoint on line at www.flynnohara.com
Order on-line or visit the store in person
Outfitting most Atlanta area private schools.
Mills Uniforms
5932 Roswell Road
Suite B
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
(404)255-2133
Hours:
Tuesday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Educational Outfitters of Atlanta
5290 Roswell Rd, Suite T
Sandy Springs, GA 30342
(770)702-0837
Store Hours:
Monday - Friday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday: Closed
atlanta@educationaloutfitters.com
Lands’ End
(800)963-4816
Shop by school for uniforms
Lovett Campus Store
4075 Paces Ferry Rd
Atlanta, GA
(404)262-3032
Call for an appointment.
Must order Lovett shirts and outerwear here
Shorts, pants and skirts can be ordered from other clothing retailers.
Woodward Campus Store
Main Campus
Campus Store: 404-765-4070
Email: store@woodward.edu
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-6pm
Open year round. They follow Woodward Academy's Calendar in regards to holiday breaks, closings and early dismissals.