School uniforms are dearer once again

Press, 18 January 1978, Page 9

School uniforms are dearer once again

It is that time of year again when family budgets. depleted by holiday spending, must cope with new school uniforms. It is not too bad at the primary level; much of last year’s gear still fils and is in reasonably good condition. But for those getting ready for secondary school and those going into Form V, the financial going can be expected to be a bit rough. Nevertheless, considering how prices generally have risen over the past several months, it is not as bad as it could be. Shoes and clothing have certainly increased in price over the past year

but for those with an eye to bargains there is a fair i bit of old stock on the i shelves at old prices. In Christchurch buying t of school uniforms has : been under way for , several weeks and retailI ers expect the mam • "rush” over the next fortr night. 1 As usual there are the invariable shortages of ’ some items. This year, for t example, knitwear seems to be in short supply as are especially small or ex- ’ ceptionally large sizes of i other uniform items, par- ; ticularly shoes. ; Still, if parents are pre- , pared to spend a day or so going from shop to

shop they will probably find everything they want. Girls’ hats are mainly a thing of the past but those, still ' required to wear them can expect to pay anywhere from $6 to $9. Boy’s ties range from 82 to nearly 84. Gone are the days when boys' socks could be bought tot $1.25 a pair. Since 1970 the price has doubled; the average now is $2.50, Shorts average about $l3 a pair now; shirts about $9, pullovers average $l7 and blazers about $32 although there are some around at prices as low as $25. In the girls’ department, summer tunics are selling for about $lB, mouses from $5 upwards to $l5, dresses average about $25; cardigans average $2O, blazers are selling on the average tor about $3O and shoes from .$l2 to as high as $24. But, as in years past, she’ll come right, mate. Somehow, within the next fortnight, all will have been obtained and rhe Kids will be ready lor the big day. There remains only the matter of sports clothing which, depending on the sports, can be relatively mexepnsive or quite dear. And, then, all these things do wear out and seem to suffer considerable abuse. To date, mum. no-one seems to have worked out the average annual maintenance