Lidl is about to release its €5 school uniforms… and this year they look pretty good

School may be out for summer but that doesn't mean that mums and dads aren't already thinking of September.

Already my home feed is filled with parents sharing statuses about buying back to school supplies and most importantly, uniforms. The vast majority of Irish schools have a uniform and it can be the biggest expense for parents when making a back-to-school budget. Later this month Lidl will be stocking their amazing school range with parents being able to nab a full uniform for as little as a fiver! The school uniform essentials can be purchased separately, in a variety of the most common uniform colours and styles. Choose from a number of clothing items including boys’ and girls’ trousers (€1.99), boys’ shirts (€3.49), girls’ blouses (€3.49), as well as skirts (€1.99), pinafores (€3.99) and cardigans (€3.99). Sweatshirts come in a variety of colours and are priced at just 99c. The school uniform range is available in sizes four to twelve years. To finish the look, socks (€2.79), vests (€2.79), and briefs (€2.79) are all available in different colours and styles along with girls’ tights (€4.99) and knee-high socks (€3.49). My son is extremely hard wearing on his school uniforms and is growing like a weed, so buying a school uniform for him every year is necessary. While his school jumper has a crest I can pick up his polo shirts, trousers and socks in any discount store and it saves me a fortune. I generally also buy the plain jumper for the days he comes home wearing most of his school lunch and an emergency jumper is required. Offers like these are fantastic for parents of two or more children in particular who really feel the pinch when it comes to stocking up before September. Last year Barnardos surveyed 1,800 parents and found the average cost of sending a senior infant student to school was a staggering €355, making discount ranges like this more important than ever. The range also includes sports gear like sports trousers (€3.49), cotton-rich t-shirts (€2.49, 2 pack), polo shirts (€1.99, 2 pack) and plimsolls (€2.49). Footwear suitable for the changeable Irish will be in store too and priced from as little as €6.99. Uniforms won't be the only things available with stationary and other study supplies also arriving in store. Among these will be Lidl’s desk lamp (€14.99), storage boxes (€6.99), whiteboard (€19.99), A4 notepads (€1.99), folders and files from just €1.99 perfect for college students as well as school children. Lidl’s range of boys’ and girls’ school uniforms and other school essentials will be available in all 155 stores nationwide from Monday, July 16.