Behind the price
Article Contents:
What parents want The True Cost of Clothing Understanding Ultra-Cheap Products Why Schools Choose Verified Uniforms How Ultra-Cheap Prices Are Possible Why Ethical Sourcing Matters A Transparent Comparison The ConclusionWhat parents want
We understand that every parent wants affordable school clothing. With supermarket prices so low, it’s tempting to pick the cheapest option. But when a product costs far less than it should, it’s worth pausing and asking: how is that possible?
At Ourschoolwear, we believe in transparency, fairness, and quality - for the children wearing our uniforms and the people making them.
The True Cost of Clothing
Every garment has a real cost beyond just the fabric and transport. Things like fair wages, safe working conditions, and responsible sourcing all make a difference.
- Materials & Craftsmanship: High-quality fabrics that last longer
- Fair Labour: Workers are paid fairly and work in safe conditions
- Ethical Sourcing: Production is monitored to ensure no exploitative practices
Choosing our uniforms means investing in quality, durability, and ethical production.
Understanding Ultra-Cheap Products
A £1.75 pair of trousers is startlingly low. While it may seem like a bargain, producing clothing at that price can be extremely difficult without cutting corners. Potential risks include:
- Poor or unsafe working conditions
- Underpaid or exploited labour
- Short-lived fabrics that wear out quickly
- Environmental costs from unsustainable production
Why Schools Choose Verified Uniforms
Many schools require their suppliers to provide verified proof that uniforms are produced ethically, under safe working conditions, and free from exploitative labour. This ensures that children, families, and the wider community can have confidence in the products they use.
At the same time, it’s common for schools to recommend cheaper supermarket options that offer no such verification. While these products may seem convenient or inexpensive, they do not provide the same assurance of ethical sourcing or fair labour practices.
This contrast highlights why responsibly sourced uniforms often cost more - but also why they matter. Choosing uniforms with verified ethical standards supports both quality and fairness, ensuring your child wears clothing made with care and respect for the people who produced it.
How Ultra-Cheap Prices Are Possible
Supermarkets and large retailers can offer incredibly low prices by using strategies that often reduce transparency or take advantage of regulatory loopholes. For example:
- Complex supply chains: Products are sourced from multiple countries, making it hard to verify working conditions.
- Minimal oversight: Factories may meet only the letter of the law, while ethical standards are ignored.
- Subsidies and bulk deals: Large retailers can negotiate deals that small suppliers cannot, making low prices possible - but this doesn’t guarantee ethical production.
- Marketing and labelling tricks: “Fair” or “sustainable” labels can be used inconsistently, while the true conditions remain unclear.
It’s worth asking: how can a pair of trousers be sold for £1.75, cover all costs, and still meet ethical standards?
Why Ethical Sourcing Matters
When you choose uniforms made responsibly, you’re doing more than buying a garment—you’re supporting:
- Durability: Clothes that last longer and save money in the long run
- Peace of Mind: Assurance that workers were treated fairly
- Better Industry Practices: Encouraging ethical production across the board
A Transparent Comparison
| Item | Price | Production Conditions | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supermarket Trouser | £1.75 | Unknown, potentially exploitative | Low |
| Our Trouser - From: | £7.75 | Verified ethical production | High |
The Conclusion
By choosing ethically made uniforms, you’re investing in something much more valuable than the garment itself:
- Respect for the people who made it
- Long-lasting quality for your child
- A more responsible, sustainable world