School Uniform Ordering Calendar: A Guide for Administrators
The most common issues that families face when it comes to school uniforms include timing, stock, availability, and communication. Administrators can help by establishing ordering timelines and reinforcing them at the right time throughout the school year. With a set approach, schools can keep families prepared, avoid last-minute stress, and ensure students always arrive in the right attire.
Why Year-Round Uniform Planning Matters
Families stay ahead when ordering is spread across the calendar rather than compressed into one - three weeks every summer. Early planning helps make enough time for exchanges, shipping delays, and any other problems that may arise, which means fewer panicked calls to the school office. Students also benefit because they have the right clothing for every season.
Key Ordering Seasons
Summer
June and July are the peak season for ordering full uniform sets. Families purchasing polos, skirts, pants, and accessories during this time have assurance that items will arrive before the first day of school. Administrators should send reminders early in the summer and make deadlines clear for delivery before the first day.
Fall
By late September to early October, many students realize if parts of their uniform are too big or small. A fall reminder helps parents handle these changes without delay. You may also want to highlight purchasing cold-weather outerwear such as sweaters and fleeces for late fall and early winter at this time. Addressing this right away avoids families scrambling later in the semester.
Winter
Schools should notify families about sweaters, jackets, and other winter-approved items in late October and early November, well before the coldest weeks arrive. An early reminder makes sure students stay warm while meeting dress code requirements and ensures families have time to order uniforms that are ready when classes resume after winter break. This is also the time to highlight purchasing PE uniforms for students with a gym class in the second semester.
Spring
By late February or March, families should be reminded to purchase new shorts, polos, and skirts to replace the heavier items for spring. Uniform pieces purchased in August may also be outgrown or worn by this stage. Schools that send reminders in early spring help families transition into the final months of school stress-free.
How Schools Should Communicate Ordering Reminders
Schools should use multiple channels to communicate uniform ordering reminders. Email newsletters, text alerts, posts on the school website, flyers, bulletin boards, should all be used to convey the message. This helps ensure parents get reminders and also helps students become more responsible by acting on these reminders they see in school.
Vendors like School Uniforms by Tommy Hilfiger provide additional resources administrators can share directly with families. Buying guides, shopper tutorials, and FAQs help with confusion and save time. Schools strengthen communication by distributing these tools through multiple channels.
Creating a Year-Round Ordering Calendar
Schools that set reminders in advance can also help families plan for ordering ahead of time. A uniform timeline included in welcome packets sets expectations early, and reminders throughout the year keep the schedule on parents’ minds. Administrators can also encourage early shopping by discussing vendor delivery windows, which guarantee uniforms will arrive before specific dates. This helps families plan purchases without the stress of last-minute orders.
How School Uniforms by Tommy Hilfiger Simplifies Ordering
An online storefront tailored to your school gives families one place to order approved items. Because stock remains available year-round, parents can order replacements at any time without having to worry about shortages. An assigned support team handles exchanges and questions, removing the burden from school staff. The program also provides 5% cash back annually, which schools can reinvest to support families and keep uniform programs affordable.
Keep families prepared throughout the year with a partner that simplifies your uniform program from start to finish. See what other schools are saying and give your school community the tools, timelines, and support they need by partnering with a dedicated uniform vendor like School Uniforms by Tommy Hilfiger.
If you’re looking to change vendors, see our post: How to Smoothly Switch School Uniform Vendors