Save money with sustainable school uniforms 

Smarter Uniforms, Brighton & Hove's innovative school-uniform reuse project, is hosting a series of pop-up shops, offering new and high-quality second-hand items that typically cost a third of the price of new uniforms. 

Many families throughout the city are feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. As we approach the new school year, the financial burden of buying new school uniforms is placing further pressure on parents. 

The pop-up shops are taking place at Dorothy Stringer High School, Lush Brighton, and Whitehawk Library on the following dates and times:

Dorothy Stringer School

  • Open daily until 30 August, 10am to 3.30pm. Please note the pop-up will not be open on bank holiday Monday. 

Dorothy Stringer School, Loder Road, Brighton, BN1 6PZ

LUSH Brighton

  • 26 August, 11am to 5pm
  • 27 August, 11am to 5pm
  • 28 August, 11am to 4pm

LUSH Brighton, 41 East Street, Brighton, BN1 1HL

Whitehawk Library

  • 1 to 3 September, 10am to 3.30pm. On 2 September, customers will need a library card to enter, but all customers are welcome on Thursday and Saturday.

Whitehawk Library, 179A Whitehawk Road, Brighton, BN2 5FL.

Keeping costs down and reducing waste

Councillor Hannah Clare, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee, said: “Many local families have told us that they want affordable school uniforms before the new school year begins. So I’m really grateful to Smarter Uniforms for running these pop-ups. 

“Pre-loved uniforms don’t just keep the costs down – it also helps reduce waste and keeps clothing in use for as long as possible. As someone who regularly buys her clothes second-hand, I know the impact doing so can have on addressing the climate crisis, helping to reduce harmful emissions from textiles production, and protect resources.” 

Siobhan Wilson, founder of Smarter Uniforms, said: "Thanks to these important partnerships and a large team of fantastic summer interns, we are now in the position to reach out across the community to distribute as many low cost and free uniforms as we can at this challenging time for families. 

“The savings associated with buying uniforms from us means that parents will have more money for other important staples such as shoes or blazers. We want to do our best to ensure dressing your children for school isn’t another strain on your pocket."

More information on the Smarter Uniforms website. 

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