The crushing cost of uniforms is hitting families hard, with thousands of parents feeling the pinch as the new school year looms.
A poll commissioned by Fabulous as part of our Baby, Bank On Us campaign found that one-in-five parents can not afford to buy their children a new uniform, with 71 per cent blaming high living costs.
It is hardly surprising when it costs an average R3000 to kit out a primary pupil each year.
And that soars to £6000 for secondary school, says The Children's Society.
These are worrying numbers for those grappling with the cost-of-living crisis.
Like many struggling mums, Kirsty Reed has been left stressed and anxious after trying to balance uniform costs, up 11 per cent, with other household expenses.
She says: "The constant worry about how you're going to afford essentials like uniform and PE kit just creates constant mam guilt and you feel like a failure.
"At one point I felt constantly stressed, upset and teary and struggled to sleep, worrying.
"I do everything I can to keep costs down — sometimes I've had to skip meals. But as long as Heath is fed and clothed, that's all that matters."
