Back to school shopping has become a two-pronged adventure for parents. With many schools requiring school uniforms or school colors, there is the adventure to find these at a reasonable prices. They are supposed to cut down on the costs of clothing, since you believe that you no longer have to buy a whole new varied wardrobe for the kids.

Uniforms reduce peer pressure in schools by avoiding the competition for fancier designer names on kids’ bums, and more to the point, a child never has to worry about wearing the wrong thing, or worse, something you chose for them for which they would’ve been laughed at. And more importantly, you really do avoid the morning panic of “What do I wear to school?”.

You still, however, have to buy your children a wardrobe of clothing for when they are not in school. This is still a lesson for them in learning about their own individuality (which is lost with the uniforms), and as well, discovering how to think for themselves.

The businesses below, offer you both options at really reasonable prices. This way you can buy both wardrobes and still not break the bank.

Moni, 1000 Beaumont Ave. in rear at l’Acadie Blvd. Phone: 514-273-2544. Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday (only in August and September). Tucked away at the rear of the Kute Knit factory, you must go up a flight of stairs to check out this spot for children’s casual clothes. Deals could be as low as a two-piece outfit for $5. Look for skirts, pants and tops in sizes newborn to 20. There are excellent prices on school uniforms: jumpers $15, pants $12 to $16, polo shirts starting at $6 and dress shirts starting at $10. Parents can score too, as adult fleece jogging sets can be as low as $10, and there’s casual tops and bottoms for men and women. Don’t miss the $1, $3 and $5 racks.

Les Textiles Goldtex, 8875 Salley St. at Dollard Ave., Lasalle. Phone: 514-365-9699. Hours: Monday to Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You have to go out of your way to find this superb outlet hidden amongst the factories, but it’s worth it. The multitude of brands found are: Gusti, Kricket, Cora, Oshkosh, Tommy Hilfiger, Deux par Deux and Perry Ellis in sizes from newborn to 18. The school color (mostly navy, white and only bit of gray) code section offers you cardigans, tunics, skirts, pants, white dress shirts and polo tops (long and short), and is found in the upper mezzanine, along with fancy party dresses (Mon Cheri), suits, tuxedos and outfits for communion and baptism. If you also have an infant at home (or on the way), this place is heaven for Perlim Pin Pin bedding and comforter sets (Bebe Confort, Karla, Perlim Pin Pin), which can be bought for as low as five pieces for $275. You can pick up hooded baby bath towels for only $3 and sleepers four for $12. Baby accessories are by Evenflo, Safety First, Graco and BB Tresor (nursing pillows). Cribs are here too, by Little Angel and Graco, and strollers by Peg Perego, Graco, Safety First and Evenflo.

Symbole Jr., 399 Notre Dame St. West at McGill St., Old Montreal. Phone: 514-289-9145. Hours: Monday to Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday 930 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a mini chain store across the city which concentrates on the kiddies, with clothes for boys and girls, from infant sleepers and camisoles to jr. teens (some up to 16) and party clothes. Racks prices are amazing at $3, $5, $8 and $10. School color coded clothing (gray, black or navy) is stocked in polo shirts (long sleeve and short) for $12.99, button down shirts for $4.99-$12.99, girls’ tunics and skirts for $7.99. If it’s names like Baby Gro, 3D Kids, Val & Mik or Baby Bell that you’re searching for, then this is your kind of place. Other locations (hours vary): Panic, 33 Chabanel W. (514-388-2524); Le Petit Coeur, 5727 Ave. du Parc (514-270-8300); Entrepot Panic (some ladies’ and men’s clothes here), 3022 Masson St. (514-721-6512); Panic, 6717 St. Hubert St. (514-271-3315); Panic, Place Vertu (514-337-3131); Panic, 4307 Wellington St. (514-769-8181).