As far as uniforms being less expensive, I think it depends on if you have to buy the uniforms from a certain company/store or if you can buy any brand as long as its a specific color and/or style.

If you have to buy from the uniform store, it's expensive. My kids are in pubic elementary school and we do not have uniforms, but quite a few of my friends send their kids to private schools that require uniforms. They must buy from the school store and the pieces must have the logo on them. They are crazy prices. I buy good quality name brand shirts off the clearance rack at the end of the season for $3 and pants/jeans for $10 (gymbo, gap, levi's, TCP, etc.) -- there is NO way I could buy uniform shirts and pants for that price, even second hand and I would still have to buy 'play clothes'.

If a uniform policy was suggested at my kids school, I would be totally against it. Instead I favor strong parent involvement to teach kids to dress appropriately for school.