Well, they get "issued," but you pay for them.
They give you a uniform allowance. Everyone gets the same amount of money (except priors will also get their last annual uniform allowance pro-rated, and I think girls get more than guys). You then take that money and use it to pay your bill at the uniform shop. But anything you don't need to spend money on is money you can bank. Like, if you go with Flying Cross instead of Brooks Brothers, that's more money in your pocket. So if you bring boots and tell the ladies at the uniform shop you don't need them, you keep the difference.
And I'm pretty sure priors can bring all uniform items that will cross over including boots, unless they're falling apart at the seams or don't look anything like the Bates. If you think your black leathers still have some life in them, I say bring them. The worst that can happen is they can say "Nah, you need new ones anyway." So either you save some money, or what was always going to happen happens anyway.
