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why do mums of toddlers dress like they are going into battle?

(287 Posts)
Pharoahnuff Mon 20-Feb-12 14:59:47

i know I think i did.
ALl bagged up, flat boots, look of grim determination. In my day it was all combat trousers, quilty gilets and timberlands.
now its ugly Fly boots and ill fitting skinnies

pocketandsweet Mon 20-Feb-12 15:10:02

All bagged up, flat boots, look of grim determination..... Pretty much describes me PRE CHILDREN at least now I have an excuse smile

Latsia Mon 20-Feb-12 15:23:21

Well since you have been there then you will know you need to be able to move fast, hug and roll, restrain, dodge the sticky fingers or lift and run. You need to be on your guard at all times when outdoors in case of bolting or meltdown. Flat shoes, clothes that do not restrict movement, extra layers that won't overheat and every damn weapon in your arsenal packed into your bag.

I love my Fly boots but am more of a dress and thick tights mum. Dress for ease of movement, thick tights to protect my modesty (what little is left...)

NanAstley Mon 20-Feb-12 15:36:57

Aye, battle is right. I wake up ready for battle, and go to bed with the aching body of someone who has faced several fire-breathing dragons, and perhaps a jabberwocky or two, and slain them all.

And the look of grim determination...that is now permanently etched on my face. I might even trademark it <itchy chin>

Moltisanti Mon 20-Feb-12 15:38:02

What are fly boots?

NanAstley Mon 20-Feb-12 15:39:42

Flat boots with tractor treads for soles.

comme ca

thestringcheesemassacre Mon 20-Feb-12 15:40:52

fly boots = the new mum boots?

headfairy Mon 20-Feb-12 15:41:10

Because they are <scrapes back hair in to tight bun to better enable scraping of food from ungrateful faces>

Pharoahnuff Mon 20-Feb-12 15:51:37

and no make up
winces
although i NEVER sunk that low

hair in sensible bob

aaaargh

BonfireOfKleenex Mon 20-Feb-12 16:40:59

I wore Crocs and an anorak and I don't care.

headfairy Mon 20-Feb-12 16:44:26

Oh God no, hell would freeze over before I went out without make up on.

issimma Mon 20-Feb-12 16:47:22

I wear make up, a sensible bob, converse and jeans most days... but then I did pre-DC.

I have however just bought my first ever gilet, and feel mumsy ready for battle, even in the cold.

Alibabaandthe40nappies Mon 20-Feb-12 16:48:13

I wear makeup and have lovely hair, but the rest is about right grin

I feel like I've gone 10 rounds in the ring by the time I sit down with a wine at 8pm!

SlinkingOutsideInFrocks Mon 20-Feb-12 18:11:16

Um, because we are...?

I don't dress as you describe and I have two toddlers - had to google fly boots and they are fugly - but I don't blame people who do. I do my hair and wear make-up every day (because this is really so important).

It's a full-time freaking job just keeping them alive.

I know this is a light-hearted thread - but it feels snidey and sneery. sad I'm not even the people you're describing and it feels so.

TheCountessOlenska Mon 20-Feb-12 18:15:54

Ha ha - well I do have a look of grim determination about me! (especially when pushing the buggy up a hill loaded down with shopping having been up since 5)

But I wear make up (so as not to frighten small children), and I think my hair and clothes are not too mumsy (well we shall draw a veil over the parka and ugg boots blush )

noddyholder Mon 20-Feb-12 18:19:32

I never changed anything when ds was little but I only had one

madammecholet Mon 20-Feb-12 18:24:31

I dress better now than before kids tbh.... more disposable income, more inclination to look good, more interest in fashion then ever before.

I'm more angry that teenagers look awful these days, they wear what they deem to be fashionable without looking in a mirror. Muffin tops, parsnip legs, too tight tops & bad colour choices. I'd like to hit the high street on a Saturday with a mirror and a few words of advice tbh! wink

champagnesupernova Mon 20-Feb-12 19:22:01

My hair is not sensible but it is sometimes hidden under a hat. grin
Saw a woman on the school run today and she has obviously just been attacked by her GHDS - I said oh your hair always looks so immaculate
She said quite snippply "that's cos I do it every day."
She obv doesnt remember her time with toddlers.

I am a dress, leggings and boots gal.
Though am in jeans today.
Don't you remember all those days and days basically spent on yer knees, op?
or running to prevent child becoming roadkill..
Legs akimbo trying to keep them still while you changed their nappy?
Up in the night because of teeth/night terrors/whatever but still out on the school run with their siblings in the morning?
It is a battlefield.

Pharoahnuff Mon 20-Feb-12 19:28:02

i remember on a trip to paris having a make up thing done.
I said to the woman " oh it needs to be fast - i have three under 5" ( or whatever)

she shrugged and said" Bof - you 'av five meenits non?"

And she was right, I think. You do get in this "im too busy" mentality then sit for half an hour watching sodding Blue Cow

hmc Mon 20-Feb-12 19:28:19

champagne - I don't know about the op but I certainly remember them (although I am trying to block it out!)

Pharoahnuff Mon 20-Feb-12 19:29:01

i DO remember wearing holes in my jeans at the knee.
But god you lot have it EASY - you have the www on your phones to relieve play ground boredom.
we had to PLAY with the little sods ;)

Pharoahnuff Mon 20-Feb-12 19:29:49

i was pretty slim then too - first ever mn meet up in ?2004 (!) i was super slimoid

PestoPenguin Mon 20-Feb-12 19:32:47

Why do you care?

I wear my boots because love them and I'm comfortable.

I wear comfy practical clothes because I like being comfortable and practical clothes are more, well practical for looking after toddlers.

That's it really. Good to know there are people out there judging me for it, thanks hmm.

PestoPenguin Mon 20-Feb-12 19:33:28

Not all of us have the www on our phones.

Pantone363 Mon 20-Feb-12 19:34:29

Because if you wear heels/skirt/dress with your hair done people look at you like who the hell do you think you are.

Although I live right in the middle of TOWIE central so it's quite normal to see mums chasing kids in stilettos!

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