Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Makeup and Dress Code for the School Run: Necessary or Not? 💄👕👖

112 replies

lattekim23 · 09/07/2024 12:27

Just curious, and to be clear, I'm not judging anyone; I'm genuinely interested in why some moms choose this approach. Other than the moms who go straight to work or have appointments right after, do any of you bother with makeup and put effort into dressing up for the school run? Especially if you're just heading back home afterward? I always make sure I'm showered and dressed neatly each morning, but I don't see the point in applying makeup when it seems unnecessary. I usually wear leggings or jeans and a t-shirt, and I skip the makeup—I simply don't have the time. And you know, some moms show up at school in their PJs, some even in dressing gowns and slippers!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
CelesteCunningham · 09/07/2024 16:31

Everyone just seems to dress for their day here - some wear more make up than others but that's the same when I run into them in the supermarket.

Jengnr · 09/07/2024 16:29

Sometimes I’m done up like a Barbie doll, sometimes I chuck a hoodie over my pyjama top. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

DinnaeFashYersel · 09/07/2024 16:25

I've never seen a parent wear pjs to school.

I never wear make up ever.

Washed and dressed is all that is needed.

Youcannevertelltownfromtown · 09/07/2024 16:23

Needmorelego · 09/07/2024 16:09

These ones are a bit over the top though....

I love that house coat. I used to have something similar I got in a charity shop when I was younger and wore it as a dress. Not over the top for me!

Thierrymugler · 09/07/2024 16:17

No makeup in a morning. But clean clobber and showered. (Don’t ever go out without a shower)

I would then do my makeup for the afternoon school run. 😏😏

WhataBloodyFarce · 09/07/2024 16:11

Needmorelego · 09/07/2024 16:07

Or these are fancy 😂😂😂

😂I think you could have just came from the office in that ensemble.

Youcannevertelltownfromtown · 09/07/2024 16:10

Forgot to say, no I don’t think it’s necessary to dress any particular way for the school run. I don’t think anyone really notices or cares.

Needmorelego · 09/07/2024 16:10

Ok I'll stop now 😂😂😂😂
#ilovemyjammies

WhataBloodyFarce · 09/07/2024 16:09

Needmorelego · 09/07/2024 16:03

How about pyjamas like this?
(I wonder what colour they were)
😂😂😂😂

Judging by the shade of grey, I'm going to guess a warm colour, 😂

Needmorelego · 09/07/2024 16:09

These ones are a bit over the top though....

Makeup and Dress Code for the School Run: Necessary or Not? 💄👕👖
Youcannevertelltownfromtown · 09/07/2024 16:08

For drop off in the morning I wear an oversized t shirt, hoodie/ jacket, leggings and trainers. I clean my face and put on some tinted moisturiser, comb brows through with pomade, eyeshadow stick, a dab of lipstick and do a quick messy bun.
At some stage between getting home and heading back up to pick dd up, I will probably touch up my makeup, add powder and mascara (or redo if I have a shower), fix my hair, put on jewellery and perfume, change into a long skirt (and tights if it’s cold)/ cardigan and maybe paint my nails. I don’t do any of it specifically for the school run. It’s just part of my routine.

Needmorelego · 09/07/2024 16:07

Or these are fancy 😂😂😂

Makeup and Dress Code for the School Run: Necessary or Not? 💄👕👖
Needmorelego · 09/07/2024 16:03

How about pyjamas like this?
(I wonder what colour they were)
😂😂😂😂

Makeup and Dress Code for the School Run: Necessary or Not? 💄👕👖
WhataBloodyFarce · 09/07/2024 16:03

pigsDOfly · 09/07/2024 14:42

It not actually a dress code, is it? It's how various people choose to dress themselves. A dress code is something that everyone needs to conform to.

On the one hand OP you, you seem to be judging women for wearing makeup on the school run and on the over hand judging other women for going to the other extreme and turning up for the school run in nightwear.

So does that mean that you, without makeup and wearing leggings and a T-shirt, is the only woman that dresses correctly for the school run?

I must be honest when my children were at school I had no idea what other women wore and really didn't care. However, no one would have dreamed of turning up for the school run in their nightwear, that I do know.

This ^

You're not superior op, because you have your own "dress code" for yourself and evidently others. You obviously have more time than you think for scrutinising others, and being on MN to post a thread like this!

WiseBiscuit · 09/07/2024 16:03

I do the nursery run at 7.45 at the moment which is next door to school. If I am WFH I don’t even have a shower, just chuck on clothes and brush teeth then have a leisurely shower once home without someone shouting “mummy” and wanting to watch.

On office days I am dressed and ready as I go straight there.

I do not intend the school run to be any different when it starts in August.

EinekleineKatze · 09/07/2024 15:59

Wear what you like/what is most practical - the only no no for me is PJ's/dressing gown or completely naked (I am hoping the latter is incredibly unlikely).

WhataBloodyFarce · 09/07/2024 15:58

Foxxo · 09/07/2024 15:40

funnily enough, this is something i've started in the last couple of months.

Cleanse and moisturise morning & night!

There are people who don't realise the importance of spf protection all year around, and how aging it is to not do so.

Needmorelego · 09/07/2024 15:53

@Talipesmum I don't really care what people think to be honest.

LlynTegid · 09/07/2024 15:51

School runs or visits a thing of the past for me.

I am with the OP on this. Only addition is that if you take children to school in your pyjamas instead of day clothes, my first question would be whether you had a lot to drink the previous evening and are unfit to drive.

GoThatWay · 09/07/2024 15:46

I just used to pull on jeans or leggings and a t.shirt and run a brush through my hair.
I was too busy running on the clock to notice how other mums presented themselves.
Whether you look like you're going down a catwalk or whether you've been dragged through a hedge backwards is irrelevant as long as your kids are clean, tidy, fed and on time.

Talipesmum · 09/07/2024 15:40

Needmorelego · 09/07/2024 14:42

@sunshine2go no not a wind up.
What I mean is I could turn up wearing a pair of PJ bottoms (loungewear) and matching t-shirt.
To me it's my day wear. I don't sleep in it.
But people - ones like you maybe - might recognise it as a PJ set you saw in Primark last week so the judgy pants in you will think
"Ewww..... she's in her pyjamas...how gross" .
But why should you care? It's not your business.

I think it’s pretty reasonable that if you are wearing pyjamas that are sold as pyjamas and look like pyjamas, people are going to think you’re wearing your pyjamas outside, ie ones you sleep in. There are absolutely loads of clothes that are the same looseness and comfort as pyjamas but don’t look obviously like pjs - if you prefer this sort of thing for comfort or whatever, but don’t want people to assume you’ve not bothered getting changed, wear those ones. Otherwise everyone is going to assume you didn’t get dressed. You’re unreasonable to think they won’t.

Foxxo · 09/07/2024 15:40

WhataBloodyFarce · 09/07/2024 15:33

Hopefully you're at least applying moisturiser/spf to protect your skin? I like basic natural makeup, I'm not 20 anymore, 😂

funnily enough, this is something i've started in the last couple of months.

Cleanse and moisturise morning & night!

WhataBloodyFarce · 09/07/2024 15:33

Hopefully you're at least applying moisturiser/spf to protect your skin? I like basic natural makeup, I'm not 20 anymore, 😂

DontCallMeKidDontCallMeBaby · 09/07/2024 14:53

I’ve worn makeup everyday I’ve taken my dc to school, regardless of my plans afterwards, since their started. It’s just part of my routine, the same as any other day. I’m quite surprised to think any of the other adults would have even noticed.

Hoppinggreen · 09/07/2024 14:47

Not too much boob, no arse cheeks hanging out, no PJs and be vaguely clean
Thats it really