Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Do you ever look at someone and think I really want to give them a make over ? There’s a Mum I see on the school run, probably about 40

347 replies

Lardlizard · 29/03/2019 09:24

Lovely slim body, and I thjnk she could really improve her look as she wears these baggy jeans
Awful trainers and fleeces and her hair is like a bush
I think even if she wanted to dress casually, she would look so so much better with some jeans that fitted well, some nice smart trainers, she’s. It not making the most of herself, somedays she clearly works as she will wear a skirt with heals and a fleece

I wouldn’t want to be so rude or ever say anything but I just think could sill dress just as causally, bit look so much better

OP posts:
zoellafortitude · 29/03/2019 14:39

I like to think I could still "scrub up well" if I wanted to, but it doesn't fit with my personality or my lifestyle so it would be a massive waste of effort and money IMO.

Strugglingtodomybest · 29/03/2019 14:39

No, I never think I want to give someone a makeover, my judging of other people's appearance is limited to fleeting thoughts along the lines of, 'I wonder if she realises that you can see her pants through that?'. I also wonder about how people find the time for it, if they are wearing a lot of make up or a very styled hair do. Then I remember that it's because we all have different priorities.

This woman may hate the thought of better fitting jeans and smart trainers , like I do. I was very into the grunge scene and it's had a long lasting effect on my style. Honestly, the scruffier the trainers, the better in my book.

chaosisaladder · 29/03/2019 14:42

@ilooklikeatramp - Wine I’m sure you know, but you are a wonderful person. I hope you get some time for yourself.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Clothing General style & beauty
Dottierichardson · 29/03/2019 14:44

I tend to think that people who dress up or make an effort for things like the school run are a little insecure.

formerbabe · 29/03/2019 14:45

At the risk of an absolute flaming...I've often said that being thin is wasted on some women. Honestly, if I had a good figure, I'd be doing the weekly shop in hot pants!

I'll duck now while you all throw things at my head!

caffeineplease · 29/03/2019 14:53

@ILookLikeATramp
Well said ! It's freaking hard. My lovely dad is now being cared for professionally and at end of life care but sometimes it feels like it's never ending but you don't want to go to the dark place of it ending. If that makes any sense. Sorry emotions in way of rational speaking.

TrendyNorthLondonTeen · 29/03/2019 14:54

"Where I live wolf fleeces have become an ironic thing with the hipster classes."

I go to university in Paisley, can confirm.

(Also I'm a speccy fatso so luckily no one will bother their arse trying to make me look better.)

LoisWilkerson1 · 29/03/2019 14:56

I'm off to Google images "hipster in wolf clothing" don't try and stop me.

Mumberjack · 29/03/2019 15:02

Maybe she does dress differently for occasions but generally can’t be arsed for the school run? I know I like to go bare faced etc when I’m not at work, feels freeing.

FuzzyShadowChatter · 29/03/2019 15:07

I don't think I'm the right person to be considering giving anyone a makeover so haven't thought about doing so. I don't think it's automatically bad, just not a strength of mine. I only know I'm not any of the people being mentioned in this thread because I don't own any jeans or heels. I've never been handy with make-up and gave up trying that in high school, never been able to tame my hair that goes frizzy in minutes even sitting still inside, and has spent most of the winter living in my lovely charity shop fleece jackets (what is wrong with a fleece? They're so comfortable and mine all have massive pockets), and my opinion is my boots work for pretty much any occasion.

I'm sure some think I'm a mess who isn't 'making the most' of myself. I kinda enjoyed that in my twenties as I got a lot of bad attention from men as a teen so covering up and becoming as invisible as possible and just getting on with things was freeing. Recently, I have considered doing a personal shopper experience maybe after a bit more training as after four kids and illness, I really struggle to figure out what I want to wear anymore and just go for what's easy and there. Don't think I'd go for a random school mum for advice, but then with all the scare stories about hairdressers or other professional advice and work going really wrong, it can be hard to know where to turn to on these things.

saganorenscarandcoat · 29/03/2019 15:13

OP, please describe your usual school run outfit

Blompitude · 29/03/2019 15:28

For any Archers listeners out there: is the OP Natasha? Is she going to transform the school run mum with a pretty scarf? Wink

caffeineplease · 29/03/2019 15:30

@Blompitude
A Mumsnet scarf ?

Langrish · 29/03/2019 15:31

Having extolled not judging, can’t stand Natasha but that doesn’t count, she’s not real (sorry, was that a spoiler Grin)

DinosApple · 29/03/2019 15:37

Meh, perhaps she works in a garage like me.
...Maybe it is me ShockGrin.

AsMuchUseAsAMarzipanDildo · 29/03/2019 15:41

Firstly, sending a big hug to ILookLikeATramp Dementia is just shit.

Secondly, I havent RTFT so maybe she’s come back to apologise, I hope this thread has made the OP (and others of her ilk) realise how absolutely crap it is to judge another woman’s appearance. A) You have no idea what is going on for her, I have severe depression at the moment, literally cannot remember when I last washed. B) maybe everything is fine for her and she is comfortable and happy with what she wears.

Belenus · 29/03/2019 15:43

I've often said that being thin is wasted on some women. Honestly, if I had a good figure, I'd be doing the weekly shop in hot pants!

I'm slim and fit. This isn't wasted - I ride horses that need a lightweight rider so it's great for that. Also, my boyfriend really appreciates it. But I don't wear hotpants. I did wear leggings a lot in the 1990s but really I don't feel the need or want the hassle. I am far more than what I look like.

If that's what you would want to do, you go for it. It's just not what everyone wants.

SoHotADragonRetired · 29/03/2019 15:43

I do sometimes look at people and think "oh, a bob would really bring out her features more" or "she'd look great in something more fitted at the waist" but it's just idle application of my aesthetic interests/skills and I know fine well nobody asked me.

I don't think it's inherently awful to mentally restyle people as long as you don't look down on them for not doing what you'd do and never, ever mention it in real life.

grincheux · 29/03/2019 15:57

I think it's wonderful that youre minding her business so much more than your own, how very thoughtful! Bring it up with her next time you see her, nice and honest like you have here. In fact, your wording was pretty perfect. Let us know how it goes!

sits back with popcorn

HarrySnotter · 29/03/2019 16:07

I've often said that being thin is wasted on some women. Honestly, if I had a good figure, I'd be doing the weekly shop in hot pants!

I'm not sure what you really mean by this. Why is it 'wasted'?

havingtochangeusernameagain · 29/03/2019 16:11

At risk at sounding judgey because I am judgey, yes I have felt like this when I've seen some women (to be honest I sometimes look at men and wonder what the heck they're wearing, too).

Mainly when some older women have long hair that does nothing for them. Some women really suit longer hair. Others don't. And I don't like really bleached hair either. And sometimes I see women who had lovely longer hair who've had it cut short and I think noooooo.

But ultimately it's all in the eye of the beholder isn't it. And none of my business.

higgyhog · 29/03/2019 16:14

When I last did the school run (some years ago now) there seemed to be only two sorts of mother, the SAHM were all dressed in gym stuff, as if to make the point they had plenty of time to do what they wanted. The working mothers tended to be power dressed for work.

CostanzaG · 29/03/2019 16:15

being thin is wasted on some women
Fuck me ....what have I just read?

dpt123 · 29/03/2019 16:16

Haha, in my late 30s and dressing up for the school run is the least of my concerns. When I was younger I felt like I needed make-up (etc, etc) to feel confident. Perhaps with age this lady too has swapped foundation for a fresh face, at least for the school run when it doesn't really matter and (almost) no-one notices as they are too busy with their own lives and children to take note of someone else's appearance!

If someone suggested a makeover I'd laugh out loud I'm afraid and definitely wouldn't think they were being nice or helpful!

EnidButton · 29/03/2019 16:16

I seem to remember you doing a post a bit back about how people shouldn't judge others on appearances Lard and you're always on S&B (nothing wrong with that, I am too.) so I think you're projecting your own insecurities on to this woman tbh.

I care about my own appearance, I don't care about other people's.