To get really annoyed that this woman keeps making patronising comments about my clothes and appearance?

[ChilliDoritos]

There is a mum at my DCs school who makes a beeline for me every day at drop off and pick up. She seems generally nice enough and our 6 year olds are friends, and I'm always happy to have a chat, but she constantly makes patronising comments about my appearance and what I'm wearing, and it's really starting to irritate me.

It's always things that have a little sting in the tail. Usually started with her going 'Ooo-ooh' like you would to a child that you thought looked smart or who had a posh new party frock on. And then it's followed by 'have you done your make up differently? you look really glamorous today?' or 'Oooh I like that top, it's nice to see you in something pretty'. This morning I had a denim jacket on and she started saying 'Ooh-ooh, I like this' and tugging away at it, and she then pulled the label out at the nape of the neck, said the brand really loudly and said 'never heard of that brand before'.

I don't know if it's her way of complimentary and she sometimes comes across badly, or if she's genuinely being passive aggressive, but either way it's really becoming annoying.

AIBU?

Thank you everyone for the replies :)

Retroformica, I'm normally pretty good at receiving compliments, and actually I do quite like getting them, it's just the way she goes about it really. I just sense that she's not genuine and is being passive aggressive. I think it's all in her tone tbh, and the way she words things. If she said 'I love your top' then I'd take it as a compliment but it's the way she says 'Ooo-ooh I love your top, look at you, all smart today, nice to see you in something a bit different for once'. It just doesn't sound sincere

she tugged at the label in your jacket?!! wow what a strange woman with appalling and oppressive social skills. Just ignore her or just say
....'gosh thank you sooo much, i feel so flattered to have someone who is clearly really stylish and well dressed admire little old me ha ha' with a big smile...lay it on thick

This will stop her in her tracks. That is what she thinks of herself and you will embarrass her.... good luck

A few years ago I worked with a woman who was very "all about me" iykwim. And when she did comment on anyone's outfit/hair it always seemed like a dig. As in " oh don't you look nice....today" as in- because you normally look like shite.
Horrid women

I like the idea of sewing a label into your clothes that days "nosy cow!" One of the mums is always remarking that I must be cold as I tend to wear 3/4 sleeve jackets (I usually come straight from work to collect DD). It is really annoying!

Sounds like she's sticking to a subject she feels she knows about, and wouldn't feel confident talking about something else. Or maybe she's actually shy, and over-compensating by taking the forthright approach.

I think I'd give a quick "thanks" to each comment and then change the subject to something banal like "so did you have a good weekend?"

If it's bothering you then you have to MN her 'did you mean to be so rude'

If it's making you uncomfortable then her intentions at heavy handed compliments are largely irrelevant, either say the above or just say 'hi, I'm just off to talk to such and such' before she has a chance to get started

yanbu,

and she then pulled the label out at the nape of the neck, said the brand really loudly and said 'never heard of that brand before'.

and this is very rude. Don't touch people fgs

Hang on... I was so focused on the outrageousness of her pulling out your label I missed the other point and have just put two and two together...
....you were wearing Primark and she said, "I've never heard of that brand before".

Oh god. You have to kill her for being a pretentious arse. You're doing her a favour in the long run.

How about "You're obviously very interested in what other people are wearing"

I would love for this to happen to me, I've got stuff going on and raging pmt . Send her round my way Chilli, I'd bet money on her being a passive aggressive beatch and not a nice, shy socially akward but well meaning lady, she's a tit.

Chilli you must retaliate with a " oooooh is that real pleather? It just looks cheap on me, really suits you though" head tilt.

I would definitely part company with ANYONE who invaded my personal space, yanking, and checking my labels.

A woman at work did it to me and I just gave her The Look which says get your hands off!! She never got near me again thank goodness. Urghh

So I completely see why you would be offended by that person's appauling behaviour ChilliDs, YADDNBU

I hate the bloody school run, unless certain nice mums are around.

I've had some really nice compliments from other mums about stuff I'm wearing, but there's always one, isn't there? 'I think it's great that you dress how you do! Like you're still a teenager!' Or 'As long as YOU like your clothes, that's all that matters, isn't it?' How about 'I always smile when I see what you're wearing'? Yeah, well I smile (nastily) to myself when I see what you're wearing too.

Fuck 'em. Fuck the lot of them. I don't dress especially weird, honest. And if anyone laid hands on me to dig out a label... I'd probably be mute with fury and then ask Mumsnet if IWBU ;-)

Are you quite wealthy, perhaps? Maybe she wants you to spend loads at the shop she works in (after taking her fashion advice, natch) so has to engage you in clothing banter each day?

Can't believe she grabbed your label. Shriek "don't touch me!". If you're lucky she'll stay away for the next 7 years.

Can you write 'Do fuck off dear' on the label?