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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To dislikethenotion of 'school run' outfits

169 replies

Sleepyfergus · 13/06/2015 17:26

Sets my teeth on edge when people describe outfits as being suitable or appropriate for 'school run' like it has to be of a certain standard or type to be deemed ok.

I think it's a bit sad that some folk might feel pressurised to look or dress a certain way before they can drop off or pick up at school.

OP posts:
Iggi999 · 13/06/2015 17:58

It's very much a sahm thing, which irritates me as it's not very inclusive.

MrsMcColl · 13/06/2015 18:01

Sounds bonkers. Surely the school run is just one small part of whatever you're doing that day - so you wear whatever makes sense for the day as a whole and turn up at school in whatever that is. (Surely...?)

BelindaBagwash · 13/06/2015 18:02

So glad the school run doesn't exist where I live. Can think of nothing worse than a load of mothers congregating around the school gates being bitchy and competitive Hmm

mumofthemonsters808 · 13/06/2015 18:04

I've only heard it mentioned on here in the Style and Beauty section. I struggle to understand that some Mums choose clothes based on the fact that they are going to school twice a day, surely they are just clothes that they like and are not too formal to be regarded as work clothes. I just dress for whatever I'm doing that day, I've never choose a single item and thought "yeah, great for taking kids to school in" . I admit to having dog walking clothes though, which are my scruffs and perfect for getting dirty in. There again, ours is not an Elle McPherson kind of school.

AuntieStella · 13/06/2015 18:16

You do know that on MN a "school run dress" is an in-joke that has become a standard term, and is nothing whatsoever to do with the actual school run don't you?

longlistofexlovers · 13/06/2015 18:18

The ultimate school run outfit is gym clothes.

Then people think you are dropping the kids off, then off to the gym, like a healthy proactive fitness bunny. In reality, leggings, trainers and a ponytail require no effort and are comfy as fuck.

MrsMcColl · 13/06/2015 18:18

What is it then, Auntie? A dress for not going to work in? Or something else?

Original poster
Sleepyfergus · 13/06/2015 18:20

AuntieStella - not what I have evidenced, and not everyone is au fait with MN exclusive terminology.

OP posts:
GaryBaldy · 13/06/2015 18:20

As divisive as BF v FF the old school run dress concept Grin

OP YABVU as has been mentioned on here it is a quick change outfit, unless you think a bikini is appropriate SR wear?

AuntieStella · 13/06/2015 18:23

It's just a (summer) casual dress that you can pull out of your wardrobe and wear, and look just fine in for anything non-dressy.

Especially when you've just spent hours titting about with toddlers and have only 5 minutes to get ready and want all the right things to just fall out of your wardrobe.

Which is all a bit long to type every time.

The threads are annual staples, and there's usually explanations each time.

museumum · 13/06/2015 18:23

Is a "school run" outfit not just anything easy and vaguely acceptable for days when the school run is the only time you leave the house. I wouldn't go to school in my heavy housework or decorating or gardening clothes as these are holy and stained and by the afternoon run sweaty and gross!

It obviously doesn't apply if you're out and about or at work all day as then you obviously dress acceptably anyway.

GlitzAndGigglesx · 13/06/2015 18:25

But some women actually link £30 dresses asking if it's suitable unless I'm very dim and missed the joke. I thought showering beforehand was enough effort Sad

NinkyNonkers · 13/06/2015 18:25

I think it is just 'easy but respectable' isn't it?

merrymouse · 13/06/2015 18:28

I accept that it is shorthand for a particular type of dress, but still can't imagine what somebody would be doing with toddlers that is so messy that they would regularly have to change to do the school run. Would you change the dress again when you come home and start cooking?

NinkyNonkers · 13/06/2015 18:28

And all the disparaging talk of school mums does make me laugh a little, given it is coming from 'school mums'.

MrsMcColl · 13/06/2015 18:29

I don't get it. I mean - yes, I understand the explanation, but I don't get the concept of the school run being the main outing of the day. Or why it couldn't be done in housework clothes, if that's what you've been doing all day - who would care?

scarletforya · 13/06/2015 18:33

Saw it on here a week out two ago, talking about a school run dress!

I'm judging. I am. I just thought 'Get a life'.

DadOnIce · 13/06/2015 18:33

Laughing here at the notion of me and any of my fellow school-run dads looking each other up and down and thinking, "Oooh, is that his school run outfit? T-shirt and baggy jeans again? Lazy bitch. Doesn't he have any pride?"

Also, aren't a lot of school-run parents going on to work? So won't the "outfit" be whatever is suitable for the office/ staffroom/ builder's yard/ fish-gutting factory?

merrymouse · 13/06/2015 18:34

Some might be disparaging. Others are just confused.

merrymouse · 13/06/2015 18:37

Aha! A gap in the market - school run overalls for Men!

To dislikethenotion of 'school run' outfits
meditrina · 13/06/2015 18:37

Whether you're confused depends on whether you've actually read the threads!

Communities have their own jargon and in-jokes. It's not a huge secret. But not everyone wants to join in. That's fine too.

But sneering at a community's in joke, based on an utter misunderstanding, is a bit crap.

DinosaursRoar · 13/06/2015 18:37

I thought the "school run dress" came out of the MN thing of "what do you think of this dress?" needing specification of what you were wearing it for - so "work dress" or "going out dress" but "SAHM day dress" is the same thing as "School run dress" - although I've also heard it as a term for the summer as "spend the afternoon playing in the garden with pre-school DCs in bikini, throw a dress on over the top before going on the school run".

I must say, I like the idea of the school run dress - say it and I know exactly what level of casual/smart you are talking about, that it needs to be a dress that can be worn with flat shoes for walking the school run, that it needs tobe something that's easy to throw on in the morning without needing to be styled - preferable worn over any colour of underwear as I'm not going to have the time inbetween shouting and mini-dinosaurs to get dressed to check I have the right colour underwear for the dress...

NinkyNonkers · 13/06/2015 18:38

I was referring more to the comments about bitchy mums etc.

SoupDragon · 13/06/2015 18:38

Do they have a "going out to walk the dog outfit"

Well, I'd look a complete twat walking the dog in the woods in a summer dress and flip flops.

merrymouse · 13/06/2015 18:42

Whether you're confused depends on whether you've actually read the threads!

But I have seen the threads and I still don't understand.

In my head a dress you put on over a bikini is a sun dress. If I am collecting my children from school I just wear whatever I happen to be wearing - by default it will be presentable in public and enable walking.