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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:
merrymouse · 13/06/2015 19:48

I did used to have a Snoopy who had loads of different outfits though.

Preminstreltension · 13/06/2015 19:48

Some stupid magazine used to run a 'school run fashion' feature every month with pictures of ridiculously overdressed mums on their way to dropoff and a bit of "oh this old thing, I like to mix designer and vintage..." bolleaux from them. Sad to say it is a real thing in some places so I'm afraid the MN use is not entirely ironic. So glad our school is not like that.

PattiODoors · 13/06/2015 19:48

Well yes I spose. Cos if you were at work you wouldn't be a bit sticky from titting around with toddlers all day. On my work days ofc I would be in my suit or Principles seperates* and sensible courts. #parttimer

*shows age

DawnOfTheDoggers · 13/06/2015 19:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Alfieisnoisy · 13/06/2015 19:51

I have only ever seen "school run dress" mentioned on the S&B section of MN. This see,s to be populated by folk who is considerably posher than what I is....innit? Grin

For me it's whatever is comfy and practical at the time.

I just drop DS outside the school and don't have to get out of the car.

My best friend however is a right slattern....she sometimes wears her PJs as she also just drops her child at the door. Have told her she is a slattern too lol.

MrsMcColl · 13/06/2015 19:51

But why can't you go stickily on the school run, Patti? That's the part I'm not seeing. Why does it matter? The bikini in the garden thing - for, what, 2 days a year? - can surely be addressed by putting any clothes at all over the top!

Sallystyle · 13/06/2015 19:52

U2theEdge - am confused, do you do the morning school run in your pjs and get changed just for the afternoon one, or do you mean you would wear pjs if you didn't have to go on the school run at all?

DH does the morning run.

I am often still in bed Blush

StickEm · 13/06/2015 19:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MamaLazarou · 13/06/2015 19:56

Oh yes, I saw that 'school run chic' thing in a magazine at the hairdressers. Tragic!

NinkyNonkers · 13/06/2015 19:58

TBH, I'm sure we all do things that others find 'tragic'. But sneering at others is always unpleasant.

Preminstreltension · 13/06/2015 20:16

I think some things should be sneered at tbh. Dolling yourself up for the school run in order to participate in a depressingly limited competition with the other women at the school gate is one such.

I quite like fashion for fun, but for prestige on the school run? Not so much.

Sallystyle · 13/06/2015 20:20

Some women like to look nice on the school run.. so fucking what?

I put makeup on for the school run. Some days it might be the only time I am going out and I won't dream of doing the school run without make up on.

If you judge me as being insecure (as one poster judged people for wanting to look nice on the sr) then that makes you an idiot. I like to look the best I can when out in public. If you have something against that it says much more about you than it does me.

Sallystyle · 13/06/2015 20:22

I have never seen anyone dolling themselves up.

The whole point of the SRD is an item of clothing that is relaxed and easy to put on. No one is dolling themselves up.

I doubt anyone is in competition with the other mothers. I find it tragic that you have that opinion of other women who like to look nice.

coffeeisnectar · 13/06/2015 20:22

I'm more confused now. As a relative newbie of a few months I didn't realise I was to go into the archives and read every thread since the year dot so I could understand all the in-jokes.

I find sneering at people who don't get the in-jokes a tad on the tasteless side. There are nicer ways of saying things and I do get a bit sick of the comments along the lines of "oh it's something that was funny five years ago and if you took the time to find out by reading threads you wouldn't need to ask".

About as helpful as Google is your friend.

Preminstreltension · 13/06/2015 20:24

Easy Living it was. They ran an actual competition on it.

Sallystyle · 13/06/2015 20:26

If someone takes the time to get annoyed by the school run threads then they should take the time to read them properly to understand them at least.

I think the sneering comes when people judge others for their harmless choices. The judgments were made on the first post about how 'sad' it is that some women feel the need to look a certain way.

No, some just like the look nice, not because they feel they should, sometimes it is just fun to look nice. Nothing more.

When you make a post judging others for their choices then you are going to get sneered at.

MamaLazarou · 13/06/2015 20:30

I have been on MN for six years, have seen and read many references to the SRD and today is the first time I have seen an explanation.

auntyentropy · 13/06/2015 20:30

As a WOHM I've always found the concept of the SRD perfectly easy to understand - it's something that's not too smart, not too long not too short, very easy to wear but flattering, looks good, and as if you care about your appearance. It's suitable to be worn any time you're leaving the house and expecting to have some form of social interaction especially when it's too warm for jeans - it might equally be called a museum visiting/ hairdresser/ dentist/ GP/ dance drop off/ committee meeting/parents evening/ giving blood/ clothes shopping dress.

Bear in mind that the S&B boards are (naturally) disproportionately populated by women who hold to the philosophy that nice clothes are to be worn every day and not just horded for special occasions. Some women find it makes them feel happy or "in control" to look "put together" and nicely dressed whenever they leave the house. Sometimes I think they've got a point, sometimes I simply can't be arsed, but as long as they don't judge the tracky bottoms and and scrunchy faction then I will defend the SRD faction to the death for choosing to do what makes them feel good.

DinosaursRoar · 13/06/2015 20:31

U2TheEdge - aha, that makes sense! I thought it a bit bonkers to get changed to leave the house in the mornings then get back in jammies, then changed again a few hours later! (DH tends to leave for work before 7am, am rather jealous of you getting a lie in on a weekday!)

TBH - after a while on this anti school run dress threads, it often comes down to the fact that many woman believe that once you've had DC, you shouldn't care about your appearance anymore unless you have to. So woman who are going on to work afterwards are given a 'free pass' from the sneering about making an effort ,because they have to wear make up, do their hair and dress nicely.

The sneerers do basically think you need to have a reason to wear something nice. So going to work, going out, but just doing the school run then going to the shops don't require effort, so it's strange to do so. Spending money on casual dresses to wear in the day when you have no requirement to look nice is seen as wasteful and pointless.

MrsCampbellBlack · 13/06/2015 20:32

This is just so funny. Some people myself included just like fashion/make up etc and I always make an effort to look nice.

I did this when I had babies/toddlers/school age children - when I was a SAHM and when I worked.

I just don't understand why it invokes such judgment and anger from other women. I don't give a shit if other people want to do the school run in their pyjamas but I never would personally.

MrsCampbellBlack · 13/06/2015 20:35

Basically everything U2 said Smile

Mama - I mainly frequent S&B and there are often explanations in there about the origins of the SRD. Normally because lots of people come onto the thread to sneer at the concept.

However compared to handbag threads they are positively friendly Wink

LashesandLipstick · 13/06/2015 20:35

It's not about liking fashion and makeup - I wear more makeup than most and dress up. But I do it for myself. I dress like that whether I'm at home or going out. Dressing up specifically to pick up your kids is sad

phoenixrose314 · 13/06/2015 20:38

To be fair, I have parents turn up in dressing downs and, once, in a blanket and underwear - I kid you not.

Aside from inappropriate wear, the outfit you wear dropping off your child has no effect on how well you do that job, so who cares?

MrsCampbellBlack · 13/06/2015 20:39

It isn't about dressing up to just pick up your children though. Honestly, even when I didn't work I did other stuff besides the school run - you know toddler group, park, shopping whatever.

I just wear nice clothes and make up pretty much everyday you know because I like too.

MamaLazarou · 13/06/2015 20:41

Oh, MrsCampbell, I recently made the mistake of venturing onto a handbag thread! Never again!

To be clear: I wear dresses/make up and make an effort to look nice. I am not judgmental or angry about what other women choose to wear. I have just always found the idea of a specific dress for wearing on the school run baffling.

But now I understand that 'School Run Dress' is shorthand for 'casual day dress' I stand corrected.