To dislikethenotion of 'school run' outfits

[Sleepyfergus]

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.

Dinosaur - so it's just a casual dress? That's fine. It's the pretentious name that winds me up

Boden has many contenders - in fact, I do think Johnny Boden has made a living out of dressing SAHMs who are just a bit bored of always wearing "skinny jeans and t-shirt". It's a whole website of clothes that aren't smart enough for work, not glamorous enough for going out, but perfectly suited for SAHM lifestyle. (Generally in styles that won't flash your knickers or babs if you are crawling around on the floor at a toddler group after a smaller person)

Lashes - as said on this thread a few times, it's just a catagory of clothes on the S&B section, in the same way you get threads of woman asking for ideas for "office summer dresses" or "wedding guest dress" or "holiday dress" - rather than just saying "summer dress". There's a huge difference in styles that come under the heading of "dress", knowing roughly when you'll be wearing the dress you are looking for does help filter.

God there are loads of very monied shams at my kids' small village school. They always look so perfect.perfect highlights in perfectly brushed hair, trendy clothes, trendy makeup etc etc. luckily there are also a number of mothers who are normal and don't care.

Dinosaur I get that but if it's just a casual day dress surely "casual day dress" is fine? The name "school run dress" has implications that it sounds like you're not actually meaning

My school run outfit is whatever I'm wearing to work that fits my activities body comfortably that day.

So one day will combats and a white t-shirt. The next pencil skirt and blouse, the next trousers and top, etc etc.

I don't really care what people think. I'm usually planning lessons in my head anyway.

Ethel - then you need a range of school run dresses! one item of clothing, no thinking "does this go with that?" or "wait, I need to find a white or flesh coloured bra if I want to wear this" - put it on, put on pumps/flipflops/summer flat shoes of choice, and you are done! (I'm never buying summer skirts and tops again, far too much effort.)

possibly, although "casual day dress" will often get you 'smart casual work wear" or "strappy beach wear dresses" or more "going for lunch" dresses.

Dinosaur I guess clothing categories are subjective! I do see your point I just think the name makes you think of school gate PTA women battering and drinking lattes, which is why people laugh

Nattering

I consider suitable for tge school run to be quick and easy to wear that send the illusion of thought out well put together outfit. In summer that is a summer dress and sandals. In winter it is... A long coat!

Another example - this is a day dress - but I would say not a 'school run dress' as it's a bit OTT for normal SAHM day. If I wore that on the school run, my 'Mum friends' (another hated term!) would ask if I was doing something special that day/going anywhere fancy after I'd dropped them off.

It is also a wee bit tongue in cheek and not meant to be taken totally seriously.

Dinosaur I think that's what I find annoying. I wear quite dressy dresses in the day, and I tend to think that you should wear what YOU want and not be bound by categories. I DO get annoyed if people ask "ooooh that's a fancy dress where are you going?" Because I dress the same regardless. But I am probably unusual about this

School run worthy clothes, for me, are a change of clothes each day. Where clothes = clothes, no pajamas or a onesie or stuff like that.

Before DS began school, it wasnt unusual for me to wear the same shirt and jeans around the house, and the same nicer shirt and jeans to go run errands several days in a row. A visit to the park or serious housecleaning or some other dirt contact activity would prompt a change. But otherwise, clean underclothes were good enough. But you cant show up at school in the same clothes day in and day out.

Except in winter, when its all under your coat. Here in Scotland,

most of the year you can justify covering up with a light raincoat or jacket so that solves it.

I don't have lo at school yet but I would actually change to look presentable out and about locally. I run my own successful business and how I present myself (especially when I might bump into clients) when out and about reflects (rightly or wrongly) on how people perceive me and by extension my business.
I often work in jodhpurs or running gear from home but unless its a weekend I would never wear these to the village or town!

I think, because it is so difficult to find something that is not too dressy so you look like you're off somewhere posh, but not too "beach-wear" that it exposes a lot of flesh, yet needs to be not too fussy, but won't crease, doesn't make norky ladies look like they are flashing cleavage, yet doesn't make apple shapes look pregnant etc etc was why there was so much effort put in to find the "perfect' dress, so each year as soon as the sun came out posters would start putting up suggestions for what would be a good contender for that year.

It's not about angst for dressing for the school run, just about finding the perfect go anywhere dress that can be chucked on in a hurry.

Not disimilar to WOHM looking for the perfect pair of shoes that have enough heel but not too much, hard wearing enough to last, comfy enough to walk from station to office, in a colour that will match a range of suits etc etc

Some of us fall into SAHM and WOHM and need both...it's really not divisive, just sharing ideas.

I know it's bad form but I've only read the first page but an LOL'ing at "dress you throw on after mucking about in the garden with the toddlers in a bikini" as if this is a THING. If be amazed if most people find themselves in that situation twice a year, let alone needing a whole specific dress just for that situation

Isn't it more the case that it's organisation- having a dress to have which looks good but doesn't take up any time so you can look good at the school gate in a hurry?

My school run is just people wearing what they would wear if they weren't doing the school run. So if they work, they wear their office gear / work uniform, if they are going running its gym kit, there's lots of horsey stuff too.

I'm not convinced its a thing, really. Not here anyway.