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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dressing for the school run?

102 replies

WetLondoner · 07/01/2023 13:54

Not specifically dressing up for the occasion, but rather, what do you wear or perceive others wearing that gives them a polished appearance?

I work from home the majority of the time, so I only get dolled up to go to meetings.

COMFORT is why I typically prefer to dress in leggings or yoga pants and sneakers. In addition, I enjoy rocking my windbreaker 😂

The teachers are always so stylish, and the majority have their nails painted and their hair styled nicely. One teaching assistant is older than I am, has two boys, and has a "french chic" look, hehe.

I just don’t want to come off as a scruff iyswim.

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 07/01/2023 13:56

Since the teachers are in their professional work place, I would hope they are smartly (and practically) dressed. Although at DDs Primary the outfit of choice for teachers is often their school fleece on the playground...

stealthninjamum · 07/01/2023 13:58

I just wear dresses, to me they’re more comfy than leggings or yoga pants and look better with no effort.

ThreeLittleDots · 07/01/2023 13:58

"Polished", "dolled"? I once saw someone drop their child off in a dressing gown with a towel on their head!

whatthejuice · 07/01/2023 14:01

I find winter easier to look like I've made a bit of an effort. I do find that the duvet puffa style coats with attached hoods look scruffy (no hate, I have one and love it - so cosy!)
If you have a wool, below the knee coat, I find that smartens me up. So my "uniform" is usually a wool coat, dark straight leg jeans and my smarter trainers (I have some Vejas that look a bit smarter than my old Nikes). Joy of a big woollen coat is it doesn't matter what terrible state my jumper is underneath!

Original poster
WetLondoner · 07/01/2023 14:06

I just wear dresses, to me they’re more comfy than leggings or yoga pants and look better with no effort.

@stealthninjamum what kind of dresses do you wear and I can have a look around. I do like dresses too but ones I can wear with loafers or sneakers even?

For example a midi dress and plain white trainers would be something I’d like to wear when it’s warmer.

OP posts:
Original poster
WetLondoner · 07/01/2023 14:08

"Polished", "dolled"? I once saw someone drop their child off in a dressing gown with a towel on their head!

I don’t get out of the house much because I work in my comfies/pyjamas at my desk so I would like to throw something nice on when I do go out so I have a little spring in my step - that’s my bit of fresh air for the day!

I don’t want to fall into the trap of not caring.

OP posts:
GimmeBiscuits · 07/01/2023 14:13

Not what you want to hear, OP, but I rarely noticed what anyone wore on the school run, and even less frequently cared. If people thought I was scruffy, I didn't care as I was there to drop my child off and not participate in a fashion show.
Obviously wearing 'outdoor' clothes as opposed to PJ'S and dragging a brush through your hair is an appropriate thing to do. And if you're off to work then you'd presumably wear whatever you were wearing that day.

Original poster
WetLondoner · 07/01/2023 14:13

If you have a wool, below the knee coat, I find that smartens me up. So my "uniform" is usually a wool coat, dark straight leg jeans and my smarter trainers.

I have a lovely beige wool coat with an attached scarf that wraps around your neck so it looks much more expensive than it really is. Kind of looks like it’s from Maxmara.

I’ll wear leggings and a little black vest under that as it’s so warm and nobody knows what’s going on underneath.

I think I need to add to my smart trainer collection. Do think vejas look good. Something on the more premium end of trainers elevates your look doesn’t it.

I always feel scruffy if I have my hair up and no makeup sadly so I don’t feel like “myself fully” time consuming all this 😂

OP posts:
stealthninjamum · 07/01/2023 14:15

wetlondoner I’m not very trendy so I wear the same sort of dresses I’ve always worn. In this weather I wear wrap dresses or jumper dresses usually with boots but they would probably look ok with loafers. I drive these days so don’t need to be warm, I’ll often wear a cardigan rather than coat. As I said I am lazy but when dc were in primary school and I chatted to more mums I often used to get compliments.

I also sometimes wear lipstick with blusher and have about three necklaces to. I had my colours done years ago so wear from a restricted pallete of colours. I have big boobs so wear long necklaces if I wear a high necked dress because it makes me look more matronly. Otherwise I like v necks.

Original poster
WetLondoner · 07/01/2023 14:19

@stealthninjamum i like Chelsea boots! They’re very comfortable too.

Great shout on the wrap dresses, used to always have those on when I actually worked in an office 😂

When you’re at home all day on the laptop and getting little jobs done you can fall into a bit of a style rut and I don’t want that.

Throwing on a nice dress before you step out makes a big difference IMO.

OP posts:
Original poster
WetLondoner · 07/01/2023 14:21

If people thought I was scruffy, I didn't care as I was there to drop my child off and not participate in a fashion show.

it’s not that I care that much it’s just that I want to feel good about myself when I’m out and interacting with others.

Making an effort gives me confidence.

OP posts:
IncessantChangerOfName · 07/01/2023 14:22

I have been doing the school run for 14 years and I don't notice unless it's summer and someone has particularly nice dress on. I often like my friends patterned punky leggings but she looks amazing in them.

One of the mums has a wax jacket and beret. She always looks polished in that. She might have jammies underneath it

MajorCarolDanvers · 07/01/2023 14:24

GimmeBiscuits · 07/01/2023 14:13

Not what you want to hear, OP, but I rarely noticed what anyone wore on the school run, and even less frequently cared. If people thought I was scruffy, I didn't care as I was there to drop my child off and not participate in a fashion show.
Obviously wearing 'outdoor' clothes as opposed to PJ'S and dragging a brush through your hair is an appropriate thing to do. And if you're off to work then you'd presumably wear whatever you were wearing that day.

Completely agree.

I rarely do the school run but I've never given 2 hoots or noticed what fellow parents, grandparents, teachers were wearing. I wear whatever is appropriate for my day - wfh clothes, gym clothes etc.

Yesterdaywasntreal · 07/01/2023 14:28

I just dress for the day, not for the school run. I wear what I'd be comfortable leaving the house and others seeing me in.

DelphiniumBlue · 07/01/2023 14:29

Long coat, red lippie, spray of scent.
Personally I couldn't tell the difference between Vejas or any other sort of clean trainers, at least not at a distance . I do notice unbrushed hair, though.

AFS1 · 07/01/2023 14:30

I can’t imagine getting changed into something “polished” for the school run. I just go in whatever I’m wearing. Usually jeans and a hoodie if I’m working from home, my suit if I’m coming straight from work, leggings and a hoodie if I’m heading off to an exercise class. Sometimes have a swimming costume on underneath my clothes if I’m going swimming straight after. I wear whatever coat is appropriate for the weather. Generally no make-up. Very limited jewellery. The vast majority of the parents I see at the school gates wear the same. I think I’d possibly notice if someone was glammed up, but only because they would look so completely out of place!

Desmondo2021 · 07/01/2023 14:30

Another thread which leaves me astounded about the things other people wonder about!! I genuinely don't think there's a dress code is there? I'm in joggers looking like shit if I'm straight off of night shifts, running gear if I'm off for a run, jeans and a hoody if that's what I'm wearing that day or fully dressed and made up if I'm heading out someone nice. Or maybe still in joggers and a greasy ponytail if I'm heading out somewhere nice. Sometimes my nails are done, sometimes I have a monobrow and yesterday's mascara. Honestly, there are so many more things to think about!

Yesterdaywasntreal · 07/01/2023 14:32

Also if somebody judges you on a brand of trainers or what you're wearing than they're not worth knowing. You can change your clothes but you can't change your personality.

Original poster
WetLondoner · 07/01/2023 14:33

Another thread which leaves me astounded about the things other people wonder about!!

I actually enjoy updating my wardrobe and the prospect of putting new looks together.

Nothing wrong with thinking about style if that’s what you’re into.

OP posts:
MsChatterbox · 07/01/2023 14:34

Skinny jeans, ankle heeled boots and a nice jumper for winter. Once I get home I keep the jumper on and put pj bottoms and slippers on!

IWishIWasABaller · 07/01/2023 14:38

Small rural school with the majority of the mother's being sahms. Most wear sports gear/fleece jackets or those big puffa jackets over jeans / jumper. The mams who work are normally much more dressed up and wearing makeup so stand out a bit more. You would stick out like a sore thumb here if you were doing the school run in wrap dresses and boots

RosesAndHellebores · 07/01/2023 14:39

I either wore Jeans, boots, good coat in winter - skirt, top, nice cardigan, sandals in summer. Or I was on my way to work.

always wore a bit of makeup and brushed my hair - even when DD was a baby.

Mumofnarnia · 07/01/2023 14:46

stealthninjamum · 07/01/2023 13:58

I just wear dresses, to me they’re more comfy than leggings or yoga pants and look better with no effort.

I always like to wear dresses but everyone else in the school playground at my DC’s school are always dressed in jeans, leggings, trainers etc so I always feel a bit over dressed. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only other mum who feels more comfortable in a dress than in leggings/ yoga pants/ jeans

Desmondo2021 · 07/01/2023 14:47

WetLondoner · 07/01/2023 14:33

Another thread which leaves me astounded about the things other people wonder about!!

I actually enjoy updating my wardrobe and the prospect of putting new looks together.

Nothing wrong with thinking about style if that’s what you’re into.

Absolutely, me too! For me. Not for the school run 🤣

HypaHypa · 07/01/2023 15:10

Live in the north. Usually its too cold, windy and rainy to work out what other parents are wearing let alone try to wear a wrap dress!

I don't know as it matters as long as you get there all in one piece and the chldren are ready for their day at school. I clock parents that are shouting at their children in the playground rather than wild hair or no make up.