Dressing for the school run?

[WetLondoner]

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.

I don't pay any attention to what people wear for the school run. I naively assumed most people just wore whatever clothes they were wearing that day depending on the weather and what they were doing. It never crossed my mind that someone would get changed from one outfit to another to nip round the corner to school for 5 mins. One of my friends (30s) recently told me he was always late for school because his mum was doing her hair and make up in the morning and when he had a moan about not wanting to be late she was clear that she would never show him up by not attending school in a full face of slap and with a decent blow dry. He really hated being the last one in every day.

Yes same - big puffa with leggings! I turned up in that style one day wearing sunglasses too (it was winter but it had been a sunny drive) and 2 people asked me if I was hungover

This thread just comes across so contrived!
What a weird thing to obsess over to this level. Why are you being so specific about the school run? It’s like asking ‘what do you wear to the corner shop?’ ‘What do people in your area wear to the corner shop??’

You just wear what you would to do any other errand of the day if you aren’t already out of the house and dressed.

Nobody dresses for the school run where I live, some drop the kids off them go home and get a shower, clean clothes etc, some come in their gym or running gear, most wear leggings/joggers with a coat over the top. Nobody cares who's wearing what!

My head is spinning at this thread. I'm a school run veteran (20 years of prep school +) and SAHM (for context). Nobody cares what you are wearing. If you want to do "chatting and mingling", the only thing anyone is bothered about is whether you're friendly and, preferably, a good laugh. People just wear whatever they wear. You obviously can't go out in knickers and a top, but you could wear anything from high-fashion whatevers to Primark leggings on your bottom half and nobody would notice. There's nothing wrong with dressing up for your own enjoyment/confidence, but dressing up specifically for the school run is batshit.

On a different note, I have always got up and got dressed. I can't see how you can work effectively if you're in nightwear/"loungewear". I associate not getting dressed with illness.

Usually pjs with a big coat to cover up the fact I'm
Wearing pjs!!

I don't own any blouses but I've always found jeans and a top as comfy as pyjamas. And never understood the rush to rip my bra off the second I'm home. My bras are also totally comfy.

Of course there is nothing wrong with thinking about making yourself feel and look good. You should never stop doing things for yourself.

I wear different mixes.

I wear my gym clothes if I'm with the dog and running after drop off of throw them on if I've been cleaning before pick up
I wear a midi dress if we are swimming after school,
I wear jeans if have nipped home after work to get changed for a quick shop run before pick up

I always have my make up on for the day (I never reapply)
I wear a coat for the weather most the time so one of my walking/waterproof coats.

Wear whatever I can guarantee the school staff don’t care or even pay the slightest attention

Wear whatever I can guarantee the school staff don’t care or even pay the slightest attention

our teachers do. They’ll compliment a new coat or dress they haven’t seen. Our head and deputy always stand at either gate every night to say bye to all the kids and make small talk with every parent.

My daughters teachers are interested in clothes too.

I don't own any blouses but I've always found jeans and a top as comfy as pyjamas. And never understood the rush to rip my bra off the second I'm home. My bras are also totally comfy.

you see I’m the opposite. I feel so restrained and like I can’t relax. I can’t wait to get my bra off and shoes too. Can’t wear shoes indoors. Think I hate clothes in general and just want something comfy and stretchy asap.

I always do school run in the casual look. Smart jogger bottom with same colour sweatshirt or top. The key is Need to be same colour. But i go more to the ‘smart’ look one. Usually wide leg trousers or more formal jogger bottom. All my joggers are from reiss or m&s for affordable choice.

for the coat i use long maxmara coat for smarter look if its cold. I find big lapel look more expensive. So i always find coat with big lapel. If its not too cold then i often use trench coat. I dont have big puffy jacket, i found it looks like duvet. Its unflattering for me.

for shoes white trainers, need to be clean. I cant stand dirty shoes, its cheapen your look.

hunter wellies for raining.

I always do school run in the casual look. Smart jogger bottom with same colour sweatshirt or top. The key is Need to be same colour. But i go more to the ‘smart’ look one. Usually wide leg trousers or more formal jogger bottom. All my joggers are from reiss or m&s for affordable choice.

I do have a puffer gilet and like you said I just don’t think it’s very flattering for me with sleeves too.

I do like some pieces in Mango so I’ll see their casual wear now too.

@Abcdefgh1234 are you able to share some joggers ideas on here please? I don’t have any at all and I want to make sure I get something more flattering.

I have some grey slim ones but I need something matching on top. you are right you look classier with sets.

do agree the white trainers, they need to be clean. I had white canvas converse before which are no good as you always have to throw them in the washing machine.

I will have a look at Reiss - I think after 30 you need to make more effort to look chic as you can’t get away with sloppy style or hair like you did at 21 😂

As long as you don’t turn up in pajama’s like scruffy parents do then you should be ok. Always used to annoy me that. Can’t even be bothered to get dressed in the morning, what sort of example are they setting for their kids..

@VoiceOfCommonSense there is one mother who constantly has her phone sellotaped to her ear… that really pisses me off and I mean literally the whole walk into the school, picking up her son and what seems like all the way home.

What could you constantly be discussing?

Off topic but it really bothers me. Like put your phone down and speak to your child??? 🤯

My god imagine having any active feelings about what strangers are doing.

Who cares if someone is in pyjamas. It’s just clothes.

As for the woman with a phone ‘sellotaped to her head’ - why do people always assume women are just having gossipy conversations or ignoring their kids? Some women actually have important jobs you know. Some run their own business. I’ve been on to clients before during the school run. My kids don’t need me to have a full blown conversation with them the nanosecond they come out of school. They can learn that my time is important too and that they can wait the short time until I’m done.

Would rather be a pyjama wearer or phone sellotaper than a judgmental sad act.

i could sit about in pjs and bra but a) I’d be cold and b) couldn’t be arsed changing again when I got back in.

im currently sat in jeans and a jumper that I put on first thing for a dog walk and have continued to wear.

the problem does seem to be you buy clothes that aren’t comfy in the first place and have been raised to treat leaving the house to do the most menial job as an event compared to being at home. You might be better off buying clothes you like wearing normally- so maybe the wide leg joggers from M&S and a couple of cosy jumpers to pop over the top of that sports bra.

have day clothes and then pjs (presume you’re changing again in the evenings for bed rather than just sleeping in your day home clothes, so why not just get stuff you can leave the house in for your day time comfies?)

I look an absolute mess when I do the school run but thankfully I don’t need to get out of the car anymore :)

I could never sit working in jeans, too uncomfortable!

OP: As a teacher I only notice clothes if they help me find the parent - I am more concerned about getting the children in to school / back to their caregiver safely.

So, for example, if you usually wear a bright pink coat - it my catch my eye so I will know you are there to collect your DC/ or I will be scanning for a bright pink coat to send your DD / DS to you. I couldn't care less if you are wearing jeans or a business suit.

My son’s teacher joked the other day that all the mums wearing floor length puffy jackets was a nightmare for spotting parents across the playground 🤣

@LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet cold / rainy days are the worst - add hoods / hats to the mix and it can be a real challenge 🤣

Some women actually have important jobs you know. Some run their own business. I’ve been on to clients before during the school run. My kids don’t need me to have a full blown conversation with them the nanosecond they come out of school. They can learn that my time is important too and that they can wait the short time until I’m done.

Sorry but what??? This is wrong. You should be present when picking up your kids and make time to catch up on their day. How disgusting!

And this woman is literally constantly with this phone stuck to her face and talking - back and forth every day.

If you were so important in your career you could put some boundaries in place and make people aware of your other commitments. Wtf

Disgusting 😂😂😂 ok then. Weird what bothers some people.because the ONLY time EVER to catch up on their day is the nanosecond they greet you in the playground.

My kids can tell me about their day at home. Sometimes I’m busy. Sometimes I’m on the phone when I pick them up. Sometimes we sit in the car for 5 minutes while I make a phone call. They understand that, I personally think it’s important they don’t just see me as some mum robot, but someone who has priorities too. It doesn’t kill them to wait a little to have a conversation with me. And the conversations are mostly
“What did you do at school today”
”Nothing”

Im secure enough in my parenting to know I don’t have to be Mary Poppins on high alert 24/7.

Cant imagine anything is literally stuck to this woman’s face. If it is perhaps ask if she’s ok?

If you were so important in your career you could put some boundaries in place and make people aware of your other commitments

Lol. “I know you need sign-off on that press statement in less than 4 minutes but darling Quentinius and Persephone must be picked up right this second and I simply must devote the next few minutes to them. Yes I know it’s extremely unprofessional but these are my bOUnDaRiEs” 🤣🤣🤣

I didn’t think these judgemental types of cuntychops actually existed IRL - I barely notice anyone at the school ages let alone have time to pearl clutch about what they’re wearing or who they’re speaking to. I’d never be such a weird loser TBH.