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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have driven to MILs in my dressing gown?

122 replies

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 03/05/2024 22:00

I didn't even leave the car. I drove 10 minutes up the road to MILs house to deliver some Piriton to DD, she came out to meet me and grab it, and I drove 10 minutes home. I didn't want to change into a hoodie just for a quick drive (I had other clothes on, not JUST my dressing gown) DH said a dressing gown is "Not appropriate clothing for driving in" and that it was stupid because "It's all baggy" it's no baggier than a maxi dress or my favourite jump suit that has really flappy/baggy legs that I drive in a lot Confused

Was I unreasonable or he is just weird?

OP posts:
Tel12 · 04/05/2024 09:20

I don't answer the door in my dressing gown!

GrumpyPanda · 04/05/2024 09:22

Baggy legs don't matter. Baggy sleeves do because of the potential to get tangled up with seat belt and steering wheel. So no I wouldn't - I don't drive with winter coats or jackets on either.

Original poster
AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 04/05/2024 09:27

SallyWD · 04/05/2024 08:29

Why couldn't you have taken the dressing gown off and put a coat on over the pyjamas? That makes much more sense.

The only coat I have is a thick winter coat. I can't drive in it as I find it restricts my arms too much for steering. Plus it wasn't raining or cold in the car so why would I need a coat?

OP posts:
user1496146479 · 04/05/2024 09:32

KnickerlessParsons · 04/05/2024 00:01

a) slovenly
b) dressing gowns are indoors only
c) what if you'd broken down?

None of the above!

festivallove · 04/05/2024 09:33

I drove my DD to work at 5.30 am through our town wearing PJ's and dressing gown. I was stopped by the police ( first and only time in my life) for taking an illegal turn, Totally my fault and there was no traffic so thought I'd take a shorter route home. Police officer was most impatient when I started crying that I was wearing PJ's instead of concerning myself with the illegal turn

Original poster
AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 04/05/2024 09:33

Also for the sake of context, underneath I had on an ordinary top and joggers and no bra. I don't really own pyjamas and I generally just dress like this in the evenings. Or in the summer I'll have a nightie on.

Yes that's right, I went out in a dressing gown and no bra

OP posts:
Original poster
AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 04/05/2024 09:36

KnickerlessParsons · 04/05/2024 00:01

a) slovenly
b) dressing gowns are indoors only
c) what if you'd broken down?

a) I don't care
b) See above
c) A dressing gown would be the least of my worries.

OP posts:
EnglishBluebell · 04/05/2024 09:39

Sillyjane · 03/05/2024 22:03

Personally I’d not, it’s not rally much effort to,put a hoodie on.

We don't all own a 'hoodie' Hmm

mrsdineen2 · 04/05/2024 09:45

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 04/05/2024 09:36

a) I don't care
b) See above
c) A dressing gown would be the least of my worries.

Show quote history

Entirely your prerogative not to care, but starting a thread to ask for opinions that you don't care about is the second weird thing you've done now.

mrsdineen2 · 04/05/2024 09:46

EnglishBluebell · 04/05/2024 09:39

We don't all own a 'hoodie' Hmm

Show quote history

Your Boden fleece then.

ILoveYouItsRuiningMyLife · 04/05/2024 09:49

haha I remember being out for a few drinks with my pal after work. her husband was picking her up and she offered me a lift home. When I got in the car he was in his dressing gown. He was MORTIFIED 😂😂

Silvers11 · 04/05/2024 09:59

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 03/05/2024 22:16

I also agree with your husband about the baginess. The arms of mine are very baggy so could get caught in something in the car, I don’t think it would actually be safe to drive in it (leaving aside that going outside in it is weird)

This ^^ My worry would be the safety of wearing it as it could cause an accident if it got caught on anything in the care. Sounds like your Husband is complaining about the safety aspect too, from what you said and not about the appropriateness of it and I agree with that aspect @AintNobodyHereButUsChickens

Iwasafool · 04/05/2024 10:02

I've got PJs that don't really look like PJs, if Ihave to go out late to pick GS up I just put a jacket on over my PJs and I don't think anyone would notice any different. I never used to do it but there is something quite liberating about being 70 and not being bothered.

cardibach · 04/05/2024 10:06

pizzaHeart · 03/05/2024 22:08

I wouldn’t but I wouldn’t drive in a maxi dress either.

Why not?

Original poster
AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 04/05/2024 10:08

Silvers11 · 04/05/2024 09:59

This ^^ My worry would be the safety of wearing it as it could cause an accident if it got caught on anything in the care. Sounds like your Husband is complaining about the safety aspect too, from what you said and not about the appropriateness of it and I agree with that aspect @AintNobodyHereButUsChickens

Show quote history

But what would it get caught on? The car is an auto so I don't need to touch the gear stick while driving, the handbrake isn't a stick so it wouldn't catch on that, and I only need to extend my fingers slightly to do the indicators and wipers.

I'm actually in the car right now waiting for DH so I have just taken this photo to show you there is nothing to get caught on.

To have driven to MILs in my dressing gown?
OP posts:
Original poster
AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 04/05/2024 10:10

mrsdineen2 · 04/05/2024 09:45

Entirely your prerogative not to care, but starting a thread to ask for opinions that you don't care about is the second weird thing you've done now.

Show quote history

Not really. I was curious to know what others think.

OP posts:
cardibach · 04/05/2024 10:10

MonsteraMama · 04/05/2024 01:33

I mean technically speaking wearing a maxi dress and driving can get you fined. I don't know anyone it's actually happened to but it is one of the "no" clothing items listed in the highway code, so if you're comparing your dressing gown to a maxi dress then purely from a safety standpoint your husband is right.

In terms of what's "decent" who actually gives a shit if you're not getting out the car?

Eh? What on earth are you on about? It's not illegal to drive wearing a long dress.

cardibach · 04/05/2024 10:13

GrumpyPanda · 04/05/2024 09:22

Baggy legs don't matter. Baggy sleeves do because of the potential to get tangled up with seat belt and steering wheel. So no I wouldn't - I don't drive with winter coats or jackets on either.

How? I can't imagine how a loose sleeve would tangle in anything (or why a dressing gown would have loose sleeves - they aren't warm).

gamerchick · 04/05/2024 10:15

I'd drive in my oodie. I don't think I would in a dressing gown, more for it's long and id worry about getting tangled up in it than anything else.

ThirtyThrillionThreeTrees · 04/05/2024 10:42

I cannot ever imagine being so lazy not to get dressed properly before leaving the house. It takes 5 mins.

Silvers11 · 04/05/2024 10:47

cardibach · 04/05/2024 10:10

Eh? What on earth are you on about? It's not illegal to drive wearing a long dress.

Show quote history

You can be fined and also get points if wearing a long skirt or dress if it is likely to inhibit your driving in any way. No idea the length of @AintNobodyHereButUsChickens dressing gown, but she is likening it to a long skirt or maxi dress. It may not actually be illegal to do so - but there can be repercussions depending

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/20103305.7-clothing-items-land-uk-drivers-5-000-fine-driving-ban/

Seven clothing items that could land you a £5,000 fine and a driving ban

If the incident goes to court, the penalty could go up to a £5,000 fine, nine penalty points and even a driving ban.

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/20103305.7-clothing-items-land-uk-drivers-5-000-fine-driving-ban

MonsteraMama · 04/05/2024 10:50

cardibach · 04/05/2024 10:10

Eh? What on earth are you on about? It's not illegal to drive wearing a long dress.

Show quote history

I didn't say it was illegal, I said you can get fined, and yes you can. Long dresses, baggy pants, flip flops, slippers, heels etc. anything that might prevent you from safely operating the vehicle. A silly and completely unpolicable rule, bit a real one nonetheless.

Google is your friend if you're unsure of the current highway code.

jannier · 04/05/2024 11:02

Pigeonqueen · 03/05/2024 22:09

I’ve driven dh to work a few times wearing my Pjs and dressing gown with a massive coat over the top 🙈🤣 it was super early in the morning and there was no way I was going to rush about to get ready just to drive there and back (when I got home I could have a shower and get myself ready in my own time). It did occur to me how awkward it would be if I had an issue with the car etc but oh well…! (Dh can’t drive due to medical reasons).

That happened to my friend she drove her teen to school broke down and had to get on the tube in her pjs.

Drebara · 04/05/2024 11:04

I put a coat on over my dressing gown. It's fine. Ffs I'm not going to get dressed up if I'm not even getting out of the car. People can only see the top half of you from outside. Much like zoom meetings.

pizzaHeart · 04/05/2024 11:05

cardibach · 04/05/2024 10:06

Why not?

Show quote history

I would find it inconvenient, that’s all.