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Original poster

What do you wear to a school open day?

155 replies

upsidaisie · 04/10/2007 09:13

We are off to an open day for an independent school at the weekend and I have no idea if you need to be dressed in casual or smart clothes for these things . It only really occurred to me last night when DH asked if he needed to wear a shirt and tie, adding that he hoped not!! A recent episode of Eastenders springs to mind when Ian made a total prat of himself and I am keen to avoid standing out for being different/stupid!! My feeling was smart casual probably, but if anyone else knows different I'd appreciate some input.
Thanks

OP posts:
TellusMater · 04/10/2007 14:41

Caroline, that is a bit of a George Osborne definition of diversity

nailpolish · 04/10/2007 14:41

ther might be seeker - bursaries and scholarships for example

Blu · 04/10/2007 14:42

Upsidaisie -I think you have your answer - wear a cravat.

nailpolish · 04/10/2007 14:49

what is wrong with wanting to look nice for christs sake

its reverse snobbery

fedupwithironing · 04/10/2007 14:53

Actually there could be children there on bursaries or scholarships whose parents could not afford the fees....

fedupwithironing · 04/10/2007 14:54

sorry nailpolish u beat me to it

TellusMater · 04/10/2007 14:55

Is anybody saying it's wrong to want to look nice. I think they're saying it's wrong to have to look nice IYSWIM.

And of course there's nice (smart casual) and nice (cravats on 6 year olds)....

claricebeansmum · 04/10/2007 14:56

Seeker - you are wrong - there will no doubt be people there who cannot afford the fees and are looking at scholarships & bursaries

motherinferior · 04/10/2007 15:00

Can I just get this straight: you're going to a school. A school which you are assessing for its potential to educate your child. You may, if you like the look of it, consider paying for that potential.

So the two issues are (a) what the school is like (b) the money.

And you're worried about what you're wearing?

hatwoman · 04/10/2007 15:00

I don;t think anyone said that there's anything wrong with wanting to look nice did they? (unless you're referring to the cravats...)

LadySanders · 04/10/2007 15:01

caroline 1852, thank god for the voice of reason! same at my ds private school... everything from russian gangster's wives to single mums like myself (until recently)driving a crappy old car and living in a tiny cottage in order to pay the fees so he can go to a decent school.

Issy · 04/10/2007 15:09

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request

Issy · 04/10/2007 15:10

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request

motherinferior · 04/10/2007 15:11
LIZS · 04/10/2007 15:20

Just no jeans or weekend scruffs ! Ours has regular open days each term , during the school day, and a formal Saturday one for existing families in the summer to which prospective parents are also invited. Families are also welcome to visit by appointment and as part of that get a tour by older children in pairs, a good chance to size up the future product !

Caroline1852 · 04/10/2007 15:26

Ladysanders _ I am unclear from your post whether you got a new car or a new man?

Anchovy · 04/10/2007 15:30

"I might persuade DH out of his jeans for an open day"

Gosh, Issy, nothing as exciting as that ever happens at our open days...

singersgirl · 04/10/2007 15:30

But why no jeans, Lizs? I wore jeans to the Open Day we went to and I didn't feel at all out of place. There were HUNDREDS of people there, dressed in all kinds of ways, though I didn't see any cravats.

Of course there's nothing wrong with looking nice, and different people will feel good in different things. I thought I looked quite OK in my jeans and a smart top. As long as you feel comfortable, then that's great.

If we apply there, they'll decide whether to interview DS on the basis of his exam papers, not what I was wearing.

Blu · 04/10/2007 15:33

Issy, this is not about style advice for a dogging outing, you know!

pagwatch · 04/10/2007 15:45

I have only considered what wear in order to be as inconspicuous as possible. when i am looking at schools I don't want to be concious of people looking at me ( and muttering "what the...!").

I am trying to choose where my son will be educated and I don't want to be distracted by the sad needy voice in my head muttering "approve of me" so I slink around and pay as much attention to the pupils in attendence as i can as they have always been my most reliable indicator.

I think some prep schools encourage their pupils to attend senior schools in uniform as they see it is a good advert. My DS went to his senior school as the only pupil from his first school. I was aware of parents mentally noting the prep schools with large numbers attending as they think an unofficial feeder school may be able to help DC get in ( ie younger sibs or if they don't get in at 11 but intend to try again at 13.)
Did that make any sense?

Blandmum · 04/10/2007 15:48

Goodness, just wear whatever you are feeling confortable in.

I had a load of parents come into one of my classes today, I haven't got the faintest memory of what they were wearing

Blandmum · 04/10/2007 15:49

I wouldn't wear a bikini with nipple tassles, or a G string but other than that.....

nailpolish · 04/10/2007 15:51

but mb

i think its nice to wear something you feel confident in, dont you? i couldnt give a shit what the teacher thinks of my clothes or if she remembers them....wearing something smart gives me confidence (am shy retiring wallflower without me heels and lippy you know )

motherinferior · 04/10/2007 15:53

I think Issy should go in the tassels to match her de-jeaned DH.

TellusMater · 04/10/2007 15:53

I don't get the "wear whatever you like - as long as it's not scruffy" thing. That's even more confusing than "be smart at all costs you will be judged" advice. There is clearly a hierarchy of outfitting that I'm unfamiliar with.

'Smart casual' is baffling enough, but 'weekend scruffs'? Are there 'weekday scruffs'? And the advice to wear what you would wear shopping on a Saturday. Presumably one shouldn't go shopping in 'weekend scruffs'? But does one shop in 'smart casual'?

And why is it always suede boots?

It's a social minefield...

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