What to wear when touring a fee-paying school?

[MamaMeBe]

Smart casual I guess?

I don’t own any heels so are pumps or sandals acceptable with a knee-length dress/linen trousers?

Completely new to this & don’t wish to offend.

If it's a senior boarding school, these can be massive. One tour I did 13000 steps on - inc grass and country lanes so wear something you can walk in

I just wore t-shirt, jeans and comfy shoes - some of the sites are massive!

Remember that the tour is the time for the school to impress you, not the other way around! Of course it’s nice to feel you have made a good impression, but focus on getting the information you need above all. Such an important opportunity to see if the school feels right. Good luck!

Ime, the more of an upmarket impression people could make if they wanted, the less bothered they are about doing so. You get some very well off parents in jeans and t shirts. You really don’t need to try too hard. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in.

I haven't rtft so apologies if someone has already said this, but surely they are trying to impress you not the other way round? So wear whatever you want...

My dc's are at 3 different private schools and I have never at any of them felt judged or out of place with what I've been wearing whether it was jeans and a T-shirt, a smart dress after going straight from work or muddy jodhpurs and wellies after rushing there straight from horse riding!

Honestly, no one cares - and if they did I would have doubts about sending my dc's there!

It doesn’t matter what you wear @MamaMeBe EXCEPT that you should wear something that’s normal for you. Be comfortable. And best avoid conscious ‘messaging’ as that just comes across as insecure and trying too hard. Speech Day / Sports Day (not routine matches) may need a little effort (print dress and trainers will do it) but otherwise dress for the weather not the setting.

I agree to just wear something clean, reasonably presentable and low key. The only school where I felt a little 'judged' on what I wore and some of the parents really went to town was one of the schools in the same league as Eton which was super-competitive to get into.

Just don't wear high heels as always loads of stairs to negotiate and large grounds to walk around

We went to one a few weekends ago. We both wore jeans and a top, my daughter wore shorts and a jumper!
There were people there in all sorts of clothes. They are more interested in your child than what you're wearing.

My DC's school has the kids giving the open day tours, so they're certainly not judging the prospective parents clothes! In addition to comfy shoes, I'd suggest making sure you'll be warm enough standing outdoors - there can be a certain amount of outdoor queueing up involved if there are things like the headteacher giving a talk in the hall.

Thankyou everyone!

Sorry for the late acknowledgment and replies. You were right….there was a real mixture of attire, no judgement and everyone was so nice…prospective parents, students and staff. Glad I went as ‘myself’ and wearing what I was comfy in.

Had such a lovely time, didn’t want to leave.

So glad you had a good visit, @MamaMeBe . My only other piece of advice, which you probably don’t need, is to make sure you visit a few schools to make sure you choose the one that is best for your DC and you as a family. The schools will set out to impress you and it can be very seductive. Having a look at a few will help you discern which elements are most important to you from the plethora of attractive options. And when you have narrowed it down to two schools, visit them both again. You are making an enormous investment and have the right to be sure. It’s a bit like buying a house- one visit for the heart and one for the head.

Glad it went well! I'm glad I went as my usual dishevelled self - I couldn't have kept up the pretence for years! Best of luck for September x