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Original poster

people that have childrent that are starting school/preschool this year, be honest, are you thinking about what to wear on the school run?

115 replies

carriedababi · 03/08/2010 09:40

or even mums of older children.

i've been starting to get a few things sorted for my dd, ordering name tags, sorting her wardrobe trying to make sure she has everything she need for september.

but i've also found myself thinking, what should i get for myself!

just thinking of things like new dresses,tops, coats, kaybe some new boots.

i haven;'t worn a watch for 3 years since i had dd, but i need to get a batterie in my old watch, so i've dug out a rather expensive one from day of yore.

they are sort of things i'd like, almost need but not quite need iyswim!

but to be honest, i think i want people to think myelf and dd look nice.

we are lucky that we have alot of family around and quite alot of friends, but i realise i'm about to enter this whole new world, where i'm going to mix with the parents i will probably see regularly/everyday for the rest of dd's schooling and i suppose i want to seem nice, friendly and look nice

OP posts:
traceybath · 04/08/2010 07:39

Chocolate - am liking your style

makeupmummy · 04/08/2010 07:54

Chocolate - I wear hats a lot (hate umbrellas and live in a wet and windy place!) Do like the look of that website. Also , do those leggings really stay up? Struggle to find a pair that don't descend slowly, particularly when rushing up to school - always running late!

purplepeony · 04/08/2010 08:01

OP- I still think you are, as someone said, overthinking this.
I am on S&B thread as much as anyone, but take it from me, - my kids are now 23 and 21- that in a few years' time you will look back in your mind at this post and think "WTF!".

I buy clothes to please me, for work, or for casual wear and always have done. The "school run" which was always a 5 minute walk through a village, never crossed my mind. 4 days a week I'd be on my way to work, so would be wearing smart clothes.

There is nothing wrong in wanting to discuss clothes, but implying that you need a special outfit for the SR is a bit well, shallow? It also implies you are a very judgy person as you think other mums will be judging you on what you wear.

Did you go through this with play group? I can't see why the SR suddenly features as a momentous occasion in your life now. Sorry.

Kathyjelly · 04/08/2010 08:10

I hope no-one's expecting me to buy a new wardrobe.

If we're clean, tidy, awake and get my LO to the gate on time with a filled lunch box, then I'd say I'm doing ok.

mamatomany · 04/08/2010 10:24

If your leggings fall down they are too small, £29 for a pair won't make much difference but is a bit mad.

FGM · 04/08/2010 10:57

PP- I suspect the OP just wants to feel confident in an environment that is new to her. Kids going to school for the first time is an important event for many mums, esp if said mum has stayed at home with kids up to now.
The school run can provide an important new source of friends too, so nothing wrong with wanting to feel confident- and clothes are an important part of that.

'nuff said.

BooKangaWonders · 04/08/2010 14:55

And some of us will be clinging on to the idea that early September is still summer, and getting A/W clothes out is just too soon!

But FWIW, long boots, leather gloves and nice coat for after half term!

Original poster
carriedababi · 04/08/2010 15:20

oh chocolate i really like those jeans, very nice.

pp, i find your reaction very interesting.
why be so bothered?

this is s and b, not politics of course its shallow.
i've never said a thing about me judging other mums in the sligtest, that must your mind thinking that.
i've only ever said i want people to think i/dd look niceish.
and have already said i swing from being a bit slobbish to over dressed.
i don't think i wouldn't bother washing my hair for 2/3 days if i was really that fussed.

OP posts:
blossoming · 04/08/2010 15:33

Whether you like it or not, appearance is important. Other mums will comment, and I hate to say it but other kids make comments too. For their sake I think it's important to look as nice as possible.
It's hardly fair that they should get bullied because of the way you look.
I agree that skinnies and leggings are great for wet days, tucked into boots. It's wet here, so for this season it's going to be new Hunters! Now all I need is that stylish, hooded, long waterproof! Don't any manufacturers/designers read these threads?!

mamatomany · 04/08/2010 16:49

If kids are bullied because of the way YOU look, then you need to reconsider what little twats your children are mixing with.

IWouldNotCouldNotWithAGoat · 04/08/2010 18:15

As always my favourite aspect of MN: posters who go through the site looking for threads of no interest to them so that they can huffily say "What a profound waste of my time this thread is! Really, I could not think of a thread less relevant to my life! You should all be ashamed!"

Bunbaker · 04/08/2010 18:19

Why should it bother you what you look like? At DD's school the mums are usually in jeans, casual clothes or work clothes.

I am not really the sort of person who notices what someone is wearing and I think most of the mums at DD's school are like that.

traceybath · 04/08/2010 18:56

Bun - its quite normal to care how you look.

I do notice what people wear and am always complimenting people who look nice.

Soups · 04/08/2010 19:15

For the Autumn to Spring a nice, good quality long coat and some long boots. If you're in a rush then you can chuck them over any old thing. do the buttons up and who will know you're still in PJ's ;)

mamatomany · 04/08/2010 19:20

Maybe it's because the mums at our school are breast surgeons, specialist heart nurses, GP's, journalists and lawyers for children's services and all look very nice but our conversations tend not to focus on their or my choice outfit for the day. They'd faint if I complimented them on their clothes and think i was after something, like PTA cake contributions

traceybath · 04/08/2010 19:26

Mama - not sure what you're inferring really. The vast majority of mothers at my DS's school are professionals but still like to look nice.

As far as I'm aware the two aren't mutually exclusive.

I think its nice to compliment people - be it on a nice coat or their lovely children or anything really.

purplepeony · 04/08/2010 19:27

OP- I was bothered because your post seemed so OTT.
It might be a rite of passage for your child, going to school,but it's surely not a rite of passage you walking them there?
Unless you have lived somewhere incredibly isolated for the past 5 years you will have been meeting other mums all the time- this is no different.
I notice what people wear all the time and have an active interest in S&B- hence being on the forum- but I would never in a million years have thought "Ohhhhhhhh school run- must get some clothes."
Just wear what you usually wear.

mamatomany · 04/08/2010 19:30

The two aren't mutually exclusive it's just a rather odd thing to discuss, makes you look like you haven't anything interesting to say or are a bit of a brown nose.

FlyMeToDunoon · 04/08/2010 19:30

Hahah having discovered the entire concept of 'the school run dress' on MN I am snorting at all the posters slagging off something who is trying to find the right thing to wear.
OP have you tried searching the past threads for the answer to this? You will find entire threads dedicated to Boden for this very purpose I am sure.
However, this autumn I am hoping to have reached the stage of covering every option on the school run. I have flowery wellies and a full length waterproof coat with a hood [another MN speciality-the school run waterproof coat], I have a boyfriend cardigan,a wrap dress and knee high boots for autumn, a knee length denim skirt, also for autumn and am looking atm for a boxy heavyish navy cardigan to go with it.
Enjoy this new opportunity.

traceybath · 04/08/2010 19:36

Mama - yeap you're right a passing 'nice coat' totally makes me dull and a brown noser.

Whoamireally · 04/08/2010 19:44

I am definitely with the concept that there is absolutely nothing wrong in looking nice in general and taking care over one's appearance.

I am struggling to come to terms with the concept that you would dress up just to take the kids to school - no other reason, apart from taking the kids to school

If you were going to work afterwards where you usually dressed nicely, fine, or out for a coffee with the girls or out shopping, equally fine - but, purely for the school run, school-run-dressers, out of interest what do you do when you get home? Take off your nice clothes again and put on your slobby old ones?

OP, is your school definitely going to be one where the mums dress up to drop their kids in the playground or are you raising the bar prematurely? If dressing up is you, then enjoy choosing some nice things, but are you just putting pressure on yourself if not, and are we as a gender so really so very utterly judgey that we would look down on a mum who turns up to school in jeans and a tshirt with baby snot on? (me?)!

traceybath · 04/08/2010 19:48

As some-one said on another thread 'I don't dress for the school-run I dress for my life' (Eshermummy 2010)

So I don't dress for the school run particularly - but I always get up put make up on, do hair and try to look reasonably stylish. Even if I'm coming straight back home or going on for coffee or whatever.

Original poster
carriedababi · 04/08/2010 20:11

pp, personally i can only conclude from your reaction, it is something your bothered about and maybe a tiny bit paranoid about.
perhaps your fretting/worrying others are judgeing you...
only my personal opinion though

bun, if no-one was cared about what they looked like, we would all have hairy legs and arm pits, and very long hair down to our bums!

OP posts:
chocolatefroggie · 04/08/2010 20:13

makeup mummy yes the leggings stay up they're made of that thicker stretchier jersey normally reserved for dresses

As to all those nay sayers we know it's not life and death, but for me the timing of being thrust into this new social group, where I really hope to make some friends, has coincided with me needing to revamp my wardrobe and purge it of the last of my maternity wear.
And quite frankly since when has a bit of retail therapy caused such controversy?

LetThemEatCake · 04/08/2010 20:40

ye gads.

am very happy to be hated by anon MNers, but would rather pierce my eyes with knitting needles than not be admired by school gate mums - so go on, hate me: read this

out for drinks last Fri night, met a mum whose ds is starting with mine in Sept. Tall, thin, blonde, glam. Said to one of the others "Blimey, I'm going to have to lift my game"

Cannot even begin to tell you the extent of the relief that washed over me when response was "don't think so - your position as the most glam mummy at (insert name of institution) is totally secure, Cakey".

Shallow? oh yes. But not actually thick. In fact, very well-educated and reasonably intelligent. Crazy, huh?