Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Do people really dress up for the school run?

152 replies

Orangeanddemons · 16/09/2014 18:53

Just heard a few comments lately, that seems to indicate that people plan their outfits for the school runHmm

Now I love fashion and clothes, have a degree in fashion, have worked in the industry....but have never ever even considered wearing anything special for the school run. I just get up, drag on some jeans and rush out. And it appears all the other mums at my school do this. Apart from one who is always made up to the nines, and wearing ott stuff, but she may have just come from work. I just can't get my head round this. Does it really happen?

OP posts:
merrymouse · 30/09/2014 13:33

It's not so much that it's wrong to care for your appearance - it's more that it's a bit odd to dress for other people who you are only going to see for 5 minutes at most and are probably more concerned about whether they were supposed to remember swimming kit. It's a bit different if you are dressing for what you are doing after the school run.

I think the idea of wearing gym clothes or running clothes is that once you have put them on you are less likely to find an excuse not to go.

nicename · 30/09/2014 13:52

They are lucky of my hair and/or teeth are brushed (and I go on to work after drop off).

This is the new school - the old one was like a bloody catwalk (or super skinny moms in diamonds and very expensive running gear, tennis racket sling over shoulder off to their personal trainers).

TeacupDrama · 30/09/2014 14:49

I generally look smart but not fashionable as on my way to work I can not imagine dressing especially for school run

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 30/09/2014 15:24

When I used to do school run I used to wear a dress with leggings and boots, a necklace and full makeup. Took 5 or 10 mins to get ready so I hope noone thought I was really vain. Its just how I dress.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 30/09/2014 15:25

How I dressed then rather. Dont wear that so much now but still probably look dressed up

JadedAngel · 30/09/2014 15:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MaryWestmacott · 30/09/2014 16:10

See, it is odd that the people you will see for only 5 minutes assume someone 'glamed up' has dressed up for that 5 minutes, not for the rest of their day, and the "overdressed for the school gate" might be perfectly appropriate for what they have planned for the rest of the day, even if that's not paid work.

The assumption that paid work is the only reason to make an effort during the daytime once you're a parent is very sad. And odd that woman who don't work but are dressed stylishly for the school run get comments about "how do they find the time?" yet we assume if you are working you magically have enough time in the mornings to 'make effort'.

Perhaps I'm not really getting it because I've got a pre-schooler as well, so after the school drop off I'm then going on to toddler groups or classes, not back home, but do the bulk of SAHMs with all DCs school age really just go home and spend the rest of the day their DCs are at school at home? Is it normal to have the only things you do outside the house be the 2 school runs? (That's quite sad if so)

monsterfaery · 30/09/2014 16:33

I don't I usually just wear what I'm wearing for the day. If I'm going to be home all day it'll usually be something easy to put on, but my old next door neighbour used to. I'd see her in the morning in a nice dress, full make up and hair immaculate on the school run and then an hour later I'd be on my way upstairs to put away some washing and see her sat on her doorstep in a pair of leggings and t-shirt and hair down. Then in the afternoon she'd be on the school run in the nice dress looking lovely again.

Stinkle · 30/09/2014 16:39

I like clothes and I enjoy making an effort with outfits, etc and I wear make up every day .

It's not for the school run though, it's the outfit I have chosen to wear today, which, among other things, involves the school run.

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 30/09/2014 16:39

I used to dress for the run, but not very well.
One of the Governors was chatting one day, then suddenly announced "Oh, Evans, you're all buttoned up wrong" and proceeded to unbutton my blouse and put me right. [grumpy face]
I s'pose at least it wasn't a pyjama top, and I had showered Grin

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 30/09/2014 16:42

One of the very glamorous Mums admitted she used to get up at 6:00am just to get herself dressed and made up before seeing to the children! Confused Grin

I've never been glamorous! Too fond of bed in the morning

roundandround51 · 30/09/2014 16:46

I don't get the sneering at women who make an effort to look nice. It seems to say that just because you stay at home you shouldn't bother with how you look.

For lots of SAHM's the school run is the only outing of the day where they will have adult contact so why not look ok for it

comedycentral · 30/09/2014 16:47

I get dressed 'up' for the school run as I am always going to work afterwards. If I wasn't going to work I would be off for a reason so I would be dressed to go for medical appointments, to see friends, to go to the gym and so on.

Most of the other parents seem to be dressed nicely too, it's just an average UK primary school really. I don't think PJ's would fit in though!

RonaldMcDonald · 30/09/2014 16:50

I plan what I am going to wear every evening before I do some exercise

This is what I have done throughout my adult life as I can't be arsing about in the morning making decisions

I do the school run most mornings depending on workload and wellness
Some days I am working at home, some I am being a mum, some I am working out of the home
The dressing thing - organising what to wear and how to wear it doesn't change no matter what the role. It is part of me and my ruthless efficiency hidden behind a slacker vibe

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 30/09/2014 16:51

Sneering and discussion - different.
I would have gone to work with my blouse done up incorrectly, if the Gov hadn't stepped in to put me right.
That's just called busy, I suppose, rather than Stay at Home.

I didn't get sneering from any of these posts, really - just chit-chat and banter.

Ah, well!

VinoTime · 30/09/2014 17:16

Oh lord, it really does depend.

If I'm heading to work, then I'm in my uniform with my hair back nicely and my makeup done.

If I'm just doing the school run, most mornings I have showered and dressed casually - jeans, ballet flats, pretty top. Most of the time I don't bother with makeup as it can really irritate my skin if I wear it too often, so my face is clean and bare. Though I don't really look good because I'm naturally very pale and people always mistake me for tired or ill without my facial cement Sad

If I'm going for a run or taking the dog for a long walk, I don't bother showering and scrape my hair back, throw on some gym clothes and shower/dress for the day when I get home.

If I've rolled out of bed late I'm lucky to leave the house wearing a bra... Grin

If I'm meeting someone or going out, I dress nicely, do my hair and put on my face.

The thought of having to be pristine 24/7 actually exhausts me. A lot of the mums at dd's old school used to go all out every single day. Each to their own and all that, but I used to get tired just looking at them.

merrymouse · 30/09/2014 17:32

I don't think people are judging people they see on the school run (on this thread anyway). The OP was talking about people buying clothes and putting together a look specifically for the school run.

BlackbirdOnTheWire · 30/09/2014 18:18

I've bought myself a 'school run coat' for this winter. I didn't have one last year but I've learnt... So I now have a lovely warm (for hanging around in the playground) waterproof (because it pisses down at 3.25 EVERY DAY) coat with hood that stays up (hands full of DC and bookbags, kit bags, random clothes, none free for an umbrella) and massive pockets (hoping I can stuff the bookbag or toddler in one Grin).

Is that the kind of school run style you were thinking of?

skylark2 · 30/09/2014 18:42

I always wear clothes.

Beyond that? Nah. I'm short and a bit dumpy. I can't compete with the fashion plates no matter what I do, and nobody else cares.

princesscupcakemummyb · 30/09/2014 19:29

no i grab what ever i find first quick hair brush dont care its only school run lol

despomum41 · 30/09/2014 19:50

i have my bath makeup and casually /smart there is a funny story behind it many years ago my friend and i both owned dodgy cars she took her dd to college one morning and it broke down on the dual carriageway and recovery people told her to get out of the car and wait on the side of the road where it will be safe poor woman was in her pjs and grabby dressing gown lol

Uhohhelp · 30/09/2014 21:14

Trackie bottoms, tee, greasy bun - and I usually never exit house without make up. Do for the school run though.

combust22 · 30/09/2014 22:19

Gym wear mostly. Most mornings I go straight to the gym or a run after school stsrts.

BrandyAlexander · 30/09/2014 22:31

I am usually dressed for the office but even when I am not going to the office, I still take care in how I dress for the school run.Smile

nickstmoritz · 30/09/2014 22:48

Clean pants in case I die in a car crash and not pjs in case I break down but that is about it. My school run can last 2 hours some days and starts at 7.20. I always look utterly shite and do not care as long as we get there on time ish. I can rock a velour leisure pant from Lidl with the best of em - well comfy for a 2 hour school run I'll tell yer. Not quite a PJ but not quite a trouser. Leisure pants, sunglasses and an in car espresso. Ready to rock. Let's DO that school run...for 2 hours...YES! More like hurry up bleep bleep bleepity bleep!! You're grounded! I have teens btw when they were little it was lovely but I still always looked shite.