School run inspiration for cold rural life

[kmini]

I miss my old London days where I actually had a (slightly) glamorous wardrobe.

These days I work from home and then only time anyone sees me is on the school run during the week. For 6 months of the year given I live in the north east - I'm basically trying not to be cold and get wet. So only coat, jeans and shoes are on show and I'm already bored (and its only October!).

Give me your inspiration for what you wear so that you dont feel entirely dull during winter months.

I live in Joules.

I think skinnies will be in fashion for a reasonable time to come - simply because they suit a lot of body shapes. I wish I could wear culottes or boyfriend or girlfriend- I just look stumpy Xxx

I love my muck wellies which are thermal ( say down to -30) & comfy.

Seriously, I've lived in the NE for 20 years (and before that in Scotland) and despite being nearly 50 have never experienced temperatures that low in the northern parts of the UK (the record for the NE is -2.2C in 1855, it has got warmer since then).

Just wear what you like!

I'm an aussie (for 20 odd years) and London after that. NE weather is comparatively speaking, obscenely rubbish, so warmth and dry is important. I'm clearly not that hardened!

CountFosco not that cold in Yorksire either but those wellies are the business when standing pitchside for three hours on a wet & windswept moor.

Nothing wrong with wanting to look good on school run so you feel set up for the rest of the day, start as you mean to go on I say! I work from home and it is my chance to chat and socialse too. So shoot me.

You can't beat uniqlo for a good down coat, get some fur lined boots and a scarf which suits your colouring . Skinny jeans or skinny cargos or straight leg jeans with a turn up as you don't want wet hems.

Invest in a huge quality umbrella for the downpoors, none of those tiny ones that blow inside out.

Carhartt dungarees and a Buffalo plaid shirt

Just don’t wear this, there’s a love.

I never wore wellies on the school run. But I found snow boots with a grip sole very important. Most rural area don't clear the pavements. So walking to school in snowy weather with young kids was fairly dicy. Especially when a very large lorry went past regularly every morning and the pavements were narrow.
Thermals are really important - I like Brora and a large Cashmere wrap scarf and hat. A wool coat and a warm padded parka - Parka London is a good brand. I never wore country clothing as I'm not a farmer and I don't have horses.

I hear you OP. Same boat here.

I went from working in the City to maternity leave to working mainly from home. Now I do the nursery run then I’m at home, alone. I Leave the house at lunch time for a quick walk but that’s all. Even at weekends I don’t do much, no local friends, so just hang out with my toddler or in sports kit.

On mat leave I struggled to get ready. I admit I’d sleep in leggings & T-shirt then just throw on a jumper & go out. And I’ve never really recovered.
I often wonder what the point is - it’s so much effort to make an effort when juggling a toddler, and then I think well I’m not doing anything or seeing anyone so what’s the point. I don’t feel attractive anymore, and pre-baby I considered myself attractive.

Anyway. I’ve decided I need to change as it’s getting me down. I need to make an effort for me
Even if I’m not going anywhere, or seeing anyone. It’s about my own self- respect.

So no suggestions what to wear, but I can relate.

Out of the city is a great website to have a look at.

@aldibaldi555 you can't under estimate how these life changes can have on your whole sense of being. Hoping you feel more like yourself soon x

@kmini @Aldibaldi555 I absolutely relate to the dilemma of not seeing anyone. I'm now virtually housebound because for the last 6+ years I have cared for my extremely sick DD who is now 20. For better medical care we moved and I don't know anyone here. Because we don't get any alternative care for her ( and she cannot be left alone in the house ) I leave the house maybe once a month for no longer than 2 hours when we try to go out for dinner. But I care about what I wear ( now having decided I had to take care of myself) and I buy clothes online ( often eBay, I have a teeny tiny budget on my carers allowance), in sales, I look at Instagram and bloggers and read fashion magazines. Most of it i don't do but I now feel so much better about myself, I'm in a better place mentally and I don't feel like an old bag if the nurse comes to the house unexpectedly. My DH has to work away back where we used to live and he's here mainly just weekends. He wouldn't notice if I wore a bin bag tbh. I get the 'school run' thing. It's your chance to socialise and see real live people. Otherwise, it's just mumsnet. So, dress up, dress down, wear what makes you happy

I get you op.
My kids school was up a hill , it was always freezing and windy( great in the summer though).
My life changed when I got the Celtic Sheepskin Co shearling coat and some gorgeous waterproof ( goretex) boots from either Fly of London , or Rocket dog. The coat is £££, but god it’s worth it .
Ooh and cashmere socks . Make me feel like red pants used to when I was young.
Im a country girl at heart but I like to keep it a bit sharp on the clothes front.

Hope you survive the winter.

@Sooverthemill it sounds like you have a much tougher time than I could ever possibly imagine. You sound like a brilliantly committed mum and you most definitely deserve to feel good everyday. Good luck with your DD. Xxx

I live in the South and it was minus 5 last winter, not taking windchill into account. School run on foot is an hour round trip for us so warm clothing is essential.

@kmini that's so kind. I'm just doing what any mum would do, I'm sure. It was actually living in a city hospital for 5 months a couple of years ago that made me realise how drab I was compared to all the other glamorous mums. So daft but true

Sooverthemill