Does what you wear at the school gate affect how people treat you?

[cultkid]

I'm a novice to English schools, newbie to having a kid in school.

I wear some fairly bonkers outfits including pink crocs and sports trousers with a denim jacket 😆

Also I wear dresses too and can look normal

If I wore a tracksuit, would that change people's perceptions of me? What is comfy and easy, not always jeans because I am not a huge fan?

Is it bad to show up in crocs at the school gate?

Thank you

Well I don't fit in with any parents at my children's school, and my daughter has lots of close friendships.
Just wear what you're comfortable in OP, and what is relevant to the rest of your day

I do tend to drop off in workout gear, and pick up in what ever I've changed into after showering, sometimes joggers, sometimes jeans and sometimes a dress.

Seven pages of school gate fashion angst. Wonder if Dad's and grandfather's get so worked up about this.

@RiftGibbon

Seven pages of school gate fashion angst. Wonder if Dad's and grandfather's get so worked up about this.

So true!

Nothing wrong with crocs

Just wear whatever you want. I don't think anyone on our school run has ever dressed specifically for it or worried about it. There's always a mix of people. I really wouldn't worry. A smile is the most important thing for making friends.

@RiftGibbon

Seven pages of school gate fashion angst. Wonder if Dad's and grandfather's get so worked up about this.

Not something I’ve ever really thought about, usually I’m in a suit mon-thurs and gym kit on Fridays. Don’t care what other parents think of my outfit and I don’t notice what anyone else is wearing unless its something outrageous.

I went in my gardening clothes today. One of the mums complimented me on my (falling apart a bit) sandals which I'd shoved on because I didn't have time to get my trainers on.

@MeadowHay

This resonates, although I wasn't the youngest by any stretch today I'm 28

Its just the anxiety and changing but only to do with people I don't know

Nursery I was so comfortable with them. Really loved them. Went in the office to chat etc. Really sad to have my son at school now. They have been an incredible support.

I changed my jacket today on pick up and my hair too. It's insane

I still looked different to everyone else. I didn't wear crocs, just some Vans. Also found the parking a bit shocking. People were quite pissed off. It's too far to walk really at least 40 mins each way I reckon with my 4 year old and a buggy.

Thank you for being honest xx

I'm not aloof at all

Ive struggled to find a balance since I stopped working in an office

Reiss dresses and blow drys aren't so practical at baby sensory when you don't work in an office any more 😆

Before I clicked on the thread title the mum of my sons best friend sprung to mind. I judge her...

She wears socks and crocs

@dollypartonscoat 🤭 you don't live in Kent do you 😆😆😆

She wears socks and crocs

There was a socks and Crocs mum at my school today at pick up. It was puddling down again though and she was trying to hurry her two kids up because, and I'll quote here:
"Come on, hurry up, me feet are fuckin' soakin'.."

🤣 she had hers on in the rain today too.

The rainwater seeped in through the very same holes her dignity seeps out of

@dollypartonscoat

It wasn't me then! I wore vans today 🤪🤪🤪

And I do tell my son to not jump in puddles because the water goes in my crocs 😆

I notice what other people wear, I don't judge them for it. Most wear jeans and a tshirt/top and jacket every day. Only one parent stands out because they are more 'groomed'. I enjoy looking at her clothes.
I love that there isn't a fashion parade in the mornings. I've noticed the dads are WAY more fashionable than the mums.

I used to do the school run looking like Kenny from South Park, hoody up and draw string pulled tight. Wild hair and bleary eye hider.
All sorts at our school from business suits to fleece PJs

I judged a mum today.

She was wearing a really smart, long, dressy dress, make up I would describe as "evening" and obviously done hair. But the thing that made her stand out was that she looked so stiff and awkward, maybe because 90% of people were in jeans or leggings. I judged her thinking we probably wouldn't get on because she looked uptight but maybe she just felt self conscious and had a resting bitch face.

I don't think anyone at our school cares and we definitely don't have groups congregating by what they are wearing!

My group of closer friends kind of fell together and we have nothing in common dress-wise. I am almost always in a black dress on my way to work with trainers in summer and boots in winter, if I have a day off I might be in dungarees. One of us wears tight jeans and a vest top in all weathers, one baggy jeans and jumpers, one skinny jeans, big heels, designer handbag and designer top, one tunics and leggings, one exclusively Boden, one always black jeans and a semi-fitted top.

Wear what you like - no one will care, and if they do they're not worth knowing.

I'm relatively new to the school run and can't say I generally notice what most people are wearing. I would if anyone stood out though, it's not an area where people are really "out there" or overly stylish so it's all a bit bland (myself included - generally jeans with loafers/espadrilles and a parka type).

I'll be honest and say what I do notice though is scruffiness. I noticed a woman in cheap see-through leggings with nothing covering her bum that were hugely unflattering. I also notice the two dad's who sport that grey joggers with dirty trainers look.

Some of the nicest people I know are scruffy looking buggers so I'm not writing people off based on how they look and I'm friendly to everyone but I'm human and I can't help noticing. I think it's human nature.

I have wedge crocs for the school run. Elegance teamed with durability! And DD is quite the social butterfly.

@DysonFury

I have wedge crocs for the school run. Elegance teamed with durability! And DD is quite the social butterfly.

They sound ultra fashionable and amazing... And I mean that most most sincerely.. honest and truly I do.. I'm not at all taking the piss...

(Well maybe just a little)

Ds primary school drop offs used to be like a fashion show, all the mums competing, hair, nails, makeup, couldn't wear the same outfit twice, designer labels or sportswear. I stopped going in the playground as soon as I could, I parked as near to school as I could & waited outside for him to come out, i couldn't be doing with all the bitching & backbiting. Secondary I haven't been in now for over three years, he is in sixth form now so looks after himself.

@RiftGibbon

Seven pages of school gate fashion angst. Wonder if Dad's and grandfather's get so worked up about this.

To be fair the overwhelming majority of these posts are people nonplussed by the idea of dressing up, and challenging people to judge them based on their “thrown on” jeans and hoody look.

I actually think a lot of people jump on these threads looking for a quick swipe at women they perceive as more insecure than themselves, because they feel the need to put more time and effort into their appearance.