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Original poster

School run fashion revamp?

105 replies

Eesha · 24/02/2021 16:59

I realise this might be a very pathetic sounding post but recently single and the only time I'm ever out is on the school run and I feel like I need to revamp my look. Prelockdown it was glasses, jeans, jumper, trainers and a massive parka. I didnt wear makeup either. I look lovely when im out out but not on a normal day! It's an hours walk home so I want to keep the trainers but any other tips to look a bit more presentable and perhaps desirable?

OP posts:
Original poster
Eesha · 24/02/2021 20:14

bump!

OP posts:
FreshFaceTime · 24/02/2021 20:40

How about jersey dresses? Could end up being easier because they're the outfit on their own? Comfortable and you can wear them with trainers? (or maybe with tights/boots till it gets a bit warmer?)

Do you not wear much make up anyway or was it more about not being arsed just for the school run? Because having spent winter cooped up inside I'm determined to wear make up more often when leaving the house from now on... even if it is just the school run! So maybe that will help even if you're having a jeans/jumper day? Splash of bright lippy with a neutral/plain t-shirt can look fab!

SummaLuvin · 24/02/2021 20:49

For spring, autumn, and winter nice jackets/coats, this will be the most visible part of your outfit and it's an easy win.

MojoMoon · 24/02/2021 21:33

Feel like the issue here is that the only time you go out is to be on the school run.

What's your support network like? Do you have friends? Interests? Do you have your kids all the time or are they at their dad's sometimes?
What sort of things would you like to go out and do (beyond the school run)

Original poster
Eesha · 24/02/2021 21:47

@MojoMoon i think pre covid I was seeing friends but tended to use Saturdays to go on dates. Then recently was dating for about 7 months. I can't see myself seeing friends as all are busy parents too plus covid has freaked us out. So for now, it's just my walks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Eesha · 24/02/2021 21:49

@FreshFaceTime yes make up when out properly but not for school runs. I've just bought a bright red lipstick so will use that. Perhaps earrings and a scarf? I just don't have a nice cool coat, just parkas or long office wool coats

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ginandwineandbaileys · 24/02/2021 22:10

You could swap from your parka to your wool coat, worn with casual wear rather than office wear, it'll look fab. Keep the trainers. Plan something for just after the school run, and dress for that, it'll. otivate you to make a change. Midi dresses with trainers are good at this time of year as we head into spring

JellyBabiesFan · 24/02/2021 22:14

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Original poster
Eesha · 24/02/2021 23:20

@JellyBabiesFan well i just want to look less slobbish!!!

OP posts:
bingowingsmcgee · 24/02/2021 23:23

jelly it's s&b. People posting on s&b generally care about their appearance. You were really rude to the OP and there's no need for it.

ginandwineandbaileys · 25/02/2021 00:46

Well I'm getting dressed up just to go for my Covid jab. I can't wait to be frivolous and superficial again

FirmlyRooted · 25/02/2021 06:44

I get it too, I sometimes get dressed up for the supermarket as it's literally the only place to go these days

Agree with a bit of makeup, perhaps some trendy sunglasses, a nice scarf. Wool coat or parka can both work. Maybe upgrade your jeans?

Original poster
Eesha · 25/02/2021 07:19

@FirmlyRooted i have topshop jamie jeans which I would have worn to go out out before! I was thinking of those wide leg flares with converse but not sure if I'll look bad as I'm a size 14/16.

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Original poster
Eesha · 25/02/2021 07:41

What do people think of stripey Breton tops? I loved the fitted ones from Cos in the past but are they unflattering?

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FreshFaceTime · 25/02/2021 08:03

@JellyBabiesFan bit harsh. She's recently single, feeling a bit meh and her only venture into the outside world for a while is the school run. I completely get the "can't be arsed just for the school run" view as it's my default. But after being cooped up inside for a few months I also fancy making a bit more effort, school run or not. I put a full face of make up on for a walk the other day. Clearly the op feels the same.

re brereton tops... If you like them then wear them. My SIL wears them and she always looks lovely. They don't do anything for me but for lots of people they're a wardrobe staple. The flares+converse will only work if it's dry otherwise won't they just soak up the wet off the floor? (thinking back to my youth now and that was definitely a thing!) would straight leg jeans, turned up with the trainers/converse + the wool coat work?

Mermaidwaves · 25/02/2021 08:16

OP I get you....I'm single and bored too, 40 today and feeling the need for a revamp. I turn up for nightshifts in full make up as I have no where else to go! I find I always feel good in dresses and they're easier and more comfortable to wear. Casual ones you can still wear your trainers with. Makeup wise you say you've bought a red lippy, good move! I find a bright lippy really lifts my face more than anything else so I always tend to wear one.

MagdasMadHouse · 25/02/2021 08:26

If you've not got time for much makeup then sunglasses and lipstick seem like a good start. Some really bold accessories, if you wear a scarf something in a bright colour, or a coat in an unusual pattern or colour. Even if you are wearing plainer clothes underneath, that bit of bright colour will make your skin look better. I think a bit of colour or print makes people look more put together generally.
Dresses are great because they can be loose and comfy but still look like you've made an effort. Also a one piece is easier than trying to find co-ordinates in the dark in a rush. I try and lay my clothes out the night before, but on the days I don't I have a trusty dress I can pull on with some black leggings be be school run ready in Under 30 seconds. Alternatively a really comfy pair of jeans with a loose blouse can look great whilst being really causal.
I think it's nice to have a playful element in your outfit, so an accessory or even some socks or shoe laces, that are especially pretty or quirky. I'm a big fan of hair accessories because I cannot be bothered with earrings most of the time, but some earrings would be perfect to. But not too many accessories, just one or two.

MagdasMadHouse · 25/02/2021 08:28

Could you use some gradual tanner or fake tan? I think a slight tan can make people look so glowy and glamourising, without much other effort. You can get gradual tan for faces now too

ginandwineandbaileys · 25/02/2021 08:28

I always think striped tops look good on other people, but they are not a good look on me. My shoulders are wide, and they seem to make me look wider.
I'm thinking of wearing a scrappy dress with a short cardigan or a sweatshirt, with my white vejas. Just sometimes. I also took out my red lipstick, instantly feel dressed up with it, but face mask will smudge it, and stay on lipstick is always drying. I might get a dramatic mascara, and new eyebrow stuff.

ginandwineandbaileys · 25/02/2021 08:29

Strappy dress not scrappy, ha

RampantIvy · 25/02/2021 08:37

I suspect that posters suggesting wool coats don't live somewhere where it rains a lot.

Pre covid I would have silently scoffed at the idea of making an effort for the school run, but now I completely understand why some of us just want to make an effort for the most trivial of reasons.

I always think that lipstick perks up a look. A gradual fake tan for the face is good as long as it doesn't look overdone.

After lockdown, when hairdressers open again a good haircut is probably the best thing you can do.

Original poster
Eesha · 25/02/2021 08:57

@RampantIvy Thank you for reiterating the haircut, I'm debating that too. My hair has gone white and feels tired and drapey. It looks good when washed but I think it needs to be more bouncy.

@MagdasMadHouse I'm really dark skinned so fake tan is pointless!!!

@FreshFaceTime thanks for the support. I hadn't considered turning up my jeans! I have two pairs of Converse, the low tops and the high tops which I bought on spur ages ago. How does one wear the high tops better?

Thanks all, I would also have not bothered with looking decent before but I've been dumped! I walk an hour each way to school and want to look less invisible. Online dating doesn't appeal at present but this might be one way to meet people!

OP posts:
TimeQuest01 · 25/02/2021 09:13

@Eesha
My hair has gone white and feels tired and drapey. It looks good when washed but I think it needs to be more bouncy.

Is your hair very straight? Mine is and I got this curler for Xmas, it creates a nice soft wave, it makes such a difference.

www.argos.co.uk/product/9280924?clickSR=slp:term:hair%20styling:66:580:2

Original poster
Eesha · 25/02/2021 09:18

@TimeQuest01 its straight but thick. I was debating this but wasn't sure whether this would be hard to work with? Or to just get a curler? I want waves really.

OP posts:
FreshFaceTime · 25/02/2021 09:25

@RampantIvy umbrella? Just trying to make suggestions around what we know she's got. We're in the UK where it tends to rain a fair bit – surely if we all worried about that then nobody would ever buy a wool coat?

No idea about the high tops (not cool enough!) but pinterest/ google images are your friends. Search "converse high top outfit" and see what pops up that you like the look of?