School run fashion revamp?

[Eesha]

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?

*@RampantIvy umbrella? *

Just a personal thing, but I wouldn't want to walk for two hours with my arm up carryig an umbrella. Besides, we live rurally and walking around country lanes with a nice coat and umbrella looks rather silly and impractical where we are. Also, the rain often falls diagonally or horizontally here

@eesha if you are doing that much walking would Converse offer enough support for your feet?

@RampantIvy no i can't do umbrellas! And Converse isn't as comfy as my usual Nike trainers though mine are bright orange and I don't really like the colour. I'm currently looking for some which are nicer. Perhaps pink?!

Definitely don’t wear a wool coat with trainers!

I don’t do a school run but since I stopped dressing up for work, I dress casually for the nursery run, and so does everyone else of course. I think it depends where you live. Everyone here wears sweaty Betty or other sleek leggings (H&M do some cool ones too) with a puffer coat. You have to wear trainers for the walk, so make sure they are comfy enough (not converse! You need sports ones like you said above) then plan your outfit around those. No jersey dresses! It’s better to look intentional, not like you got dressed and then chucked on the trainers for comfort.

@Eesha, it’s super easy to use, just don’t put too much hair in at once.
But it takes me like just 10 minutes to do the whole head.
Then you just brush it or pass your fingers through it to make it look more natural.

Not sure how long your hair is, but cutting it to a long bob with a bit of layering will definitely give it bounce!

Now that the weather is milder, how about swapping your parka to a leather jacket or even a well-cut denim jacket? Those will immediately spice your outfit up, even if you just wear jeans and a t-shirt

@BlairWaldorfLovesShopping love the nick!! You're right about the coat and trainers, I'm not sure I'm slim enough to pull it off. Can you post a link to sleek leggings?

Most of the school run mums around here wear some version of:

Trainers or hiking boots or ankle wellies with Sweaty Betty/similar leggings, chunky jumper, puffer coat/something waterproof

Lace up boots/Grenson/DM type with rolled up jeans, jumper, nice coat (can be wool - it doesn’t rain everyday...)

Trainers/converse/similar with rolled up jeans, jumper/tee shirt and jacket/leather jacket/lightweight trench or mac

Birkenstocks, rolled up jeans, tee or midi skirt and tee.

Depending on the weather etc. All casual looks and practical but still look intentional and ‘put together’.

@BlairWaldorfLovesShopping

Definitely don’t wear a wool coat with trainers!

I don’t do a school run but since I stopped dressing up for work, I dress casually for the nursery run, and so does everyone else of course. I think it depends where you live. Everyone here wears sweaty Betty or other sleek leggings (H&M do some cool ones too) with a puffer coat. You have to wear trainers for the walk, so make sure they are comfy enough (not converse! You need sports ones like you said above) then plan your outfit around those. No jersey dresses! It’s better to look intentional, not like you got dressed and then chucked on the trainers for comfort.

Yes - this was what I came on to post. OP, jeans are a bit passe where I live, everyone, at all ages, has switched to leggings.

For spring I would switch to a lightweight rain coat or a denim jacket with leggings. Search Pinterest for inspiration.

You are walking quite a bit (I walk the dog after the school run so I dress like this too) so you need to dress for the walk - that means comfort and weather proof - otherwise you will look uncomfortable.

But you could style your hair (I have mine cut into a style that I can leave to air dry as I have 3 DC and don't have time to do a lot of styling in the morning) and make sure you are well groomed (nails neat, maybe some tinted moisturiser if you are pale or peaky some days, some mascara and a little lip balm). I always think you can get away with any clothes as long as you are well groomed!

It is always great to reinvent your style - there is no age limit. Look up people you like the look of from TV shows and type in "school run" into Pinterest to get ideas (I have a whole board on the school run on Pinterest!!!).

Enjoy OP - with Spring in the air, it is a great time to mix it up a little.

Are sleek leggings the same as leather look jeggings?

Where do you live out of interest @Annasgirl? Plenty of leggings around my way, but jeans certainly aren’t passé, most people are still wearing jeans (although the style has changed and moved on from skinnies - straight and wider legs mostly). I’m in Zone 2 London.

God I feel so out of my depth. I'm not trendy and neither is the area I live in so jeans or dresses definitely wouldn't look out of place. School run is mostly jeans + hoodies this time of year.

Everyone wears jeans or leggings round here. It is so muddy at the moment that practicality takes precedence over fashion right now.

Sorry I didn't think about the tan thing through properly. Only 1 or my 3 children can get a tan so I shouldn't make assumptions.

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@Eesha

Are sleek leggings the same as leather look jeggings?

By sleek I just meant leggings that give a sleek look, ie not cotton ones from the supermarket that could end up going saggy and have ugly seams. Leather look leggings are definitely a good option! Here are some nice ones from H&M (the high waist is definitely more flattering and so is them being seamless) If budget stretches then look at Sweaty Betty, they are about 4x the price but incredibly flattering and well made. Some of the prints are a bit mad though! I also have a nice Spanx pair (again expensive but seamless and flattering). Like a PP said, I just rotate all my leggings at the moment. I haven’t worn jeans in weeks

@Snezcomb

Where do you live out of interest *@Annasgirl*? Plenty of leggings around my way, but jeans certainly aren’t passé, most people are still wearing jeans (although the style has changed and moved on from skinnies - straight and wider legs mostly). I’m in Zone 2 London.

Hi

I live in South Dublin - I think leggings are in because it is so cold and wet here - most mums have moved on to wider or straight leg jeans and these were impossible for the past 5 months here due to rain and icy weather. I am sure people will be back in jeans once the weather improves but I haven't seen anyone wear them here since last Summer.

@BlairWaldorfLovesShopping thank you, I might get these. There are leather look ones in H&M too as well as M&S but wasn't sure whether I looked boring in leggings.

@TimeQuest01 i bought the curler, arriving today. Thank you!! Here's to wavy hair!

I really like to wear mom jeans with a fitted t shirt or tight vest / long sleeved crew neck (depending on weather) with a smart wool coat and trainers. Over body bag and a scarf if you need it, maybe a patterned one. Tiny bit of blusher and mascara will give you a fresh look and a bit of lip balm.

Hair wise if my hair is freshly washed it’s down, otherwise is a mum bun or pony tail, but a knotted head band can elevate it a bit and make you look at bit more ‘done’. I dont wear earrings but if i did then something a bit fun instead of a headband.

I get it, I am not single, but the school run is the only social contact I’ve had really since October and I am weirdly looking forward to dressing for it.

Oh on the subject of leggings I am a massive fan of leather look leggings from M&S, they are really comfy and look cool with a long jumper or a vest and a shirt / Shacket. Also good with trainers.

@Annasgirl ah interesting. It’s been very muddy here too and I think with lockdown everyone has been more casual - will be interesting to see how things change as the weather gets better and there’s more open!

@whiteonesugar can you post a link. I'm sure others have raved about them.

@Eesha - here you go. I would size down

www.marksandspencer.com/faux-leather-high-waisted-leggings/p/clp60459368

@whiteonesugar would you size down because it stretches? I'll probably get these, thank you!

They are definitely stretchy like leggings not jeggings. Maybe order 2 sizes and try them? I was a small 12 when I first got them and the 10 fitted me, now I’m a 10 they’re getting slightly baggy in areas, so that’s why I’d say size down.