What do stylish people wear on the school run?

[highlighteryellow]

I've got a new job and can now do school drop offs and pick ups

After years of pregnancy/toddlers/wearing uniform to work I'm feeling hopelessly out of fashion.

I've definitely missed the veja trainers and wide legged dungarees memo that the other school run mums seem to have received.

Obviously it doesn't really matter but...I would like to fit in more! So, how do stylish people dress on the school run where you are?

[idontlikealdi]

I couldn't pick out a singular 'stylish' mum at drop off, 90% in gym wear, admittedly mostly sweaty Betty or LL.

State school in a rather £££ area of SE London.

[Badgercity]

On my school run you’re already above the style curve if you’re not wearing your pyjamas! I’m not even kidding.

I wear boyfriend ankle grazers with Birkenstock’s and a t-shirt or loose strappy top. Or a maxi dress with Birkenstock’s. Or wide leg cropped trousers with….you’ve guessed it… Birkenstock’s! On wet days I am still wearing my 6 year old white leather Super Ga’s.

In the autumn and winter I am still in skinny jeans and Ugg’s or Clark’s Chelsea boots. I don’t give a toss that that is the height of naff, it’s comfy and warm and that’s all I care about in the winter.

[DinosaurDiana]

At my school it’s gym wear, but they don’t go to the gym.

[MrsVeryTired]

I wear what I wear anywhere else (shops etc) on the school run . So jeans (often still in skinnies but also boyfriend style due to lockdown extra pounds) fashion trainers eg animal print/chunky sandals/boots depending on weather, loose t-shirt and black hoody or zip up sweater.

[Sickoffamilydrama]

@SpinbikeNotebook

Well, the norm among some Mumsnetters anyway. The "I don't care about fashion" brigade who you ironically, often find on the S&B board for example.

See I interpret that differently, when people ask what to wear for things like school run and others say no one cares, it's because no one does care, it doesn't mean they can't dress up or be fashionable, also it's because there is no "rules" unlike say a wedding, blacktie event or work. So the OP should be wearing something that makes them feel good rather than trying to fit in.

Although I would say the same for events where there are certain "rules" but adapt it to say wear something you feel good in that matches the expectations of that event so probably not white to a big white wedding, unless asked specifically wear black or dark grey/navy to a funeral.

I will freely say I think about what I'm wearing most days and love playing with clothes, it's a form of expression bit that doesn't mean I dress for the school run or worry what others are wearing, I wear clothes that make me feel good.

[SpinbikeNotebook]

It just seems as if the op has not had much reason or time to develop her personal style, has noticed women looking as if they have a certain style to her. She's asked for advice on here to be met with "snort, why do you care about that? Nobody cares"! Unnecessary and she hasn't been back!

If you put thought into how you dress and you do a school run in it, then you could just have said how you dress. No need to get your dig in that the op was a bit silly to even ask. It didn't sit right with me and came across as quite unhelpful when everyone felt they had to say that.

[Floisme]

I agree with Spinbike. My school run days are in the distant past so I can't give any current advice and I only opened this thread by accident. But I do remember hanging around outside school and watching what other mums (and dads sometimes) were wearing. And yes I copied, so what? I was waking up from a post childbirth wardrobe coma - I didn't have a style, I didn't know who 'me' was and I needed some confidence and inspiration.

[Mintjulia]

I've never even thought about it. I don't get out of the car so I don't worry, just drop DS, watch him to the door and leave.

But even when I had to walk him to the door, it would have been suitable for the weather, comfortable and fairly tidy (I'd have been on my way to work).

[RoundersGarden]

Home made masks

Running gear

[Mankyfruitbowl]

I don't think OP means she's literally dressing up for the school run like it's an Occasion (as people always rush to claim on these threads). It's just shorthand for "everyday clothes for running around in, for activities including, but not restricted to the school run, that you can feel comfortable and a bit stylish and modern in".

[Divebar2021]

I have to be honest… even in lockdown when I was only going for a walk with my friend I would think about what I wore. ( from a style point of view) There are certain things that would be very practical for walking in that I wouldn’t be seen dead in. So very much not just comfortable and tidy. I didn’t however volunteer what I wear because I wouldn’t presume to say I’m cool.

[SpinbikeNotebook]

Yes, that's how I read it too @Mankyfruitbowl. If you're doing the school run and not on your way to a super corporate office or in uniform, you might be aiming for something comfortable to run around with kids in which still looks stylish.

I aim for effortlessly chic, but did have to include a disclaimer earlier which was that the jury's out on whether I actually achieve it! I feel I mainly do, but others won't agree.

Also yy to putting thought into what I wore even on a walk with a friend over lockdown. I absolutely did. Not because it's the occasion of a lifetime, but because I think I'm just programmed that way tbh.

[Sickoffamilydrama]

I can kind of see what some are saying about jumping on and saying no one cares but I don't see it as people being mean, certainly that's not my intention when I say it, far from it, I say it to reassure, I frequently hear people worried and anxious about what others think, when most people aren't actually thinking about you at all.

Anyway back to the OPs question you probably need to find out what suits you, shape, colours and life style wise. Try on different things and build up a picture of what makes you feel good.

I follow a variety of people on Instagram this woman for her dresses instagram.com/dress_loving_mama?utm_medium=copy_link

This one has a slight rock style and body positivity
instagram.com/samanthapamelaeaston?utm_medium=copy_link

This one to give me ideas on how to combine outfits
instagram.com/doesmybumlook40?utm_medium=copy_link

Like her grunge rock chic style
instagram.com/justdoingjadexox?utm_medium=copy_link

More body positivity but also she has good ideas about underwear and combining outfits got me to try bodysuits
instagram.com/emilylucyrajch?utm_medium=copy_link

[Ilovemaisie]

No. One. Cares.

[SpinbikeNotebook]

No, I'm sure everyone's intentions were mainly good @Sickoffamilydrama.

[Laiste]

I just wear what i'm going to wear for the day, iykwim?

Jeans (skinny) and a jumper, or dress with opaque tights in winter, dress/skirt/vest top in summer.

I'm not an 'active wear' kind of girl myself, but about 50% of the mums at our school do seem to favour it. The rest are Boden'y or just normal stuff like me. A few in work uniforms.

There's very little smart 'corporate' wear at all now i think about it.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

At the moment floral dresses, white trainers and jean jackets on 80% of the women.

[thecatfromjapan]

Hush, as a previous poster said.

This boutique is popular - have a look and then look for cheaper versions.

Worth remembering that there are micro-climates in fashion, so your areas 'look' will be slightly different from another areas.

But ...

I don't understand the people who are unhelpful on these threads, and so quick to pretend they're not interested in fashion or style. Or that they, themselves have the stylish iconoclasm and insouciance of Loulou de la Falaise.

Most of us are interested in fashion and we're interested in being part of a group, or at least acknowledging that we are aware of the parameters of group style.

We also all go through points in our lives when we're cut off and isolated (having young children being one of those points). Noticing that there is a 'style' at the school gates, and being excited enough to want to join in is part of getting your energy and sense of self back.

It's normal and to be welcomed.

And it's a stage on the way to feeling whole and happy and in charge of your life and self.

So, good luck, OP. Have fun. And enjoy this time. 💐

[thecatfromjapan]

www.irisfashion.co.uk/collections/all-clothing?page=3

The link to local boutique I forgot to add!

[donaldbump]

I always wonder about this school run thing too. I don’t think about what I wear to go to the supermarket so why the school run? Ditto work. I just dress how I want to dress wherever?

[Floisme]

The op has explained why. It's easy to lose your way when you've got small children, especially if you wear a uniform to work. I found school run watching really helpful when I was in that situation: different styles from SAHM to very corporate (ok maybe that's less so these days) all worn by women like me with post pregnancy bodies and busy lives. I think it's a hell of a lot more useful than following some photoshopped influencer.

[thecatfromjapan]

Me too, Floisme.

[Badgercity]

I love the styling of the character Julia in Motherland. To be she is very fashionable but that kind of “London fashion” would stick out too much in my area.

[TheMostHappy]

Yesterday we were running extremely late and I went in the following:

Pj bottoms
Black vest
No bra - I have absolutely no business to not be wearing a bra in public
White oversized wooly jumper that is more grey than white
Berkenstocks
Face mask

I wasn't expecting to get out of the car to be fair but was called in to the office before I got back home to collect ds because his Covid bubble burst and he's now self isolating. But I have learned from the error of my ways.

[thecatfromjapan]

Also, my default outfit for school at the moment is hair in high bun, oversize ear-rings, long-length blazer with sleeves pushed up, casual t-shirt, long (ankle-length) skirt, gola trainers or suede boots (I splashed out on Isabel Marant and feel I need to wear them until they fall apart!). Skirt is a bit 'dressy', eg. tulle, or lurex.

It's not particularly stylish - but I'm putting it here to encourage others (who may be stylish!) to be a bit more helpful and specific.

Honestly, Mumsnet Style and Beauty used to be a bit more fun and helpful than this.

This thread is just so ... catsbum. As though it's a moral failing to be interested in clothes. ☹️