What's the typical "mom uniform" in your area?

[toucaninjapan]

Just what the title says, really. I'm interested to hear what it's like in other places.
I live in Tokyo and all the moms here seem to have the same style. You'd never see anyone wearing something tight or sexy (no cleavage at all times, nothing showing your waistline etc.), most of the outfits consist of a very loose-fitting dress/oversized jumper or shirt in neutral colors over baggy jeans. "Loose" and "neutral" are keywords here. Bonus points if you are wearing UV protection arm sleeves with your short-sleeved t-shirts. Nobody wears shorts or leggings - by themselves, I mean, laying under dress is OK - as that's embarrassing (actually nobody wears leggings unless they're going for a run, that's not just a "mom" thing. As for shorts, I was instructed by my midwife to steer clear of those as I'm a mom now! Anyway you're too old to wear shorts after 30 apparently, even if they are on the longish side). No sunglasses on anyone (I've seen some articles bashing moms wearing sunglasses like "who are they trying to impress?"). Flowery prints not recommended if over 30. Lots of branded bags, preferably something easily recognizable, are desirable.
This thread was inspired by some article I came across this morning with examples of shocking outfits that some readers saw other moms wear - well, not so shocking in my opinion to be honest. Out of place in some cases maybe, but I can't see why anyone couldn't wear a flowery dress or some bright clothes during the weekend or on holiday. That explains some strange looks from other moms at the nursery as I love wearing my flowery prints at the grand age of 32.😁
Anyway, I'm including here 2 pics of "recommended outfits" for moms and 2 pics of the "shocking outfits". Very interested to hear what's it like in other places!

Wow, Golden Goose trainers are £350, and they look terrible!

Ooh I had never heard of Adanola, very much my style, now added to my wish list!

@3luckystars this sort of thing

I'm in Birmingham. You see all sorts here. No particular uniform

Thank you for the photo. That is not what I imagined at all!! I will pass on that one so.

I imagined mesh material that would go right up to the shoulder (totally under the t shirt) and look like a tattoo sleeve!! I thought I’d get some and would be starting a new trend. Oh well.

Quite varied here (Melbourne) but the most common outfit would be activewear - usually Lululemon, Nike shoes - in all black, or mostly black with a bit of beige. And practically everyone in Melbourne owns a black puffer from NZ brand Kathmandu.

why don’t they just wear long sleeves though?? That would leave the dotty part of the upper arm on show, that’s the worst bit of arm. (for me anyway!) ugly

There’s a variety here.

1. wellies, wax coats/gilets,
2. skinny jeans, flats/ankle boots, jumper/long puffer coats.
3. mom jeans, white trainers, long cardigan, overcoats

In the summer there’s a lot of knee length shorts, long skirts, flowery dresses, skinny jeans and plimsolls.

I really like the jumpers, am pondering whether to get one and if so which one. Definitely not averse to a bit of mum uniform!

I’m in the north east, and it’s really varied. I wouldn’t be able to pick out a particular ‘uniform’. Even day to day, what each parent is wearing differs a lot.

People wear all sorts round here, there are a lot of work out clothes at morning drop off, usually the SAHM crowd.

At pick-up there is a mix of skinny jeans with those awful (sorry) long fillet puffs jackets, tracksuits and flowery dresses. In the summer there are a lot of t-shirt dresses and Solilas sandals or vejas.

This is a fairly affluent town in SE.

@toucaninjapan great post. Japan is still very rule driven I see. I haven't noticed a mum uniform where I am or there might be one but I'm too old to know about it 40s with primary aged children.

Working class, economically classed as area of multiple deprivation. Mums tend to wear leggings, t shirts ,hoodies, jeans, trainers ,boots, hair up in a messy bun, or down , various colours ( dyed loads of shades )also alot of women wear hjabs, long dresses, trousers etc, work wear ( carer uniforms, supermarket uniforms etc) as going off to work between picking kid's up. Most women seem to make an effort of some sort but it's a mixed bag. There's not any rules. You can have younger punky looking women about picking up their children and older ones like me rushing about.
I would hate to have to follow a strict code like what you describe OP.

Wow this is so interesting!!
It varies by age here but generally speaking with my fellow late 20s early 30s mums it’s oversize hoodie or cropped boxy T-shirt with leggings and long adanola socks over the top along with new balance for the school run.
For lunches is wide leg/straight chic jeans with a boucle or knitted cardigan. Stripes.
Sunglasses essential.

SE London. I'm not a mum but I see them doing the school run or taking kids to the park, where I walk my dog.

Long jackets / coats - big trainers - a baseball cap, a beanie or a messy bun - Leggings or mom jeans - relaxed jumper - big scarf.
Some sort of cool yet casual / casual yet cool look. You don't know if they're going to go straight to their yoga class or in a meeting room in a start-up.

Solihull?? 🤣

We're on the verge of warmer weather so we'll be moving away from active wear and into loose dresses with trainers or flip flops and a denim jacket 😜

I no longer have to do the school run as Dd is 18 but from driving by there seems to be a lot more gym gear being worn nowadays. Think Gymshark leggings, hoodies and long puff coats covering. When my dd was younger, I was always in running tights as I would run or gym straight after dropping her. And, I got many of funny looks at the time whereas I'd fit right in now!

Surrey: mum jeans with a breton or cashmere sweater, white trainers or midi/maxi dresses (no florals, though) with ankle boots/trainers. Lots of denim jackets and coatigans.

Ah thanks! I've seen you while lurking on the 'What are we wearing' thread, and you always look lovely. What a great experience though - and exciting to live in a different part of the world!

Absolutely no “uniform” to speak of in the south London suburbs.

Everything from:
-city suits
-fashion-forward mums in black cropped trousers and boots and year-round shades
-totally-don’t-give-a-shit-about-fashion mums wearing old Per Una
-active wear because they’re going to the gym
-active wear as a fashion choice
-grubby primark leggings and a baggy t shirt
-floral midi and trainers
-faux fur and bling

And thank god for that, I couldn’t be doing with any sense there’s a “right” way to dress for the school run.

@35965a what is with the leggings up the arse crack! I see teenagers doing it and that's bad enough.

I'm in Ireland (on the NI boarder) there is a mix bag around here too. At the baby group I attended there was a mix of leggings/ hoodys. Jean and 'nice tops' and very bohemian I make my own clothes. I am a mix of leggings and jeans. I plan to shock horror wear some nice floral dresses in the summer.

Dry robes, sportswear, white socks. Never seen any PJ's! The men normally biking gear for the cycle journey or relaxed casual wear some woman smart casual. also very stylish immaculately groomed woman expensive labels and glasses. boho Lucy yak. Won't say what I wear 😏 unique Primary school in the south. Very cosmopolitan

Oh and I meant to say; what's the deal with the sunglasses? I was told by my optician to always wear them as even cheap ones protect our eyes. That is not good!

We're not in a particularly fashionable area here but school is an independent secondary.

Mainly still flowery maxi dresses with denim jackets and white trainers or with leather biker jackets and heeled boots. Always with sunglasses and with a cashmere scarf if its still a bit chilly.

If its parents evening etc or a music recital it would be wall to wall karen millen.

The pics made me laugh, OP. TBH, if the 'what not to wear' images are those of ill fitting clothes, it seems pretty reasonable advice. (I mean, the outlandish animal prints I wouldn't go for myself, but others pull them off very well. Can't say any mums I know would be comfortable wearing a mini skirt that's so micro anyone behind you would be seeing your bum cheeks the second you bent down.)

I don't think there's a uniform as such, I think people are just worn out and therefore generally look daggy. Typical clothes are jeans, t-shirt/long sleeved jersey shirt and sneakers. There don't seem to be many parents who have a typical corporate, office-based job (and are therefore suited and booted) that are able to do pick up/drop off, so it's very rare to see someone wearing more formal clothes.