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!

Thank you @Blueberrycreampie , that's really nice of you. Re sunglasses, the population here is 98% native Japanese, everybody has dark eyes and the sunlight apparently doesn't feel as bright to them (and doesn't damage their eyes as much - only learned about this once I came here). So wearing sunglasses is not seen as a way to protect from the sun, that's a fashion statement (showing off basically), and being noticeable and fashion-forward is bad to your image as a mom (I've seen people saying/writing things like "Moms who didn't throw 'the woman' in them should be embarrassed of themselves" lol).

I live in Melbourne too and this is very accurate.
Lululemon, Katmandu puffer Jacket, Nike trainers and big-ish sunglasses.
Or,
Head-to-toe in Gorman.

@toucaninjapan what happens if you wear whatever you feel like wearing?

@wasacasa people steer clear of you (but it's much less strict if you are a non-Asian foreigner, they'll forgive you). Some may call you weird behind your back. Your kid may be shamed by other kids because of the way you look

This is hilarious OP, the animations are glorious. Japanese culture seems so fascinating. Japan is definitely a bucket list country for me.

That's so fascinating to read. I had no idea Japan was a country with so many rules.

Definitely want to travel there one day (more for the food though hehe)

Mostly leggings/jeans and jumpers here, lots of knitted bobble hats when it’s cold. There’s a contingent of mums with blonde highlights, more expensive gym wear and kids with floral names (Lily/Poppy/Rose) who I struggle to tell apart sometimes. Quite a few dads at pickup which is nice, including one who appears every couple of Fridays in his army uniform so I assume he comes straight from the base

Everyone I know from the school run either does shifts (lots of nurses) or works from home so rarely see anyone properly dressed up for work.

Small town in North West and it is a mixed bag but there is a divide I would say. Sports wear head to toe, and then black puffer gilet with beige sweater, and either jeans or black leggings and trainers. And then there's me who refuses to conform with anything, so usually dms, ripped jeans of some sort, random t shirt depending on my mood and often a baseball cap. Tokyo wouldn't like me 🤣

^ This

Is there anybody living in France? I'd love to hear whether "French chic" stereotypes are true or not (bracing myself for possible rose-tinted glasses break here)

That sounds oppressive. Would you be given the cold shoulder if you didn’t comply with these rules?

I can’t get over the UV sleeves for protection from the sun, but eyeball cancer knock yourself out 😂

Leggings or skinny jeans. The trendy people are wearing bell bottoms. A lot of Veja trainers.

@midsomermurderess from most moms - yes. If you are white or black, they won't judge you too harshly though.

@OrangeRock UV protection sleeves are worn for beauty purposes. Ancient beauty standards are strong here with all the whitening creams and parasols. Parasols are cool by the way, a must-have item for the summer

I'm in Ireland too,I'm in the Midlands(more rural, smallish town) & it's varied every day from work clothes to casual,jeans & hoodies (me almost daily with my rain jacket as we walk) , leggings, joggers,mostly trainers,honestly we all kinda look similar apart from jackets & trainers, it might change as weather changes but I don't really see anyone that dressed up on the regular

No uniform around here. Lots of parents work so turn up in uniform or corporate gear, some in exercise gear, some in super casual gear etc.

Interesting to hear about floral prints not recommended for over 30 @toucaninjapan I'm glad you're still wearing yours.

Though not wearing above knee shorts over 30 has been discussed here. Not that I agree!

SE London in a predominantly working class/low income area.

School run is cheap leggings, non brand trainers, hoodie and a gillet, hair in an unbrushed bun. Perhaps a velour tracksuit. No one is trying to impress anyone. Its very freeing tbh.

For those who loved the funny pictures, here's another pic from the article I read.
Okay to be completely honest my thread is ALSO inspired by my yesterday's nursery run. I had the audacity to wear my yoga leggings for going to pick DC up from the nursery and one of the moms saw me, opened her month to reply to my konnichiwa and then she noticed my leggings. God, she froze in place and couldn't say a word! No doubt because of my beautiful legs lol

Where I live most mums are out working and so many pop to school using their (later) lunch break to facilitate collection - so nursing uniforms, dresses and then the newer mums (with buggies) black leggings and a sweatshirt and those long gillet black puffy coats.

it isn’t really a thing here - no one cares what anyone wears

What’s the Dad uniform @toucaninjapan? Or isn’t there one? (I’m guessing not?!) I love Japan but it’s so conformist and conservative it is a bit nuts.

I’m in central Edinburgh and there’s no real uniform as far as I can tell. Lots of leggings and sweatshirts with chunky trainers, jeans and a nice jumper outfits and also lots of parents in office/smarter clothes. There are more mums in Barbour and countryside-y clothes (accessorised by a cocker spaniel or lab) around here than I saw in London.

Lol OP. I'm sure they were in awe of your spandexed legs.

I lived in Tokyo for a short time and fell in love with the understated/conservative side of women's fashion there. I happen to like the sort of mum style you describe but, yeah, I couldn't live with that degree of pressure to conform, etc.

Out of curiosity do your kids attend a school that is quite mixed culturally, or is largely Japanese?

Absolutely! I am white but very dark brown eyes and have the beginnings of cataracts. Please everyone wear sunglasses in bright weather no matter what your eye colour!

Middle class town in the East of England - There doesn't seem to be a uniform in winter here but last summer I think I was the only person in the whole playground not wearing a flowery dress

Lancashire here and there seems to be 2
kinds of mum school run looks-
leggings (sports or
The plain black ones) sports socks over the leggings with trainers or those vile mini uggs. And a long baggy jumper with a long gillet 😂 hair up or down and full face of make up trying to pull off natural look.

orrr the mums that wear jeans, walking boots, a jumper or top that’s made in one of those shops that sells incense and crystals etc, they almost always have a rucksack too. And no make up hair
up.

I myself wear dresses and tights or leggings and a blouse. Wish I was a cool mum though😂