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!

Near Norwich- it's usually activewear or jeans and a sweatshirt.
Some mums wear the Joules raincoat, blue jeans rolled at the hem with either pumps or chelsea boots.
Our nursery mums are always in activewear, school mums dressed for work (heels, trenchcoats etc).
I drop the DC to school in proper clothes and makeup, then drop DC to nursery in my gym clothes. I never wear comfies out of the house though.

I live in the south of England, a few types:

• Emily wears skinny jeans, suspiciously clean ballet flats or white trainers, a joules top and anorak often with some kind of floral wipe clean backpack
• Harmony wears Lucy and Yak leggings, a scarf in her unbrushed, undyed hair and no makeup
• Tam wears bright ugly trainers, wide leg cropped jeans, a quilted jacket and an ironic vintage T-shirt with expensively coloured hair, a varied watch and real jewellery and a bum bag slung crossways instead of a handbag
• Rachel wears the Zara version of Tam’s outfit
• Gina wears loose yet well cut clothes in dusty neutrals and never carries a handbag

I live 100m from school and wfh so I just pull on the nearest jumper and wear my gym trainers. I'm home again by 8.54.

People all dress however they want... examples:

• the mam who wears doc martins, colourful leggings and has colourful hair
• the mam that wear all black active wear
• the mam that shows up in cycling short and a sports bra and slides with a puffa vest (its quite the bold look)
• the mam who always wears crocs (that match her younger childs pre-school aged childs crocs) dispite the rest of her outfit being nice
• the mam that as soon as theres a peep of sunshine is off wearing a floral maxi dress even if its really not dress weather yet
• theres also a dad, I call him 'shorts dad'... honestly dead of winter in a foot of snow hes always plodding along in shorts, trainers and a vest and yet NEVER looks cold. I actually sometime wonder if he even owns another outfit because in 2 years every day the same identical shorts and vest regardless of weather.

They are just a small few that seem to always wear the same but to be honest I just throw on anything for the school run, usually blue jeans, uggs because its still wet/cold (ballet pumps in summer), a tshirt and either a coat or hoody or neither depending on how cold. I assume most people are the same and just wear quick/comfortable easy to grab and put on while rangling kids into their uniform clothing.

Here iit is the Boden or Joules look with ballet flats or converse and often seen driving a range rover or similar that they can’t park and see it as their right to park on double yellow Lines, pavements or people’s driveways. In winter, it’s Hunter wellies and a Barbour coat.

In Paris (again, not a mum myself, but based on my friends who have kids) there's no "school run uniform" they leave the flat to drop the kids at school and go straight to work.

So it's be an oversized long coat, big scarf, messy yet stylish hair, minimal make up, straight jeans, trainers (NB) or chelsea boots, maybe loafers (long time I haven't seen any of my friends with heels) oversized jumper or shirt or stylish blouse, depending on the job area.
Colours will be something like grey / navy / black / white / dark green / electric blue and the occasional red.

This is Paris, not France by the way. Probably quite similar in any big / high income city in France but will be very different in a low income area. I lived in the north of France and you'd easily see some Vicky Pollard inspired looks depending on the neighbourhood and school.

@ItsCalledAConversation @JusthereforXmas love your detailed examples!

@FastFood okay that sounds quite chic, no disappointment there

Small, expensive commuter city just outside London - most mums are in expensive active wear on the school run. Sweaty Betty, NB trainers and the like.

I don't think there is a particular uniform where I am. Semi-rural area so it's mixed.

I would say I can pick out the Ukrainian parents by what they wear as they have a certain style, and you can spot the SAHMs a mile off but most of the parents have the same harried look about them as they've just rushed out of work to pick up... their uniform is a lanyard! I'm one of those.

@curlywhirled what's Ukrainian moms' and SAHM's style like? Genuinely interested

Hey from another Dundonian!

I’m a sahm/carer. I have slightly alternative fashion.
I live in band tees, mom jeans, oversized cardigans, ditsy/animal print dresses/skirts and dr martens/converse, I’m always changing my hair colour.
I definitely wouldn’t fit in with Japanese mums, but I can’t wait to travel there and see the Ghibli museum and theme park! 😍

Doesn’t it depend on what kind of job you have? Or are you talking about SAHMs alone? I’m in Ireland, DS is at a very socially-mixed city centre school, and the parents dropping are mostly workers — a lot of academics, medics, nurses, builders, cleaners (near several hospitals and a university), and a lot of creatives, who could be wearing anything from manky overalls or dungarees to pretty much anything. Lots of wild hair dye. Tattoos. Not much conventional ‘business wear’. The architects are either incredibly interestingly dressed or look like tramps.

But definitely no uniform.

I’m in a middle class market town in the north. Around here it’s all expensive active wear and expensive trainers. Driving something like a Range Rover or similar. It’s fair to say I do not fit in at all 😂

There's always a "shorts dad", isn't there? When I read that I was like "oh right, Gav."

Our shorts dad is called Dave 😀

My brother is the shorts dad at his kids school.

Haha hello!

Clothing varies, the only thing that all mom’s wear is the facial expression that clearly says “FFS don’t start“.

I live in Essex. All the mums seem to live in sweaty Betty leggings with sporty white socks pulled over and new balance trainers.

My kids are too old for primary and have been for a while but we live on a small lane with a primary school at the end. When we drive past they are wearing leggings with puffa type jackets either above the bum or to the knee (never in between) and black trainers. Hair styles vary but usually pony tails or short hair

Most people round here are dressed exactly the same as poor Nicola Bulley. I think that’s why her disappearance caused so much attention - particularly on MN. When I started looking around there were thousands of us, all dressed in leggings, short wellies and a big black coat/over gilet, with hair in a ponytail.

Roughly:
40% big puffer coats, leggings and Nike trainers or DMs
25% work uniform
25% full on gym outfit
9% florals, colours, neutral wool-type coat
1 woman with candy coloured hair who wears retro-style dresses, really bright colours, silk headscarves etc.

Men are 50% workwear and 50% casual sportswear with Nike trainers

I know all this because I stand at the back and look at everyone 🥸

Why can’t “moms” in Japan “show their waist”?

There is definitely one shorts dad at our school, too, he always has his hands shoved in his pockets and a fleece jacket.