‘Nice’ clothes for walking the dog in the park

[Annasgirl]

My routine is as follows - I walk DS to school then I walk the dog in the park beside his school. Once a week, I meet a friend directly after for coffee- I don’t go home to change. I usually WFH, but maybe once a week have a more formal meeting.

I really want to have 1 or 2 outfits that work all day - except the formal day, I’m quite willing to change for that.

Looking around this morning most people are in ‘athleisure’ - Lululemon or Sweaty Betty. I wore this look all through lockdown, but I got bored so I tried to move on. To date I have tried

Straight leg jeans
Wide leg dungarees
Wide leg jeans
Midi Dress
Midi Skirt

all with trainers.

The dress / skirt was most comfortable, although I looked a bit daft when I ran with the dog, but I’m not sure it will work in the very wet months to come.

Do I go back to leggings and a nice top and raincoat - a la Sweaty Betty ? Would this work as an all day, park to coffee to school run to WFH wear? I should add, our business is in a sector where I could wear this to the office, I just don’t wear it to formal meetings.

or have some of you found another holy grail?

I’ve scoured Pinterest and Instagram and the only looks I find are Country Squire - jeans/tweed and long boots (would not work where I live, for many reasons,) or Posh Leggings and Trainers / hiking boots.

Thank you I’d you have had the patience to read!!!

Jersey dress/tunic over leggings or thick tights. Comfortable as pyjamas, easy to run in, wear with wellies or trainers, swap to shoes if you’re in the office. Get a good coat that is warm, waterproof and smart.

All my dog walking stuff tends to come from here https://acaioutdoorwear.com/

It's not cheap but lasts well and depending on style/colour you pick, looks fine for other things.

straight leg jeans, nice jumper, trainers or hiking boots if muddy.

dresses with thick tights and flat boots. shorter dresses /skirts with wellies when muddy/wet (buy nice wellies so ok for coffee)

What about some straight/slightly flared black leggings that also double as a pair of trousers you can put with a vest top and a nice jacket/shacket for this weather, and then up to a cute coat later on in the winter?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/MOVE-BEYOND-Buttery-Bootcut-Pockets/dp/B0969DRJN6/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=WOKHFMDYP59Z&keywords=move%2Bbeyond%2Bbuttery%2Bsoft%2Byoga%2Bpants&qid=1694636904&sprefix=move%2Bbeyond%2Bbutt%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1&psc=1
I just got these and the trick is to get black, not some hideous colour or pattern, same with athleisure, you can then wear with black vest and any type of shirt/jacket depending on the weather, right up to puffa coat! I like black and white trainers with them.

I think flapping about with wide-leg trousers whilst it pours and is freezing is not a great idea, honestly. Boot-cut that are not too flared will work better.

My friend does the branded wellies, short skirt and green/brown coat combo and that looks very stylish on her but would be chilly as the weather worsens.

I still haven't figured this out. Partly this is because I don't want to wear anything on a dog walk when it might get muddy or torn.

Check out Acai as already mentioned or Passenger for inspiration.

Both outdoorsy but a bit more fashion-orientated than some of the traditional walking / hiking brands . Presumably if you’re only walking in the local park you need to be dressed practically but it’s hardly like you’re off for a day climbing mountains

I'm not sure if you are comfortable with mini length, but a mini, jumper, tights and ankle boots looks nice. Same with a shorter casual dress, sweatshirt or denim style.

I have a cargo mini that gets lots of wear. It's not super short, but a length I'm comfortable with. Denim skirts are good also.

I wear anything from athletic wear, jeans or even a dress in the right weather. If I'm walking where it's not populated I'll even wear trainers with the dress and not worry if it looks a bit off. I sometimes get sweaty so just get changed at home. No way I'm dressing up for dog walking.

Thank you all. For a long time I had Winter walks sorted with expensive wellies, skinny jeans and an Ilse Jacobsen coat. However, I no longer tolerate skinny trousers or leggings - must be menopause(?) and I wanted to replace this outfit with the equivalent “wider leg trousers outfit” or midis skirt/dress outfit - with appropriate shoes and coat.

The Ilse coat has died - it was 12 years old and didn’t owe me anything 😉 - so I can invest in something that works with a new silhouette, if I can figure it out.

@Annasgirl the Acai “casual stroll pants” are a good compromise if you no longer want skinny jeans. They have a tapered ankle so are better than some wide leg trousers flapping around in the wet