Is there a ‘mum uniform’ where you live?

[ForZanyAquaViewer]

I was at a play group the other day and noticed that, despite being of varying ages (although mostly 30’s, I’d guess), races and sizes, the mums (including me) were mostly wearing slightly battered Vejas, straight cut jeans, baggy jumpers and some sort of tote (predominantly Mulberry). It’s apparently the uniform in this particular SW London suburb.

Is there a mum ‘uniform’ where you live? If so, what is it?

What is a maggot coat? Intrigued by this!

another one here who doesn’t recognise all the brands- never seen or heard of vejas trainers- but I do recognise all the ‘uniforms’ described. I did my school runs in one of the areas mentioned as guesses for @somewhereinsuburbia ’s description and I guess I am (still) someone in wool jumpers and gnome shoes a lot of the time 😂

I’d guess this is a maggot coat. https://www.regatta.com/womens-elender-baffled-jacket-moonstruck/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADQdSE9nhpbTqnyW2fNP4pJvF-nlv&gclid=CjwKCAiAk8G9BhA0EiwAOQxmfmgabSTz0G6bFjkFMEdxIhM1NZ9yGIkylCVPV6ZzJ5x0jxmKJY3fxxoCNggQAvD_BwE

@CerealPosterHere ah yes, that would make sense!

Absolutely identical at our school too, to the item

What is a maggot coat? Intrigued by this!

Aren't they just long puffers? Also known as duvet coats or sleeping bags ones.

Nothing wrong with it, more an observation that the majority chose school drop over anywhere else they see or socialise with parents. School drop is the one time I personally have made minimal effort as I will have sorted kids, made all 3 meals for everyone in the house, gone over last min homework/spellings and rushed out the door with aim of going straight to gym after so I’m never going to look well put together. I’m sure I’m not the only one there

When you see me at pick up or taking kids to any other activities or parties, you will see an entirely different person!

Who are you to judge anyone? Are you the cool police?

That’s funny though because you’re accusing them of thinking they’re cool while showing yourself up as thinking you’re cool 😀

I think we are all pack animals to a certain extent. Even when I was a goth we all wore variations of the same things. I did love the creativity, buying charity shop stuff and customising it. Or wearing vintage.
I think the only true individualists are children. My son is 8 and has a fake fur, huge on him, size 6 women's coat, which he wears over his school uniform. He climbs trees and plays tag with all the other kids, but does not care about what people say about the cost. I feel in other areas he might get bullied but we are lucky to live in an area where everyone is accepted.

Interesting thread!

I'm so glad to see goths are still out there. I can't remember the last time I saw one outside of Whitby Goth Weekend or the Download festival!

I'd have probably started out as Goth Mam, although when I was a goth I didn't have kids. I probably now resemble something more akin to Hippy Mam. High street clothing is now so overpriced and the quality so horrible that I mainly go for vintage buys these days, and I live in DMs and Solovairs winter and summer.

I live in a Yorkshire village along the corridor of a main A road. Nothing ubiquitous here - but I have seen the strange, sleeveless padded coats people talk about: the ones that make you look like a hot water cylinder. Never heard of Veja trainers. Mums here wear the usual blend of sports wear, office wear, or padded coats - the ones you used to only be able to get from the likes of Mountain Warehouse, and it's now almost impossible to find a coat on the high street that isn't one of them!

Glad I'm not the only one puzzling my brains about what gnome shoes look like 🙃

@somewhereinsuburbia The fur coat sounds so cute ❤️

Berkshire here too (Central Reading) and I agree there are various different clique looks.

Long puffer coats with trainers, leggings or straight leg/high waist jeans, pulled up thick white socks and messy bun on top of head is the most prevalent look. Though two variations - (1) no make up and genuinely messy hair or (2) artfully styled "messy" up do, fake lashes, fake tan, acrylic nails and lip filler.

Full on active wear with chunkier trainers plus hoodie if cold. Lots of Lululemon, Sweaty Betty, Under Armour, Hollister. Everything brand new looking.

Glamorous Instamum look, all neutral colours, wide leg trousers (not usually jeans), oversized cashmere jumper, cashmere scarf, oversized Max Mara wool coat, ankle boots (not trainers), bouncy swishy balayage hair, big sunglasses, more subtle fillers/make up/nails etc.

Slightly older hippy/new age mums. Long patterned shirt dresses, waterfall cardigans, colourful jewellery, dangly earrings.

Rebel mums - brightly coloured hair, piercings, bomber jacket, DMs. Our fabulous vicar falls into this category!

Goth or semi-goth mums. This is probably my closest fit. I can't tell you how easy it is to decide what to wear/what matches when everything is black anyway!

*'Long puffer coats with trainers, leggings or straight leg/high waist jeans, pulled up thick white socks and messy bun on top of head is the most prevalent look. Though two variations - (1) no make up and genuinely messy hair or (2) artfully styled "messy" up do, fake lashes, fake tan, acrylic nails and lip filler."

You cannot have an "artful" bun with natural makeup? Ankle boots without "swishy hair' etc. Gosh that's very black and white. Where I live there are many shades of grey thankfully, and not so many rigid stereotypes.

Sorry, I must have missed that! And, yes, that’s a very different vibe.

That’s such a good point!

My very lovely SIL lives in Berks (more rural than you, though) and your glam Instamum descriptor fits her perfectly! She’s always very fabulously put together. I look like a complete scruff in comparison. Her best friend is 100% the hippy/new age mum (but with perfect hair).

I love that I completely recognise some of these descriptions.

I know and I agree. I could not be bothered with a prescribed look and the sky hasn't fallen in as a result. No one would ever mistake me for someone who has their finger on the pulse of fashion haha.

I think people are just painting with broad brushstrokes to give a general picture. While you can obviously be (and people are) any combination of the above, there are certain instantly recognisable ‘looks’ being described. If you’re familiar with them, you can immediately picture the aesthetic being described.

I agree, I see that in most posts. This one stood out with containing extra detailed caricatures. I get the pp's general point.

Who are you to judge anyone? Are you the forum police?

That’s funny though because I didn’t ‘accuse’ anyone of anything. How can you accuse someone of wearing something they were wearing? You do understand what accusing means? Obviously not. Next.

Definitely this where I live, normally accompanied by a lot fake tan.

Thank you @somewhereinsuburbia .
I don't need a link any more.

I posted it separately earlier in the thread but trust me I’m giggling at how pathetic it is to follow trends, not thinking it’s a good thing! X

copied other post below as no idea how to link it -

North west london / slightly outside of NW london suburbs -
eg Hampstead, Mill Hill, Radlett…

lululemon or adanola leggings.
oversized sweatshirt, aninne bing or adanola
sports socks eg thicker ankle length.
mini uggs, sambas specials or Chanel/ loewe trainers.

always a ‘designer’ bag not just high street - Chanel plus non-branded tote for ‘kid or baby’ stuff. Or loewe bag.

oh and a lot of baseball caps - always branded / designer. Typically Celine.

age group - I’m later 30s toddler mum, but would say this is consistently the look for 30 - 42 ish year olds.

god I need to change my wardrobe after writing this… can’t believe I’m a sheep in a pathetic tribe!!! 😳🤣