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?

Socks over leggings don't remotely look like equestrian outfit, the socks are way shorter and WHITE with WHITE trainers. Like, very WHITE.
No horse rider in their right mind would dare wearing something so white.

Where I live, there is a mum who comes to swimming lessons with a classic Chanel bag. It isn't very common though!

A £3-15K (bag dependent) vintage bag for swimming is very much out of my price range. As the kids say, ‘that’s a baller move’. 😁

TBF, I don't think Theresa May was frumpy or trying to be hip. She always struck me as someone who just liked clothes and enjoyed wearing them.

I love this thread!

Me too.

I've never really noticed a "mum uniform" round these parts before, but I'm looking now! Went to RHS Wisley today and so many mums were wearing the longline puffa, leggings and long socks, bobble hat combo. They all looked wonderful, especially the woman with the emerald green puffa coat.

I saw one woman wearing the above but with an Equidry coat. Never seen one of those before.

Be yourselves!!

and me! Not sure how we got to Theresa May but this is fun

I feel like plain black or white converse are just classic though? I’ve always had a pair knocking about since I was in my early teens (20 years ago) and although they seem to randomly ‘trendy’ every few years then die out a bit I still feel like you’ll always see them about and they look nice, inoffensive and go with everything.

My children are at a state school in a posh part of Merseyside. There are a few mum looks. There are a lot of very visible designer labels. Lots of conspicuous consumption! We do also have some leggings and white crew socks mums. There's a big farming/horsey contingent, who wear equestrian and country wear. (I am not horsey but wear a massive old green field jacket I bought on Vinted because it's warm and has pockets!) Then there are a fair number of working mums who wear office wear. I normally wear my work clothes to drop off and pick up.

Out of interest what, are all the mums in leggings and white crew/long socks wearing on their top half under the long puffa coats/gilets? I've seen leggings come and go so many times I'm confused about what is the current trend for the top half? I've already been through long, boxy tee shirts, empire line tops and arty tunics! Rustic looking or longer Fair Isle jumper maybe? Please don't tell me it is anything above crotch level because I just can't go there!

Hoodies @Frillysweetpea

Do you mean a gilet? I like them because I can't cope with chunky padded sleeves when I'm driving! 😄

Oh, yep, socks shorter (and whiter) than I thought. The every day equestrian look is a bit less - um, polished looking as a rule (certainly if you take my daughter into account - but she can look very smart when competing, so....)

I had to Google them. Never heard of Vejas! (I'm SE).

This is why I like them too.

When I'm walking in the cold/ wet it's the massive puffer though, which I agree is not particularly attractive nor stylish but then that's not why I'm wearing it. It's weird to think that people are judging and feeling depressed by my clothing choices or sneering at my sheep-like 'mum uniform' when I'm literally just trying to stay warm and dry on the school run. I've yet to find anything as practical for the days - of which we've had many lately - when it's pissing down and freezing, and on those days my first thought is never 'oh what would best allow me to express my individual sense of style on this occasion?'

Is there as much judgement for the 'dad uniform' as well I wonder?

my first thought is never 'oh what would best allow me to express my individual sense of style on this occasion?'

Just made me cackle. 😆

That's such a good point. I tend to put on a huge warm coat because I don't want to get cold waiting for DD to finally stop chatting to her friends. I don't tend to even give a microsecond of thought to how I look on the school run, it's all about practicality/what I can find quickly

Without wishing to sound preachy it’s generally advised not to wear any kind of thick coat under a seatbelt, especially padded ones. They will compress on impact and the belt won’t be able to hold you as effectively as it should. Most people seem to know this in relation to babies and snowsuits etc but the same applies to adults.

In my area, younger or less posh mums, leggings, socks, trainers, sleeveless long puffer or dryrobe over hoodie is v popular look. Older or more MC mums, outdoorsy/equestrian look or quirky, home knitted or expensive woollens, straight jeans, docs.

Plain hoodie, sweatshirt or oversize woollen jumper

That’s an excellent thing to flag. I’d never put DC in the car seat wearing a thick coat, but I never really apply the same logic to myself. Thank you.

Oh I love NB they are so comfy

Exactly! What is wrong with being wrapped up warm in the cold and rain! Not sure why we need to be dressed a certain way on a school run at all?! For me it’s about being warm and nothing else matters