What does the best dressed mum at your school gate wear?

[Goodwitchglenda]

What does the best dressed mum at your school gate wear? And where in the country are you?

Posting in the spirit of curiosity and inspiration!

Because people spend at lot of time in the office so there is 8 hours in a day to observe what people are wearing and to determine who’s the best dressed person is. School drop off is 5 minutes, how can one determine who’s best dressed there?

No one is talking about ranking all the school mums on order of their stylishness. But 15 mins in the school yard every afternoon gives plenty of time to notice a lot of things. It’s not beyond the realms of belief that, seeing the same women everyday, you might notice someone who stands out as having a style you like.

Me. I wear jodphurs and mucky boots and a gillet 😁💪

This is nursery, mums are normally in leggings (crappy or lulu melon). Some have scrunchy bums.

Two people work in pharmacies and wear those nurse shirt things. One is a receptionist and always dresses well if cheaply, nice shirt dresses or bootleg trousers and shirts.

Then there is the pyjama lot. I wish I was joking. At afternoon drop off too. Full pyjamas, slippers and occasional dressing gowns.

See why I'm the best dressed?!

most mums wear jeans a top and a layer on top of that,some mascara and hair down or in a ponytail

in answer to your question op, my school yard is largely exercise wear, or women in jeans and jumpers. I suspect those going to work in offices etc are dropping at breakfast club so I don’t see much formal work wear, if that even exists anymore! I love winter clothes and coats and notice this kind of thing, one woman I notice has a lovely long emerald green wool coat which is just gorgeous.

Hmm I think I am the best dressed mum at the gate. I am not, however, the best dressed woman at work!

I think it's the juxtaposition of "best" and "mum" that has raised a few hackles. if there's a "best" then there must be some element of competition, or a scale that we have to assign ourselves to. Not many people enjoy being compared in the context of parenthood) or full stop.

The parents when I took my kids to school looked just the same at school, as they did anywhere else, high street, supermarket, dog walk etc.

I do think that no matter how hectic the mornings are, there is no need to look completely ungroomed, or wearing bed attire.

That's maybe because you're not interested in clothes. I couldn't tell you what car anyone is driving but my husband could because he is interested in cars, same if you're a hairdresser, you might notice people's highlights, cut etc. Or maybe you are a daydreamer or not observant, in a rush or are stressed etc. Rightly or wrongly we all take notice of different things and have different interests and observations.

I have taken this thread to mean that the OP is interested in clothes and is looking for outfit inspiration. She has used the school run as somewhere to look at other peoples clothes, perhaps because she thinks this is something most MNers will be familiar with, but I would guess she could also have used a workplace, supermarket, restaurant or train station as an example. So it’s more about stylish women and what they are wearing, than the children. That’s my take on it anyway, as I’m reading the thread but not done a school run for years .

I agree that I don’t take much in on the school run as opposed to at work, on the commute, out for a coffee. I’m normally to distracted by the dc, chatting & rushing etc.

You are wrong. I am interested in clothes.

It is possible to be interested in clothes but not be interested in what other women are wearing when dropping their children off at school.

As for OP suggesting that some posters here have anxiety around school pick up time - straw man?

I disagree. I don't think slaving away in an office OR hobbies and interests are anymore "worthy" than the other, whatever that means. You work cos you need the money, or because you like it. You have hobbies or are interested in things because you like them. Both are valid uses of time. Both can be interesting to discuss with other people. But unless you're a lion tamer or a brain surgeon or creating cures for cancer, i'd probably rather discuss fashion tbh

At my kids' school it's a mix of gym gear and work wear. There's a mum and Grandma (same family) who always catch my eye in terms of what they're wearing. Both just look really put together with lovely colours and fabrics. They are a pretty well off family if that makes any difference.

At my own school (am a teacher), lots wear cheap tight gym wear (scrunch bum and crop tops) or pyjamas and dressing gowns. Not many working parents and many are relatively poor.

What does the best dressed mum at your school gate wear?
This was the question. How did it turn in to such a whingefest? This is Style and Beauty not aibu

Agree!

Do you work at Balenciaga Hogwarts?

But seriously, what do you do where everyone dresses nice?

Pyjamas, leggings, or work uniform.

I have a job but will always have time to look someone up and down and think ‘Fucking hell, they look shit this morning’ or ‘Wow, she’s been working out.’ It’s about priorities.

I'm currently a SAHM and most days I wear barrel leg jeans, usually paired with a T-shirt/ sweater then a trench/ rain jacket. We walk the school run so trainers are a must really! I enjoy fashion, mostly high street though!
I'd say lots of other parents are on their way to work or just prefer comfort so are in leggings/ joggers.
I've got a few compliments from another mum who is very stylish but I rarely see her as she drops off in the junior playground.

That's why I said, maybe. In the spirit of maybe, maybe you didn't notice because nobody stood out. I only notice the people who look unusual, stylish, in bright bold colours etc. There are very few people who rock up on the school run dressed alternatively so when they do for me it's fun and joyful to see. Each to their own.

Goodness! So many touchy, po-faced replies!

I get you @Goodwitchglenda my dc are early 20s now but i was a SAHM for 5 or 6 years when they were little..

I work in a v creative sector (not fashion) & have always had a very keen interest in clothes & fashion & this didn't evaporate once i gave birth!

I feel sad when women loose themselves so utterly in 'motherhood' that it's like they cease to exist as autonomous beings themselves...you are categorically not a better mum (or wife / partner for that matter) for negelcting to care what you look like

Anyway i realised i needed a wardrobe more suited to being at home than being in the office so gathered one that was v suitable to busy life with young dc but still felt like me. It was the mid to end 2000s so featured skinny jeans (and i bought good brands because i wore them so much, i loved 7forallmankind) and a lot of Noa Noa tunice style blouses / dresses with long line cardigans / coatigans. I had v nice coats & scarves & leather tote bags

I had a French Connection parka & many coats & jackets from Noa Noa

Breton tops of many types from Boden (which was good back then) & knitwear from there

Knee high & ankle boots & i remember having gold Ash trainers

I did my hair & light makeup & perfume every day too.

It made me feel like myself to dress properly no matter what the day brought

There were lots of mums who made zero effort - unbrushed hair etc and one memorable one who showed up in her dressing gown daily (many years before that was a thing)

I like the outfits that are super casual. White cut off chinos, those UGG clog things. Shiny hair, understated jewellery, loose shirt over a camisole. It’s the stuff I cannot pull off as i don’t have the money.

In my dc classes I think, I tend to wear the loudest colours. I wear uniform to work, and I have always loved wearing bright clothes.

As a teenager, I used to add stuff to my non uniform clothes. I like colours and I have been known to wear what appears to be three skirts at a time. My aunty gave me a beautiful beige coat once. I turned it into an original piece. Family wasn't to happy with it, but I was 16yr. I wore it till it got lost during a house move. It was my favourite coat.

I have always chosen comfort over style. I dislike uniforms. There is a mom who comes wearing cycling kit as she cycles to work. I think the one who wears the most expensive outfit, is the one who wears full face of make up everyday. Her husbands drops them off every morning, and she is always smiling and her clothes are well coordinated. Even when she was 9 months pregnant and the week after birth. I admire her. But that is her style and I wish her well. I prefer my odd style.

I don't think it is even just that- there's a bit of a purpose to office dressing, rightly or wrongly what you wear has a bearing on how you are perceived in a way that actually might make a material difference.

Whereas the school run...the idea that you would "dress for the school run" has always seemed to be a slightly weird concept I've never come across outside of mumsnet. At our school I do not get the impression that anyone is adjusting their attire for the school run in any way.

I think the question makes sense if you think of it as the school run happening to be a place that you cross paths with lots of other women of a similar age but diverse backgrounds. But it could just as well be "what does the best dressed mum in your local supermarket wear?", because I think in most people's reality, what you wear for the school run specifically matters very very little indeed.