long shot - what does a mayoress wear?

[Tommy]

bearing in mind my current wardrobe is jeans, Birkenstocks and a hoody....

My Mum is going to be the deputy mayor (and hopefully mayor next year) and has asked me to be her "Official Escort".

I have no budget but do have a few outfits left over from my pre-children, teaching days.

Any tips? Any MNetters done this before?

TIA

peach trouser suit

can't really see myself in that - but thanks southeastastra.

I seriously need some help! All my so-called RL friends just think it's hilarious and won't help.

Mum and I are going to see the personal shopper at Debenhams this week but I am afraid she will want to put both of us in Mother of the bride outfits...

nicely cut trousers and v neck jumper or top look nice and not too formal. nice accessories..

Have never been Mayor but ours (who I meet from time to time) wears nice separates and a jacket. It's basically business wear. Mother of the bride outfits are, I imagine, for big civic occasions, if at all!

Ours sports a range of dowdy tweed suits - or it might be the same one each time. She is about 80 - is that any help? Her husband, even older, favours old man's trousers, shirt tie and baggy cardy. That should do it eh??

nothing at all. all the mayoresses i've ever known were raving naturists. at least you don't have to worry about your dress clashing with your medallion.

a nice wrap dress is probably the best bet

you see? only southeastastra is offering any sensible suggestions

have a wrap dress (thank you Boden sale), am a "young" 41 (ha ha ) and, really, no-one wants to see me as a naturist

Will go back to my sorry state of a wardrobe and see what's on offer.

I have a couple of civic occasions in next few weeks but may stick to interview suit and nice scarf/necklace combo for them

Thanks

Ahem. I suggested business wear.

sorry madbad - when I started that post I had in my head "thanks madbad" and then it disappeared....

Business wear is what I thought as well.

TBH, I think I posted in the wrong topic - I nee advice on how to behave as well as what to wear

Behaviour? Well, I think your choices are

a) being a bit of a goof in manner of consorts through the ages [supply name here]

b) maintaining a dignified yet friendly demeanour, talking up the borough, smiling winningly, looking interested, carrying umpteen bouquets and generally pitching in when there's a tree to be planted, finger-painting to be done at the local pre-school etc etc

whatever you do dont wear a cardigan, it is not the school run FFS.

One of my funniest memories is having to detangle a mayoress from a window lever thing as she was leaning out to have a fag and got her chain caught.

lol

will try not to be a goof...
Mum said I will get a bouquet at official ceremony next week which is great as I haven't had one since DS3 was born...
cannot do finger painting as do not have enough outfits to risk getting covered in paint by toddlers (if I want to do that,I'll just stay at home )
do not smoke so hopefully will not have to be detangled...

OMG - it sounds like a minefield

• thanks all - off to bed now

When I saw the title I was going to reply "Boden" - but it's not cheap and I see there is a budget.

I guess you do not want to draw attention to yourself - your mum is the star of the show, and really your role is to avoid either stealing the limelight or looking like a total plonker/ frump. Acceptable but forgettable would be my mantra.

There is nothing like a jacket to make you look like you have made a bit of an effort to dress up, which I think is the look you are after. Can you get one which goes with the wrap dress, a skirt and a pair of trousers?

i'd trust the personal shopper at debenhams.

my granny was lord mayor and my mum,aunt and cousin shared the escort role....kitted out with TAX PAYERS MONEY

that's what I thought beansontoast - Mum gets kitted out but I have to buy my own stuff apparently

thanks for all the suggestions