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Original poster

So who is dreading the school gate 'fashion parade' ?

239 replies

tulip27 · 28/08/2009 11:48

My ds starts school next wk and it seems to be that all the parents I have seen in the last few years look immaculate, fashionable and trendy, almost like they have stepped from the boden catalouge. Will my jeans and jumper surfice?

OP posts:
TeaOneSugar · 29/08/2009 17:00

I just turn up in what ever I'm going to work in, doesn't bother me in the slightest what other parents are wearing, as long as they are appropriately covered, micro minis and bikini tops will lead to a raised eyebrow.

honie · 29/08/2009 17:06

How bloody insulting are some of the posts on this thread? Its ok, you should wear what you want - so long as it's not make up and a nice hair do - thats too insecure you know!!

When I get the rare chance to do the school run it is either in 'high powered' work wear (read office wear/suit) or I will be in nice clothes, make up on and hair neat becuase I'm making the most of a (very rare) child free day off. I'm not insecure, and my husband doesn't pay for my clothes.

I dont judge other mums, we have all sorts at our school, and the world would be a boring place without the mix! Some of the 'dressed up mums' might get up a bit earlier to go the extra, it's not a bad thing, it's just not what every one wants to do. Also they might have jobs that they need to look neat and tidy for but might not be chained to a desk

Dont worry too much, you dont want to be a clone - just be you!

Tinfoil · 29/08/2009 17:21

Ponymum, if I saw someone wearing gardening clothes I'd be really pleased as I love gardening! I'd come and talk to you

autumnscoming · 29/08/2009 17:24

tinsletot and if you arent pretty and dont have a nice figure what does that make you???????

noddyholder · 29/08/2009 17:32

Move to brighton!I was so ill a few times I went in pyjamas and have lots of friends who don't think I'm mad (really)

alypaly · 29/08/2009 17:40

just cos clothes have brands, does that make them any better a person

Ponymum · 29/08/2009 17:40

Yay tinfoil!

tinseltot · 29/08/2009 17:40

It makes you just an ordinary looking person. Chances are no-one is particularly looking at or judging you so fgs live your life free from such ridiculous worries!

alypaly · 29/08/2009 17:47

I still get some of my clothes from oxfam and that notorious charity shop in alderley edge. Also my boys school uniform is from the school sale...In fact i bought some of their blazers from John lewis and took a school badge off an old discarded school blazer and sewed it on invisibly....also resold them for a profit in the following school sales....who cares. Clothes dont maketh the person.

lazylion · 29/08/2009 18:37

I live opposite a school but my children are still pre-school. I have noticed that mothers who are similarly dressed seem to be friends and 'scruffy' ones have more friends (maybe because SAHM). Tarted up mothers are invariably the ones who block my driveway.
If you dress like someone you would like to meet yourself then you won't be going far wrong I think.

alypaly · 29/08/2009 18:45

lazylion i totally agree. clothes are only a facade anyway

FlightHattendant · 29/08/2009 19:02

Honie if that was about my posts - I'm sorry you misconstrued what I said.

I was referring to the woman I knew, whom I judged on her personality rather than the fact she wore make up and her hair done up posh.

It was that which led me to believe she was dressing up because of her insecurity, thus the feeling sorry about it.

of course loads of people wear make up and their hair up, and aren't insecure.

I stand by the bit about being able to walk properly though - in any situation - someone unable to move freely is going to look worse than someone who is comfortable. It's common sense.

cheesesarnie · 29/08/2009 19:04

forgot about the school run fashion shows.i think i blocked it from my mind!

i'm quite looking forward to in it in a odd way.

UnquietDad · 29/08/2009 19:47

As some people have spotted, I am just "stirring"... because I do think this thread is a lot of fuss about nothing.

FlightHattendant · 29/08/2009 19:59

Well off you fuck go then...

tulpe · 29/08/2009 20:04

Couldn't agree more, Unquiet Dad. As Alypaly has already pointed out to the OP, the whole essence of the school run is to take your children to school.....not start some kind of sartorial competition with other parents.

"Tarted up"?? Seriously, Lazylion?

That phrase is loathsome.

Unless women are walking into school looking like they are prostitutes?

Do you simply mean that they choose to make an effort with their hair and make up? And if they do, why is it okay to be all judgey about them but not the mothers who come in dressed in more mundane items?

I also find interesting the idea that "scruffy" women have more friends and that they are likely to be SAHMs. Why are SAHMs more likely to be scruffy? And why would scruffy women have more friends? Could it be, perhaps, that some of these "tarted up" women have friends outside of the school gates? ????

Load of piffle.

I care about the way I dress because I have a real interest in style and fashion. I am a SAHM and make an effort first thing in the morning so that I can get on with my day once the school run is over. Yes, I may only have a hot date with the laundry but it would depress the feck out of me to slosh around in scruffy clothes day-in day-out simply because I don't have an office to go to.

Clary · 29/08/2009 20:25

I have usually come from work so you can expect me in a vaguely smart but not suity long skirt/smart T-shirt arrangement.

Some people come dressed as nurses or lorry drivers or car factory workers. That's because that's what they are

Others come in whatever they generally wear - in some cases this is jeans, in some cases very trendy leggings and smart tunic with full make-up and highlights. It's all fine.

Tho ponymum, I don't go anywhere in joggers - unless I am/have been actually jogging!

Don't get stressed about it. As MrsB says, anythign but pjs is OK.

And ss MotherInferor once memorably remarked, no-one's turned up in a gorilla suit yet.

cheesesarnie · 29/08/2009 20:48

pjs arent ok?i wondered why no one spoke to me.

glencoe · 29/08/2009 21:19

Wear a smile, that's all that matters. You will then become one of the mums/dads that people like to talk to and what you wear will become immaterial.

Be yourself, whoever/whatever that may be

lazylion · 29/08/2009 21:53

Yes tulpe, looking like prostitutes. I live in a very 'mixed' area.
Of course I am judgey or it would be no fun would it?

pjmama · 29/08/2009 23:06

Oh bugger! Mine start next week and I was planning to walk the dogs straight after dropping them off - will caghoul, mud spattered walking boots and baggy-arsed jogging pants with poop scoop bags hanging out of the pocket be a bit of a faux-pas?

noddyholder · 29/08/2009 23:16

i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/22/article-0-050CCAAC00-995_468x673.jpg PJs are fine

Northernlurker · 29/08/2009 23:19

You can't wear pyjamas on the school run?

Tommy · 29/08/2009 23:19

this has made me lol

My DS is just going into year 3 and I've taken him and picked him up pretty much every day. I'm sure I couldn't tell you what anyone wears at the school gate and I'm equally sure that no-one has noticed what I'm wearing.

I suppose it depends on the school () and/or if you really care what other people think

nikki1978 · 29/08/2009 23:19

What the heck is Boden?

Personally I couldn't give a monkeys what the other mums think of my appearance/dress sense. Sometimes I look nice sometimes my hair is greasy and I am wearing trackie bottoms and have VPL