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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:
StopTalkingAndEatYourDinner · 30/08/2009 18:24

MummyDragon - why not search an OP's name before accusing them of being a journalist? Tulip27 is a regular poster. I think mumsnet has gone a bit nuts since 'Daily Mail-Gate'. I really don't believe there are hundreds of journalists lurking around on Mumsnet desperately looking for some easy copy!

ilovesprouts · 30/08/2009 18:29

im mot really botherd ,as long as i take ds2 to school looking casual ,who cares what other dcs mummys have got on ,if they talk to me or not ,i wont be loosing any sleep over them!!

FlightHattendant · 30/08/2009 19:01

Wizzska, no, I don't really care what other poeple wear - only how they behave. I care much more about how I look than how they look.
That's probably universal I think. In other words I don't really judge too much on clothes etc but am totally paranoid about my own appearance.

FlightHattendant · 30/08/2009 19:02

Stoptalking, btw...the DM journalist had been here yEARS, still is afaik...so that doesn't tell you much

whomovedmychocolate · 30/08/2009 19:07

Tip for newbies at the school gate: check your trousers carefully for lumps which will turn out to be pants just as you shake hands with the ubermummys. A quick shake of the hand can reveal any form of lingerie tucked into your trews during the washing process.

tinseltot · 30/08/2009 20:21

whomovedychoc - good advice. That happened to dp once in tesco, his pants from the day before fell out of his trouser legs and rolled across the aisle. Thank God i wasn't there.....

Wizzska · 30/08/2009 20:34

FlightHattendant - my post wasn't a dig at you, or anyone particularly, just that MN does seem to highlight what people are thinking about other people. This isn't a particularly judgy thread but there have been a few recently.

Wizzska · 30/08/2009 20:35

Whomovedmychocolate - thankfully it was a sock when it happened to me, not pants.

whomovedmychocolate · 30/08/2009 20:48

Did I ever tell you all about the time I went out in a jacket and it had lost one of the shoulder pads on one side, so I put a sticky maternity pad there - looked fine. Unfortunately, when I got to work I took my jacket off and the pad had got stuck on my shoulder and I didn't notice and nobody told me for four hours .

I did notice everyone was looking and thought it was because I had a particularly fetching blouse on.

See, tis funny now, but it's taken six years!

Heathcliffscathy · 30/08/2009 20:50

i can top that, i left my bra on under my swimsuit...wondered why everyone was staring at me, but only noticed when i got back to the changing rooms afterwards!!!

FlightHattendant · 30/08/2009 20:50

Thanks Wizz, I just wanted to explain really. It's all quite interesting.

StopTalkingAndEatYourDinner · 30/08/2009 21:30

FlightHattendant - yes I know she who must no longer be named from here (have changed name recently) but just getting a bit at all the 'you're just a lazy journo' digs at posters with absolutely no good reason for it.

Anyway, sorry to digress from the point of the thread - FWIW I don't give a monkeys what anyone else wears but I have to dress smartly/fashionably for work so that's what I wear when I drop the children off on the way to work. Judge me, don't judge me - i care not

sheepgomeep · 30/08/2009 23:08

I have been known to drop the kids off in my pyjamas

I just bung a fleece over the top - bingo.

Seriously I don't care what I look like, I find it very difficult to get up in the morning and as long as I get my kids to school, presentable, on time then thats all that matters.

I get changed, smarten up when I get home from the school run.

alypaly · 30/08/2009 23:25

godblessmothernature hear hear thank god another mums interest lies with their children.
BTW its Bowden and Hale,Hale Barns

alypaly · 30/08/2009 23:38

i stand corrected its Bowdon Cheshire

Jigsawgirl · 30/08/2009 23:41

I have turned up in everything from my PJ's with a hoody over the top, to full on posh frock and heels. It amuses me no end to see the snotty mothers looking down their noses at me one day, and then sidling up to talk to you the next. I have had more comments made about the fact that I very often end up doing my daughters hair in the playground as, yet again, we have been late leaving the house!

alypaly · 30/08/2009 23:47

I realise who the snotty ones were from my local schools when i split up with my ex. I was good enough for sewing up the hems on their childrens trousers for them, cooking dinner parties/lunches on a regularly basis as they hadnt a clue how to cook,as they spent so much time in front of the mirror,but funnily enough when we had split up they were dreadfully unkind and did not bother with either of us again....what false friends these were...just opportunists

iliketurquoise · 31/08/2009 01:42

agree with you alypaly...

mumzy · 31/08/2009 07:30

to answer the OP as long as you're clean and reasonably tidy I think you'll be ok, from experience most of the other parents will be willing to past the 10 minutes while you're waiting to collect your child, with you. I'm always amazed that some mums are immaculately turned out or change their look on a regular basis where do they find the time. But then I'm not desperate for the other other parents to notice me or be in the in-crowd!.
My regular outfit is:
smart office wear on the days I work and jeans, combats, tshirts, fleeces/cardies, flat shoes on the days I don't

MamaGoblin · 31/08/2009 07:45

Can I just say, I'm really depressed by this thread? I live in a very Yummy Mummy area - lots of trendy stuff and lots of Boden (am always loling at the mum who wears some truly horrible Boden tunics and dresses to toddler music!) but so far I've not felt too intimidated. The idea that people are going to look down their noses at me because they don't like my coat when I pick up my child is really depressing. I thought I'd left the 'bitches in the playground' scenarios long behind.

On the other hand, DS is a mere 18 m, so I've got a way to go yet!

YeahBut · 31/08/2009 08:15

Does it really matter?
Wear what you like and bugger everyone else!
I always like dressing up but then that's just me and it is for me. Other mums like to wear their trackies and sweatshirts and that's just them. Live and let live.

alypaly · 31/08/2009 09:18

wait til the school dinner dance at the local expensive golf club and then watch the eyes. it must cost some of them an actual fortune,just for one night. funnily enuf its always those people that get absolutely sozzled and make total fools of themselves.and then theres the bragging that they have been to the hotel in abu dhabi ,you know the one that looks like a windsurfer aat £1500 a night per person. gos what a waste. I am not in the least bit jealous....if i was doing that i wouldnt broadcast it to everone, its just too showy.i wud much rather have a quaint holiday in greece

stillfrazzled · 31/08/2009 09:44

I'm slightly depressed by reading this. I work from home a lot of the time, so currently taking DS to nursery but will eventually do the school run.

I love clothes. I don't spend a lot of money on them and am not high-powered or a fashion plate. I'm not desperate for people to notice me, either; I just feel better when I'm wearing something I think suits me. I also wear tinted moisturiser, concealer and mascara (concealer especially most necessary).

This takes 15 mins in the morning. I decide what I'm wearing while showering/packing DS's bag.

I am to think that people might be judging me for that. I don't give a stuff whether someone's wearing PJs or haute couture.

NoahFence · 31/08/2009 09:49

the OP so needs to go back to work imo

CybilLiberty · 31/08/2009 10:07

The implication is that if you wear 'nice' clothes you automatically judge those who aren't.

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