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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:
TheFallenMadonna · 31/08/2009 18:51

I don't do the school gate at all, or at least only the one I work in, so no - no worries here. Am having to iron some shirts this week though that have been languishing in the basket for 6 weeks...

messalina · 31/08/2009 20:12

Now I remember why I went back to work...who gives a monkeys?

OlderNotWiser · 31/08/2009 20:23

Have followed this thread for a couple of days and feel very very sorry for the OP. She has an insecure moment and this is the response..? She posted in Style and Beauty section, isn't this where you can come for a advice about exactly that? Im really glad that most of you don't notice/care what everyone else wears, but you miss the point. The OP feels nervous, she hoped for some words of support and advice about how to dress confidently. Is that really so naff? (Im not one to offer any advice, am a jeans and t shirt woman myself!)

Starbear · 31/08/2009 21:07

OlderNotWiser Totally agree. As my Ds starts school this September, I'm hoping to smarten up my act, mainly because I have more time to do it. I don't think it will be a bad thing. BUT I have lost my way over the last 5 years, Debenhams have personal shoppers I used them once,over 5 years ago and she was fab. Going to do it again while DS is in school. Also I won't be using DH's money I'll be using my own. I MIGHT even go out with him and treat him to some Ted Baker stuff as he hasn't had the time to smarten up recently. I do like to people watch but I drawn the line at bitching

onefunkymama · 31/08/2009 21:55

I can understand how you are feeling, I felt the same when my kids were at school. I dress quite smartly anyway but still it was all competitive in the playground. We home ed now so that's not a problem for us but wear what you are comfortable in. As Dr Seuss (who wrote Cat in the Hat) 'Be yourself, those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.'

TiredBlueEyes · 31/08/2009 21:56

My part time job is selling shoes and I was both grateful and horrified when two mums buying high heeled boots told me that you have to wear heels and lippy for the school run. Because I'm glammed for shopwork I'm super scruffy at home around my two toddlers. I expressed my surprise, explained this and told them my DD was starting nursery school in sept. 1 of them curtly informed me making no effort meant my DD wouldn't be invited to parties or playdates.

Harsh! But I've peen peeking at my neighbours and sure enough they do all take their kids to school wearing heels.

Jub1lee · 31/08/2009 22:20

I wish I had the time to stress about what to wear to take DD to school. 1. I'm too busy working to earn a living; 2. who cares!; 3. I'm more bothered that she will be one of the youngest in the school year and whether or not this will disadvantage her. J

UnquietDad · 31/08/2009 23:22

I thin Jub1lee makes the point admirably. Better than I did before, when I was trying to suggest much the same thing and got scolded for it...

anniemac · 01/09/2009 10:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

SadCatlady · 01/09/2009 11:04

single piece of advice:

BUY A DECENT COAT!

It then doesn't matter what you wear underneath; you always look tidy on the outside.

works for me!

MaggieLeo · 01/09/2009 12:11

Good tip. Something belted always makes me feel stylish-ish.

chattermouse · 01/09/2009 12:46

That's right sadcatlady. My Boden coat is already ordered.......

mel2005 · 01/09/2009 13:17

sadcatlady, thats what i do as well, i have bought a couple of really nice coats this year as i am still trying to get rid of my belly from the twins and i dont have to spend time worrying about if i look fat in any outfits as i just cover them up.
also i have quite a few really nice laura ashley jersey dresses (wearing one now) that i used to wear for work (as a teacher) that look fab with tights and a cardi and are just as good when cleaning the house and still look great even though they must have been in the wash hundreds of times.

TheScatterGunApproach · 01/09/2009 13:26

Oh come on hair shirt brigade

It's natural to feel a bit 'oh feck everyone else looks a million bucks and I feel a bit scruffy' if you live in Yummyville.

Now go and read Nietzsche and leave us shallow tarts in peace, please.

Lizzylou · 01/09/2009 13:31

DS1 went back today and it was the usual mix of Mom's, the casual (that's me then, I work from home), the off to work and the trendy Moms.
Normally some of the casual Moms have jumped int the trendy Mom category by pick up time but I didn't judge or feel judged, never do.

One Mom always looks lovely, not trendy at all and not my style, but she always makes an effort and looks nice. I told her once how I admired how she always looked fab and she was very pleased. To be fair, have seen her first thing in the morning, on a sponsored walk and round the supermarket and she always looks fab.

I don't, hey ho. But I can scrub up if need be.

pleasechange · 01/09/2009 13:37

Jub1lee - don't stress about the age in year thing. I know a summer born who just got 9 A-starts in his GCSE's!

pleasechange · 01/09/2009 13:38

A-stars clearly, not starts!

Sorry, as you were!

Mooey40 · 01/09/2009 13:39

At my DD's school (in Aus) there is this thing called 'kiss and drop' or 'kiss and drive' where you don't actually stop your engine you just drive through the single file driveway, align the passenger door with the painted footprints on the floor leading to the pavement, and drop off or pick up the kiddy..fantastic!! You can then wear or nor wear whatever you like...!
There is the option to go right into the class in you so desire .. if you're having a good hair day or whatever.

mel2005 · 01/09/2009 14:19

oh...i like that idea mooey40

FlightHattendant · 01/09/2009 16:33

Half our parentage already does it in the narrow one way street outside the gate...

Carmel206 · 01/09/2009 18:23

Truthfully I look a mess when I drop off at school BUT...if I get there on/slightly before time, settle child in/remember to have paid the lunch money/school trip money/charity donation money/special school event money and brought the gym cloths, water bottle, response to party note, show and tell item, raincoat, cycling helmet, wellies, play date details and I manage to remember the name of a t least one other parent correctly and I have the time to kiss my ds and tell him when I'll see him later and leave him happy and I get to work only 30 minutes late without my boss noticing too much i consider it a major triumph and a good day - I don't really notice what the other mums wear and I really doubt they notice my clothes

Eve4Walle · 01/09/2009 19:18

I agree with whoever said just buy a fab coat. I have mine ordered from Boden and am hoping that it will make me look respectable no matter what's really lurking underneath.

FlightHattendant · 01/09/2009 19:22

that's true Eve4,

a good coat hides a multitude of issues!

blueduck · 01/09/2009 21:27

Don't you just wear what you were going to wear for the day and get on with it?? I go to lots of things already with my 2 pre-schoolers but I don't actively stand there pondering what I'll wear....I just put on what I would wear anyway. If I'm doing nursery drop off then I'm in my suit - that's what I wear. Playgroup days not at work, it's jeans and a top. Isn't that what you do? So if you're a scruffy sod that's what you'll look like and if you like to make a bit more effort then that's what'll happen. Just don't try to be what you're not.......If you don't feel comfortable in the "immaculate fashionable and trendy" camp then stay where you are and be yourself....

Oh...and good luck...my turn next year and I am already feeling tearful about my DS tripping off into school....

Wuxiapian · 01/09/2009 21:33

What a pathetic thread.

Wear what you like and feel comfortable in! If other people judge you, it says more about them than you!