DRESSING FOR THE SCHOOL GATES
The expert guide to mastering school-run style now
Words
FRANKIE GRADDON
If I thought I would be turning up to the school gates all flared jeans, stacked heels and bouncy blow dry á la Claudia Schiffer circa 2010, the start of the September term has been a sharp reality check. The other day I dashed out of the house in leggings with my youngest’s toothpaste spattered down the front.
After a whirlwind morning of making breakfast, washing faces, brushing teeth, packing bags and hunting down P.E. kits, you would think the last thing any parent has time for is curating a beautifully styled outfit. Yet in my corner of North East London, it would seem they do: trench coats over slip skirts, fisherman knits and gold hoops, jeans teamed with preppy striped shirts (that have been ironed!). Never mind Fashion Week, the 9am drop-off is a veritable trove of everyday style inspiration.
In fact, dressing for the school gates has become a bonafide style phenomenon, and a competitive one at that. A little outfit one-upmanship is the perfect method by which to establish playground status. You’ll find the Queen Bees in their swathes of tonal cashmere and high ponytails, and, in another corner, the virtuous green juice gang, not-so-casually showcasing plank-honed abs in lycra with a yoga mat under arm. There are the hipster mums distinguishable by their designer trainers, round-framed sunglasses and a branded tote bag either from a cerebral literary publication or an independent bookshop, and, of course, the corporate mums in their sleek tailoring and heels. I'm well aware my toothpaste-covered jumper means I'll never be head of the PTA - that's reserved for the ironed-shirt types; nothing says I can organise a bake sale more than crease-free cotton.
If you think this all sounds like an episode of Motherland, you'd be correct. However, there's nothing fictional about the school gate sartorial power play. It all started in the mid-noughties when the A-list were photographed collecting their offspring in improbably immaculate outfits a world away from the hyper practical, and somewhat frumpy, mum-style traditionally expected. Think Victoria Beckham in vertiginous heels and three-figure handbags; Gwyneth Paltrow in white trousers and oversized dark glasses. Kate Moss’ school-run biker jackets and ballet flats paved the way for the ‘cool mum’ uniform, while Schiffer’s aforementioned seventies-inspired outfits became the go-to for the glossy West London set. A new fashion genre was born.
These days, dressing for the school gates is as much about flexing your sartorial prowess as it is denoting your preferred style tribe. So how do we master school-run chic without adding a wardrobe meltdown into the morning mix? Having interviewed countless stylish and busy women for my work as a journalist, I've learnt the ultimate secret to successful, serene morning dressing is to put together your outfit the night before. While I'm yet to reach that level of organisation, I do have a few tried-and-tested outfits I throw on without looking in the mirror, safe in the knowledge they work. The first is a checked brushed cotton shirt with classic blue jeans and loafers; another is a striped long-sleeved T-shirt, utility trousers and flat Mary Janes; and, last but not least, a knitted polo with black wool trousers and trainers.
I've found sticking to a neutral colour palette makes life easier because it creates a more cohesive-looking outfit. This season’s chocolate brown works beautifully with my existing repertoire of grey, khaki and oatmeal and always makes me feel polished. Try layering a brown jacket over your trusty grey marl sweater, or take your ecru jeans into autumn by adding a chocolate jumper. When time is really in short supply, the smartest idea is to keep things simple. You can't go far wrong with a classic white T-shirt teamed with a pair of well-cut joggers in a luxe shade (the chocolate brown I mentioned before is perfect, but also navy and black). Switch the white top for stripes and the joggers for cargo pants and that's another two days sorted.
A great pair of jeans is also such a school-run asset. A contemporary silhouette such as barrel-leg or wide-cut will instantly make your crew-neck tees and trainers feel updated. As for outerwear, a hooded coat is my go-to (umbrellas can get a little eye-pokey in the pick-up queue), or knot a knitted triangle scarf around your head and give it your best Balmoral. I also love a long-length overcoat as a shortcut to looking pulled-together. Wear it over jeans, joggers or maxi skirts for an instant layer of polish. And if the morning has totally gone to pot and you're still in pyjamas, it's the perfect cover-up. Just slip on a pair of shearling clogs and no one will be any the wiser.
THE SCHOOL RUN EDIT
 The wool maxi coatA beautiful wool coat will make whatever you're wearing underneath look polished. Layer on for chilly mornings and after-school sessions in the swing park. |  The fashion-forward jeansThese barrel jeans are easy to pull on in a rush but, thanks to the contemporary shape, will make your outfit feel fresh and relevant. Not only is the dark wash in tune with the current season, it's the perfect colour to disguise rouge splats of breakfast-table jam. |
 The chic but practical bagThe perfectly-sized, grab-and-go bag for holding keys, phone, card – and, of course, after-school snacks. Wear cross-body when you need both hands to carry their backpack/discarded scooter. |  The outfit-making trainersA pair of trainers with personality for when you're too frazzled to have your own. Tapping into this season’s leopard print revival, these will instantly update your joggers and leggings, too. |
Read more from Frankie on motherhood and style in her newsletter, MUMISH.