What to wear on the first day of school

Tomorrow my youngest starts school.  The first day of 13 years that will ultimately determine what he will be when he “grows up”.  I’ve done this day twice before.  I do not get any better at it.

I’m excited.  I’m nostalgic.  I even start to fondly remember him as a tiny baby.  (In my wistful dreaming, I am only thinking of the times when he was sleeping and I had had a full night’s sleep.  Not when he – and I – were screaming like banshees.)

Mr 5 is pumped.  There is no other word for it.

Mr 5 is pumped for his first day of school

Me, I’ll be the one sobbing uncontrollably and needing counselling (aka a wine with lunch) as I wave goodbye.

Mr 5′s starting school also presents a wee problem for me  … remembering what to wear for the drop-off and pick-ups.  I’ve been out of this loop for years (teenagers do not want you ANYWHERE near school at all. Bless their hormonal- cotton-school-regulation socks).

Most mornings, I’ll have a client appointment after the drop-off, which means I’ll feel incredibly over-dressed.  And feel to the need to explain my over-dressed state. 

On other mornings - my work-from-home blogging days - I’ll be running the tricky fashion tightrope of comfort versus style. 

In both scenarios there is the added time pressure that a school morning brings.

To make it easier for me – and you – I’ve put together some secret weapons you’ll want to have on hand to get you through the first day and beyond.

1.  Mineral makeup is the key to you achieving a flawless face in seconds. Try Jane Iredale PurePressed Pressed Minerals SPF 20 at Adore Beauty ($83)

2.  I wear regular mascara every day. I only use waterproof mascara on certain occasions.  The first day of school is one of those occasions.  At the moment I’m loving Napoleon Perdis Mesmer-Eyes Waterproof mascara at Napoleon Perdis ($35)

3.  I feel naked without at least a slick of lip gloss on my lips.  There is ALWAYS about three in my handbag.  This is one of them: Lanolips Lip Balm in Rhubarb at Addicted 2 Lip Balm ($13.95)

4.  There is only so much that waterproof mascara can hide.  If in doubt, call in the big guns - oversized sunnies to hide first day tears and all manner of dark, puffy eye sins.   Quite loving these Christian Dior Two-tone Catseye (RetroSun) on sale at HoneyHoney (were $284, now $198.80)

5.  Slip out of your heels in the car and into some ballet flats if, like me, you find yourself having to dash your child up to the classroom and then dash back to the car and on to a corporate meeting. These will go with any outfit: Sambag Tina Musk/Grey Printed Snakeskin Ballet Flats at Sambag ($175)

6.  A large proportion of my wardrobe contains little or no-iron clothing. Some people call them lifestyle clothes.  I call them save-my-lazy-ass clothes because they always look good without any effort on my part.   A dress is the simplest solution. I have this dress in black.  I think I need it in raspberry as well. MiMi FiRST Gathered That dress at MiMi FiRST ($129)

7.  I have all my accessories hanging in clear view and I always add at least one before stepping out the door.  That statement necklace can draw a lot of attention away from teary eyes and you will always feel more “put together” with it on.  I have my eye on this one: Large Vintage Silver Indian Tribal necklace “Harper” at Table Tonic ($159)

8.  If your small child is, well, small, there is a fair chance you’ll be carrying their bag for them.  A small handbag you can sling over your other shoulder will prevent you from having to do the keys/phone shuffle, thus also preventing said phone falling to ground and smashing into a gazillion pieces.  This bag is so beautiful, yet practical:  Mimco Constellation Mini Hip at Mimco ($279)

Have you got a child starting school this year?  What do you wear for the drop off and pick up duties?