Did you catch my post from yesterday … about the UK bloggers who blog about real fashion and what they wear on the school run? And how they were criticised for doing so?
Cray cray stuff.
Loved that you thought it was crazy stuff too.
Life’s too short for judging others and for some reason women are particularly skilled at this.
Styling You is a judgement-free zone. It’s a place you can come to and feel safe should you wish to explore your own style and get some tips from me or other readers.
I don’t proclaim to be the most stylish woman in the world. Far from it.
I have an inner dag who loves a good pyjama day sans makeup with hair hastily scraped back into a ponytail (a big reason why I’m not going back to short hair any time soon!).
But I also have an inner glamour girl. She likes to come out to play as well. Invite me to a fancy schmancy do and I’ll fancy it up like nobody’s business.
In between these two extremes is my typical every day. A day that involves working at home, the school run and ferrying a six-year-old to after-school activities. I need comfort but I want style as well. I don’t ask for much, do I?
As we head into winter (would you believe it was actually cold in Queensland yesterday morning? No eye rolling please), I thought I’d share my school run wardrobe essentials. The key pieces that you can pick up off the floor or from the back of your wardrobe door and head out the door with confidence.
School run autumn style: love this photo of a mum and daughter captured by photographer Mr Tommy Ton
These essentials are based around a casually elegant style that we owe a lot to French women. As Styling You reader Ms DB said on the blog yesterday, “this (criticism of women for wanting to look their best) would be a non-issue in France where looking good seems to be a national cultural duty”. Here here.
The autumn school run: French style
1. Jeans: To work with this look they should be skinny or slim leg jeans. What you style with them will be determined by your body shape but trust me, they can suit the majority of people. I’m a size 16 in jeans and won’t wear any other style.
2. T-shirt: If you’re petite then opt for a fitted round-neck tee. If you’re on the voluptuous side, then a slub or over-sized tee with a scoop or a v-neck will work best for you so it drapes over your front and back bottoms (I can say this as I’m in the possession of both).
3. Cardi: My petite sisters can opt for something small, cropped and fitted. I prefer a longer, flattering draped style.
4. Scarf: This is the key to lifting the whole look from a jeans and tee outfit. This is your chance to add colour, texture and interest. For ways to style your scarf, check out this post.
5. Ballet flats or loafers: You have two choices here – a neutral black, nude or tan – or a pop of colour or print (think leopard print). If you find that round-toe ballet flats stump your feet, choose a pointy toe or a loafer.
6. Sunglasses: If all I’ve had time for is a slap on of my Garnier BB Cream and a slick of lip gloss, then my sunnies will hide the bags under my eyes. Enough said.
Shopping suggestions
For my voluptuous sisters:
1. Sussan cardi $89.95 | 2. Seed top $79.95 | 3. Mimco sunglasses | 4. NYDJ jeggings at Birdsnest $199.99 | 5. Seed scarf $49.95 | 6. Witchery loafer $149.95
And for my petite lovelies:
1. Seed pants $99.95 | 2. Mix Apparel at Coles tee $15 | 3. Country Road cardi (was $99 now $74.25) | 4. Witchery scarf $49.95 | 5. Witchery sunglasses $69.95 | 6. Walnut shoes at Style Tread $119.95
What do you think? Is this a look similar to what you’re rocking on the school run? Or if you don’t have kids, is this a weekend look you can see yourself in?
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