Updated for BritMums 2015 – another year, another wardrobe dilemma!
(See bottom of post.)
I’m going to BritMums Live – yay! I have nothing to wear – agh! Reader, please advise – what does one wear to BritMums Live?
A New Event = Attire Anxiety
A new event in my calendar is a source of supreme excitement – and a great excuse for a new outfit. And in the case of BritMums Live, two outfits! One for the BIBs and another for the Saturday blogfest. I know I have time, but I’m in a bit of a sartorial fuzz. I’ve never been before, I’ve got no points of reference and I don’t want to look like a nob.
What Do Other Mummy Bloggers Wear? Children, it seems.
I’ve been peering at all of your profile pictures and I can conclude that what most parent bloggers wear is: children. At least one, artfully draped round the neck, possibly with one or two more in flattering shades. Easy – I have three of those. But, wait! They are not coming (*dances round the room*). Obviously, I exclude from the children-wearers the fab bloggers who post on fashion and style. But which of their dazzling and multitudinous outfits are most suitable for BritMums Live? Are we talking kid’s 4th birthday party, best friend’s 40th, or mother’s 60th?
Caught Between a Tart and a Frump
Being in the hinterland between my 30s and 40s, I feel like I should dress responsibly even if I don’t drink responsibly (are you kidding? I’m away from home!). I’m assuming it is “jeans for the day, dress for the eve”? Sounds so simple – but what a huge, glorious spectrum that opens up. I don’t want to be the one who sets groups whispering, “Who’s the poledancer?”, or, indeed, “Is she thirtysomething or NINETYsomething?” I’m caught between a tart and a frump.
Wear What’s In Your Wardrobe? Erm…
These are the occasions I have outfits for:
- the school run
- weddings (as long as none of the same people are there)
- parents’ evenings / nativities / hypothetical interviews (all the same dress)
What about when you go out? I hear you cry. Well, the time I went out in 2013 I took my profile pic, in which you will see I am mostly wearing lightbulbs.
Unfortunately, they are still affixed to the pub’s ceiling, so I won’t be able to sport those. Neither can I wear that top, as a) you’ve all seen it now and b) I lost the “bung a handwash only item in the machine” gamble.
While I’m still interested in fashion and looking nice, I don’t really buy much stuff. There seems little point as for 10 months of the year all anyone outside the home sees is my coat. I do love my cosy, semi-trendy parka, but by June I will be ready to throw it in the bin. And inside the home all they see is my dressing gown.
As you can see, I’m in a bit of a plumage pickle. So, please be forthcoming with your suggestions and your own outfit plans. And if you have a mo, please take my quick quiz on practical matters.
It Doesn’t Matter What You Wear, Just As Long As You Are There*
I have, of course, Googled this issue and was reassured to find that similar sartorial dilemmas befell leading mummy bloggers last year (for example, Marianne at Mari’s World and Annie at mammasaurus), and that it seems a nice dress is the order of the day, which is just fine with me. Also a cracking pair of shoes, as advised by Kelly at Domestic Goddesque. There was also a key bit of intel from The Boy and Me, which I kind of suspected and hoped would be the case:
“No-one cares what anyone wears anyway.”
Great! Can’t wait to see you all there! I’ll be the one in my dressing gown.
*Name that tune and show your age!
2015 Update
Having attended BritMums Live now, I can honestly say that – it really doesn’t matter what you wear! There is a huge range, from flowery frocks to jeans and jumpers. No one cares – they will be scanning your face to try and recognise you from your blog photo or peering at your chest to read your name badge!
Personally, I found the temperature to be very pleasant, not too hot and not too cold, like baby bear’s porridge.
The loo roll didn’t run out but take tissues as some of the speeches are devastatingly moving – and some will make you cry with laughter.
You will be given loads of stuff, yep. It’s awesome!
I walked round a LOT! I’d pop a pair of comfy shoes in your bag if you are wearing heels.
What am I wearing?
Bright pink! Of course.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
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Oh gawd, maybe I’ll just go ‘in Earth Mother character’. Bring on the tie dye and hemp pantaloons. Great post, will be following replies with interestxxx
Ha ha ha! I shall wear nothing but a wry expression. Xxx
What a fab post! I am no help as I have never been and still dithering whether to grab one of the last tickets! I would imagine that as long as you feel comfortable not in a flat heels way, more of a I am happy with what I am wearing glance in the mirror way and wearing a smile all will be good! If you go with the dressing gown at least it will be a conversation point! Have fun x
You should come! We can have a cuppa! Nice to ‘meet’ you, thanks for commenting.
Oh no now I have visions that if I make it (which is looking unlikely even though i bought a ticket) in the run up to it I shall be changing my mind daily on what to wear.
Oh, you must come! Bit of a trek for you, I know! Hope to see you there.
haha this made me laugh 😀 I want to go to brit mums x
P.S I can’t go coz it’s my Gran’s 90th. Perhaps as part of your outfit you could wear a badge saying “Blooming Boo Proxy” haha
Ha ha, thanks, yes, happy to fly your flag! Or I could come as your Gran, in a kind of birthday tribute? I hope she has a fantastic birthday!
Cunning plan: run a ‘Boast-your-Blog-on-my-Bust auction. Bloggers who can’t go compete to have their name on a sash draped across your torso. Added benefit, it will make your Wry Smile and Lightbulb outfit a litle less risque. Great blog, again (and should I be pleased that I can’t name that tune?).
Ha ha, great idea! The song is Dancing in the Streets! X
I’m going to Brit Mums Live too (it will be my third time)…. it’s fab – you will really enjoy it, and I will get to meet you! X
Really looking forward to meeting you! Are you speaking this year? X
I will look forward to meeting you 🙂 It will be my second year. The first day I wore a floaty, comfy dress as I was a finalist in the BiBs but found out I wouldn’t get time to change! The next day was jeans and a t shirt with my logo on it 🙂 The Boy and Me is right! Thanks for linking to PoCoLo x
Yay! I will see you there :))) I have no idea what to wear either so I’m just gonna gte a t-shirt with my face printed on it. You know. To blend in… 😉 xx
I tend one criteria for these events, is there something clean in the cupboard? And then when the answer is inevitably no, what is the cleanest of everything that actually fits! This year I will be 7 months pregnant so I’ve no idea what I’ll be wearing, probably a tent!
Look forward to seeing what you decide on! My recollection of the temperature is air-conditioned in the meeting rooms and humid in the communal areas. I will be the one carrying a hoodie and endlessly putting it on and taking it off again.
Ha ha, great post, for once I didn’t even think about what I was going to wear until a couple of days ago and a quick run around my local shopping mall landed me a cute woollen jacket with £20 off that will do for a wedding later this month and I found a skirt and accessories to match. Bingo!
PS The skirt has an elasticated waist (nudge nudge, wink, wink.)
I’m looking forward to seeing you and thanks for the shout out x
Mari recently posted…Time Traveller | Los Alcazares and San Pedro del Pinatar | 2015
We should have kept all the loo roll from day one for the Keynotes! Congratulations on your win this year! You looked fabulous.
Domestic Goddesque recently posted…Cost free Utility Room Makeover