Stylish School Run Tips for UAE Parents

Every UAE parent understands the challenges of September school runs. Humidity peaks, traffic is chaotic, and carrying kids’ tablet-stuffed backpacks, uneaten lunches, and sweaty PE kits to the car at 3 PM under the scorching sun is not for the faint-hearted. If you’re heading straight back to work, it’s even more daunting. Now is not the time for dry-clean-only clothes, high heels, or light colors that highlight sweat stains. Surprisingly, even with temperatures above 40 degrees, it’s better to cover up your skin unless you’re prepared to use SPF 50 sunscreen. This season, Dubai’s school and nursery runs come with the thrill of possible celebrity encounters; you might just end up in a class WhatsApp group with Dubai residents like Rio and Kate Ferdinand, Ronan Keating, or Lindsay Lohan. It’s time to be cool and look cool. Here’s my simple formula for mastering school run style.

GENIUS JEANS

I don’t need ChatGPT to think of names for jeans like these: barrel, horseshoe, balloon, carrot-leg. They might not sound appealing, and you may doubt their looks too, but I encourage you to give them a shot (ignore your kids’ shocked reactions). I was hesitant at first, determined not to be swayed away from my staple straight-leg jeans. However, as fashion goes, the more you see something, the more you adapt, and my view of barrel legs evolved from unattractive and clownish to modern, chic, and bold. It’s been two years since barrel legs appeared, but skinny jeans dominated for a decade, so their trend isn’t over yet. When I switched to barrel legs, I tried various styles from Agolde, Mother, AWAKE Mode, Good American, Frame, and Zara. The pair I stuck with is the Citizens of Humanity ‘Horseshoe’ style shown here. The waist hits perfectly, the knee seam looks high-end, and the denim keeps its shape without being too stiff for Dubai’s climate. On paper, the shape seems odd, but on the body, it looks polished. Fashion can be quirky like that. They pair well with flats, which is essential. I do think they should be a bit expensive. Sorry. Mass-produced denim washes and imperfect cuts don’t suit a barrel silhouette. If you’re shopping on a budget, stick with a simple straight leg in a clean wash without fading or distressing. A side note: fashion editors call this the season of dark indigo denim wash. I’ll ignore them, especially since my car interior is cream, and dark denim transfers dye. I’m a light denim wash fan, especially in sunny Dubai. Although, if it’s like the barrel-leg trend, give it two years, and I might be in dark denim too.

HIGH-LOW CAP

No one’s hair looks good in humidity. You can buy all the styling products you want, but they won’t help. Save time and throw on a baseball cap. I’ll go out on a limb here and say this might be the priciest part of your school run look. No need for a fancy handbag (you’ll carry your kids’ bags anyway) as long as your bottom half has pockets, so this is where you can get a bit fancy. But not too fancy. It’s an educational environment; teachers will judge. Save the overly flashy branding for elsewhere. Brands like Loewe, Celine, Saint Laurent, and Chloé subtly convey luxury without shouting it out like some obvious logos. Loewe’s denim cap is perfect for the school run. No notes. If I saw another parent wearing this, I’d be both intimidated and impressed, and want to be friends. Saint Laurent’s collaboration with baseball cap specialist New Era is also the ideal mix of hard-working with a hint of style, which aligns with how I like to present myself. One word of caution: ensure the headband isn’t too tight. I recorded a podcast after wearing a cap all morning, and despite flattering lighting by the producers, you can clearly see the indent on my forehead. Incidentally, bucket hats have gained popularity this summer, but I’m not convinced they suit school gates. Stay tuned.

THE OXFORD SHIRT

An oversized, button-down cotton shirt, also known as an Oxford, washes well, is breathable, and easy to wear. It’s also somewhat boring. Unless it’s an oversized, button-down Oxford shirt from Max&Co’s new collaboration with artist and visual provocateur Pietro Terzini. The latest in the Italian label’s series of collaborations under its &Co.llaboration initiative — past collaborations have included Superga, Richard Quinn, Duro Olowu, and Looney Tunes — Max&Co’s newest capsule features Terzini’s clever word art, challenging expectations the garment might invoke. So, an Oxford shirt declares, ‘I didn’t study at Oxford’ (accurate in my case; failed the interview, went to Durham). There’s also a pinstripe suit with ‘I Hope Your Email Won’t Find Me’, and a candy pink sweater saying ‘Future CEO’ (love the sentiment, though I haven’t embraced knitwear in the UAE, even in January). Back to the shirt: if the headmaster misses the irony and disapproves, tell them it’s art. Tuck your school lanyard under the collar, and you’ve got business in the front, party in the back. Much like my kids’ classrooms, I imagine.

HEAD GIRL LOAFER

When the temperature is scorching, I prefer slip-on shoes to maximize foot ventilation. Normally, that means quickly slipping on Havaianas, but they leave me feeling like I’ve reached the bottom of a biscuit tin: shame, regret, and knowing I could have done better. In the footwear report card, flip flops are a solid C minus. This term, to boost my style, I’m eyeing new celebrity-favorite shoe brand Jude’s ‘Logo’ loafers. Despite the name, they are logo-free, except for a small brand on the silver plaque. The slimline, low profile offers a lighter alternative to the clunky loafers of past seasons, whose hefty soles can weigh you down in the heat. In less than a year since launching, Jude’s elegant, contemporary designs have been worn by Nicole Kidman, Katie Holmes, and Kylie Jenner – all regulars on the school run. Made in Portugal from French and Italian leather, Jude is available directly from its website and via Level Shoes and Ounass. While I’ve never been head girl, in these loafers, at least I’ll look the part.