Open house attire/conspicuous consumption

[Anonymous]

My kid started private ES during COVID so l didn’t do in person open houses. After he’d been in school a little while l set up 2 playground playdates with families that lived close by….these were people I’d never met in person.

What the 2 moms were wearing to a park on a weekend morning was strikingly different.

Mom 1 wore no brand anything, like plain black pants, a beige sweater and a plain tote bag

Mom 2 wore a Gucci Fanny pack, a cute blouse and scalloped shorts - I’m assuming they were designer but I’m not a designer shopper so don’t know the brand

So OP, l guess my point is it varies.

[Anonymous]

Just focus on the school, not the other prospective families.

[Anonymous]

OP - I'd guess that only a couple of schools in the DMV are like this. We didn't experience this at Sidwell, Maret, GDS. A few of the parents that come to STA sporting events are over the top, but I'm sure there are plenty of less flashy parents there too, that are blending in.

[Anonymous]

I love these posts because I love fashion, and as a subset I love elegant fashion. It’s very different depending on where you live. Instagram and social media has created another new standard. And in DC, people are both conservative and competitive, plus you have regional styles (southern vs East coast vs mid Atlantic vs California vs international) clashing in real-time. It’s great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love these posts because I love fashion, and as a subset I love elegant fashion. It’s very different depending on where you live. Instagram and social media has created another new standard. And in DC, people are both conservative and competitive, plus you have regional styles (southern vs East coast vs mid Atlantic vs California vs international) clashing in real-time. It’s great!

Agreed, as a casual fashion observer I crave variety. I always appreciate someone who looks like they tried.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ve attended a few open houses and tours lately. This is our first experience with DC private schools.

Many of the other moms are wearing conspicuous designer items. I’ve seen more Chanel flats, Gucci bags, Van Cleef bracelets/necklaces, Hermes belts, and Cartier love bracelets in the past few weeks than I’ve ever seen in my life.

Is this typical for these types of parents, or are they just dressing like this for the open houses to signal wealth and status?

No one is “signaling” anything. This is the crowd you have chosen.

Oh, they definitely are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid started private ES during COVID so l didn’t do in person open houses. After he’d been in school a little while l set up 2 playground playdates with families that lived close by….these were people I’d never met in person.

What the 2 moms were wearing to a park on a weekend morning was strikingly different.

Mom 1 wore no brand anything, like plain black pants, a beige sweater and a plain tote bag

Mom 2 wore a Gucci Fanny pack, a cute blouse and scalloped shorts - I’m assuming they were designer but I’m not a designer shopper so don’t know the brand

So OP, l guess my point is it varies.

And I bet a fun time at the park was had by all. So who cares what they were wearing.

[Anonymous]

We don’t wear branded things much. Bespoke all the way.

[Anonymous]

All this display is plain disgusting!

All I would want as an admissions officer is a post it on your forehead on wha t your annual salary is and how much are you willing to donate.

I could care less on what you are wearing.

You wanna wear dirty sweat pants a tank top. Sure. Just donate 100k to the fund please.

[Anonymous]

I don’t see what the issue is. These are things rich people wear. Why is it not flashy to spend 100k on a car, but $500 on shoes?

And yes, Chanel flats are very in style. They’ve come back around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ballet flats aren't really in anymore. Chunky Gucci loafers are where it's at these days.

literally, Chanel flats are back in and trending.

How would you know what brand they are?

- private school Mom who doesn't recognize half of what PP posted

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ballet flats aren't really in anymore. Chunky Gucci loafers are where it's at these days.

literally, Chanel flats are back in and trending.

How would you know what brand they are?

- private school Mom who doesn't recognize half of what PP posted

They have Cs! I’m pretty sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ballet flats aren't really in anymore. Chunky Gucci loafers are where it's at these days.

literally, Chanel flats are back in and trending.

How would you know what brand they are?

- private school Mom who doesn't recognize half of what PP posted

They have the Chanel logo on the toe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Went to one Open House years ago and scratched the school off our list because Infelt like we had nothing in common with anyone due to this situation

That is silly. You realize most of them won't end up being accepted to the schools?

So be it. At the Open Houses, many of the kids applying will visit with parents. That is the pool of kids who will go. I perceived my family had nothing in common with most of the other families due to the formality of what the parents were wearing. Right or wrong- first impressions are powerful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Went to one Open House years ago and scratched the school off our list because Infelt like we had nothing in common with anyone due to this situation

That is silly. You realize most of them won't end up being accepted to the schools?

So be it. At the Open Houses, many of the kids applying will visit with parents. That is the pool of kids who will go. I perceived my family had nothing in common with most of the other families due to the formality of what the parents were wearing. Right or wrong- first impressions are powerful.

yes but we've been pleasantly surprised at how down-to-earth all the kids are (this is for high school). my son has classmates with HHIs that are 20 times our income. But when it comes down to it the boys all like the same things and they're pretty simple things (Chipotle, their phones, golf (often at public courses), sports on TV, etc).