What Not to Wear to Your First PTA Meeting

The_Stir
Lindsay Ferrier
Lindsay Ferrier

It's the end of August and time to start thinking about back-to-school fashion.

And no, I'm not talking about your kids.

I'm talking about your back-to-school fashion, dear.

You want to make a good impression on the other moms, and the best place to do it is at your first PTA meeting, where all the queen bees of the mommy world jockey for position.

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As you can see, I've got the World's Best Mother look down pat *snicker*...

But not everyone has figured out the school rules.

Read on to see what not to wear to your first PTA meeting.

Flickr
Flickr


You've been working out and you're proud of your buff body. But honey, your first (or third or 16th) PTA meeting is not the place to show it off. At least cover up that clingy workout gear with a jacket or loose-fitting tee -- because the last thing the PTA's bake sale committee wants to see is your six-pack.

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Arbonne Tee
Arbonne Tee


No one wants to hear your sales pitch on PTA night, mkay? That shizzle's annoying.


Stripper Heels
Stripper Heels


You may have the highest heels in town, but you might want to opt for a lower heel on PTA night. Choose a conservative shoe and you'll be Treasurer in no time!


Goth
Goth


You're a Renaissance Maiden. Or a Biker Chick. Or a Goth. Or a Punk Rocker. I'm all about being yourself and doing your own thing, but I do think it's a good idea to tone it down a bit on PTA night -- not because you care what the other parents think of you, but because, right or wrong, you don't want them to exclude your kid because of your fashion decisions.

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Flickr
Flickr


I know, I know. It's hot outside! But perhaps you could throw a cute cardigan over that skin-tight tank for PTA night. And maybe some ... pants?

As for what you do want to wear, use your best judgment, keep it comfortable, and err on the conservative side. Remember, you're not dressing for you on PTA night. You're dressing for your kids. You want to inspire confidence in other parents, not fear. Or disgust. Or nausea. You might want to take a shower, for example, if you haven't taken one in a week or two. Showers are pretty much always a good thing.

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What are your ideas on the matter? Do you have any stories of parents who made you mistrust them, based solely on what they wore? I remember a mom, for example, who always dressed in Junior's Department clothing, even though she was in her mid-40s. I'm talking cropped shirts that showed off her belly button and skin tight jeans. I have to admit that I was always leery of her as a result. I don't like that I judge people based on their clothing, but knowing that it happens, I also don't want other parents to get a false impression of me based on what I wear.

Thoughts?

Written by Lindsay Ferrier for CafeMom's blog, The Stir.

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First Day of School Clothes: Go Casual or Dress Up?

Back to School Checklist: Make School Days Easier and Happier

30 Days; 30 Creative Brown Bag Kid Lunches



Images (top to bottom): Lindsay Ferrier, Victoria Garcia/Flickr, Zazzle.com, Zappos, cybrgrl/Flickr, jmrosenfeld/Flickr