Dressing up to run errands is now a Gen Z obsession

You’ve probably heard of “off-duty style”, but do you know about the “hot girl errands” look? Believe it or not, this social media trend has been going strong for months, with Gen Z influencers posting their favourite “sporty and sassy” outfits to elevate the tedium of everyday tasks and, of course, garner views and likes. A popular look is a stretch unitard worn with an oversized leather jacket and Adidas Gazelles, accessorised with a designer handbag and a full face of make-up. As a finishing touch, the style is conveyed with the pouty insouciance of someone who really doesn’t need to run any errands at all, because beyond posting a Zara return or buying a new lipgloss, Mum and Dad probably still do it all.

I should know; I have a teenage daughter who can’t refill the ice tray without pleading exhaustion, a modern affliction apparently called “errand paralysis”, though I like to call it “glacial plodding”.

But back to glamorous “errand dressing”, which, hot or not, is becoming a pervasive term in fashion parlance beyond the world of teenage internet stars. According to a Vogue video, Kendall Jenner’s go-to outfit for running errands is an all-black jeans-and-tee ensemble with a red jumper by luxury label Khaite artfully draped around her shoulders, which suggests that her tasks do not require the use of her arms.

This jumper would have a life of its own were I to wear it on a day running errands, awkwardly swishing around my neck like an unruly snood, constantly falling off or, worse still, whipping people in the face when flung back into position. On an unflappable A-lister, it’s super chic; on a hot mess like me, it would be a shambles, like being stuck all day with an unruly pet.

Among the midlifers, Gisele Bundchen, 43, is apparently the queen of casual chore-friendly dressing. The model was recently pictured in New York “running errands” in a (totally impractical) figure-hugging knitted dress and long high-heeled boots. Try pulling off this look if you’re hauling parcels to the post office or clutching a bumper pack of loo roll.

According to Elle magazine, Lady Gaga makes running errands “look chic” in mega-platform knee-high boots, while US Vogue has described Dakota Johnson’s springtime errand look – a long, close-fitting floral dress and slider sandals – as “very relatable”. And there I was thinking that baggy joggers, a soft knit and trainers were fit for purpose.

There’s enough pressure on girls and women to conform to existing feminine beauty ideals, so do we really need another one that harks back to 1950s housewifery? No, we certainly do not, but while I think this slinky dress code is ludicrous and oddly regressive, I’m not averse to the idea of subtly polishing up my personal style for my next round of errands, if only to make the drudgery of it all – the endless queuing, the lugging of carrier bags, the drop-offs, pick-ups and tiresome box-ticking, that little bit more bearable.

Worth noting, too, is the fact that this fashion trend is almost exclusively used to describe female dress codes, which, if you think about it, says a lot about how these tasks are perceived (by both genders) when women perform them.

Indeed, there’s seemingly a need to lessen these earnest responsibilities that grease the wheels of domestic living and instead present them as fun and frivolous distractions, breezily tackled in 3in heels and/or second-skin Lycra. When you’re stuck queuing for a prescription, wrists ready to snap under the strain of your bulging bag for life, errands are as much fun as a poke in the eye. Stand next to someone like me attempting to wear a sweater as a scarf, and you’ll probably get one of those, too.

In my pursuit of stylish, easy-to-maintain, well-structured workwear – because errands are hard work if you live in the real world – I was charmed by the Californian-based designer Jesse Kamm, whose elegant utilitarian collections, sold at London boutique Aimé and via her own website, are designed to make you feel secure, tidy and ready for action, and with good reason.

“I grew up in the country, in a rural farming community, so I was surrounded by a lot of workwear in my youth”, she explains. “My family was always busy building things on the weekends, and the clothing reflected that. There were overalls, coveralls, carpenter pants, jeans, all made from sturdy canvas, twill and denim. These materials and shapes naturally wove their way into my work.”

Parenthood also shaped Kamm’s love of practical staples, which are inspired by “skaters, surfers and workers” and loved by a bohemian mix of high-profile artists and performers, including actresses Frances McDormand and Emma Stone and filmmakers Maggie Gyllenhaal and Janicza Bravo.

“I no longer had the luxury of time, and I needed a wardrobe that was steadfast and required no thought; a uniform if you will,” Kamm explains.

I also like the idea of a uniform suited to the task of serious doing: something that screams “I deal in solutions”, with a slightly gritty, avant-garde edge. The boilersuit, I think, has this kind of cool purposefulness. Top of my wish list is a tailored, heavy-cotton Danny boilersuit by east London label LF Markey, available in a variety of colours and nicely proportioned for that retro “Suzi Quatro at art college” look, which is bound to liven up a trip to Superdrug.

Lastly, it goes without saying that errand shoes need to be comfortable. Adidas Gazelle and Samba styles are still leading the trend, but why run when you can walk in shoes that spread a little (self) love, such as Camilla’s Elphick’s Lover Flats, which feature a heart shape through criss-cross straps? The British footwear designer conceived them especially for women on the go, because she is one herself. “They are like gloves for your feet and you really can walk in them for hours,” she says.

And  I can vouch for that. Plus, when I look down, I feel a little more appreciated and rewarded – not exactly “hot girl”, but warm enough for me.