Wardrobe for a full-time mum? Help me!

skintchick

Since having my baby 14 months ago today I have become increasingly miserable about the contents of my wardrobes. Yes, that's plural.

I have two double wardrobes stuffed full of clothes, yet 'nothing' to wear and I need help.

in part it is due to the fact I am breastfeeding, so many of my pre-baby tops are now in waiting until I no longer have to regularly feed my daughter.

But it is also because I look at those clothes I used to love and think 'oh my goodness, I so could not wear that now'. They just feel so inappropriate.

I need help in working out what my basic wardrobe needs to be, so I can get going in chucking out/selling on stuff I no longer need or want, and buying stuff that I do need, although as I don;t have money of my own this might be hard.

I'm a full-time mum, and not planning to go back to paid work, so I need stuff that is smart casual, washable, comfortable and yet also stylish!

I'm a size 10/12, bit podgier than I'd like, biggish boobs (which might go down a bit when I stop feeding but I think by then I'll be feeding the next one), nice legs up to mid-thigh where it's all gone a bit wrong, tummy now gone a bit soft but still quite good, and I'm 5ft 6ins.

Can anyone help me? What clothes do I need?

bella*donna

I would start by making a list of some essentials, like a good pair of jeans, a smart pair of trousers etc. Then go through the clothes you have and sort out into what you want to keep and intend to wear, and what you want to get rid of. Maybe you could sell the items you no longer want on ebay or something and make a bit of money to buy some new stuff?

Places like Asda and Primark are great for cheap clothes that reflect what is currently in fashion. I always wear a bit of a mix. I love clothes, but I don't buy something just cos its the thing to have and everyone else is wearing it. I like to look more individual.

Maybe you could ask a friend round to help you try on some clothes and give their honest opinion. Someones elses point of view can be a real help. As for exactly what you need to buy, only you can decide that. I think a lot of new mums go through this phase, you body has been through some massive changes and you are now a mum! You are bound to feel a bit mixed up.

A good piece of advice I was told is to never buy clothes if you can't think of where you'd wear it, or if you have nothing to go with it. A tip for the winter - oversized knitwear is going to be massive, as is the colour camel.

_Mia__2

I know how you feel. My LO is 15 months old and everytime I look at my wardrobe I see lots of clothes but I feel like I have nothing to wear!!

Recently I have been buying clothes that I think will see me through the seasons. I have bought a few tunic tops (excellent for hiding the post baby belly!!) and have a new found love for leggings and jeggings!

I bought a pair of high waisted flared jeans which seem to balance me out (again they hide the post baby belly), these go lovely with either dolly shoes or heels.

I have found H&M to be brilliant for good quality clothes at inexpensive prices. I've bought a couple of tops from Dotty P's (in the sale!) and the rest are all big names (Topshop, Next and RI) but bought cheaply from eBay.

I realise I'm rambling but my clothes list atm seems to be:

Full length leggings
Jeggings (I hated these pre-baby but love them now)
Numerous long tunic tops
Bootcut black trousers
Bootcut grey trousers
Pinstripe trousers
Basic 3/4 sleeve jersey tops
Batwing tops and cardigans
High waisted flared jeans
Waterfall waistcoat
A couple of chunky jumpers and cardigans
Numerous dolly shoes and some below knee length boots.

I can either dress up or be casual. I obviously have dresses for 'uber posh' occasions but for everyday wear the above is great. In summer I will incorporate some tea dresses and skirts etc.

Bitsy_Beans

skintchick wrote: »

Since having my baby 14 months ago today I have become increasingly miserable about the contents of my wardrobes. Yes, that's plural.

I have two double wardrobes stuffed full of clothes, yet 'nothing' to wear and I need help.

in part it is due to the fact I am breastfeeding, so many of my pre-baby tops are now in waiting until I no longer have to regularly feed my daughter.

But it is also because I look at those clothes I used to love and think 'oh my goodness, I so could not wear that now'. They just feel so inappropriate.

I need help in working out what my basic wardrobe needs to be, so I can get going in chucking out/selling on stuff I no longer need or want, and buying stuff that I do need, although as I don;t have money of my own this might be hard.

I'm a full-time mum, and not planning to go back to paid work, so I need stuff that is smart casual, washable, comfortable and yet also stylish!

I'm a size 10/12, bit podgier than I'd like, biggish boobs (which might go down a bit when I stop feeding but I think by then I'll be feeding the next one), nice legs up to mid-thigh where it's all gone a bit wrong, tummy now gone a bit soft but still quite good, and I'm 5ft 6ins.

Can anyone help me? What clothes do I need?

Why are they inappropriate? Too revealing and skimpy or is it just because you think as a mum you should be wearing a particular sort of "uniform" now?
Personally if you feel good in something then wear it. It doesn't matter whether you think you should be belonging to a particular type it's how you feel in the clothes that matters.

skintchick

Bitsy, I was always a fan of shortish skirts, and figure-hugging clothes and it just feels so wrong to look sexy now! daft I know but my confidence seems to have taken a battering, and I don;t want to be mutton now I am on the slippery slope to 40 (I'm 35).

I think also because the mums round here are all posh and it's Boden and Joules all the way, which isn;t me anyway but makes me feel so out of place.

Bitsy_Beans

skintchick wrote: »

Bitsy, I was always a fan of shortish skirts, and figure-hugging clothes and it just feels so wrong to look sexy now! daft I know but my confidence seems to have taken a battering, and I don;t want to be mutton now I am on the slippery slope to 40 (I'm 35).

I think also because the mums round here are all posh and it's Boden and Joules all the way, which isn;t me anyway but makes me feel so out of place.

Well how about teaming the shortish skirts with either black tights in winter and leggings for autumn.
I too am 35 and whilst shortish skirts have never been my thing I don't consider myself too old to wear something I like, mutton or not
If your confidence is a bit low then start small and perhaps ease yourself gently back into the stuff you like and see how you feel.
As for it being wrong to look sexy........:eek: goodness we're 35 not 85 Isn't that what the phrase yummy mummy was invented for
Ignore what the other mums are wearing, comparing yourself with others is a recipe for disaster (as is comparing your children) - Boden and Joules - doesn't sound like my style either so be happy not to run with the [STRIKE]sheep[/STRIKE] group

missm29

I love boden for the kids but the ladies wear is a bit too smart for me, although the basic tops wash up really nice, far better than having lots of cheapie ones. I also have loads of the pj bottoms which i wear around the house quite a bit, when i get in from doing the school runs i change into my pjs bottoms, more comfy for crawling round with the baby. Recently bought alot from fat face, the jeans and cords are great, same with the tees, got a couple of shirts that i wear open with a vest underneath and a waterfall cardi from there, also got a tunic and a denim skirt to wear with tights and boots, great for rainy days when jeans just soak up the puddles. Leggings and boyfriend cardis i also wear alot of. Have to becareful in getting the right tunic top, not to fitted but not too shapeless either. I'd also suggest getting a good waterproof coat, across the body bag and possibly wellie boots, mind you if you arent doing school runs those might not be important.