30, new mum, where do you shop for clothes/ what do you wear?

[neilsharvest]

I always felt like a had a 'style', I wore short skirts, straps, chunky boots, scarves. Then I was pregnant, bfing, overweight and i'm lost.

So what do people wear? I want to look like myself but a bit smarter, but still fashionable. HATE the whole white stuff fat face thing- on me.

TIA

[YorkshireTeaGold]

Hi Neil's... Just wear what you used to. I think the mistake a lot of new mums make is to get themselves down white stuff for a tunic and leggings. I did it, and I took them back a week later!

Sure, you need to adapt slightly, less white/dryclean only type stuff, thicker tights for the park, but you'll get a feel for that as you go on. I shop at the same places (topshop, zara, gap, whistles, reiss, h&m) then I did pre dcs... You're 30, you're not dead!

If you feel overweight then that doesn't help, I put on loads of weight on while bfing my 2 as they were both buggers for night feeds and I had to eat loads of carbs to survive. Try and cut out the crap and excercise (apols, sure you know that!) As it's important to feel like yourself. I'm halfway there after dd2 and motivate myself by looking at all the lovely things I'll buy soon.

I just think it's so easy to loose yourself post dcs and people should not try and dress in some frumpy mum/trendy mum kind of way but just be who they were anyway. I wear full make up/tube skirt/heels etc to playgroup (as well as jeans etc!) Because that's what suits me.

[lisam78]

I totally understand how you feel, and you are in the right place on here, so much good advice. start with the small things that make you feel better about yourself, and make you feel more groomed - taking off makeup before bed, proper skincare, good haircut, manicure etc( there is a good thread on here, countdown to Christmas, take a look for ideas). I also discovered from this the idea of finding out your colours, and how to build a capsule wardrobe. so I had a wardrobe cull, got some basic long and short sleeved t-shirts, cardigans etc in plain neutral colours, some nice new jeans (black and grey) and some nice accessories to dress them up. I am finding this makes getting dressed quicker and easier, and it looks more pulled together and stylish. there are some great blogs too, also pinterest, for ideas. I am 35 and shop in mainly high street shops - h and m, oasis, zara, dp's and topshop ( after avoiding it for years because I felt too old!) hope this helps!

[honeypie10]

I felt the same, i dont really do dress's even with tights so I tried tons of jeans on and found a few styles in next that fit me well (this wasnt easy by the way took about 3 months to find a decent pair! then i bought them in a few different colours).

Then i just bought basic t shirts and a couple of cardigans, long or whatever you like.

I had a few necklaces so hung them on each cardigan so they were already matched and all I had to do was pick the colour I wanted to wear.

Its a horrible horrible time when your in that inbetween stage, the worst thing you can do is to sit and order tons of clothes that you would have worn pre pregnancy and expect to fit into them then spend the entire night crying to yourself asking whats the point !!! still get reminded about being stuck in a size 12 dress in warehouse and having to get help to get it off.

Also try Dressipi.com you type in all your details etc and they come up with recommendations for you. Really helped me get a bit of style back as I was literaly drowning and didnt know what to get but knew i wanted something, good luck and Congratulations by the way!!

[beccajoh]

I've carried on wearing what I did before to be honest. Short skirts/dresses with woolly tights and boots. Skinny jeans with boots or converse and over-sized tops. I didn't feel the need to change my wardrobe post-kids.

[beccajoh]

Should add, for the immediate post-baby stage when nothing fits I bought three or four different outfits I could mix and match in whatever size fitted at the time. It was still my style though. I didn't suddenly march into White Stuff and buy tunics and leggings because that's what mums wear. Highly impractical for breastfeeding for a start I bought tube skirts from H&M. Eden skinnies from Dorothy Perkins.

[Doublethecuddles]

I wore what clothes I had before pregnant. I bought a few really cheap tops, that didn't matter when it was covered in sick and general baby grime. I was back in my jeans after 2 months.
I did start to wear more make up to try and hide the look of exhaustion - I never went out with out lipstick!

[neilsharvest]

Thanks all! That actually really helps.straight to dressipi honeypie- thank you! You're all right that I am probably going wrong thinking I have to completely change just because I'm a mum and a slightly different shape.

Thank you!

[sleepdodger]

My uniform is simple bottoms and a white top in varying shapes and then a fabulous necklace show combo
So- 1-slightly rolled leg navy washed chinos, tan belt, white tee with scalloped hem and sleeves, brogues and a fabulous blingy Zara necklace
2- black skinnies, lose white blouse buttoned up fully, killer red heels, bronze chunky necklace
3- black zip side harems, toms, black and white stripe tee (fitted) block colour scarf

It's pretty boring but always get complimented!!
I usually shop at next Zara sainos cos topshop etc