Mid 30s mums with young children - what do you wear?

[Misty9]

I'm stuck in a rut and struggle to find quality clothes that last, especially all the crawling about I do. I also want to look more put together.

So, what do you wear?

[FusionChefGeoff]

I got a brilliant pair of grey lift slim n shape skinny jeans from Next just after DC2 last year. They wash brilliantly, don't show grubby marks and are still going strong a year later with nearly daily wear. Am about to invest in dark denim and black pair.

I layer on top so now am wearing long sleeved coloured tops under tunics or shift type blouses - I like a good pattern on a blouse as the floaty style and patterns hide mum tum and any sticky marks but look quite smart. Layering helps to convince me it's not too mumsy!!!

[ivejusthadacake]

skinny or slim leg jeans

chiffon/sheer type (longline but not tunic) blouse with long line vest

underneath.www.newlook.com/shop/womens/tops/blue-polka-dot-print-longline-shirt-_350817749

loose fine knit jumper with long line vest

long necklace or short fine chain

www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/bags-accessories-1702216/jewellery-469/necklaces-672/square-stone-necklace-4998042?bi=0&ps=200

chelsea boots

[Whataboutreindeer]

I wear a lot of knitted dresses and boots. I think I should be seeking advice though..

[ivejusthadacake]

sorry just realised you want quality... i buy cheap clothes as they get mud from shoes when 2 year old wants carried/snot rubbed on shoulders etc and i want variety each day!

i see a lot of smart/neat ladies at playgroups in nice heeled/flat long boots with skinny jeans and statement bold
necklaces.

[FlopIsMyChristmasGuru]

I love joules harbour tops. They are warm without being bulky, but I know they are not everyone's cup of tea and aren't cutting edge fashion. But the comfort gets me every time I go to my chest of drawers!

[Lovelybitofsquirrel]

I definitely don't look put together so I'm probably no use but I mostly wear jeans and shirt style tops from Fat Face and White Stuff, layered over vests for bf.

[angelicjen]

Mostly joules and fat face stuff.

[Quickchangeup]

Most of the time I wear skinny jeans, or either a stretch jersey skirt or wool skirt with thick tights. Tend to wear either a flannel or denim shirt on top with jeans, and jumper over if chilly. Or if warmer a Breton top. Usually fine knit jumper with skirts. Most of my clothes are from gap sale as they massively reduce stuff. Biker boots or ankle boots, felt skater shoes if not chilly. Really nicely tailored coat. I am choosy with coats as I think if I have a really nice coat on that fits well and looks smart, it hardly matters what's underneath!

[ShesAStar]

I have lots of skinny jeans in various styles (grey with zip on ankle, distressed, dark/smart) and I team them with well cut, flattering jumpers. In spring/summer I go for skinny jeans with well cut shirts/t-shirts or dresses. I wear Ugg biker boots in the winter and Ash baseball type boots in when it gets warmer. I wear sandles with the dresses.

I wear a leather biker jacket (All Saints), a fitted wool coat or a gilet with a massive fur trimmed hood depending on the weather and usually a scarf.

I invest quite a lot of money in jumpers, shirts and t shirts, I think a good cut on tops is really important. Most of my jeans are high street - I love river islands fit at the moment.

I know this sounds boring but I look well turned out and don't have to give much thought to what I put on in the morning.

[TychosNose]

Same as above. Skinny jeans, biker boots, shirt (checked or spotty usually), jumper on top depending on temperature. It's my uniform. Slightly boring but I like it and I don't have much money so need to be careful.

I like a big chunky/trashy pair of earrings to liven it up. Cheapo ones from new look.

I second river island jeans. Got two pairs in tha asos sale last Jan and pretty much wear them every day except when it's too hot.

I've just branched out to some lovely dark flared jeans from Zara. Worn with converse type trainers - can't run after the kids in heals!

I like skirts but they're just not practical for my current lifestyle of climbing frames, slides, football etc.

My personal rule for looking put together is that everything in my wardrobe is part of a complete outfit. So I never just grab a pair of jeans and a random jumper. Each pair of jeans has two or three tops/shirts/jumpers and accessories that go with it. Accessories includ footwear, scarves, jewellery. This way I look ok, I think, without having time to try on multiple things each morning.

[goodnessgraciousgoudaoriginal]

To be honest, I don't think even the highest quality fabric will last very long when crawling over the floor with young children. Even a good quality cotton is still cotton - it's never going to be able to withstand a huge amount of wear and tear for extended periods. I think it's better to go for semi decent stuff that isn't dirt cheap, but you can afford to replace when it needs it. Gap do some surprisingly nice, plain cotton tops, etc.

I hate skinny jeans - straight leg all the way for me. I do see a lot of people wearing skinnies when they don't suit them AT ALL, simply because they are the easiest cut of jean to get at the moment.

If they suit you then awesome, but squeezing yourself into skinny jeans when they just give you carrot legs is so unflattering, so try out other cuts if this is the case for you.

[Thurlow]

I'm very similar to Quickchange. It feels practical and does pretty well with playing, crawling, walking in the rain and mud etc, and still feels vaguely fashionable - well, if not fashionable then not something that I would feel frumpy in (and of course there's no such thing as actually being frumpy, just what makes you feel like you're badly dressed).

I wear either skinny jeans or short jersey skirts with thick tights underneath, with biker/work boots, and a variety of Breton type tops, checked shirts, nice sweaters. Most of it works together so there's no hassle coordinating. None of it is too expensive, to be honest, as that requires effort washing and ironing it, and I am lazy

Thinking of it as a uniform. Find what suits you: skinnies, straight leg jeans, trousers, skirts and tights; sweaters, vests and cardigans, shirts. Then buy varieties on it. It's better to buy things that will work together and compliment each other than to buy too many statement pieces that only work with a particular skirt, for example. It might not feel that exciting to be wearing variations on fitted trousers and Breton tops, for example, but I can guarantee if those really suit you, you'll look better always wearing similar clothing than having variety in your clothes if some of those clothes aren't too flattering.

[Quickchangeup]

thurlow that's exactly my thoughts. If I find something that fits well I'll often double up, Bretons in two colours, shirts in different patterns. I never buy something without trying on and then thinking ok what will this work with. I don't have loads of clothes but they pretty much all work with each other in any combo!

[Misty9]

Thanks all, it's helpful to know how other people do it! I'm very time poor and forever returning things, which I find very frustrating. So I end up wearing the same jeans or dress and leggings combo when the jeans are in the wash, until they all wear out and I have a mad dash to buy more. So I never really feel like I have a wardrobe of clothes to choose from. And by quality, I just mean I want something to last more than a few months. I'm sure clothes used to last longer!

I'm hopeless at sale shopping but will have to face it I think. Doesn't help that I'm 5'10" and size 14/15 (yes I know size 15 doesn't exist, sadly) and I like white stuff but they rarely have longer length in stock.

I need a personal shopper!