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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

So just because you're mum now you can't look nice and make an effort?

489 replies

sostressedsostressed · 10/08/2012 01:18

I don't understand (bar finances and even then not really an excuse) why some women when they become parents, out goes the stylish clothes, in comes Tesco mummy jeans!

Out goes the decent hair cut/colour, in comes uncombed hair.

There is NO excuse (apart from depression before the righteous mafia comes for my neck, haha.

Seriously it really bugs me.

OP posts:
SquishyCinnamonSwirls · 10/08/2012 07:52

Some people just don't give a damn and quite rightly.
I couldn't give a monkey's uncle what you, my neighbour or anyone else I know thinks of how I look. The only person's opinion that matters to me is my dh. Some days I'll be dressed up with hair looking fab and my make-up perfect. Some days I'll be in jeans, trainers and a t-shirt with no make-up and my hair up. WHO CARES?!
Life is too short to be judgemental of others.

Acumens100 · 10/08/2012 07:52

Obviously you should try to be less judgemental, but that's probably true for everyone.

I do dress reasonably smartly every day. It's not something I have deep feelings about, but I observed I got better treatment from other people (esp in hospital etc) and it seemed to be a relatively small investment for a good return. I buy good clothes off eBay and keep my boots clean, is all. But it's probably not a great system to collude with. I'm not sure it makes life better/fairer/kinder.

On the other hand, I was in my local supermarket last week (round our way is very poor), and I was depressed by the people around me who were generally dressed as overgrown babies, and looked slumped and surrendered. It felt grim in there, and the sweatpants weren't helping (though obviously they were not the central cause of deprivation!).

It seems that no matter what you do, you're making some kind of statement about who you are. The inferences are astounding: about the kind of mother you are, the kind of person. I just don't think hairstyles are that eloquent.

I do find makeup tedious and I cut my own hair because I can't stand hairdressers. I don't like talking to or being touched by strangers, tbh. I did hair modelling at shows as a teenager and I used up my tolerance for hair and makeup, maybe.

But I feel pretty okay about how I look, which it seems is unusual. I'm not very pretty, but I am happy in my skin. Hahaha, I'm going to say something that is so smug I think you are all within your rights to throw things, but! My natural lip colour is nicer than any lipstick I've ever seen. It would be a shame to cover it.

Tee2072 · 10/08/2012 07:55

How sad that in the 21st C women are still judging other women based on their looks.

Maybe feminism is dead after all.

EmilieFloge · 10/08/2012 07:57

It's not a genuine thread, I agree.

It's supposed to make everyone upset.

Please stop feeding it.

Ephiny · 10/08/2012 07:58

I don't think there's anything wrong with dressing casually - if you have a good figure you can look perfectly nice in jeans and t-shirt as long as they're a good fit and a flattering style, and it's sometimes a more appropriate look for the situation than heels/dresses! Being over-dressed can look tacky and desperate.

There does seem to be a 'tradition' of letting yourself go, getting fat (baby weight Hmm) etc when you become a 'mummy' though - and you actually hear/read a lot of bitchy comments about women who don't want to do that, and who make an effort to get their figures back.

TandB · 10/08/2012 08:03

If you try really hard, you will probably be able to get over this, OP.

I slummed about in tracksuit bottoms for most of my first maternity leave. I went back to work at just before 6 months and was straight into full, smart, court clobber so I'm glad I took the chance to not bother for a few months.

This maternity leave I discovered the joys of White Stuff, the magical land where All Clothes Are Stretchy. I am therefore marginally smarter.

But honestly, why does it bother you?

noddyholder · 10/08/2012 08:05

Maybe you can post a pic and show us how it's done?

akaemmafrost · 10/08/2012 08:06

Such a pity for who bonsoir? Confused

It was important to me to lose the baby weight and I did but the rest of it simply didn't matter. I was busy and tired and besotted with my baby and the last I felt like doing was putting on a face full of make up and I don't actually think its anyone else's business. Not sure why make up on MY face would bother anyone else.

Babylon1 · 10/08/2012 08:09

Ha ha, there are so many biscuits for the OP, if she takes them all she'll be needing a new much bigger wedding dress for sure!

I'm certain she will also be horrified to know that I walked to the village shop at 6.30am without full hair done and slap on - I think I brushed my hair before I left! Grin

bleedingheart · 10/08/2012 08:12

The OP was bring unfair and deliberately provocative. I don't care what other people wear and you can look perfectly nice in supermarket fashions. However, I resent all these comments implying that because I do follow fashion, my children are strapped in pushchairs all day and are never played with! If you have always been interested in clothes and know what suits you, it takes no longer to get ready than someone pulling on a fleece and leggings. If you didn't bother before children, I agree, there is less motivation to do so afterwards.
What I would say is whenever you watch a makeover show, the women who most profess to be uninterested in fashion and too busy/intellectual to care, usually have the most powerful reaction to the results and weep with joy at their new look.
My children get mucky and play - they also like to wear smart clothes for parties and special occasions and care about their clothes. That doesn't make us shallow.

Binkyridesagain · 10/08/2012 08:14

I see you didn't take my advice!
< walks away shaking head muttering some people just refuse to listen>

Inertia · 10/08/2012 08:14

Hell yeah OP! Quite frankly I think you are being overly understanding to admit that finance could even be an excuse. Let's be honest, even lone parents could afford to splurge on designer clothes and makeup If they stopped bothering with the trivialities of feeding and clothing their children. And of course we should prioritise stigmatising women who cannot afford , or choose not to buy, expensive clothes; it's clearly more important than being bugged about poverty, human rights etc.

TroublesomeEx · 10/08/2012 08:15

I don't give a shit frankly what other people think.

I can look 'nice' if I want to. But mostly I'm not really fussed. The park doesn't have a dress code, the National Trust doesn't have a dress code (well it does, but it would seem that my jeans, fleece and Merrells are it Wink), and my back garden doesn't have a dress code.

Other than my supergoth days, I've never really bothered with much make up, I much prefer the au naturel look on most people tbh.

I don't have lots of shallow female friends to impress.

I'm not in the market for a new man.

So all is good in the House of Folk.

NoComet · 10/08/2012 08:15

I've started colouring my hair since having DDs,

They are the cause of the grey hairsGrin

Youcanringmybell · 10/08/2012 08:17

Some of us wear Tesco mummy jeans because they fit nicely on us - we do not all have the same shapes.

I always wear make up out unless out for a run after school. People do comment on how I always have hair done, make-up and nails done etc. I get worse as I get older - I am very insecure about my weight and appearance. I get nervous meeting new people and blush terribly talking to new people.. it is so embarrassing.
I think how people dress is very very personal and not to be commented on in such a way. We would all look like stepford wives if we all went round dressed and made up impeccably.

wankpants · 10/08/2012 08:18

It's none of your business how anyone else chooses to dress. Gah

bubalou · 10/08/2012 08:19

God some people on here are just waiting to pounce!!!

I do know what you mean & have seen it happen before. However in my experience around 80-90% of these women didn't make an effort to begin with. Personal choice.

I like make up, clothes & taking care of myself - I don't get much time to do it but I do the minimum & that's enough. However i am by no means a barbie that wears heels to Tesco!

DS is 4 & I'm 26. when he was about 1 I went through a bit of a frumpy mummy phase. My mum who is young & still very trendy literally turned up at my house 1 day with my dad, he took my DS & she told me we were going shopping. She knew I was in a rut & I said was too young to be dressing the way I was (lots of tesco jeans & jumpers) Smile it was the best thing ever. We went shopping, hairdressers, got my nails done etc. it might not have been a drastic make over but the change continued over the following months as I gained my confidence - I never looked back & I'm glad she gave me that wake up call.

Thank god for mums.

wankpants · 10/08/2012 08:19

I bet you are the type of person who prattles on about the appearances of our Olympic stars too rather than how amazing their achievements are.

gordyslovesheep · 10/08/2012 08:20

I was a slob before I had kids - it would be VVU to blame the kids Grin

Tee2072 · 10/08/2012 08:21

"God some people on here are just waiting to pounce!!!"

Hello pot? Have you met kettle? You have a lot in common.

bleedingheart · 10/08/2012 08:22

Looking fashionable and smart doesn't necessarily mean being suited and heeled in designer wear and covered in make-up. You can look fashionable wearing jeans and a t-shirt, perfectly practical for playing with your children. It's about the cut and style.
This thread just shows how appearance and looks summon up such strong feelings.

hidesgoldmedalsinthesofa · 10/08/2012 08:23

binky don't worry, I hear the arsehole look is quite fashionable these days.

WoodlandHills · 10/08/2012 08:25

Just marking place to read later with a bag of popcorn ;)

Thumbwitch · 10/08/2012 08:26

Dear Lord. I can understand your nn is most apt. Find something important to worry about, not how other women CHOOSE to look. FFS.

Shallow doesn't even begin to cover it.

Lovelynewboots · 10/08/2012 08:27

I am overweight, and not particularly fashionable. I have several rather gorgeous friends who always look fabulous. I think they appreciate me as I am, and some who perhaps are a bit more like me. I love them all. This is one of the more ridiculous things I have ever read and if anyone really thinks this you are missing out on an awful lot in life. What a load of shallow nonsense. Oh and have this Biscuit