clothes that stay the distance when you have children

[tigermoth]

I've always loved clothes, even on a limited clothes budget. However, since I've had children I am prone to burst into fits of silent laughter whenever I view what's on the rails in most high street clothes shops.

70% of the stuff found in warehouse, karen millan, zara, french connection, jigsaw, etc etc would last about five minutes in its pristine state if I wore it out with my sons. Fabrics that need dry cleaning or careful ironing, knitwear that needs hand washing, pale colours that show every dirty finger smudge, fringing, embroidery, lacy knits, etc etc just don't relate at all to my lifestyle.

I have smart work clothes hanging in the wardrobe and a few going out clothes, for the few times I need to dress up to work or to go out. But the majority of my time is spent with my children, working alone, or slobbing around. I tend to wear variations of denim, cotton and fleece - hard wearing, easy to wash, don't show all the marks. I sometimes feel I should be shopping in Millets.

There is no shop I've found that caters mainly for someone like me. I feel like an aged imposter in H and M and Top Shop, yet buy most of my 'mum on duty' and 'working alone' clothes from these places. Surely this can't be right!!!

My favourite item of winter clothing is a pair of black fleecy trousers (9.99 from H and M). Easy to wash, quick to dry (unlike denim), hard wearing, comfortable, and they don't make my bottome look big, (I think). They fit my needs perfectly. I would love to buy more pairs, but can't find any other shop that sells them.

Sometimes I feel a total freak - am I so unusual? I don't want to look old and frumpy, yet I do need practical attire to get me through the day. So I just wondered if anyone else finds this a problem, do you think mums (working or sahms) are adequately catered for by high street clothes shops? do you have a favourite mum outfit?

Maybe I need to reinforce the knees before I even sart wearing new trousers. Or wear ds's skateboard knee pads all the time, now that would be attractive.

Gap stretch jeans are great for (almost) holding in my post-baby tummy

fairy, what branch of uniqlo did you see those fleeces - I went into the Bromley branch last week and saw lightweight fleeces for men but not for women, alas!

Bayleaf your husband sounds like he's an adventurous dresser I quite liked that madras check patchwork stuff boden did for men. It would have made my day to see a man wearing it out. Never have. Perhaps those that bought it only ever wore it indoors, like your dh.

Er, my dp wears one of those Boden patchwork shirts in public. I keep hoping it will fade in the wash.

tigermoth, they had those fleece tops in the Uniqlo in Richmond. Bit far from you, though

I think I'll need to get down to Gap, Hoxtonchick, sounds good. Just thinking as for footwear, no stilettos here, just DM boots and trainers!

Those Uniqlo fleeces were all discounted (£9) in our local branch - but can check to see what colours are left?

Tigermoth, yep they are £9 in our branch too, which is Basingstoke.

Maybe you could ask your branch to order you a pair?

Worth a try, have to say I'm tempted by them, they look really comfy, but not too baggy.

BTW they mainly seem to be in pastel sahdes, but not insipid!

Can't spell today!!

Ahhhh - if you've never seen grown men dressed in those lovely Boden clothes get yourselves down to Henley next July ladies!!!

I think some of the shirts are gorgeous (dh wouldn't be seen dead) but the pink cords ??? Very posh middle-aged gay wear I fear !

florenceuk and fairy, thanks for that info and offer of help - I will phone uniqlo direct to see if I can track down a fleece nearby.

Unfortunately dh is now threatening to buy some more Boden ones with lobsters on them in honour of some Derek and Clive tape he loved as a teenager which went on about lobsters climbing up someone's bum! ( I think it was part of a rhyme but I've never heard the tape!) Tartan I can cope with but lobsters would definitely HAVE to stay in the house!

Tigermoth just seen your post re the cost of Jigsaw. And I see your £ per wear point but would only rarely pay that amount for a pair of trousers.

On the bargain front DH came home with a new suit the other day. He interupted my rant about us being skint to inform me that it cost £17 (reduced from £200) in Mexx. Blew the wind right out of my sails....He quite often gets these bargains due to being an odd size

Bozza, could you draw us a picture?

Demented, I was particularly happy with my gap jeans as they were reduced to £30 for some reason, though this was a couple of months ago. And I totally agree about trainers - tried to wear boots for 10 minutes the other day & gave up.

dunno (yet) about whether they'll last but I bought a couple of things from Uniqlo at the weekend - a pair of jersey wide leg pants, big enough in size large to go over a 7 mths bump, and a jersey v-neck cardi - for the princely sum of £12 (£7 trousers, top was in sale for £5). all 100% cotton and obviously not too precious to be smeared

Tigermoth, have just received a Fatface catalogue in the mail and they have two styles of lightweight fleeces (at considerably more than £9) - are you are still looking? Me, I fancy the raspberry 3/4 length cargo pants.

Haven't read this whole thread, so apologies if anyone has mentioned this before, but what about Hawkshead ? Good for jeans, chinos etc and fleeces.

And also Lands End - some of their things are a bit old-fashioned, but again good for trousers.

thanks fleece hunters. Will check these out.