Share your post-child style tips with Ecover - £300 voucher and invite to style event to be won NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

Having children is a big life event that involves lots of changes - from the amount of sleep you get to your clothing choices, and Ecover would like to hear about your style tips or laundry dilemmas post children.

Here’s what Ecover has to say: “Ecover’s new concentrated detergents are ideal for your baby's tiny clothes and gentle on their sensitive skin. But what about you? Ecover are hosting a style workshop with a top UK stylist and there’s a chance to either win an invite or a £300 voucher!

When you’re a mum your priorities naturally shift and precious ‘me time’ becomes scarce. We’re excited to be partnering with a top UK fashion stylist to host a feel good workshop for mums! She’ll be covering topics from fashion trends and “go-to” outfits to handy laundry tips to help families tackle their ever growing laundry basket.”

Perhaps you have practical style tips you wish you’d been aware of when you first became a parent? Or maybe you have style or laundry dilemmas that you still wish you had a solution to? Is the kind of outfit you feel great in the same as it was pre-children?

For a chance to win a £300 voucher (for a retailer of your choice, from a list) or an invite to Ecover’s Style Event on 18th September, post on the thread below sharing your style tips or laundry dilemmas.

Please note, the prize draw for Ecover’s style event will be run on the 13th September. The thread will be closing on the 18th September, and the voucher prize draw will take place at this time.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

To invest in really good shoes. You're going to be pushing a buggy for miles to get the babe to sleep and then running around on your feet alot once the kids are mobile, and having shoes you love and that are comfy is the best advice I think I could offer a new mum!

I only buy clothes I don't need to iron! And have a similar colour across my whole wardrobe so mixing and matching is easy. Boring, but necessary! I'm looking forward to being stylish in a few years time!

I live in charity shop clothes- not ashamed to admit it,,,,, yes those topshop jeans im wearing cost me £2.50😊
As long as you feel comfy with what your wearing who cares!! Being a mum is tough and if I paid £55 for a pair of jeans then little one spilt porridge down them I would be horrified but don't need to worry about that knowing my clothes don't cost a small fortune

My style tip is to use a personal shopper! I am rubbish at shopping since I had DC. My body is a funny shape and I am so out of touch with what looks good. I also don't have time to go shopping and ordering online doesn't work because I generally buy about one item for every twenty I try on. Generally the service is free. You can just tell them your budget, what it is you need and then they bring you rails of stuff that fits and suits you perfectly. It's like magic! The personal shopper I used didn't even ask my size - she just knew! If it's a big department store, then they know all the stock and you sometimes even get a free glass of bubbly!

Just wear what you are comfortable and confident in. I have noticed that I have to think about my top/blouse - sequins and glitter is a no no because it would irritate my child's skin. Also, my cashmere tops are saved for going out, I don't want them ruined with baby sick!

Ditch the dry clean only and the heels but don't feel like you have to lose your identity to motherhood. I still use my 'best' even though I know it's more than likely I'll be covered in something the minute I put it on.

Things that don't need ironed are my go to atm. Also something easy to bf lb in, but generally not actual nursing clothes as they're usually not nice.
High waisted jeans, loafers, a stretchy primark vest and a nice top/blouse/jumper over is pretty much my uniform 😊
I don't always wear foundation but always fill in my eyebrows using bperfect eyebrow powder and a stencil that comes with. Takes a few secs for each eye and I look instantly more "done"

Comfort first, style second in my opinion. Don't be pressured by magazines airbrushed versions of how fab celebrity mums look a week after giving birth.

Discovered since having DD that comfort is a lot more important! When you are crawling around playing with a 6 month old, don't want clothes digging in or riding up! Leggings and dresses, smartened up with the old faithful big scarf to cover up any sick patches!!

Having set work clothes and childminder clothes so I always knew what to grab.
Also the childminder stuff was hardwearing and I wasn't precious about it so it didn't matter if u couldn't get it quite clean.

A thing I found is that I had a million different colours to wash after I had my DD, but never quite enough for a full wash. I discovered colour catches for the washing machine. Best thing ever. It meant I could wash all those annoying colours together and any colour runs just got caught on the fabric catcher.

I wear lots of layers now that I am breastfeeding - long vests with adjustable straps which I pull down over my nursing bras, then a looser top over that, with a scarf for when I am out. It helps me to feel covered up and discreet while feeding.

Take spare clothes for yourself, as well as baby, in your change bag

My "style tips" are to not care what you look like. Seriously, it's a hard enough time as it is without worrying about not being stylish enough. A "style workshop" for new mums? Really? Have we not all got enough sticks to beat ourselves with? Will you be running an equivalent workshop for new dads who are worried that they don't look pretty enough? FFS, it's 2017. That's me never buying Ecover again.

After my 2nd DD my feet really suffered so I wear trainers most of the time now. I am more than happy in some flattering boot-cut jeans and a pretty top! With my DDs demands, and not much time for myself, it's much easier to just have 2-3 decent pairs of comfy jeans and then smarten them up with a good selection of nice tops!

a bright scarf and a nice handbag work wonders!

leggings top and heeled boots also look good

I have recently had my eyebrows done for the first time. Just a shape and subtle tint but the transformation has been amazing! I am aiming to try to up my grooming and buy one or two nice things a month. I have seriously let myself slide and it has affected my relationship because I feel like a mum, not a partner. Hopefully this will change!

Can I wash clothes that say 30C at 40C?

Leggings are my go to item! Always comfy and easily washable, get some long tops and dresses and you're good to go!

Wear what you want, and feel good in.
If you are breastfeeding don't feel like you have to buy / wear special "breastfeeding clothes" (which are all dowdy and hideous in my experience / opinion) - as long as you feel comfortable and can get to the bits you need to get to - you'll be fine!

Don't worry just wear what is comfortable

Pick maternity clothes that are stylish as well as being comfy as you'll be in them long after the baby arrives!

The washing machine seems to always be going and getting everything dry is the problem. Great when you can hang it out on the line but the tumble drier has a habit of shrinking things and I hate using it too much as it an expensive electrical item to run, so there seem to be lots of things hanging around drying inside when the weather lets you down.

I spend more now on good quality shoes and sandals.

Dresses are pretty instant and can make you look more groomed than you might feel - in a flash.

Dry dresses and tops on hangers.

My post-baby saviour has been dry shampoo and a clip! I find when I clip back the top half of my hair I don't need to worry about straightening the underside as it tends to look okay without it.
I also discovered a brilliant stick foundation by Bobbi Brown - takes 20-30 seconds for me to apply and blend it to make me feel (and look!) human again!
In terms of style, I bought a nice copper-ish coloured skirt - a bright colour suitable for autumn that I find goes with so many of the tops and shirts I currently own. Wearing a skirt and tights with a top or shirt tucked in always makes it look like you've made an effort (which for me is definitely not the case!)