why do mums of toddlers dress like they are going into battle?

[Pharoahnuff]

i know I think i did.
ALl bagged up, flat boots, look of grim determination. In my day it was all combat trousers, quilty gilets and timberlands.
now its ugly Fly boots and ill fitting skinnies

I always take a book or magazine to the park with me,raising my eyes occasionally when shouts of 'look at me mummy' become too loud to ignore....
I am on fouth DC though and have been doing this parenting lark 22 years so do have some excuse....

Actually yes, I've just realised I use a small clutch bag as a purse so I do actually take a clutch to the park. Get me!

What's wrong with fly boots?

Hmm dont wear any of those things here. Gilets only saw when I visited a farm and del wears them on episodes of only fools and horses. I have only ever seen timberlands on workmen they are a bit bulky for a woman unless you have very big legs imo.I ts more trendy here to wear things like bodycon stuff with leggings.

PS my wardrobe is full of wrap dresses. ANd pencil skirts. THey look fab on me.

That's the wonderful thing about growing up and living in the country. I grew up in jeans, boots, t-shirt and my Barbour. Never worn make-up (except on my wedding day) and worn my hair in a ponytail since I was about 3. Fortunately, god blessed me with all boys so my lack of 'style' was perfect.... I don't get the hair done and make-up thing on an every day basis - not because I think it's stupid, or any equally nasty comments (!) - it's just an alien concept for a mum to want to spend all that time on their appearance - to me - however, good luck to them - hope someone appreciates it :)

I suddenly remembered last night something I used to wear when kids were small

Jersey fish tail skirt

I think some mothers of toddlers are a bit desperate to assert themselves after the retreat from battle society and the working world of the baby years. Often they had armour workwear in their wardrobes pre-DCs and they take a little while to work out appropriate outfits to assert themselves in society outside a professional context.

The idea that it's an either/or thing really irritates me. Seriously, blowdrying one's hair and putting a bit of lip gloss on does not mean hours away from your child! And as has been said a few times already on this thread it takes no longer to put on decent clothes.

Children prefer attractive mothers.

Well-cut and attractive clothes can wash well and be warm and comfortable also. One does not have to look like an explosion in a charity shop to effectively tend to small children.

I found it much easier when I was in a muddle of sleep deprivation to have very good clothes at hand. I didn't have to think too much and could throw on a dress, boots and a belt.

It all happened to be from good shops but I found it easier rather than harder to do this.

It also soothed my sleep deprived mind.

I'm so fed up of dressing for battle. And I have a rainbow of long sleeved t shirts.

On Saturday evening I reached the point of despair where I couldn't find anything I wanted to wear to my own birthday party, everything in my wardrobe was shit. The only things I like are my summer clothes, but it's too bloody cold for that.

Although... I did once remove my white cardigan before picking up s1 who'd bit his lip on a trampoline at a birthday party. I didn't want blood everywhere! The other mums looked aghast that I hadn't run in without thinking.

I also look like a twat in a wrap dress, like one of those croissants you roll yourself from a cardboard tube (apple shaped hell)

Children prefer attractive mothers ...

I take it child psychology is not your profession?!!

I'm assuming you meant attractive in the inside out kind of way - not in the 'walking Boden catalogue' kind ...

I think it takes a bit of time and energy (both in short supply with toddlers around) to work out what looks nice and is practical for the day ahead.

Nothing looks worse than being over or impractically dressed for any occasion.

This is why good outerwear is your friend. Beautiful scarves, hats, coats etc make a pair of jeans and flats look put together and individual.

I don't think Bonsoir would be caught dead in boden

I think when pregnant and bf its easy to slip into long sleeved stripey t shirt hell. They're practical and fairly nice but seriously they're not exactly stylish or that flattering unless you are very slim.

It does take time and effort though to look nice but this is where online shopping is your friend. Rather than slump in front of the tv you go online - look at nap/matches/blogs for styling ideas and then copy according to your budget.

I know for me when I'm a bit overweight, wearing ill fitting clothes it doesn't help me mentally. If however I feel I look good (well as good as I can) then I just forget about my appearance and get on with other stuff because I'm not tugging jeans up/tops down the whole time.

Surely it's just a case of grabbing what's clean off the top of the ironing pile?

Also, I know for me, when our 3 were very small, we just didn't have a clothing budget, and having had 3 babies in 4 years, my shape was all over the place, so it was literally a case of buying what I could afford (charity shops and supermarkets) and that fitted. But that was ok, because for several years I didn't have the energy to give much of a shit about what I was wearing....

Too right MrsCampbellBlack. Never shall Boden sully the threshold of my walk-in wardrobe .

Getting a good look together for motherhood when you are used to alternating an all dry clean designer professional wardrobe with nightclub wear takes time and effort, and I don't think that it is a look that is particularly well served "off the shelf". When I was working I could raid MaxMara or Prada at the beginning of the season and it was all sorted in a flash; weekend shopping through the season was reserved for accessories, like bags and shoes.

It's somehow much more work, and I end up going to a lot more shops, to have a good look every day that combines with motherhood.

It helps if you love everything you buy.

More effort with choosing the right stuff will mean less work later on.

Haha Bonsoir.

Hmm no Boden here either.

I very much agree, Marsha. And you need to buy things that don't go with anything in your wardrobe, just because you love them, and then build around the new thing.

I've done some serious shopping this week, btw (family all ski-ing, my annual week off) and there is some lovely stuff for SS12. Lots of silver footwear - just love it