SAHM basics? (aka I have 27 items of clothing and most of them are knackered.)

[BabCNesbitt]

SAHM to DD, 10 months. After doing the laundry today and realising that yet another t-shirt is stained beyond wear (how many 'painting tops' do you need in a rented flat?), I stood and counted the clothes I possess.

Excluding pyjamas and a mountain of black ankle socks and microfibre boyshorts, I have twenty-seven items. This includes two nursing bras and workout clothes. (I don't work out.) Most of them are pilled or too big.

I need new clothes, it seems. Pre-pregnancy, my wardrobe was almost entirely vintage 70s dresses from eBay. (I loved me some Crimplene. ) But they didn't lend themselves to breastfeeding, and we were about to move to the US, so I sold/donated them all. Now I don't care about looking cool or vintage; I'd just like to not look like a total scruffbag.

So, what are the basics for a decent (and budget, alas) BFing SAHM wardrobe?

Mmm
Am not SAHM but am fond of the casual look
I couldn't live without
Long length vest tops for summer and layering
Long sleeve long length tops
Leggings (I know I know)
Tunic/wrap dresses
Slim leg/skinny dark jeans
Denim/cotton skirt (straight cut, above knee)
Flat boots
Flat comfy summer sandals
I'd add my UGG boots but I might get thrown out of s&b in shame

Sainsburys have some gorgeous stuff in at the moment as do Tesco and I really rate Tesco shoes. Had some boots from there last year which are really comfy

I tend to live in layers especially in this weather, and if you are BF then you can pull one top up, the other down

Thank you, thank you! See, this is what I need - a nice straightforward list, because I am clueless. (I'm in layers for BFing, but we're in stinky sweaty humid NYC where it's 30 degrees and baking. I know that probably sounds lovely, I'm sorry!)

I spend my life in work uniform, pyjamas or horse riding stuff so am probably not best person to ask but I can do casual
I always lean towards simple shapes really and just long tops and clean lines. But depends on your shape, size, height
at the weather, it's 16c and raining here

Watching with interest as I too am a SAHM (dd is 4mo) and am developing a new style since having her. After too many almost-embarrassing incidents involving short-ish skirts and sitting on the floor at storytime in the library I've decided trousers are essential. Maxi skirts also acceptable!

Layering vital (I'm over on the west coast of US where the weather can change 20 miles up the road!).

So I'm currently looking for fitted trousers (I'm short and I like ones that taper at the ankle); cardigans; BF friendly tops; pretty scarves; ballet flats (and flat boots for fall).

I lived in Target nursing vests, Mamalicious and H&M nursing tops and short denim skirts.

Don't buy too much- this phase will be over quickly and your body shape may change. My youngest is 2.5, have returned to work and wear a lot of white, silk and some designer stuff. And eBayed the vests and burned the skirts.

Try leaving clothing out in the sun for stain removal. Sonett oxgall soap works too

Target is in the Bronx - 1st stop in that borough, red line. Or downtown Brooklyn. I also lived in a hot humid place and my summer uniform was Havaianas and short denim skirts. Do you shop at Loehmann's & Marshall's - you can get some layering pieces and jeans and bags there for much less.

In my experience you will also want to feel like you not just a milk smelling feeding machine!

Linen trousers/other straight legged smart but practice trousers.
Good fit Skinny jeans.
Maxi dress (tie shoulder straps for easier boob access)
Vest tops
A nice jacket
A nice cardigan
A good winter coat (shortly you'll need one and there is nothing better than a good smart coat in winter)
Flat boots
A tunic style dress (allowing boob access) which can fit a long sleeve top under.
Long sleeve tops.

I know you said its hot now but come end of sept (only 4wks) that's going to change.

I am a sahm. I suggest you start with decent underwear (if not now, then when you have finished bf)

Shoes - ankle boots, knee high boots, ballet flats, pair of high heels

I tend to wear leggings and tunics. When I have lost a bit more weight, I will add skinny jeans in a dark colour (more classic and likely therefore likely to be worn longer than brighter ones, imo).

Dresses with opaque tights and ankle boots.

I have a couple of maxi skirts, which were cheap and stretchy, but which look nice with plain fitted v neck, t shirts.

I also bought a blazer to smarten up the overall look - it goes with pretty much everything. Also a decent winter coat. None of my previous coats had hoods and when I had a baby in the pram, I always arrived looking like a drowned rat.

These are my current everyday things, while I lose weight. I tend to spend money on decent boots/shoes/bags and make up, none of which are affected by bf/weight.

I'm a sahm and very much a jeans and converse person. I've tried the skirt/dress thing but feel too overdressed although do love getting my legs out for a night out. I tend to wear blouse type tops that wash and dry well and don't go shapeless. It also makes jeans look smarter. I love cardigans too and have lots of different coloured ones so if I stick to neutral-ish tops then I can make them look different. If I'm having a total stay at home day I do tend to wear track suit trousers just to save getting anything else dirty and covered in baby goo! Nice jewellery and nail varnish and a nice bag can make all the difference to how an outfit looks.

If you don't want to spend alot now go to Old Navy or Gap and stock up on layering vests and tops, summery skirts, chinos which you can wear rolled to ankle length with flip flips or sandals.

I like to wear dresses, you get a whole outfit in one and looks put together, bare legs and birks in summer; tights and boots in winter with a cardigan.

I like French Connection and Boden dresses, wrap dresses are good for BF ing.
Boden also do nice half wrap tops which are flattering and great for BFing. I like those with some skinny jeans (try M&S jeggings) and boots.

I just loved your line about work-out clothes

I'm a SAHM and have been for gosh about 8 years now.

I wear a lot of jeans - either skinnies or slim bootcut. I wear heels a lot as am short. I like blouses and jackets and good coats/bags/boots.

When I was bf I wore a lot of jeans with vest tops (double layer) with nice scarves.

I didn't wear many dresses when bf as my boobs were too big and couldn't get a good fit and also I just found bf out and about in dresses more tricksy.

I did get some good underwired bf bras though as made a massive difference to my shape.

mrsCB slight thread hijack, but where would you recc for undersides nursing bras? Have been desperately trying to avoid buying any more, but have been rotating two ugly wireless ones from M&S for 18m now and I go back to work next month, and would rather do it minus monoboob.

Now I'll prob get flamed for this but...

I lost 2 stone of baby weight and realised all my old jeans now fit but look crap and dated allows with the rest of my wardrobe

So I went to primark the other day skinny jeans for a fiver leggings £4 I got 4 outfits for under £50 and some scarf , jewellery type stuff to look a bit more together

There is really nice stuff there it's just about choosing the right stuff from the wrong stuff

today I'm in skinny jeans a black sleeveless tshirt and maroon cardigan with flat shoes yesterday it was leggings and a tshirt dress type thing

Amber I had some of these and also just used to wear normal balconette style that I could umm easily get a boob out of [glamour]

Made an enormous difference and once you're established I think underwire is fine.

Brilliant, thanks! I think after 14m it's safe to say we're established. Sigh.

No way on earth I would have worn non-underwired. The Anita ones are fab.

I'm sahm, i have justvchecked and i have...

Skinnies x3
Cords x1
Leggings x1
Four skirts.
5 cotton blouses
6 day dresses ( one smart, two casual, three for leggings)
Several layering long sleeved t shirts
Three jumpers
Two cardigans
4 jackets
1 gym outfit.gets used
1 outdoor outfit. Also used.

It almost all mixes and matches and is grey, black, navy, purple and blue.

I also have many silk scarves to brighten it up.

I find wearing an apron stops you getting stained.