Whole new post baby wardrobe!

[Theyoniwayisnorthwards]

DS2 is 6 months old and I am halfway back to my original weight which I think I'll reach around September.

I haven't bought anything but nursing tops in 3 years and live in leggings, maternity tops and converse.

Since I was last a size 10 I've gone from 27 to 31 and my old clothes don't suit my life. I need to start with a capsule wardrobe and build from there with more exciting bits. Here's my list, have I missed anything? I work from home so don't need suits.

A black blazer
A cream trenchcoat
A white button down shirt
2 white plain tops
2 black plain tops
A striped Breton shirt
Two pairs skinny grey jeans
One pair blue jeans
One pair black jeans
Pair of Oxford flat brogues
Pair ballet flats
Pair classic black pumps
Satchel
Black pencil skit
A line skirt

colour.

Not much help but I'm in the same position as you, and love the sound of everything on your list.
Do you need a jumper? (Aware that makes me sound old!)

I do need a jumper, it'll be getting cool by then, hadn't thought of that. I do plan to wear colour but I thought basics should be black or white to be flexible. Am I horribly wrong? Feel like I don't know how to dress for my age! Pre baby clothed feature lots of short bright cheapish dresses. I want to look like a (cool) grown up.

Just a thought - you will have a year old. Will white tops be practical?

Will any tops be practical? I have an almost 3 year old too and am perpetually covered in toddler Ming. But I have decided to try to get dressed properly anyway as I'm starting to find my mummy-uniform depressing. Might even start brushing my hair every day..baby steps.

That list is lacking in dresses, which IMO are comfy, practical (throw on) and flattering. Any reason why you don't have dresses in there?

I think I'm just a bit scared of dresses as I'm tall and they can fall a bit weird on me, often a bit too short. I do need dresses, but what kind or shape to look for? I do a lot of bending/lifting/hoisting small boys around but opaque tights are my friend.

I like the sound of lots of the things on your list.
Agree that the basics in neutrals is a way forward but maybe also think about cream, oatmeal, navy type neutrals as well.
If you do want a very neutral wardrobe, maybe a red leather satchel to brighten things on up?

It all sounds a bit formal to me. If you work from home do you really need a pencil skirt or is that for going out? Are you sure that black and white suit you as they can be a bit harsh? As others have said you could have navy or oatmeal type colours.

What about winter wear? You haven't mentioned boots and do you have a sufficient winter coat. Not sure how old dc1 is but at some point you'll presumably be doing the school run and believe me you don't want a blazer or trench coat on cold and wet days.

The other thing I thought of is some kind of trainer such as converse etc for running round after dc.

Have fun shopping.

I had the same problem. I lived in bf tops and track bottoms for months after each dc. And only recently have I had the confidence to wear dresses. They are so much more flattering and it looks like you've taken a lot of effort with getting dressed when in fact it's simpler than thinking of which top matches your jumper / coat etc. I'm a pear and skater dresses suit best as they hide my wide hips well. And I wear them with leggings so I'm never exposed even if I'm having playing with dc. They can be a pain to bf in though. I would think about which styles suit you best and spend you money that way rather than being so prescriptive and buying things which you may not use. Prints are also good for hiding baby puke!

More fun shoes.. Ballet flats and pumps are fine if you need to work in a very conservative office, but otherwise will age you beyond 31

if you're not comfortable wearing colour, that sounds like a good, classic capsule wardrobe that you can easily add plenty of colour to via your accessories and shoes. very French. It also means you can get more wear from your clothes for longer and just adjust the accessories if you want to add the occasional trendy edge to your outfit. There are some great coloured brogues and ballet flats with embellishments etc on that would really perk up an outfit - i like changing the laces for ribbons too in my brogues (i have a red pair and a gold pair)

grey marl scoop neck sweatshirt! in fact more grey and navy as less harsh / more flattering.
for plain t's Comptoir do some nice designs so they're plain colour but at least have a good neckline or something. then you can add some scarves - splash of neon.

So some colour, some dresses and some nicer shoes. I have a Calvin Klein winter coat from before babies that I still love but probably need something wipe clean for daytime. I am so excited, haven't enjoyed clothes in so long!

Re-thinking black and white now, I am very pale with dark hair. I wear chunky glasses like these about half the time

www.glassesdirect.co.uk/london-retro-shoreditch-7101/?prca=PRCA20115346

Personally I would swap 1 pair of jeans for a pair of trousers (probably black given your colour scheme!) so you can easily do a 'not jeans' outfit eg pub with partner, Sunday lunch with friends etc. I find sometimes its very important to be out of uniform! I have the Gap slim crops in bright blue and black which are fantastic with everything and I wear happily for a day at home, school run, trip to park but I know I can dress them up without much effort (not black tie level but everything else).
On colour scheme, I used to be wedded to b and w ... But as I have got older (now 46) I don't carry it off so well, certainly not without proper make up! Blue, grey and navy are chic but kinder. But it depends what suits you.

Oh, and e Bay has loads of cheap big scarves to add the colour/ pattern.

Grey marl sweater! I need that. What are some other good brands for nicely cut basics?

I used to shop at topshop, river island, all saints American apparel, new look, oasis. My entire maternity wardrobe is gap.

In your opinion whats worth spending money on and what can you get away with a bit cheaper?

thinking of starting with these..

www.frenchsole.com/products/view/HE166

If you are tall like me, you likely have big feet
/i have bought a few stykes from french ole and the low rise ones like those you link to reveal too much 'toe cleavage' to stay on - are beyong prox inter tarsa joint for me (size 41-42)

dear lord
apologies for the one finger BFtyping

Personally I only ever wear black at nighttime, otherwise I think it is only flattering on a very few people as too harsh in the daytime.
I also never feel good in it.
I would try to choose some paler neutrals, grey, oatmeal, then add colour with some brights that you like.

Agree with Helspopje on the French Sole shoes. I've got a pair of Clarks ballet flats for the nursery run/commute at the moment - black patent - and they're actually pretty good. Well structured, can walk for ages in them and not too 'Clarks' IYKWIM - I can wear them with jeans/a dress without flinching, and I'm not a 'chunky shoes' person.

The only other thing I'd say is to consider charcoal rather than black for skirts/trousers - less harsh than black and a better mix with both white and colours - especially brighter colours. And it's actually better with black tops - black can be really hard to match!

What about chinos or similar? I've some Gap chinos from pre-baby which are now my go-to non-winter parenting trousers.

Before investing in a capsule wardrobe I would think about getting your colours done (house of colour). Despite massive reservations I found it really fun and inspiring. It made me realise I do not suit black! It shows you which colours are 'wow' on you.
Your list does seem a little dull to me. Its always good to have some stuff you just love as well as the basics.
For ideas there are some good blogs around 'doesmybumlook40'is great as well as, 'styleguile' 'poppysstyle' 'wearingittoday' and 'schoolgatestyle' are all worth a look.

Try white stuff for lovely colourful clothing and great fitting too and often a size down so I love shopping there