If you have young DC, what do you wear?

[AradiaQueenWitch]

My youngest two are 1 and 4 and I am sick of feeling (and looking) like a bag lady. I am two stone heavier than I would like, which I hate. I have always been a size 12 but now find myself at a 14. 16 on a bad day and I can't find anything to wear that I feel good in.

I wear jeans almost always and have a couple of pairs of skinnies that I wear a lot but I hate all my tops. I have literally 2 tops that are sort of tunics that I feel ok in, but dream of looking stylish. I don't know how to do it while running after the kids. Is it even possible? I covet Stella Gibson's (the Fall) silky blouses but never go anywhere worth dressing up like that for.

Especially now it's summer(ish) I really need some clothes that are practical but look fab. I am also skint so ebay is one of the only places I can afford.

To make matters worse I just stick my hair in a pony tail most days and it looks, well, a bit shit to be honest. Please help me stylish Fairy Mumsnetters! If you are one of those mums who look good on the school run, I need your magic!

Skinny jeans, ballet pumps and either Jersey peplum top (new look, topshop etc) or a chiffony blouse/shirt (miss self ridge) My little girl is 10 months and these are easily dressed up or down and easy to run around in. So so comfy! Plus flattering and you can't see my mum-Tum wobbling about.

For me it can vary enormously. For Eg right now I'm wearing straight leg jeans, a saltrock hoody and white birkenstocks. I'll also happily wear blouses and smarter things on the school run.

My first two dcs are much older than my sister's and I always felt frumpy and boring (and bored!) but my sister showed me that wearing 'nice' clothes is a huge boost even if you're 'only' staying at home with the kids. Likewise, putting on a little bit of makeup (tinted bb cream, a little bronzer, mascara and a smidge of lipstick) makes a vast difference to how I feel.

Wear what you want to wear. Don't keep anything for best.

I'm going through the same style dilemma and to force myself to do something about it I have: chucked out all the stuff I don't like, don't wear, doesn't fit etc.

I've done a Pinterest board with stuff I like. This has helped me see a pattern developing and I can pick out stuff I would like to buy - colour and style etc.

Its not easy for me to shop with a 4, 2 and 1 year old but I have lowered my expectations and go into say just one or two shops in a shopping centre and anything else just a bonus!

I've had a go at working out my season so I can pick clothes at least in a colour that suits me. I know not everyone believes in it but it's shown me that the colours I've always bought are the worst ones for me!! And I've always wondered why I felt so washed out and awful in them! Duh! But odd colours I've thought I looked good in were on my colour chart so it helps me to pick more in the right colours, so I'm wasting less money!

Finally, I was doing the same, ponytail every day for ease. I took the plunge and had a pixie cut. I have frizzy wavy hair and I can now finger dry it and it looks good! I actually have a hairstyle and it's made such a difference. So many people say how nice it looks and it's made me feel a lot better about myself.

Hope some of that helps you OP and sorry if it's a bit long.

Agree with a pp that sainsburys have some nice cheap tops, look for the ones with modal in they hang lovely
Always wear a vest under even slightly revealing tops I think, looks nicer
Get a fringe to make a ponytail look more interesting, stick a pair of sunglasses on your head to accessorize!

My 'uniform' is skinny jeans with an oversized tee shirt tucked in or leggings with over sized tee shirt not tucked in. Then I add blazers or nice jackets -denim/leather/camo and either converse or nice sandals. The only accessories I wear are necklaces but it really makes a difference to how much smarter I feel.

I love this thread! Thank you so much to the pp, I am currently hunting on eBay for nice jackets and have booked in for a haircut. I used to be able to wear tight fitting things but alas my mum tum means that they look rubbish now. I'm really self conscious of my tummy and anything tight fitting is a no no these days.

I recently splurged on some converse, but need to find some nice jeans to go with them. I am now inspired. Thank you!

For a jacket, how about this from Uniqlo? I got it a week or so ago following a recommendation on here. A bargain.

Also try looking at light cotton jackets in several colours for less than £15

There's some great bargains on eBay, I got an lk bennet cropped mac for £17 a couple of weeks ago.

I live in skinny jeans, sandals, various tops with vest underneath for discreet bf

Fitted, light pencil skirts with vest tops if very sunny.

Usually throw my hair up in a bun.

I lived in leggings inbetween dd2 and ds's pregnancies, as well as for 9 months of ds's pregnancy and when he was a few months old, I ditched them and vowed to never wear them again. I just wasn't making any effort with my appearance and kept gaining weight. Wear zips, and IMO, you'll be much more likely to take care of yourself.

Cropped jeans too.
And always make sure toe nails are painted, it makes such a difference I think.

That uniqlo cotton jacket is lovely, especially for that price!

Today I'm sporting:

• an ancient pair of brown ralph lauren balloon cords from the early 90s. They make my bum look massive but they are comfy. I could do hammertime in them.
• a white t shirt with crochet on from H&M, from last year.
• a knitted black and white stripy jumper full of ladders
• hideous salmon pink trainers from peacocks. They are vile but I have a broken toe and can get them on.
• a suede coat from the 60s.

I think it's obvious from the above that I am having a 'I don't give a f*ck day'