How do I get sexy stylish fashion sense back after baby?

[uberconscious]

Hello,

Writing the heading for this felt a bit unintelligent...maybe because sexy chic style used to feel natural to me before becoming a parent. I have been sporting greying pyjamas dressing gowns and ill fitting lingerie for so long that I have actually forgotten how to dress to look chic. It's embarrassing yes. I dislike it yes but I seem to have gotten into a rut and I am interested to understand this and figure a way out.

I think it started during weaning when I got infant food all over my hair and clothes. Then the not getting dressed got worse from the prolonged lack of sleep. Now it feels like it is the result of running out of savings / not working in a paid job (full time parent) so I cannot genuinely shop in normal high street places.

I've started to enjoy charity shopping as the ones I visit tend to have good brands, sometimes designer but with that comes the fact that I cannot buy coordinated pieces / outfits so I'm trying to get more creative with styling and hoping to build a capsule wardrobe that might be O.K. for work when I am back in a day job again (hopefully soon).

I like looking effortlessly stylish and I used to have a cool edgy fashion sense. After months of PJ's leggings, UGGs and fleeces I feel like I don't have an identity and I don't have a sense of style that I think I used to have. What to do? Any ideas?

Dinosaurs - you sound like me! I never did casual either. But was forced to with baby!

I agree that my mind or mindset has a lot to do with it. I used to be a UK size 4 /6 and am now a 10/12 with bulges that make me feel so self conscious so I can't fit in pre baby clothes at the moment. Also, when I have tried to wear some of the roomy clothes, I just can't relax because it's sort of a really good quality investment piece that I have looked after and loved for years and can't handle getting baby food stains on it :-)

I was minimalist dresser with a twist but now I'm in leggings and fleece as a uniform. I resisted this for a while after becoming a parent but as soon a the toddler age hit, the flying food, constant house cleaning, dribble, mud and nappy changing outfit changes have kind of taken a toll I think :-/

Well then have a couple of leggings and t shirt things you wear when you get in.
?

I only ever got holes in jeans when I was with three under 4s!

Op I could have written your post and I'm loving all the tips. Watching with interest. I think I really do have to shift the baby weight somehow too in order to start feeling my old pre baby sexy stylish self again. In the meantime, fresh make up and bright red lipstick keep me from feeling too frumpy- even with just skinny jeans and big jumper.

OK - there's a halfway point between "fleece and leggings" or "investment piece" - also if you were very thin and now are more curvy, the clothes that suit you are probably different, even the roomier ones from pre-DCs probably won't look good snug on a curvier figure. (Particularly if the roomier items are a bit shapeless or androgynous, which can look fabulous on a thin frame, but make you look like a blob once you've got above a size 8)

You can shop cheaply in places like supermarkets and cheaper high street shops if you know what you are looking for. A thin jumper or cardie that can be machine washed is as comfy and practical as a fleece, but usually looks better. A knee length dress with thick tights rather than a tunic and leggings.

do you have a budget? how tall are you?

I agree - halfway point... atm I can only shop in charity / sales. I'm 5 ft tall, Was petite build now fuller figure including all the padding with petite frame underneath. I had pelvis issues when pregnant (super heavyweight and huge baby) and it feels like pelvis has not snapped back in place hence wide at the hips and looking pear shaped.

Yes, I lost 2 stone to get to even better shape then before pregnancy and then bought all new clothes.

(Got pregnant again 3 months later though!)

Mrsmugoo that's kind of cool because it suggests the feel good factor might also improve bedroom performance! I know that's a whole separate topic but good if I could achieve two triumphs with one motive.

Haha that's definitely true that's why I ended up with four children

It's definitely a factor!

I told my DH I would lose the baby weight before we TTC for no2 as I didn't want to put more on top and consign myself to frumpiness forever. So I bloody well did it - and more!

He was so impressed with my efforts (and my new size 8 ass in skinny jeans) that it didn't take much convincing to get him to start trying!

I'm also really confident I'll get back in shape after this one too. And for anyone interested in how I did it, I joined the 5:2 community here on mumsnet. It's incredible the support and knowledge those ladies have!!

Joining 5:2 now!

Do just bear in mind too that you might find bits of you which have changed permanently. When I was back to pre baby weight my rib cage was still 2" bigger and my hips and waist thicker.

Not saying that will happen. And whatever you will feel better being back to your normal weight. But also be ready to adjust some stuff.

Good point YSLLAMovie! Good to know!

Everyone - thanks for being so helpful. I'm taking baby steps to getting myself back in the groove. Started using pinterest for looks and inspiration. Much cheaper than magazines. In fact no cost. Did an at home manicure in the bath and looking for mobile hairdresser and shellac wonderwoman. You've been more helpful than a life coach could have been. Hoping to lose the weight as step 2! You're all impressive with your know how! I'm touched!

Let us know how you get on! I'll be doing similar myself, starting with losing enough weight to get back into all my nice jeans once the new year binging is over - it's going to be fun trying to cut back when breastfeeding a whopping baby hope small changes will make a difference!

My baby is 16 months and I just got back into size 12 jeans today. Little victory that made me feel quite chuffed .

Pinterest is great... I felt exactly the same as you OP, but now I'm back to my old self there's no stopping me! I've brought so many clothes.