How to dress to be a mum, but not mumsy?!

[FourForYouGlenCoco]

...if that title makes sense?!
Before I had DD I wore lots of revealing, 'young' stuff (was only 22 when I had her) but once she was born I ended up getting rid of most of it as it just didn't feel appropriate & wasn't practical with a baby either! Ended up getting stuck in a bit of a rut with the same boring clothes, looking more and more scruffy.
She is now 3, I'm about to be 26 and pregnant with #2 (due end July) and wondering what I'm going to wear once baby arrives and I'm back to normal size & shape. I don't really know anyone my age who's had kids yet and I'm struggling with the balance between looking appropriate when out & about with 2 little ones, and wanting to dress for my age rather than wear things 10 years too old for me - not necessarily trendy, but I'd like to look stylish rather than scruffy. I also obviously don't have loads of time, so whatever I wear needs to be low-maintenance/not take ages.
Sorry this is a bit broad (& long!), just wondered if anyone had any advice, or if anyone else has the same problem! Am I just expecting too much??

I think you're beating yourself up and it's unneeded.

I had 2 kids by age 27, and I wear whatever I please. Although now I'm more keen to dress weather appropriate, not having boobs on show, and I tend to wear flats 99% of time.

I'm 32, but I'm not dead. I'm still the same person I was, just now I'm a bit older and have 2 kids

I tend to still shop in same places: Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, TK Maxx.

As long as I'm happy then I think I'll look great!

Have a look at other mums you see in shops, in toddler groups, wherever you are, and take inspiration from them.

Look up @dresslikeamum on Instagram

I had 2 children by the age of 27.
I made the mistake of thinking I needed to look like 'a mum'. I spent several years wearing Boden and Phase 8. Nothing wrong with that but I felt old and not me.
These days I'm back to wearing lots of Topshop and Zara: Dungarees, bretons, slim jeans, lace tops, Converse, ankle boots etc...

I live in H&M, mostly. I have put my knockers away. I have funky shoes, always. I'm 40

I had ds at 26 and have just continued to wear what I like.

I had 2 kids by your age i wore what i wanted I wasnt really stylish though but i wore what i liked.

I think you should keep it simple as much as you can. For example I feel a lot less 'cool' than I did before I had my daughter now one, I'm 26 & was very fashion conscious before. I don't wear as much Jewlerry like the rings etc just through practicality (losing them in nappies etc haha)

I definitely feel like my clothes and how I present myself is really part of me being me. Nowadays I wear a lot of structured leggings and long slouchy tops or boyish tshirts, Parker costs, some kind of designer scarf as a staple & always decent shoes trainers or whatever. But I think go with what you know you'll be comfy in & switch it up with going to different shops. Zara is a great place to start!

I'm similar age to you with 2 young babies. I ditched the leggings as soon as I had the babies I found I felt frumpy in them and they were to easy just to put on without thinking.

I found a few decent cotton t shirts that wash well and I wear these with jeans, blazer and either boots or converse. I also wear a lot of patterned shirts/blouses if I want to look like I've made more of an effort.

I've finally found a decent waterproof jacket that actually looks nice and I think that helps.

I was older than you when I had my children, but really lost my fashion mojo (I was also changing sizes well). I started following fashion blogs (generally mum ones as they resonated more with me), and now I work in a casual environment, I generally wear a uniform of skinnies, a T and a jumper, with accessories (either a scarf if cold, or a funky necklace / bracelet). I wear good shoes that I love (so either Sam Edelman Petty boots when it's raining, or Nike Thea trainers, which I've had designed to have my name instead of Nike on them at the back , or skater shoes).

I think you need to think back about what you used to love to wear day to day and just tweak it a little to fit in.

I agree @dresslikeamum on Instagram if you don't have it she has a website dresslikeamum.com

I know how you feel OP. I've found Late 20s to be weird in betweeny age for clothes.

I'm 28 and DC1 is due next month and I really want to sort myself out a nice SAHM wardrobe.

At the moment all my clothes are either 'studenty' 'officey' or a handful of going-out dresses.

I'm off to check out dresslikeamum.com :)

I'm close-ish in age to you. I wear:

jeans, flats (ankle boots or ballet pumps or canvas lace ups) and a t-shirt/vest top with jersey blazer or a 3/4 sleeve or a long sleeve t shirty top

Jumper dress or an oversized shirt with leggings and ankle boots.

In colder weather there's usually a scarf around somewhere. Ankle boots are always on if it's raining although I do have timberlands if it's really cold.

Dress with 3/4 leggings and sandals in spring sometimes (not my favourite look but practical when at the park)

Shorts and t shirts in summer, again for practicality reasons.