'I've just had a baby but I'm totally together' capsule wardrobe

[Monstersincq]

I've had a few DC and previously been fairly lucky with my figure but I expect to have a bit of a tummy with this one (and I've never had good legs).

I'm terrible at clothes and looking neat etc so could really do with some help. I want some easy comfy forgiving/flattering outfits.

I'm imagining maybe some nice quality black 'joggers' and some looseish nicely cut tops in nice colours.

I would love some help as everything I've seen seems so unflattering. If it helps I'm sort of pear shaped. Quite flat chested (even though I'm eight months pregnant!!!!) with biggish thighs for the rest of my body (am
Generally a size 8).

Good idea to take care of yourself in this way, it's hard after DC with our bodies!

As a start you could dig out the nice items in your current wardrobe that are likely to fit and look OK, there might be more than you think.

"Nice tops" can be good, but not expensive, especially if bfeeding.

Thanks loopy I have already done this but the problem is that my best feature historically is my
Flat tummy. So pretty much all my tops are either cropped or really tight.

It's hard, because tbh I lived in nice pj's and maternity leggings for a while after my first was born!

When is this baby due? What season are you after?

Just make sure it's all clean! My "totally together" look was completely ruined by what I initially thought was coffee dribbled down the front of my smart dress. I later realised it was baby poo

Budget?

Try Poetry for things which drape really well

www.poetryfashion.co.uk/category-POETT/tshirts-tops.htm

And heading into autum, it's probably worth looking at Woollovers too

I could probably stretch to Poetry as looks really
Lovely

Baby due in two weeks so looking for nowish.

Any suggestions for mega comfy but nice looking footwear and a back pack as well?

If your budget stretches... Tiba and marl for backpacks!

As you're looking in summer, how about lightweight maxi dresses? No thought needed as it's just one item. There must be so many in the boohoo / Asos sale that you'd find a flattering cut?
Possibly not good for anxiously carrying baby upstairs though!

Tiba and Marl look fab. Too pricey for me I think though :(

Maxis are good but it's not looking too warm for those at the moment! This is my fourth DC so I don't think I'll be anxiously carrying down the stairs

Just before dc was born I bought myself a really nice cross body bag. Small enough to keep the basics in. Meant I had something nice for me. Plus practixql.

Genius idea insanity any suggestions? I'm crap at finding things

Try a crossbody bag made for cycling as they're really practical, and some of them look good too - try the one on the RHS of the top row of these on Amazon

www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dsports&field-keywords=Crossbody+cycling+bags&tag=mumsnetforum-21

How about aomething like this?
www.fossil.com/uk/en/products/kinley-crossbody-sku-zb7343672c.html

Or more classical
www.joules.com/Gifting/For-Her/Darby/Leather-Saddle-Bag/Chesnut?id=X_DARBY|CHESNUT

Or sleek
www.johnlewis.com/tula-alpine-originals-leather-small-across-body-bag-black/p3128442

Honestly, I think if you're a size 8 you will look fabulous in anything and everything!

When I had baby number 4 I also had a uniform of 5 outfits in rotation that I had planned before the baby arrived, were comfortable enough to allow everything to settle back into shape (!) and I felt good in. All the items I chose did not need ironing and could be tumbled or hung up to dry.

My favourite outfits were;

black wide legged jersey trousers with a wrap jersey top that I could feed the baby in - black ballet pumps for easy on/off footwear

Dark denim high waisted skinny jeans (plenty of lycra from NEXT) and wide boxy striped breton top with navy Superga

GAP loose boyfriend jeans with loose shirt/boxy top and any of the above footwear

I also had a black leather crossbody bag that was so useful. I didn't need to worry about forgetting purse/keys/phone when herding children.

Plumo have a lovely one at the moment;

www.plumo.com/products/PAP-bag.html

The Poetry clothes look amazing. Just my style. I've bookmarked it for future browsing, thanks!

I'm ten weeks pp and have a capsule wardrobe of sorts.

I have six bottom things - slouchy black trousers feom COS, high wasted slim black jeans from Weekday, denim trousers from Toast, black harem pants and red skirt for hot days and green jeggings from Uniqlo.

If you have a puker like me you'll need lots and lota of tops. I have actually invested in decent quality brands like Toast and COS and Other Stories and APC but got stuff in sale and Ebay, cheap things can't withstand all the washing.

I also have a nice top and a dress for going out which I'm yet to use.

Shape wise I find that boxy shortish tops are bettwr for hiding tummy than going wide and long (the tummy just catches the fabric and you end up looking even bigger).

I'm wearing lots of vests too underneath the tops, that makes nursing outfits simpler - there aren't many nice nursing tops out there.

For belly I have also been wearing a band for the first few weeks, it encourages things to travel where they're supposed to be and smooths all excess skin.

If you're going to be baby wearing I recommend good supportive footwear too.

I totally agree but what does good supportive footwear mean!? I can envision what I need but what I really need is guidance as I don't know where to shop!

Oh I didn't mean anything technical just avoid wearing flip flops or balerrinas or anything completely flat as it does start to hurt.

I have been wearing adidas gazelle trainers and teva sandals mostly.

No but I mean I'm here for recommendations. Like ooh the xyz trainers I've found mega comfy and look nice as well

I have two backpacks that I love equally despite being massively different in price

A BFF by JuJuBe europe.ju-ju-be.com/en/product/b-f-f-black-petals/?v=d2cb7bbc0d23
And a Miss Fong from Amazon www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01N10CWEH/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1501179553&sr=8-1&keywords=miss%2Bfong%2Bleather%2Bchanging%2Bbag&th=1&psc=1&tag=mumsnetforum-21

For trainers, if you like adidas, and your have feet under size 6 look in the Junior section.

My feet are size 5.5 - got my Gazalles in the Junior section for €60 instead of women's for €100!

You sound very like me in shape, OP.

I have worn a lot of shirt dresses with leggings after my three, lots from Cos whose sculptural stuff hides a mum tum and lets you fluctuate a size. I know loads of you will think these are fully but they are comfy and supportive versions of ballerinas:
www.zalando.co.uk/camper-right-nina-ballet-pumps-black-ca311a00i-q11.html

Fully = fugly

I've found the ultimate nice fitting not expensive top!!!! ASOS forever long sleeve t shirt. Just bought three in sale for £7 each!