30-something fashion instamums?

[upsidedown2017]

Who can I follow that fits this bill?

Desperately need some 'real life' fashion inspiration to help put together some casual outfits for when I'm out and about with the kids. Have totally lost my mojo and have no idea what I'm doing anymore! Confidence is at rock bottom :(

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the recommendations for On The Spike, it really made me laugh!

I too am so exhausted with 2 under 2.5 that I'll happily copy another look!

I was feeling quite put together yesterday - nice black jeans, new lightweight grey Hush crew jumper with a black blazer, pale pink Gazelles and silver jewellery. Until the baby who has a horrible cold covered me in snot. The jeans are now covered in snail trails and I had to take off the nice new jumper in an attempt to keep it clean for another day.

Maybe I should just give up.

I had two under two and had house clothes - a big old jumper of DH's which I chucked on in the house to prevent snail trails/lunch etc going everywhere. You also need to be a tad realistic about what you can wear when you are in the trenches with kids all day, and I'd often just wear pyjamas around the house and get changed just before we went out anywhere.

I did buy a few nice bits to wear whilst losing the baby weight though - just well fitting bretons and jeans, on the basis that feeling good helps me take better care of myself.

Also going to work was ace - that way I could wear nice clothes which had a fighting chance of making it through the day unscathed

OP - re Uniqlo recommendations - today I'm wearing my new navy extra-fine Merino wool sweater with a white heat-tech vest. Gap skinny jeans today, indigo denim which I think looks nice with the navy sweater, and slip-on trainers. I'm going to collect my (new!) Uniqlo lightweight down hooded jacket later which will help with the wind and rain forecast for the school pick-up!

Other new uniqlo pieces I've bought in the last few days are one of their non-hooded sweatshirts, in grey, with something like OC something printed on it, which I wore yday with Uniqlo khaki/mossy green leggings trousers. I have loved the leggings trousers for ages now, they are FAB - a bit smarter than plain leggings, more comfortable than jeans, not as dressed-up as 'proper' trousers. I prefer the summer ones which are slightly cropped as I feel jaunty with a flash of ankle but the winter ones are good too. Hugely recommended. Fab with a vest top or plain t-shirt and then a crew-neck sweater or a cardi over the top.

Wish I could link to them but I'm rubbish at that!!

Basically try out the leggings trousers, the Merino wool cardis and sweaters (machine washable, as long as you're a bit careful and put them on a v delicate or wool cycle) and the sweatshirts. All fab and all make me feel better and more stylish than I have in a while.

In the trenches is how I feel punny! The highlight of going back to work will be wearing a dress and a decent bra after months of BFing!

Thanks for the Uniqlo tips jessi, I've been meaning to put a first order in for ages. I recently took two Uniqlo deliveries for my super stylish and trendy neighbour who generally has very expensive designer taste - looks like she knows how to mix it with quality high street basics!

@chloechloe - this is me! It's almost comical - well you have to laugh or else you'd cry! I've learnt to get dressed tight before we leave and accept everything will need washing after probably only a few hours where.

@jessicake - thanks for this, all sounds fab and exactly what I'm looking for! Just need 30 mins peace to have a browse and place an order :)

Any ideas for footwear? I desperately need to order something today as my only casual shoes totally suitable for autumn winter are a pair of wellies! The white converse and sandals I've worn all summer aren't going to cut it!

I could just order a pair of black converse but I'm wondering if a slip on style might look smarter?

And I need to find some kind of casual ankle boot that flatters short legs. Oh how I wish I was leggy! Life would be so much easier

I'm glad I'm not the only one upsidedown.

Other Stories has quite a lot of nice boots at the mo (and several hideous pairs suitable only for strippers).

I am currently eyeing these up and would order them but I currently have a pair from Joules in the post:

www.stories.com/gb/Shoes/Boots/Ankle_boots/Leather_Chelsea_Boots/638252-0352192001.2

Also enjoyed Onthe spike! Third child is now 3 months and I am desperate to look a bit more together!
For those who bought the Uniqlo merino sweaters - did you all go for XL as she suggested??
I am probably a size 12 right now but hope to get back to my usual size 8/10 at some stage (whenever I get some time to exercise!!!)

Meant to say (interrupted by baby...) that I think the above boots would flatter short legs - a pair of the black legging trousers from Uniqlo mentioned above tucked in should lengthen the leg? And they look super practical for chasing toddlers and putting on with one hand whilst juggling a baby!

I had already made a mental note - black legging trousers & black Chelsea boots 👍 Hopefully it'll look ok!!

I have similar Chelsea boots and short legs and I agree, they go with everything.

I follow mariionlou, joanbei, laura_pastelle
Also mademoiselle_leo for ideas
Similar suggestions will come up if you follow any of these. Also agree with the other suggestions on here. I know that styiedbysusie (susie hasler) is well-loved aswell. She also gives tips and has a Facebook group.

Argh, don't know why the underscores didn't work on that post ⬆️

I could have written your OP!! Have been avidly reading onthespike and ordered the merino jumper in XL, it's a really nice fit for me (I'm about a 12 with big bf boobs) I went for a v neck which I'm just not sure about, I thought it would be more flattering than crew but something about it feels a bit grumpy so think I'm returning it! It's lovely and light and soft though.

I ordered the khaki shirt she recommended and have worn it loads. Only trouble is it needs ironing which i try to avoid.

For jeans I really recommend m&s sculpt and lift skinnies, they are so flattering and have worn well.

I'm also on the hunt for Chelsea boots as my current pair have seen better days.

I like to look at amothersedit and wearsmymoney because they often feature stuff from the high street but also do slightly more 'styled' looks that (depending on your usual outfit, obv) just add a bit more... more.

(For complete escapism, or sense of disbelief, there is bazaarmumma. In another world I, too, can walk in stilettos or wear a nude-coloured marabou jacket whilst going for a coffee with my toddler.)