Classic pieces wardrobe for SAHM help!

[cluelessmop]

Feeling inspired by the thread I've just read on here by Australian OP, I am wanting to re-do my wardrobe with more expensive but timeless pieces. Two BUTs

1. I am clueless about dressing myself
2. I am a home educator. This means I am out and about most of every day, in all weathers. I need to be able to climb trees etc with the dc, walks in the forest, that kind of thing. So I want to look well turned out, but not overdone or at all corporate as it would look weird in our social circle plus be highly impractical.

Can anyone help- what would your staples be if you were in my position?

What do you normally wear and what do you not like about it?

For the out and about outfit:
Jeans and smartish sweatshirt or hoodie or a shortish tunic
Jeans with breton top
Decent waterproof parka
Good approach shoes.

I would go for decent quality and avoid logos and strange colours

I am in the same boat as you op. I am a bit clueless about clothes and I am a sahm with kids and dogs so I sweat every day and I cannot prance around in floaty blouses as they would just be totally impractical. I got everything out of my wardrobe all my clothes and picked the bits I wore most often and marked out what it was about them that I liked. Colour, material, shape etc I then knew what suited me and what I was actually going to wear eg I do not like white tops of any description, I like leggings, skinny and bootcut jeans and harem style leggings. I like high waists. I like cowl, scoop neck or v neck. I like bat wing tops and maxi dresses. I don’t like stripes or patterns that are geometric. I don’t like wrap dresses. I was buying clothes that I liked the look of and that did not fit me or didn’t suit me like a wrap dress etc. I am an hour glass size 14 with massive boobs so what good on some women in a picture looks awful on my shape. I have now thankfully liberated myself of jumpers of any kind and will only wear cardis from now on. Once I knew what I liked and what would look nice on me and be comfortable that really narrowed it down for me so I can search specifically on those I and build a wardrobe of less clothes but that I actually enjoy wearing than have 20 tops and only wearing three of them. I can also buy cheaper bits if the shape and style is right and hopefully keep clothes. For a lot longer so I am hoping to save money on clothes. We all have a different body shape, a different lifestyle and different taste in clothes so what looks nice online may not be right for you.

I meant to say I started with underwear, I got fitted for a bra and bought them in styles and colours I likes then moved on to knickers etc. Tops, coats, shoes, jeans etc sort the lot out.

I have a weekend wardrobe which is the stay at home mum with a dog and kid wardrobe. That is mainly baukjen I think it’s called jumpsuits with Biden shorts jumpsuits for variety in the summer. It’s like a giant baby grow and just works for that lifestyle with white trainers, big sunnies and a waterproof coat chucked over the top.

Boden not Biden 🙄

Thanks for replying!

With regards to my normal clothes, I am usually in leggings with holes or the seams rubbed away, and frumpy tunics from my maternity days. I have 3 pairs of jeans and hate all of them because they don't fit me right. I have one pair of Hugo boss trousers which I love but I can't sit down in them because they're not stretchy. Sigh.

@Muminabun definitely need to start with bras. Haven't been measured in years and still wearing my pre- baby bras which are literally falling apart

What’s your budget?
What colours do you like?

I wear loose short and long dungarees quite a lot in the summer. They are casual but look put together.
Denim ones usually have lots of pockets, which is a big plus.

Good luck op. Start somewhere because the whole lot is too much and will be overwhelming. I got fitted at bravissimo. I am so clueless that I was actually wear a DD and I was in fact a G 🤦🏽‍♀️

Following along OP. Also a SAHM and decided in January to throw away all my old clothes rags and build a capsule wardrobe from scratch. It wasn't until I was hanging new blazer number three in the wardrobe when I realised "hang on a sec, where on earth am I going to wear a blazer?!" while I love the clothes they're completely impractical for my lifestyle of kids, dog and muddy countryside.

Hopefully you'll get some good advice.

@Thehollyandtheirony

Budget wise I love the idea of making a list of essentials and then giving myself a budget. I can afford to spend on quality stuff rather than all the 'disposable' stuff I have currently (it's all very old but also looks awful). As in - I can't just go out and spend £2k for it all in one go but I can buy pieces here and there. If that makes sense.

So bras are first
Jeans- can never find any that really fit me well, and are stretchy.

I'm a size 12 big hips, medium boobs. If that helps.

@AnPo how is it going so far?

Jeans are uncomfortable and impractical for the outdoors. Smarter knits are not practical for being out and about either.

Would start by replacing stuff that’s worn out, faded, stretched, wrong size etc. Eg new practical leggings, tops, jumpers/cardis/hoodies, coat.

I find it hard to find clothes that are just right that you can easily wash and dry. I tend to wear chinos instead of jeans, but find it hard to achieve a put together look that adapts to the weather. I have massive difficulties getting dresses that fit as I have a long top half, plus I am broad of foot and can't wear high heels.

Following with interest.

If you’re looking for stretch jeans, have a look at the Diane Gilman range on QVC.

I'm part French so I guess what I wear is influenced by that. Have had to overhaul my wardrobe post pregnancy (baby is 6 months) as nothing fitted anymore and I needed stuff that's easy to wash and comfortable.

• As above Breton tops and jumpers
• Skinny/slim cropped jeans in dark colours e.g. washed black, dark indigo or in white
• Cropped cotton trousers e.g. cigarette trousers, cropped chinos in classic colours such as white or navy
• Thick strapped tank tops/vests
• Fitted non iron cotton shirts in plain colours
• Good quality cotton T-shirts in plain colours
• Long sleeve scoop neck tops in plain colours
• Beige, good quality trench coat e.g. from Hobbs
• Good quality waterproof coat
• Good quality trainers avoiding anything white
• Plimsolls from Bensimon or Victoria
• Good quality thick leggings e.h. High waist sports leggings that hide the mum tum

I prioritise natural fabrics that are machine washable and stuff that doesn't need ironing. I avoid logos or any prints that are not classic. Avoid anything that's thin material or a little see through.

I sleep in small gold earrings. They make me feel dressed up and I don't have to remember to put them on.

Most of my basics like tops and jeans are from H&M premium collection. Uniqlo has great tops.

You don't need to spend much except on shoes and coats.

I'm a size 10/12 post pregnancy.

Have a look at LF Markey. Their tag line is “beautiful clothes for practical women”. I love their bright coloured jeans- tailored and comfortable with a bit of elastic in the waistband.
You need to find a really good t shirt in a shape that suits you and buy a few of them. Then tailored shorts for summer.
Silk is surprisingly practical in the right pieces. Perhaps look for silk jogging style trousers.
A tailored utility style shirt dress would work well for you too. I have an ancient high street one and it’s perfect for wearing with trainers or sandals.

For winter my staple is a pair of good quality leggings with oversized jumpers. It is so comfy but looks so fashionable. Usually wear it with an ankle boot chunky heel.

In summer I wear Jean shorts (although I don't like my knees so I usually have a pair of jeans I've cut and rolled to just below my knees) and a nice flattering top. For me flattering (when not pregnant which I currently am 🤣) is something that nips in at the waist then flares out. Also love maxi dresses but only when leaving the house... I find them awkward to relax in for some reason!

Following with interest! Got an 8 week old baby and two older ones and desperately need a wardrobe overhaul. I’m relatively petite but with breastfeeding I’m very top heavy and got a mum tum so I’m living in saggy maternity leggings and t shirts.
Anyone got any recommendations for good quality plain t shirts and stylish yet practical tops? Also a SAHM so comfort important!

@MsChatterbox where do you get your jumpers?

@blondie87 primark!! Tesco. You don't need to spend a lot. Just find a loose woolly jumper you like and get it in a few sizes too big so it completely covers your bum. You can roll the sleeves to halfway up your forearm too!

Silk is lovely but really NOT practical given OP’s lifestyle.

Really good bra x2
Well fitting t shirts plain x 2
Jeggings, black and blue
Good waterproof coat, i like seasalts
Good backpack
Ankle boots, flat or low heel
Good sandals i like birkenstock with back strap
Trainers
Smart leggings x 2
Shirt dress, cardi, jumper, skirt etc as you like

I really agree with chuckibg out worn out clothes. Get nice pj and lounge wear.

I live in the country and find what I wear a lot are leggings/chambray shirt/good quality sweatshirt/cord pinafore over striped top.
I have a Selfish Mum sweatshirt.
I find white trainers really impractical because of the woods etc so tend to wear Chelsea boots or coloured leather trainers which can be wiped/washed in the sink and dry good as new.
Do you have a small backpack? I find my handbag really impractical for climbing trees etc with the kids x