Toddler mum wardrobe help

[Butfirstcaffeine]

Help needed! easy (pref low budget!) ways to feel more pulled-together?

We are only ever at the park or at home but I just want to feel a bit more like my old self?

Any ideas welcome

What was your old self's style? Good jeans and a jersey shirt with clean white trainers are what makes me feel a tiny bit smarter at my sometimes rather toddler-parenting-like job (a lot of similar practical issues), but whether that's what you want depends what you used to dress like pre toddlers!

How did your old self dress? Or do you like a particular look/ celebrity’s style? I have found the best approach for me is to pick out the most practical bits of my old wardrobe/ preferred style and build more toddler-friendly looks around those, rather than going for a whole new “mum” look that made me feel I’d lost my identity. I wear lots of denim, jumpsuits, patterned shirts, midi skirts, nice knitwear, trainers, chunky boots. I don’t save my nice things for ‘best’ and I don’t worry about getting things mucky/muddy, just wear it all and then shove it in the machine.

I always feel better if my skin and hair (harder in lockdown) are looked after. I use clear polish on my nails and have a very minimal makeup routine but this helps make me feel pulled together. Pilates/yoga for posture makes me look/feel miles better too.

Always wear earrings
Nice bag and sunglasses
Nice hat (maybe a baseball cap as we go into spring)
Decent trainers (depends what style you like, maybe a plain white tennis shoe e.g. Adidas Stan Smith, or a more sporty running type trainer, or completely flat Converse/Superga)
Basically accessories!

At this time of year at the park it’s all about the coat and shoes. A good coat can transform a mundane outfit. Same for shoes. Just put #raincoat into Instagram and look at styles you like.

Our family lifestyle now is pretty different to my previous incarnation. Went from working in a big city to being outdoors in the suburbs and countryside 24/7. My pre-mum style was reasonably trendy mixed with kind of classic/preppy add a few vintage florals here and there. Then someone dropped the baby bomb on my wardrobe 😂 and here we are. Tired parka (don't judge!) and everything covered in mud! Literally no idea who I am anymore haha.

Also thank you for the helpful replies 😊 I am prioritising the coat situation

Decent country boots underneath then whatever you like above? I like to wear lots of pleated midi skirts with country boots and a good jumper then my very battered Barbour wax. I find on days I slob in legging then I feel crap so try to make an effort just for me.
I avoid anything ‘mum’ suggested or related like the plague, so no Breton tops/straight jeans/sea salt etc comes near me.
But I can still stomp across a field and go to the playground quite happily

i wear a peacoat, Breton top, skinny jeans and Converse. I brush my hair and wear lipstick and perfume plus studs. Previously a huge parka which didnt zip, old jumper, baggy jeans, trainers, no makeup or jewellery. I just feel so much better now without tons of effort.

Oh dear I didn’t realise straight jeans were a ‘mum’ item 😂

I wear jeans - I have a mix of the topshop mom high waisted ones and Levis. Or leather leggings or yoga pants (don't judge they are mum uniform round me!)
I always wear a vest top under a jumper with a French tuck (not always popular on here but suits me)
I have a range of coats or over shirts
Shoes either nice trainers, Chelsea boots or I have nice ish shiny black wellies

I have very long hair which I usually wear wavy with a hat... Either a woolie hat, basebl cap, fedora style, in summer big sun hats - I have them all!

Sometimes a bright lipstick (which I remove when I get home as I don't want to cover my son!)

I'm happy with my style and I do get lots of compliments 🤣 not that I do anything special but people like the hats

Belated thank yous.... This has really helped! I am looking forward to a more stylish spring summer now, I just needed ideas desperately!