New mum style - practical help please!

[BakeOffRewatch]

Thread for tips and any funny stories.

I’m emerging out of pregnancy/newborn post-partum phase which has been maternity leggings and nursing tops for day and sleep (because the day is for sleeping too).

I’ve always found jeans and trousers uncomfortable, excessive fabric, rubs, get too hot, get pulled stuck. But when I put on a skirt a couple of weeks ago on the first hot day, I toppled over whilst trying to keep my modesty and pick up baby off floor in children’s centre! So now I’m thinking what am I going to wear?! I really want to relegate the leggings and nursing tops soon.

Paper bag shorts with tights? I did that in early 2000s, looks naff now I think? Should I embrace mom jeans? I don’t think that’s me!

What do stylish mummies wear whilst playing with babies on the floor?

Not sure I'm a stylish mummy but I have a toddler and spend a lot of time bending down/crawling around.

I weaar midi skirts/dresses a lot, anything shorter needs to be shorts not a skirt to avoid constant knicker flashing but I don't wear shorts with tights, just wait till it's warmer. I like trousers though: slouchy jumpsuits, jeans, in summer I wear a lot of loose patterned trousers. You could try culottes.

I wasn't a stylish mummy at that stage (still not now) but have you thought about harem trousers? They are what I wear instead of leggings and they are great, particularly now the weather is getting warmer.

This is a good idea. Thanks for inspiring me!

Would culottes be a lot of swishy fabric @LeeMiller? I’ve realised I just gave up on trousers/jeans years ago cos I’m quite hip-y (pear?) and maybe it’s time to try harder to find some that suit me. I would love midi dresses, but they’re quite pricey - where do you get yours? There’s some on Boden I’ve seen that are nice (the Aria 😍 www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/aria-midi-dress-ivory-regular-dot/sty-w0716-ivo ) but a lot of money for sitting on the ground.

I was thinking I might be hoping for too much 6 months post partum @DefinitelyOdd. I just want to feel a bit more myself and with the warmer weather and easing of restrictions get excited about meeting people, but nothing in my wardrobe suits. Looking forward to lovely ladies suggestions here. I wear harem pants in the evening, very slouchy jersey ones, I thought they’d be too PJ like - do you have links for ones you wear out and about? I’m only going to the children’s centre though

Would love links for things that are comfy on the tummy and a little more put together than maternity leggings.

I had a look at the parisienne style thread but I can’t keep up with it, moves quickly.

I have taste beyond my budget so I tend to buy stuff from brands I like second hand on vinted/Depop/ebay. I like Sezane, Other Stories, Rouje, anthropologie, but I also have my fair share of Zara and H&M.

My culottes are slightly swishy but not too much. I'm petite so look ridiculous in too much fabric. As long as the rest of you is (relatively) put together I think harem pants and other loose floaty trousers are fine.

I’ve never really got on with any separates. Jumpsuits and shirt dresses are great if you’re breastfeeding.
If it’s a being on the floor thing again jumpsuits and play suits are brilliant. Also keep an eye out for skorts. Sort of a short/skirt hybrid. See them in H&M a lot xx

I think I’d be more comfortable in shorts but the idea of sitting on the cold floor and it touching my thighs gives me the ick.

I think midi skirts and dresses might be the way, but I sit my baby up between my legs with my legs in a V not sure would cover modesty.

@LeeMiller do you have links to the sort of things you look for? After taking on your midi idea I’ve been looking at the Day Dress brand, beautiful, lots of buttons for boob access but pricey! daydress.co.uk/

@Amyheadache ooh didn’t think of jumpsuits, won’t be tight and dig in around tummy. Do you play suits and tights work?

I think the longer tiered dresses would look good, and plenty of material for sitting how you like on the floor. After thinking I didn't like them much I've now got this one from ASOS you can wear it with a T shirt, it is good if the weather is hot too, and you could unbuckle it to let the top down, or just pull it over your shoulder.

It really depends on the style you choose and the fabric! I don’t buy anything fitted because I’m not that confident 😬
New look has nice jumpsuits
If you’re feeling (very) flush the miss Pom Pom jumpsuits are amazing. Such cheerful patterns!
Not always a popular thing in here but I love my dungarees too. The fat face ones are the best I’ve found. They come up on eBay a fair bit. They have good stretch and the sizes are very generous x

Avoid dungarees or playsuits if you want to be able to quickly have a wee with a baby in arms
Hennes maternity stuff quite nice

Bit of mascara makes me feel as if I've made an effort!

Maternity jeans and a top for me all the way. Leggings and long cardi comfy and covers ones derrière, albeit not too chic. I gave up a bit as there was generally some baby sick around and the (beige) long cardi hid it well....

Have you looked at can I breastfeed in it ? (Cibii). Might have some ideas cibii.co.uk/hot-favourites/

Good point about jumpsuits and lengthening pee break times @Feetupteashot. I don’t use the loo when I go out though, and I’m not looking to be stylish at home yet. Maybe I can get one for the play groups then run home and change back to leggings ASAP. Laughing as my life used to revolve around way cooler destinations and events!

Most of my breastfeeding stuff is from Australian brand preggi central, they had loads of stylish stuff in natural fabrics, not flimsy thin for reasonable price. The seraphine viscose and polyester was really itchy and sweaty for me when hormonal. preggicentral.com/ Shipping was reasonable but that was all pre brexit.

I follow CIBFII on Instagram, what I’m really looking for though is “Can I sit cross legged in it”

New Look has been appearing in my ads @Amyheadache. I had a look at the jumpsuit thread on S&B and this Zara one looks chic and lovely and mat pay friendly! www.zara.com/uk/en/wrap-jumpsuit-with-belt-p01971087.html

@ExConstance it looks lovely on the model but I’m worried something big and billowy would look dowdy.

That is lovely! I don’t really shop at Zara.
I’ve been trying to shop more sustainably. Sometimes that isn’t mat pay friendly at all! The ethical brand are generally expensive (obviously paying fairly part of this). Hm do a conscious range which is pretty good.
But by far the best place to shop is eBay. It really pays not to be squeamish about second hand clothes. I’ve got some beautiful stuff lately for pennies. I’d highly recommend you have a nose xx

I really like that Zara jumpsuit! As a PP said, it's definitely worth checking out Ebay and Vinted, I've picked up Zara jumpsuits with tags still attached for a few quid in the past. I find them so easy, I don't have to think about what matches but I feel put together. I'm not bothered by the jumpsuit/loo issue, but DS is a toddler now so I can put him down.

I got fed up with nursing clothes so I just look for dresses with buttons (Other stories usally has some nice floaty floral tea dresses, H&M too) or normal tops with a skirt. I don't have specific links as It end to just see what comes up second hand, but I like Rouje, Sezane, Other Stories. I tend to go for dark and or patterned (ditsy floral usually ) as it hides the mud/mucky handprints.I find a slit on the slide or a wrap skirt is quite handy as I can reposition the fabric for modesty when I'm scrabling around on the floor. The DayDress site has some very nice things.

I'm not stylish by any stretch of the imagination and practicality is key for me as the parent of a toddler.

I mostly wear skinny jeans in the winter to be honest, sometimes even joggers if we are just going to the park or whatever. I do wear shorts with tights too. I only wear skirts or dresses if it's a party or something like that, because otherwise my DD also wants to wear them and it's too much of a faff - not practical for her playing and difficult for her to manage her own toileting needs. I do have one pair of spectacularly unstylish loose fitting jeans with flowers embroidered on them, DH laughs and says I look like a 90s girl band member in them but idc .

Summer time, I will mostly wear jeans (I mean how often do we get weather too hot for jeans here anyway!?), cropped jeans, jumpsuits, shorts. Again skirts and dresses basically reserved for nice occasions.

In terms of modesty if I've got a skirt or dress on, Im fine wearing short as I always wear a small, tight pair of cycling shorts underneath. I've always done this anyway as never wanted to risk people seeing my underwear. So I do that. Or wear midi/maxi lengths.

Oh and I never wear white because DD would just ruin it.

I eBay loads but am looking for inspiration for what to search for. Like brand’s style names, so Sandro call their skorts “trompe l’oeil”. Or style details. What I own now and am used to looking out for doesn’t cut it, I need to retrain my shopping eye!

Will be searching “wrap jumpsuit” and “tapered leg” going off that Zara one. Ages ago someone told me DVF does THE best jumpsuits for flattering and comfort in fashion - anyone have one they’d recommend?

I know it’s a pain but I’d just search for jumpsuit in your size and then scroll for something you like. I find removing black and grey fro. The feed is helpful x

Took the inspo from this thread and bought the following:

£25.99 New Look, pale blue “mom” jeans, elasticated paperbag waist www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/jeans/pale-blue-elasticated-high-waist-dayna-tapered-jeans/p/670248840
Bought these two sizes up from my pre-pregnancy size, soooo comfy around the middle.

£25.99 New Look, blue tie waist “mom” jeans www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/jeans/blue-tie-high-waist-tori-mom-jeans/p/649039240
Bought these one size up from pre-pregnancy size as all they had in stock and I wanted to meet the minimum purchase amount for % off offer they had. Quite tight around tummy (fits elsewhere) but glad I got them, as vomcanos and weaning mean the first pair are in the wash a lot!

Riskier purchase, saw this whilst doing weekly shop in Sainsbury’s. It’s something I would NEVER think of purchasing, cropped leg, jumpsuit! But the tips on this thread made me spot it and go for it.
£16 Tu Jersey Cropped Leg Jumpsuit tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Monochrome-Print-Jersey-Cropped-Leg-Jumpsuit-/138689795-Mono
I’ve been wearing it over nursing t shirts and tops. It’s so comfy, can sleep in it and easy to just pull strap down and breastfeed, and for toilet trips. Bought one size up from pre pregnancy, it is tight around middle but the print kind of covers that up. The reviews say sainsburys do one every year so I’m off to look on eBay for past seasons. My husband says I look like a children’s tv presenter but I’ve been getting lots of compliments too! I went to quite a snazzy restaurant yesterday and didn’t feel out of place and was able to discreetly breastfeed at table in it.

I think ordering online would have just been depressing as I really don’t know what suits me anymore. It’s been nice to go into shops and go home with something I know works. Definitely don’t have time to do loads of returns.

Not found any midi dresses yet that aren’t pricey. Oasis has some lovely 100% cotton dresses though. www.oasis-stores.com/search?q=Cotton%20dress&prefn1=style&prefv1=Midi%20Dresses

I’m 18 weeks pregnant. Can anyone suggest any good baby shop where you can visit the store and look at baby stuff like prams , cots , clothes etc. I’ve noticed there’s not many shops that cover maternity/baby stuff. The only one in my area is mommas and papas. Now that mothercare and toys r us are no longer around I don’t know where else to look. I know there’s places to look online but it’s not the same as physically seeing the stuff in person!