What are you wearing that’s practical and makes you feel good

[boymamaof3]

I need help. I’m a mum of 3 boys under 5, one of whom is a newborn. I spend a LOT of time on my feet and running around. I need comfort but I also need some style back in my life. Somewhere in 2020 between covid and having my first baby I completely lost my sense of style and I feel like I haven’t got it back at all yet. I default to the ‘mum uniform’ of leggings and an oversized t shirt or jumper (weather depending) with trainers and my hair scraped up.

I’m only 33 but I feel like I’ve completely lost myself. I was never into high fashion but I always presented myself reasonably well, I feel like an absolute scruff all the time now and it makes me feel rubbish. I’ve not got a ton of money to spend on new clothes but I have a little spare and want to buy a few new bits. I just need some inspiration, what are you wearing on a day to day that makes you look and feel good?

I’m 5’8, currently 73kg (normally around 65-67), 4 weeks pp, a c section shelf, decent legs that are a little bit varicosey, bottom heavy, small boobs, breastfeeding (so nothing high necked)

Ooo following as I’m the same. Mum of 3 youngest is 6 weeks old. Definitely lost my style mojo. I wear Birkenstocks a lot. Shorts.
Not quite into wide leg trousers or the pulled up socks, leggings, trainers look around here.

I don’t fit my old style (short pleated skirts, shirts and heels for work) and I don’t fit a new style yet as a sahm

Sounds like you are tall and slim, so your restrictions are practical ones.
The young women I know wear wide leg trousers, and shorter, more fitted tops. You could do a vest and thin shirt over for breastfeeding. Shorts are on trend this year, and it's going to be hot, so would that work for you?
Long,loose dresses are cool, but hard to manage with babies and stairs, or breastfeeding, unless you can find bf specific ones.

Swap the leggings for trousers like these with a more fitted top. I like a high necked racer back vest but not if you're breastfeeding. Linen and cotton oversized shirts can smarten up the leggings look, or tie them at the waist with the wide legs.

I’m not breastfeeding so apologies if this is useless, but I am really enjoying midi skirts with shirred elastic waists, with a t-shirt and trainers at the moment. I like a crew neck but a scoop or v-neck might be better for access.

Today I wore a black and white New Look gingham skirt, black Arket tee, black and white Samba trainers, and white ankle socks, gold hoops and gold chains - easy breezy.

The (often breastfeeding) mums I follow on TikTok seem to be doing variations on wide leg linen-y trousers, vest top, open linen shirt, trainers or sandals/flipflops.

Could you get some co ords, shorts ones and trouser ones with shirts, so you can wear them alone or open over vest tops?

Jumpsuits in easycare stretch polyester?

long loose Swing dresses
I love an A line dress and it skims my problem tummy area
Flat sandals or in my case Birkenstock Tokio
i adore them

This is a dress, shorts co ord and trouser co ord and you could make various outfits from it all…especially if you add in jeans and white wide legs

Uniqlo have some wide legged jeans in pale blue I feel really good in with sandals or adidas/converse.

Fairly loose midi length dresses, worn loose or with a belt, plus nice looking walking sandals or smart trainers.

Can be dressed up with a bit of fashion jewellery, dress shoes or posh sandals with a low heal, plus a short jacket or blazer.

If you are comfy in leggings could you update them to yoga pants which tend to give a better shape with no visible knicker line. You could do the legging style or the sweat pant. Add a sports bra and a running top, it looks better than bra straps showing and an after class top for chillier days. Lots of mums are wearing Sweaty Betty, Or Gym Shark.
Another option is wide tie top jeans. Go for the 3/4 style so you don’t trip and pair with a loose cotton shirt, striped looks good.
As you have lovely legs and it is warm how about getting them out, you can use leg makeup if you feel you need a tan or to hide the leg bruise mums usually have. A skort is a flattering style after a baby. Swing out Sister have fab ones, they are a golf make, really comfy and just look like a funky skirt but with the built in shorts to save your modesty. Plain cotton t shirt or soft baggy jumper.

Also 33 and a breastfeeding mother of 3 boys.

I LIVE for lucy & yak (alexas with tank tops!) - i like colour but they also do neutrals.

In this weather, low cut midi dresses (with pockets!)

I felt exactly the same as you and saved up for a colour and style consultation which I had when my second baby was 3 months old. It's been life changing for getting ready quickly and wearing clothes that suit me!

The stylist said to invest your money in clothes which suit the activity I'm doing most- looking after children. At the moment the clothes I have on rotation are:
2 x pairs of jeans for colder days
1 x pair of stretchy loose fitting culottes
2 x pairs of shorts (one denim, one linen)
5 x nice tops

I like a high waist so always wear a belt which jazzes up the outfit a bit. The belt, my bag and sandals are all in tan/natural colours so that they suit every outfit. I suit gold jewellery so wear earrings everyday but I don't find necklaces or bracelets practical so I don't bother with those. If I wear my hair up I always put a jazzy bobble in like a scrunchy or bow. If I wear it down I always braid my hair when it's wet for a nice wave the next day.

Thinking about the other bits like accessories, hair and jewellery helps me feel more put together. I hope this helps!

Oh there’s some great ideas here, thank you all for taking the time to reply. I did actually wear a wide leg pair of trousers the other day, just with a vest and Birkenstocks but felt more together and both my mum and DP commented on it, so will have a look into buying a couple of linen pairs. I definitely need to get some shorts too especially if this lovely weather is going to continue. Co ords and accessories could definitely be purchased too.. off I am to browse!