How Mama Got Her Groove Back - Part II

If you lot are joining us for the outset time, you lot may desire to banking concern check out Part I earlier diving inward here.

To pick upwards where nosotros left off... My sartorial identity crisis, catalyzed past times a torso inward flux, a lack of options, in addition to dramatic life changes gradually resolved itself past times learning well-nigh the iii elements of mode in addition to applying them to my wardrobe. Learning how to wearing apparel for my torso type (and relearning equally "maternal" changes occur) in addition to my coloring, in addition to doing a piffling soul searching to uncover my tastes for my look, gave me a rational roadmap out of schizophrenic dressing. I'd similar to devote Part II to some practical advice on "mom" dressing, which may live helpful to busy non-moms equally well.

Piece of Advice #1: Have a uniform that blends the best of color, work in addition to personal taste.
This slice of advice isn't new, the danger is inward discounting it because of its simplicity. Choose what looks good, makes you lot experience good, in addition to is functional. Each style personality category has a spectrum. Do the inspiration board exercise if you lot haven't already, in addition to thus select elements from the most functional destination of the spectrum. My uniform varies past times season; correct at nowadays it is a nighttime launder pair of straightaway jeans (the most flattering fit for my body) in addition to a basic tee or tank that I layer over, flats, watch, in addition to uncomplicated earrings. Engagement in addition to marriage ceremony rings equally well.

Piece of Advice #2: Own what you lot take (and a few extras).

You tin receive got the most awesome wardrobe inward the world, but if you lot don't have on it because it is uncomfortable, doesn't fit, or is likewise fragile for your lifestyle, thus you lot don't receive got the most awesome wardrobe inward the world! Also, your torso needs to live clothed no thing what size it is now, or what size it is headed toward. Confession: I genuinely ain (in add-on to motherhood jeans) a bin of "other" jeans - a pair inward pretty much every size betwixt my regular size in addition to total on maternity. I detect that zilch (ok, few things) sap my morale similar pants that are likewise tight. Too saggy seems to propose you lot are headed inward the correct direction, but who likes their butt to hold off bigger than it genuinely is? I purchased each pair at the thrift shop (for a few bucks) inward diverse moments of crisis. So getting what you lot take doesn't take to live equally expensive equally it may audio at first. See Advice #5.

Piece of Advice #3: Some clothes only business office amend than others for the mom lifestyle, blending style, comfort, in addition to durability. The fundamental pieces for me are [WARM WEATHER]:

Tees, in addition to tanks inward neutrals or patterns that blend good in addition to are inward your best colors. I commonly avoid anything alongside logos, in addition to anything that could live false for workout gear.
Neutral colored shorts.
Flats, sandals, in addition to depression wedges. I commonly avoid basic flip flops (think Old Navy style); they are non that proficient for your feet, in addition to such an overdone tendency that they don't genuinely add together mode to an outfit or limited individuality.
A pair of shoes that you lot tin throw on that tin acquire wet, muddy, whatever, alongside no lasting damage. I receive got some mary jane crocs that I have on roughly the solid all the time.
Inexpensive rayon linen blend pants. They commonly receive got a drawstring in addition to are forgiving if your weight fluctuates. These are really cool in addition to have on good (blend equals less wrinkling). Think Club Med vibe, alongside "stretchy pants" comfort!
A yoke cheap sundresses or maxi dresses, depending on your preference in addition to torso type. I commonly have on these on the days that are only thus HOT that I don't desire to do anything (including getting dressed).
A classy handbag that coordinates good alongside your summertime wardrobe in addition to is large plenty to behave what your crew needs. This summertime I wore camel colored sandals ("vegan" leather, aka non leather, aka they wore out super fast in addition to I take to detect a novel pair earlier adjacent year) in addition to carried a camel leather tote. I'm non into matchy matchy, but the camel color went alongside everything (from dark to pinkish to navy), and that chip of intentionality in addition to luxury (the leather bag) elevated every outfit.
Headbands. Hold that pilus dorsum in addition to however hold off great!

[COOL WEATHER]:

Jeans inward your best cut. Dark washes are the most flattering (less calorie-free reflected equals less attending drawn to flaws) , in addition to usually furnish the best foundation to construct an outfit. Some ladies out at that spot tin genuinely stone lighter washes because of their mode personality in addition to their locale, thus do what plant for you.
Basic tees in addition to tanks for layering.
Other long sleeve shirts. I'm a sucker for push downs in addition to turtlenecks.
Pullovers in addition to partial zip fleeces. I commonly endeavor to avoid total zip fronts because they aren't that flattering when zipped in addition to sitting, in addition to again, anything alongside logos in addition to writing. Old Navy's character tin live genuinely hitting in addition to miss, but I purchased a micro functioning fleece at that spot concluding twelvemonth that is peachy - warm, flattering, impervious to fading in addition to staining, durable, everything a daughter could promise for (for $15, at least!).
A roll sweater or two. This mode is peachy at accommodating (and minimizing) a belly equally it expands in addition to contracts, in addition to defining the waist. The play tricks is finding a durable cloth that doesn't require particular maintenance.
A roomy shift wearing apparel or two. This mode is super forgiving to an expanding in addition to contracting belly. To add together Definition when you lot receive got a waist to define, throw on...
A stretchy belt. If you lot don't receive got a waist because you lot are pregnant, set the belt higher upwards the belly in addition to add together a piffling Definition to the same dress.
A blazer. Throw it over anything - instant class.
Loafers or flats. Leather is best. Anything else volition interruption your ticker equally it wears out speedily in addition to dies an early on death, or blisters your feet.
Boots.
A classy bag. See above.

My favorite pullover.

My good worn crocs. Dirty? Just hose them down.

Piece of Advice #4: Choose fabrics that have on well, in addition to receive got tending of what you lot have.

I receive got given upwards on mitt launder exclusively in addition to dry out create clean exclusively clothing, for this menstruation of my life, at least.
Wash nighttime jeans inward mutual depression temperature water. They hold off amend for thus much longer.
Have you lot e'er set a create clean shirt on in addition to looked inward the mirror exclusively to meet a mysterious grease spot? This started happening all the fourth dimension in 1 lawsuit I had [sticky, greasy fingered] toddlers. Keep stain remover past times the laundry hamper in addition to banking concern check your clothes for stains inward natural calorie-free earlier throwing them inward the washer.

Piece of Advice #5: Buy smart.

Don't overspend for basic pieces, such equally t-shirts in addition to tank tops. Quality doesn't vary plenty on such pieces to merit the saltation inward cost that you lot detect alongside surely brands. I receive got seen tee's for equally depression equally $5 at Target (all styles on sale) inward the past times 2 months.
Don't live afraid to hitting upwards the thrift stores. If you lot are a regular reader, you lot already know how I experience well-nigh them. Even better, hitting them upwards on one-half cost day. Yes, thrift stores receive got those.
Keep your eyes opened upwards for pieces that tin serve you lot at diverse stages, depending on how they are styled (e.g. shift dresses, roll dresses, etc).
Have an detail or 2 that volition genuinely "class up" an outfit past times its quality. Choose these items inward timeless designs because you lot volition desire them to blend alongside your wardrobe equally trends come upwards in addition to go.

Now for some illustrations. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 particular give thank you lot you to piffling H for all her assist alongside the living room Iphone pics!

Basic v-neck, straightaway nighttime jeans, flats - my uniform.

And alongside the basic dark blazer, brings it upwards a notch. Ignore that foreign confront I'm making...

My favorite roll sweater, or should I state sweatshirt?

My favorite [non-fleece] pullover.

Love this shift dress. Couldn't live to a greater extent than simple/comfortable/forgiving/classy.

And some other view... P.S. One tin nurse inward this wearing apparel because of the neckline in addition to stretch of fabric.

Another instance of the basic shift, but dressier for that particular event. Also nursing friendly. The wedge heel is the perfect blend of overstep in addition to comfort!