Outfit above compiled by Kelsey of Evoking You
Back when I was
teaching, I took great pride in how I looked at work – fashionable clothes,
make-up, hair neatly done and so on.
Somewhere along the line since becoming a Mum, I’ve let all this fly out
the window and lost any sense of style I once had. I can’t remember the last time I wore
heels. I now ‘pop to the shops’ in
outfits which previously would have been relegated to the ‘only around the
house pile’. It is a rarity if I
actually wear make-up. And I am rotating
between a small number of outfits as I have only been clothes shopping once
since having Sophie.
I’ve decided that
while it’s not necessarily important to my girls how I look, it is to me. Making sure I look presentable does wonders
for my mood (and means I’m not worried about ‘who I’ll bump into’ if I’m out
and about). So here are my new rules I’m
going to follow to make more of an effort with my appearance…
·
If I’m having an ‘at home day’, no make-up is perfectly fine. If I’m visiting friends, going to the shops
or anywhere else where someone other than my immediate family will see me, I’m
going to make a bit more of an effort and put on at least the basic tinted
moisturiser, mascara and lip gloss.
·
I need to overhaul my wardrobe and come up with a new ‘Mummy uniform’
that involves something other than the same pair of tracksuit pants and ugg
boots. Nice fitting jeans, comfortable
‘goes well with leggings’ type pieces and more colour are all things I’m going
to try and seek out.
·
I really think accessories can make the world of difference to an outfit
and yet 90% of the time lately, I find myself without them. Scarves, belts, costume jewellery and the
like will all be getting dragged out of my wardrobe more often in these coming
months.
Do you have an ‘at
home uniform’? Or do you find yourself
in the same old tracksuit on days you’re home too? How often do you wear make-up and
accessories?
Amanda I know exactly how you feel!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy at home clothes are velour trackie pants, a t-shirt and a polar fleece top...
Comfort is my main aim these days and I never wear make-up. Never have really except for special occasions...but like you, I'm starting to get a bit sick of myself and the way I look.
Maybe it's time i lifted my game a little.
Lesley
xx
Do you know, I have well and truly discovered the magic in a scarf. I recently bought a few polka dot scarves in a couple of colours and it's amazing what they do to a blah outfit. I am in the same old tracksuit bottoms day in day out, changing into a pair of jeans when I step outside, but if I add a scarf worn differently each time, I feel as though I'm waring something new!
ReplyDeleteI've found that when I make a little effort with my appearance {even on at home days with the kids} I feel a lot better about myself, and more productive. Weird I know, but something about a bit of thought put into an outfit, a splash of mascara & lip gloss and some accessories like a costume necklace or scarf - totally lifts my mood & emotions :))) xx
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel too, and I'm not a mum at home either! Buying clothes in Hobart is an awful experience, I tend to buy mostly country road here and hang out for Melbourne trips to re-stock. But I have learnt buying a few really good smart pieces that I feel comfortable and happy in is key. Hope you have fun with it!
ReplyDeleteI used to be a total tomboy growing up Amanda so never went through the whole makeup phase until my late 20's. I only ever wear a bit of mascara and gloss if I am going out otherwise I don't bother. Accessories are my thing whether it be a scarf or jewellry, I find they can really lift an outfit.
ReplyDeleteMy mother's uniform consists mostly of jeans during the winter months and dresses throughout the summer but I have home days where I am a complete dag wearing hubby's shorts and a tee..thankfully I haven't been caught out yet :)
x
I love clothes and have to say when I started working from home I did get a bit lazy. Recently I've found though that even if I am just working at home, having a shower putting my hair up and getting dressed makes me much ready to work and productive! I think your goals are perfect xx
ReplyDeleteAnna (My Design Ethos)
Because I have to take the girls to school each day I can't get away with wearing at home clothes so my uniform is usually a nice pair of jeans, a plain long sleeve top and either a denim jacket with a brooch that never comes off:) or a plain jumper with a scarf. As for makeup just a little blush and foundation is all I wear but not all the time, just depends on how I feel in the morning if I'm tired it will definitely go on:) I'm so no very fashionable but Miss 12 is, maybe I should get her to choose my outfits;)xx
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel Amanda. Any time I do make it to the shops I end up getting something for Alba instead of myself! My wardrobe at the moment usually consists of comfy shorts and any kind of t-shirt I can find that buttons down the front to make feeding easier. Any of my nice clothes aren't easy for breastfeeding in. I can't remember the last time I wore make-up. Other mums always seem to be much more glamorous. I'd love to know how they manage it!
ReplyDeleteI'm the same... I always end up in the girls' clothes section :) Finding nice tops for breastfeeding in easily is one of my main problems too.
DeleteI live in jeans 24/7, even for work though I dod have some proper work clothes as well. I wear the same things for years, literally, until they fall apart. I tend not to buy fashiony things, but basics that don't date so easily. I love scarves and wear them every day. Scarves are also a way for me to get some nice pattern without overwhelming myself. I was planninbg on a trip to town today to look at some clothes as the new season colours are so pretty :)
ReplyDeleteps you really don't need makeup Amanda - so pretty as you are!
I'm similar Sarah in that I don't buy things purely because they're in fashion - I prefer good classic pieces that will last longer too.
DeleteP.S Thanks for your sweet comment but my tired eyes in the morning after a wakeful night are telling me I need something on my face :)
Hi Amanda, I think all of us at home mums can relate to you perfectly well because once a baby comes along we're so tired in the beginning and there's just no time for make up and worrying too much about 'good clothes.' I don'thave a uniform as such but because I'm in town so much during the week I stick to mostly jeans, cargos, a nice top and little cardi and I too love my scarves, they really do just pick up an outfit. I'm a qualified beautician and even I don't wear make up all the time, usually if I'm going out somewhere but not so much to town. Being pregnant I;m really starting to feel a little frumpy as they say as I'm popping already and popping out of my clothes too so I'm getting a little frustrated and we don't have much of a choice down here for maternity wear......but last week while hubby was at the gym I took the time to give myself a facial and I felt so much better for it. I think as women who spend their lives revolved around looking after others it's easy to forget to put ourselves first in little ways sometimes but there's no harm in picking up the pace and making the effort to get out of the doldrums and look fantastic and you will feel better in yourself....I'm also willing to bet you're girls will make comments too....mine do every time I get dressed up....take care and let us know what wonderful fashion you find and if you could let me know where you did your maternity shopping I really appreciate it......xoxox
ReplyDeleteGrace always comments when I put on something other than the usual outfits which is why I'd like to make more of an effort... I'd like to teach her that while inner beauty is definitely more important than how one looks on the outside, having pride in one's appearance is still important.
DeleteI struggled big time with maternity clothes when I was pregnant with Sophie. It was winter and layering up over a big belly was not so easy. I spent most of the days at home wearing a zip up fleece vest of my husbands! :) As for maternity fashion, I bought a few pairs of cheap maternity jeans from Jeans West, other than that, I just wore super stretchy clothes like leggings, jersey material skirts and dresses and tops. Most of these were ones I already owned.
Doing the school/kindy run means I have to be dressed in proper clothes but as soon as I walk in the door on come the comfy tracky pants :) Although I'm looking forward to buying some new clothes in Spring with all these gorgeous colours coming out xx
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I'm sure you look gorgeous no matter what you wear :)
ReplyDeleteI can relate to feeling a bit lost with my wardrobe. Although I think that's natural with pregnancy, breastfeeding and a constantly changing body shape... AND shopping only happens once in a blue moon.
When we have days at home, I wear an awful lot of leggings and long cardigans during winter and skirts and tanks in summer. I have some good boots, jeans, skirts and floaty blouses for when it's needed to dress up a little more.
Even though I know it's totally unnecessary, I do wear a little bit of makeup even on my days at home to make me feel good (It only takes me a couple of minutes).
xx
Nicole, the wardrobe you've described sounds a lot like mine actually. In warmer weather it's skirts and tanks for me too and normally, I'm a leggings girl but lately it's just been SOOO cold and so the good old trackies have been dragged out more often :)
DeleteLove a good scarf and a necklace...they always make me feel better
ReplyDeleteI'm a jeans girl-nearly every day that I'm not wearing black leggings.
Need more colour though...I tend to wear a lot of black and grey...so easy but a little boing
Cute outfit above but I think my days of wearing shorts that short are gone!
I was looking through my wardrobe the other day and aside from scarves and about four items I can think of, everything else is black and grey. That's why I'm thinking I definitely need to add some more colour :) As for the shorts in the outfit above, I'd be more comfortable with them a bit longer too :)
DeleteReading all of these comments makes me wonder if it's okay for me to wear comfy clothes at home after work even though I don't have kids. My boyfriend says that he hates when I get home, have a shower take my make up off and put comfy clothes on. He says I'm not making an effort. I always do my hair and make up and wear nice clothes during the day and on weekends but after a long day at work I love nothing more than relaxing into a clean fresh face and comfy clothes.. He wants me to re do my make up and put nice clothes on for him (after work, even just relaxing at home) are his expectations too high? Or am I in the wrong??? Any help will be wonderful : ) thank you so much ladies!!! Xoxo
ReplyDeletePs. My name is rikki, I'm 22 and been living with my boyfriend for 6 months. Thanks again! : ) xoxo
ReplyDeleteHi Rikki, I've been trying to think back to how things were when I worked full time and I wasn't a stay at home Mum. As far as I remember, I used to come home from work in my nice clothes/make up etc. but then, I'd change into my comfy house clothes and slippers straight away. My husband does the same now when he gets home from work, straight into 'house clothes'. I think doing this is perfectly fine and only natural after you've been in dressy clothes already during the day. Weekends are different I guess and that is when your boyfriend will see you nicely dressed up :)
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