Killer Mom Wear Part 3: The List

I saw this post http://www.domesticatedsophist.....drobe.html on Domestic Sophisticate today and thought of this topic. The post contains a list of wardrobe essentials for SAHMs, which is something I haven't seen before--most lists seem to be more oriented towards the working-outside-the-home woman.

Here's the list. What would you add or subtract? I'll post my own thoughts in a bit here, keeping in mind that I'm not actually a SAHM yet but expect to be relatively soon and am planning accordingly. BTW, my husband and I have our first home-study meeting with our adoption social worker on Friday! It will be the first of about 12 hours of interviews with her. Once those are finished, we just wait to be chosen by a pregnant mother to adopt her baby. It's getting closer!

Anyway, back on topic:

# 4 pairs of jeans (1 short pair for flats in dark wash for running errands, 1 short pair for tennis shoes in light wash for playing soccer with your kids, 1 long pair/dark wash for pumps or wedges for dinner out, and 1 long trendy pair for that night out with the girls)

# 1 button down shirt in a neutral color to be worn alone, layered underneath sweaters, or accessorized with big necklaces and/or belts

# 3 camisoles for layering (2 white or cream and one black)

# For the summer, 3 tank tops (2 in your favorite colors and one in a neutral color)

# 2 well fitting short sleeve t-shirts in your favorite colors for wearing alone in the summer and layering in the winter

# 3 well fitting long sleeve t-shirts - 2 in your favorite colors, 1 in a neutral color (like white) to be layered or worn alone in the winter

# 1 denim pencil skirt with plenty of stretch so you can move around easily in it - perfect for MOPS meetings or lunch dates

# 1 pair of casual flats you can walk in or go to the park in (think a Skechers mary jane)

# 1 pair of colorful flats for those short dark wash jeans

# 1 pair of neutral wedges for those long jeans or skirt (wedges are a great alternative to a pump for the SAHM - you get the height of a pump, but the comfort and walkability of a flat)

# 3 cardigans (2 in your favorite colors, and one in a neutral) for layering in the winter, spring, and fall

# LBD - every woman, SAHM or otherwise, needs a little black dress. Perfect for funerals, weddings, church, or a date night - this dress should be seasonless, versatile, and fit superbly

# 1 pair of classic black pumps for that LBD

# 1 trendy/dressy top for those trendy jeans and that night out with the girls

# For the winter - 1 v-neck sweater

# For the summer - 1 pair of denim bermuda shorts and 1 pair of neutral colored bermudas

# A trench coat - a trench is the most versatile of all coats. You can wear it in the winter over layers for warmth, you can wear it for the rain with less underneath, just to protect you from the water, and you can wear it in the milder months of spring and fall to add a little extra warmth. It is also flattering on every figure and can be dressed up or down (perfect for a SAHM).

# A neutral colored belt that can be adjusted to a waist belt or worn low on the hips (through jean belt loops)

# Proper fitting and good quality lounge wear (for those days when you never leave the house - which can be quite frequent for SAHMs)

# 1 pair of tennis shoes for those tennis lessons or aerobic workouts)

# 1 neutral summer bag, large enough for diapers and wipes, small enough to not kill your back

# 1 neutral winter bag with same specification as seen in #18

# For the summer, sandals you can walk in

# For the winter, boots to wear over skinny jeans, or under skirts and dresses (my preference is the wedge knee-high boot)

17 years ago

jwomack

Active Member

I would agree that this is a good basic list. Once you have these items, you can mix/match and come up with great outfits. I would add some tan/khaki colored pants to wear in lieu of jeans (or the microcheck that Angie has suggested), also a jeans jacket and jewelry. I really feel that jewelry is an easy way to up the style quotient on a basic outfit.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Interesting! She has some good ideas - like the wedge boots being a good option because they are as comfortable as a flat - but t-shirts for wearing on their own?? That would not fly at YLF Thanks for sharing this. She has a cute website.

Wishing you the very best in your adoption process - fingers crossed that it will all go smoothly and you will have a baby very soon!

VanessaRidley

The list I created is a bare essential list and I specifically stated that it does not include jewelry essentials. Certainly jewelry would add a lot to this bare wardrobe!

I agree that I should have included a denim jacket...that was a good one!

As for wearing t-shirts alone...I should have been more specific...when you are home alone and no one is stopping by, you want to have a t-shirt that is good enough quality that it looks fine at home for just you and your baby. You wouldn't wear a t-shirt plain going out. This list is to include the essentials for a SAHM...someone who spends most of their time at home and some days never goes anywhere.

Well anyhow - I'll be interested to see what else others have to add to this list.

BLB

Vanessa, what jewelry would you add? For me, the absolute basics would be a pair of CZ studs, a strand of pearls or a necklace with a versatile pendant, and a pair of hoop earrings, all in the same colour of metal.

I would probably add 3 each of long- and short-sleeved knitwear tops or tunics (not Ts) that are super comfy but have some extra "style," because 3 Ts plus a button-down would not be enough to get me through the week without having to do extra laundry. For the first year or two of baby's life, I'd at least double the number of tops, based on what I've experienced in terms of spit-up etc. while caring for friends' children!

I'd also add 2 "smart casual" tops for things like coffee dates (which I know will probably be more rare when I become a mom, at least at first). I find dresses extremely comfortable, so I'd also want a casual day dress for each season and a slightly nicer dress for church. An LBD would be too formal for my church.

I'd replace the light wash jeans with dark wash skinnies, since I do not care for light wash denim.

And I agree about the denim jacket!

I did not read the original list to know that jewelry was not included -- but since we are discussing it -- I agree with BLB and say that you need a pendant necklace, CZ/diamond studs, pearls and hoops but I would say at least two-three different sizes in hoops. I love jewelry and you can find such great costume stuff at Target, Kohls, etc. I have a half silver/half black necklace that I wear constantly because it goes with so much in my wardrobe.

I am a SAHM and I can say that I never stay home. When the first baby comes, you definitely hibernate a little, but when you have toddlers and older, you are always on the go. I, therefore, agree with the knit tops mentioned by BLB and would hold back on T-shirts. My wear a t-shirt and never leave home days are nonexistent. With the second baby, I was at the mall with her when she was 11 days old. I encourage everyone with their first kids to get out of the house -- you can go slightly stir crazy otherwise. I joined my local MOMS club and it saved my life -- built in friends for my kids and some of my best friends were made this way.

I think your list of necessary jewelry sounds right.

Also, I never stay home either. I would go out of my mind if I did so, and I only have one small child. Nevertheless, I've found myself to be in a small category of moms with only a few small children.

If I had known my "wardrobe essential" list would be posted here, I would have definitely made it more YLF appropriate. But if this helps you follow my thinking at all, this list was not supposed to be a "style" list. It was supposed to be a list of bare basics that you could then build upon by adding smart tops, dresses, different shoes, etc. I'm realizing that my take on bare minimum is definitely too bare! lol!

I've enjoyed reading all the comments and input! I have a lot to learn!

Ellen

I have a 10-month-old, my first, and since she was about a week old, I have spent maybe max two days a week withouth going out somewhere. I have definitely needed more knit/woven tops and fewer t-shirts. I do, however, wear t-shirts a lot at home so that my knits/wovens will last longer in good condition! Also, I make sure the the t-shirts are well-fitted and classic looking, since it tends to a) help one feel better about oneself and b) look better if someone comes to the door, etc.

My only other input is that the numbers in this list are quite a bit too low. You can maybe get away with this number of tops/jeans if you're not a mom and you do laundry rather frequently, but as a SAHM, I find that things get dirty much more quickly AND I am able to laundry a little less frequently than I used to.

Also, YES to the accessories. I'd just say to make sure they are sturdy in case they become a baby toy in a pinch (think enamel bangles, etc), and avoid earrings that dangle when around baby. My friend had a child pull an earring through her ear.

Vanessa, I think your list works really well as a starting point, which is what you intended it to be! I've saved a copy on my computer and am using it for myself, combined with some things from Angie's list of suggestions for poeple who work at home (which is what I do right now). Everyone will make their own tweaks to any list of wardrobe essentials. I find lists are really useful for me in focusing my shopping and searching. I hope it's OK I posted yours here! I didn't mean it as a critique in any way, just a jumping-off point for discussion and imagination.

Ellen, how many tops would you suggest? And OUCH about the earring thing! I've noticed my friends' kids always go straight for any dangling earrings I wear (they love necklaces too).

BLB, of course, it is ok! I'm glad you did as I have appreciated everyone's responses! I just want to make sure people know I am not purporting myself to know anything. My sister's and my blog is just for fun, and we certainly don't see it as any kind of authority on the subject.

I'll have to go find Angie's working-from-home wardrobe list.

Category