Mummy-on-the-go outfits - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Mummy-on-the-go outfits

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What do you wear daily as a SAHM, or part-time SAHM? (SAHM stands for stay at home Mum)

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from lori

Becky

Veteran

I wonder if this is a what DO you wear question, or a what SHOULD you wear question. I will be honest and, I'm sure, earn some *gasps* from the audience. I am a SAHM (and have been for 5 years); I do have a part-time job, but I work online from home, so appearances are not an issue. I generally wear jeans or denim/khaki walking shorts (depending upon the season) with tees or sweatshirts (depending upon the season). Though my budget is limited, I am trying to gradually upgrade to darker wash, better fitting jeans and more fitted, less boxy tees for warmer seasons and fitted knits for cooler seasons. I did finally say "no" to athletic sneakers and white athletic socks with this not-so-fashionable combo and now wear dark brown suede slip-ons with dark socks in cooler weather and sandals in warmer weather. I'm open to any and all suggestions for improving my style without sacrificing comfort and practicality.

Nicole

Veteran

I think it really will depend on the age of the child, and the activities you will be doing with them. (I was a SAHM for 5 years and even now, I only work mother's hours).

When the kids are young, you get really dirty fast. Layers are a great way of getting rid of a layer of spitup, or lollipop goo. CLothes must be washable and soft. (You want to be soft where your baby touches your clothes.) Button down shirts worked for me when I nursed. I usually kept a change of shirt for myself in the "diaper bag."

Oh and pockets! I found it frustrating to reach for a pocket to deposit keys, or wallet, or a tissue, or even a pacifier, and come up empty handed. This stands true for both pants and jackets. I remember emptying pockets pulling out a day's worth of things they could choke on,and daily supplies and being amazed at how much fit in one pocket.

And when the kids are young, you have to be ready to chase them at a moments notice So, comfy shoes that stay on your feet are wise. No matter how diligent you are at watching your kids, they WILL take off and you will chase them.

Now that I think of it, I pretty much stopped wearing necklaces when I had kids. Babies pull on them and break them. Of course once the babies are toddlers, this stops.

I'm not sure if this is the kind of information you are looking for..it's not exactly a uniform or outfit, but it is definately what dictated my outfits for 5 years.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great ladies. I have clients who are SAHM's and therefore understand what your practical wardrobe needs are. I create stylish outfits to suit these important needs. This is my job. I wanted to raise the discussion to dispel the myth that you can look great when you are a SAHM if you know what to do.

Meredith

Nicole, I think you've got some great tips!

As a SAHM for about 5 years now, my outfits have evolved with the age and stage of my daughter. I wore lots of button-down shirts while breast-feeding, and did not wear necklaces nor dangly earrings until my daughter was a toddler.

Now, that I am a SAHM of a preschool age child, I have a couple of uniforms depending on what I am going to be doing during the day, and what the weather is going to be like.

I usually wear a pair of dark wash jeans, some fashion sneakers, and a longer length tea under a cardigan or casual jacket. I make a point of not spending too much on any one item so I don't freak out when paint, boogers, puke, or poop eventually lands on them. If I have meetings while my daughter is in school, and I want to look a bit sharper, I'll wear boots over skinny jeans, and a knee length overcoat.

I've also found that a handbag that can hold a change of clothes, snacks, purel, kleenex, and a big wallet to be invaluable. For a few years I carried a backpack thinking this to be most practical. However, when checking out at grocery stores, there are lots of contortions you'll have to do to get the thing off your back, unzip the various compartments to get to your wallet, and put it all back. An open bag that fits nicely next to my ribs seems to be the best bet.

A final must-have item in the Pacific Northwest is a raincoat with a hood. It is impossible to juggle holding hands, opening car doors, and an umbrella. Having a raincoat with a hood this year has been a nice convenience for me.

Are there any SAHMs out there that wear outfits that match their kids? Just curious.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I meant to thank you Becky for responding so sincerely and to you Nicole for putting these helpful facts on the table. If there is anything that you would like help with Becky, give us a shout.

You always look fantastic Meredith and you are definitely a very stylish Mummy-on-the go. Thanks for sharing your style secrets with us.

Nicole

Veteran

Angie, Do you have a minimum spending budget for your clients? (ie do you require your clients to be able to spend, say, at least $2,000 on clothing so that when you go shopping with them, they are not wasting time shopping without actually buying?) Just curious.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I work with a client per retail season (either Spring or Autumn) and we do not set a specific budget for what we buy, but generally, people are very aware of what things cost. My fee stays the same and clients are not obligated to buy anything that I select for them. I am not a stylist that works on commission in that way. Clothing, footwear and accessory budgets can be anything from $300 to $3000 in a given season. It totally depends on the needs of the client and what they are willing to spend. Hope that satisfies your curiosity!

Nicole

Veteran

Yes it does. Thanks very much!

lori

this is such an interesting and tricky question. i have been a sahm for 8 years now and my fashion has evolved with the stages of my children's lives.

when i was nursing, i started off wearing button downs, but then realized that way too much of the boobs were being exposed and it was almost risque! so, i switched to t-shirts/swing tops that were easy to life and had stretch in them to accommodate the ever rise and fall of my lactating self.

after i was done nursing, i donned my "uniform". That would be denim anything on the bottom, layered tanks/long-sleeve tees/crew neck sweaters and either some type of blazer/trench/rain coat.

I think what makes my style stand apart form most of the sahms that i know is that i know my body type and what looks good on me. I happen to be a rectangle with small breasts and a small bottom. Therefore, crew necks work well one me - i stay away from any chest baring as i am far too bony to make that look good. I also know exactly the length of pants that i should be wearing and i make the appropriate shoe choice. I usually wear some type of converse or ballet flat as i am still running after my kids most days.

what i NEVER EVER do is walk around in sweats/yoga pants or any type of work out gear that should be saved for working out only. I think this is a HUGE reason why so many sahms look so awful most of the time. i reserve this gear for the gym and NEVER keep it on all day!

And please, ladies, wear a little make-up - have your eye brows plucked and roll on some lip gloss. wash your hair! Look like you like your life! don't believe that it's all over just because you have kids. basically, have some self-respect and try to look your best EVERY day - because your kids look at you every day and deserve to see a mommy who feels good about herself!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You have found a style that works extremely well for you Lori, and I have yet to see you unkempt and without style no matter how ill the children were all night. You are naturally polished and well put together and an inspiration to all SAHM’s who feel that they cannot accomplish a stylish appearance every day. You certainly are another very stylish Mummy-on-the go. I love it!

pmhenson

I work 30 hours a week, but I'm still a mom full time. I second Lori's comment that it is very valuable for your kids to see you taking care of yourself. First year post partum, I admit I wore a bunch of t-shirts, but since reading Angie's blog, I'm trying to get away from that. I generally follow the uniform spoken of already (tailored to my body type of course). I will add that here it gets quite hot so I'm expecting to do walk shorts, skirts and dresses instead of denim this summer and cool comfy sandals. I can't help but not spend too much money on clothes I'm going to wear around the kids but I try not to let this prevent me from being stylish all the same. I'm still nursing and I'm in the lift up, not the unbutton camp mostly because I'd need a blanket to cover in public with buttons and dealing with buttons is a much slower endeavor for me. I expect as my kids get older I will be able to wear more white around them for example. And black too (kid gunk really shows up on black too).

pmhenson

Also, it never fails-- if I decide to wear something white for work, there's ketchup included with breakfast at the day care. LOL.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like your strategy P! I love the idea of your Summer Mummy uniform. Perfect.

lori

let me add that i don't spend much money on my wardrobe. People are always commenting on how, "put together" i look and that i must spend gobs of money to look like this. I have to say that i have found a few places that have GREAT sahm clothes for less than what you might think. I have found really fab jeans and funky yet appropriate tops at Brass Plum in Nordies - it's the same at H&M. You have to stay away from the teenage look so you don't become hoochy-mama, but you pay a fraction of the cost that you would in other dept. stores or sections of nordies and you look FAB! Also, i have found that every now and then Anthropologie to have really great sales and that funky look really does well on a sahmn.

lori

another addition - i ALWAYS wear a tank top (obviously with stretch) underneath every single shirt that i wear. I tuck it in and it holds in ( or tries to) all my baby fat...that belly flab that never goes away post-pregnancy! that way, i look much more sleek in my clothes!