https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-think-i-am-having-an-early-mid-life-clothing-crisis Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 23 May 2026 12:51:36 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-think-i-am-having-an-early-mid-life-clothing-crisis#post-755103 Tue, 23 Oct 2012 11:05:16 +0000 April 755103@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcom, PL! If you're going to King of Prussia, be sure to get over to Nordstrom Rack (kind of on a hill up behind the mall, next to the Imax theater.)</p> <p>I recently transitioned from working full time to being a mom at home. I have a teenager, so it's not quite the same as being on the floor with a little one, but I do find my days filled with chores that don't lend themselves to silk blouses and dry-clean-only dress pants.</p> <p>Great jeans are becoming increasingly important to me. I already have a great assortment of jackets, so jeans are a natural. I'm not much of a dress wearer and I've stopped fighting that, but if you love dresses, wearing them with leggings is a good way to deal with floor-sitting and playground running and climbing. Ponte pants are a good alternative to yoga pants for a more polished look.</p> <p>Another vote for checking out Angie's MOTG formulas. Angie's formulas will never let you down! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-think-i-am-having-an-early-mid-life-clothing-crisis#post-755033 Tue, 23 Oct 2012 04:42:01 +0000 PinkLemonade 755033@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you so much everyone! I have been traveling, and took a few days to digest everything.</p> <p>The day after I posted this, I found a big box of clothes in the back of our closet! It was ore oregnancy stuff that was a little tight, but I am smaller than I was per pregnancy, so wham! Instant wardrobe face lift! I found a lot of good basics, two pairs of jeans, a denim pencil skirt, and some good solid tees that have details. I also found some long layering tees I thought I hated. It turns out I look really good with these layered under my tops. I don't know why I resisted this look, but it really lengthens my torso. </p> <p>About a blazer... Genius! I have come to the same conclusion recently. I bought some great cowboy boots on a trip last summer, and have worn them with dresses and a denim jacket a lot. My denim jacket is I'll fitting, and really makes me look frumpy. The shoulder seems don't line up in the correct place. Anyway, I saw a lady in a little denim blazer, and I thought it looked so cute and much more put together. We are in Philadelphia for a few days, so I am going to go check out King of Prussia mall tomorrow and see if I can't find a denim blazer. My only issue is that blazers never fit me off the rack, so I will have to get it tailored. I have narrow shoulders, so they always look frumpy. </p> <p>I also love the idea about athletic Mary janes. I haven't ever given those much thought, but they would make my yoga pants and tee and cardigan outfits look much more polished. I did buy some loafers the other day that I LOVE. I actually bought them at Easy Spirit. i wear a ten, and my feet look so huge in most loafers. I need them to have some sort of detail, like a buckle to break it up. These have one, plus it is closer to the toe, so it makes my foot look much more delicate. They are practically slippers, but look really good with jeans and yoga pants. I bought black and a burgundy color. </p> <p>I have to admit I am terrified of posting pictures!!! I know it would be helpful, so maybe I will work up to it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-think-i-am-having-an-early-mid-life-clothing-crisis#post-753532 Sun, 21 Oct 2012 03:45:43 +0000 Lyn D. 753532@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome! I look forward to following your style-journey at YLF. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-think-i-am-having-an-early-mid-life-clothing-crisis#post-753448 Sun, 21 Oct 2012 00:47:40 +0000 Janet 753448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Carter, and welcome! Others have already made the suggestions I was going to give, but I'll just add that I found the forum the most helpful when I started posting outfit photos for feedback, so I hope you'll do that too.</p> <p>I'm not far from you (I live near Annapolis), and there are a number of YLFers in the area. We've had a couple of DC area YLF meetups -- hope you'll be able to join us sometime! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-think-i-am-having-an-early-mid-life-clothing-crisis#post-753423 Sun, 21 Oct 2012 00:21:26 +0000 Mo 753423@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This may be simplistic, but the light dawned for me when I was helping my mom move stuff into my house one day in a plain white tee and jeans. We were going to head out to eat and I simply put on a green light cotton blazer and slipped on some heeled leather mules and looked put together in under a minute. I realized the power of a jacket. Now, I understand that you don't need office wear. Neither do I! I wear a uniform for work. It took me until I was 35 to buy my first casual blazer, and I haven't looked back.<br /> A similar scenario can play out with a tunic or knit dress over leggings. Throw on a necklace and/or cropped jacket or sweater, some ballet flats or boots, and you're ready to see the world. Meanwhile, running around the house you are totally at ease until you need to leave and throw on those last finishing touches. Ta da! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-think-i-am-having-an-early-mid-life-clothing-crisis#post-753399 Sat, 20 Oct 2012 23:52:37 +0000 unfrumped 753399@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's not a crisis--it's a journey!</p> <p>I'm not a SAHM but I did have some issues with feeling like I needed a better 'loungewear" and at-home wear look, but I still wanted to be very comfy.</p> <p>Here are some thoughts to ponder as you sort through your styles. They're a little random, so bear with me:</p> <p>Read some of the posts on identifying your "activities" and on wardrobe capsules.<br /> Write down (or identify) some of your basic activities &amp; don't think they are all the same--playing on floor with baby, housework, errands and many different kinds--peds visits, play dates, shopping, out to park, out with friends, out with DH, etc.</p> <p>I think one thing you might be aiming for is a) to look and feel more fab and b) not to look the same all the time (although always looking fab is good!) if the default is to your most casual look.</p> <p>You don't have to have a different outfit or look for EVERY activity, but thinking about it, you'll find that's where you can introduce some variety and fun with fashion.</p> <p>First, if you wear PJ's, get nice ones you like and don't wear them for something else. Don't wear your day mom outfits to bed. Boom, you've already established PJ's are for bedtime and not daywear.</p> <p>Look at your current "leisure wear" and think how you can upgrade it while still being comfy. So, okay, jeans are great for some but if tight, or too crisp, or whatever, not as comfy as knits, maybe. But, baggy faded sweats may look the worst. So, think about finding soft and comfortable jeans or whether you're a yoga pant girl, and if so aim for really good-fitting yoga pants. Footwear similarly--big clunky track shoes are looking "out" but slimmer-profile athletic shoes, Converse, athletic Mary Janes may work. I have fussy feet so I won't wear something just because it's "in," but I'm learning to recognize more updated looks in shoes that are comfortable for me.</p> <p>I'm advocating for not aiming too hoity-toity with baby-care wear because i don't think people can keep it up--instead, you're trying to look at folks on the street, browse some magazines or YLF, and see, what iterations of comfortable at-home wear look more modern and fresh, and what FITS you really well? </p> <p>I used to wear a lot of drawstring or elastic-waist comfy sweat pant type outfits but they look pretty sloppy on me and don't do anything for my shape. Also baggy T shirts and overshirts too big. As just an example, found some nice Eddie Bauer knit tops with some lace detail, and sweaters with some stitching and ruffle detail, that were just as comfy but were more fitted and looked more together, and I kept just neat-fitting pants and jeans that were soft but not dumpy. I'm still on the lookout for other items to create a few more outfits that have perfect curl up and read comfort that is NOT my pajamas and robe, as this is a goal for me.</p> <p>Take slippers--no matter how great shoes are, there's just something about slippers.... But I have 81/2-9 feet and get XL in slippers, and usually the poufy or shapeless kind is what is comfortable. I finally found a brand --blocking on name--that is a kind of pile-lined slipper-moc that passed the total comfort test plus looks more streamlined, and has rubber sole so I can run out to car or recycle bin or whatever. I bought in 2 colors!</p> <p>Then, maybe you can amp it up one notch for errands. I used to (and still do occasionally) run errands &amp; to grocery store in pretty sloppy wear, but I'm having fun wearing nicer jeans and shoes (still comfortable, like leather slip-ons) and maybe a necklace (ooh la la!) and one of my nicer jackets instead of a hoodie. The point is, I felt I looked better and was having fun.</p> <p>I kind of moved all my activity outfits up the food chain a notch or 2--an outfit I might wear to the movies became a nice loungewear outfit, my usual movie or casual date night outfit became more of an errand outfit, I aimed a little higher for date night, etc.<br /> Still, aim for comfort and great fit or you won't wear it--it needs to still feel like "you", but you can stretch a little. You'll have ups and downs, but that's fashion experimentation!</p> <p>So you can be thinking of outfits or where you'd like to go with your outfits, and the capsules concept helps when you a) need several outfits of a similar nature or b) have clothing items that can work for more than one activity.</p> <p>Hope these ideas give you some encouragement and direction. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-think-i-am-having-an-early-mid-life-clothing-crisis#post-753043 Sat, 20 Oct 2012 14:00:58 +0000 glam on the inside 753043@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome aboard! Definitely plenty to get you started here, but two other blogs I like (written specifically for mums) are:<br /> <a href="http://www.aintnomomjeans.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.aintnomomjeans.com/</a><br /> and<br /> <a href="http://www.foxinflats.com.au/" rel="nofollow">http://www.foxinflats.com.au/</a><br /> The bloggers have quite different body types to mine, but offer up lots of ideas, and always keep the practicalities of parenting in mind when they post. Have fun! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-think-i-am-having-an-early-mid-life-clothing-crisis#post-753038 Sat, 20 Oct 2012 13:40:26 +0000 Anonymous 753038@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi there!</p> <p>I second the idea of starting off with the brilliant mom on the go formulas:<br /> <a href="http://youlookfab.com/2009/10/07/10-casual-outfit-formulas-for-mom-on-the-go/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2009/10/.....on-the-go/</a></p> <p>We also have several members that are stay home moms and/or have small children., you can perouse their past posts for inspiration. Forum members Modgrl and Goldenpig come to mind, but I know there are others who post outfit photos frequently. You can do a search for "mom on the go" or "motg" for plenty of inspiration.</p> <p>Welcome to YLF! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-think-i-am-having-an-early-mid-life-clothing-crisis#post-752965 Sat, 20 Oct 2012 08:21:31 +0000 Deborah 752965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome to YLF Carter. Supporting the other suggestions to look through the archives. The Mum On The Go formulas are fanastic, and of course you modify them to make them "you". Looking forward to chatting more with you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-think-i-am-having-an-early-mid-life-clothing-crisis#post-752946 Sat, 20 Oct 2012 07:06:49 +0000 Caro in Oz 752946@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome Carter, I agree with Beth Ann - have a look through the archives there is so much great information here. The other great thing to do is post some outfits of the clothes you are thinking of keeping, you will get fabulous feedback. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-think-i-am-having-an-early-mid-life-clothing-crisis#post-752907 Sat, 20 Oct 2012 05:05:17 +0000 Beth Ann 752907@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome, Carter! You've come to the right place! The YLF community is a wonderful place to explore new style directions. My kids are now 10 and 11, but I remember those early days well! Kudos to you for showing such love and attention on your family! Now - some time for you!</p> <p>Angie has some great MOTG (Mom on the Go) formulas in the blog archives. That's a great place to start for ideas. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-i-think-i-am-having-an-early-mid-life-clothing-crisis#post-752904 Sat, 20 Oct 2012 05:00:02 +0000 PinkLemonade 752904@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi everyone! This is my first post. My name is Carter, and I am a stay at home Mama. I am 31 years old, and an apple body type. I live in DC, and have lots of lovely places to shop. </p> <p>I used to love shopping, and my style was an integral part of me. It still is in many ways, and my husband, baby and house look great.... but I am usually in what my lovely husband calls "athleisure wear" or pajamas. And, it's hard to tellt he difference between the two. ;)</p> <p>I take my job as a stay at home mom very seriously, and I don't want my sweet baby to always see me looking like a blob! I grew up in a home where you took your "good" clothes off as soon as you walked in the door, and put on play clothes. even my mom changed into running shorts and tees. This method doesn't work when your work is your home! </p> <p>So, I need some outfit ideas, or blog recommendations, etc. I am not exactly sure where my style lies right now. I definitely have a preppy vibe, but I also like some whimsical pieces. I guess I am open to whatever. I feel like some of my clothes need to be a little bit more grown up. My husband is a grown up, and I occasionally have to attend functions with him. I have a collection of headbands with bows and feathers and stuff that I think I have outgrown. That is about all I am sure of right now! Thanks for any and alla device you'd an give me! I have seen some really inspirational outfits in here, and I am excited to get to chat more with everyone! </p>