Ask Angie: Attire for a young SAHM???

What IS a good wardrobe for a young (29), SAHM? I don't like to be dressed up like I'm going to town every day, but I'm also tired of yoga pants and camis on a daily basis. I want to feel DRESSED but still comfortable and casual enough to sit on the floor and play with my kids and fold laundry or cook a meal without worrying about ruining my clothes (sometimes I'm a messy cook ).

I'm a very lumpy, apple-shaped, well-endowed gal, and everything I try on lately seems to just accentuate all of those features Hence the yoga pants and camis.

Occasionally I do run errands and need something that looks young and hip, but I also don't want to be the mom who is denying her status in life by dressing like a teenager (no offense to any teens here. It's OK to look/dress like a teenager when you ARE one ). Nor do I want to look like a career mom on her way home from the office in slacks and a blazer.

Any tips? Picture examples? Blog posts I may not have seen yet? I love the Mom-On-The-Go blog posts and have found the 2010 wardrobe forumulas very helpful. Although, none of them really touch on what to wear at home while playing with kids and doing housework. Can't very well scrub a toilet in a dress and boots

15 years ago

Louise

Veteran

Hi christelle I spend my work days crawling around on the floor with kids and the MOTG formulas are my life saver, I get not wanting to clean the house in good clothes but how about popping an apron over the top? x

RoseandJoan

Welcome to the forum Christelle, the MOTG formulas are a great start. To be honest I wear the same clothes around the house with the girls as I do when I'm out and about but it's stripped down. I take off the necklaces, scarf and kick off the shoes to potter and crawl with the girls.

Some looks that have been successful around the house are tunics and leggings, knit dresses and jeans with a well fitting tee. Adding the accessories before you leave the house kicks things up a notch.

Queen Mum

I echo what RoseandJoan just said... you can spend your time at home in a casual dress/skirt, jeans and a fitted tee, etc and then add the shoes and accessories when you are going out somewhere.
For instance, today I am kicking around in a casual sack dress and leggings. I don't plan to go anywhere but if I did I'd add shoes and earrings. If the weather were cooler I'd add boots and a jacket.

Anonymous

OK, duh! That totally makes sense. Now I feel like a ding-dong! LOL : ) I hadn't thought about just leaving off the accessories. Great ideas, ladies!

hehe... no need to feel like a ding-dong. It does seem awkward when you first start thinking of stepping up your wardrobe when you spend most of your time at home, but once you start, you'll never go back to yoga wear.. it just won't feel right. I love feeling stylish even when I'm just home cleaning toilets and cooking dinner.

(website)

Hi, Christelle! I kick around the house just like you, but no kids in this house We probably have very similar style needs. We'll have to start calling us the casual corner collectively lol! Welcome. I hear you on trying to find that happy medium that's truly comfortable for your needs but presentable as well. I like the tips so far for accessories and another layer as you head out. I'm still finding my way - happy to have company!

crwilson

Honestly, when I'm at home, I stick to leggings and tunics. I almost never (okay never) wear jeans at home because I just don't find them that comfortable. Right now, ponte pants are my new bffs because they are very comfortable and can be worn like skinny jeans. I find them amenable to crawling around on the floor, too, which is a plus.

Late Bloomer

Active Member

I just ran across this on Angies blog. Ideas for a mom on the go.
http://youlookfab.com/2009/10/.....on-the-go/

They look good for a person of any age who works from home. When you are home most of the time you feel so much better if you wear casual with a touch of style.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Hi Christelle and welcome to the forum!

Sounds like the ladies have you sorted. Let me know if I can help you further. There is a Mom On The Go category with great real life visuals. Reading through those posts is the best place to start.

http://youlookfab.com/category/mom-on-the-go/

Thanks for those great links and pics! Just what I need

I did buy two boyfriend cardigans a few weeks ago, and it's FINALLY been cold enough to wear them. I think I am IN LOVE! Thinking two of them may not be enough

Really, I have a blank slate in my closet, so I guess I'm in a good position to build a working wardrobe. I just need the knowledge and confidence to do it.

I think I'm going to have way too much fun here

Hi Christelle! I'm a SAHM with three kids and I've recently discovered that casual skirts and dresses make me feel more comfortable than jeans. Now that the weather is cooler, I just add leggings to the mix which provides even more coverage.

Glad you could join the party! Look forward to your future posts.

Patience

I don't have much to add except to say that I do the same as Julie (RoseandJoan)-- wear my regular clothes but with slippers instead of shoes until I leave the house. I leave off accessories until I walk out the door, but when I come back I usually just leave them on.

I am the same way as Patience and Julie (RoseandJoan).
I too wear my regular clothes around the house (and again - with slippers instead of shoes until I leave the house).
I guess my Mum started this "trend" since... hmmm, as far back as I can remember... telling me that one should always look as if ready to face unexpected visitor or to go out...

Refugee

I absolutely have to echo Louise's suggestion of an apron when cooking. A full apron not just a waist apron. In fact I leave mine on until I'm done eating as well. It has saved many a shirt from the discardduetopermanentstain pile. Combine that with the suggesstions the others have given and I think you're in a lot better position than you htink you are.
Oh, and by the way, welcome. Glad to have you her on the forum.

Marigold

Welcome! I'm also a SAHM, couple years older and my baby is 1.5. I feel your 'pain', sometimes it doesn't seem worth to me to get dressed up and all, especially when the day is dreary and soaking wet like today in New England... Leggings are a blessing, and I wear a longer tunic or a sweater (cardigans are great - sleeves easy to scrunch up etc), Jeans can get uncomfortable quickly. I'm going to try the ponte knit pants, Ladies here were raving about them, if they're as comfy as leggings but look better, you should def think about them too!

Barbara

Hi Christelle! Welcome to the forum.

QM, I agree: looking and feeling stylish is a constant for me too. Even toilet duty needs some glam. LOL.

OK, this will tell you all how long I've been out of the fashion world... but... what are ponte knit pants? *running off to consult Google in embarrassment*

Today I'm wearing cotton velour drawstring pants, tank top, and cardigan. I wear flip-flops pretty much constantly. I did put in earrings and slathered on some lip gloss this morning.

Maria, yes! That is exactly what I want! I need to be able to answer the door without dying of embarrassment (or hiding until they go away like this morning when I was still in my bathrobe and no bra at 11am!!!).

Christie

Sometimes I just add a layer (like a blazer or cardi or even a scarf) if I'm going out. I wear my shoes in the house.

Ditto the apron suggestion. I should wear mine more often. Cooking stains are such bummers.

Christelle - ponte pants are basically thicker leggings with a zip closure, sometimes pockets... Warmer and provide more coverage than leggings, I think a better bet for winter.

Category