WIW: this week. Help with everyday SAHM casual wear and fit

dizzys

I really enjoy my date night/ church and out on the town casual and dressy clothing, but I hate my every day walk the kids to school/ take preschooler to the park and go to the grocery store clothing. It needs to be simple, but not boring......and gosh, it has to fit.

Everyday this week I took pictures and noticed already by taking the photos I was able to see right away if something did not work. I already threw out an atrocious white card that did nothing for me.....I will spare you that outfit photo. Bad!!! I also noticed a lot of bust gaping. Wondering if I should move away from button ups.

What you see it pretty much my SAHM wardrobe a ton of button down shirts in various forms of flattery.... what looks should I continue with? What pieces should go away? Can I do a skinny jean at this point or should I stick with boot or straight leg. ( skinny just with boot or heeled bootie) fear looking like an ice cream cone.

1: Me everyday walking DS#1 to school.Cali winters are cold, but not snowing cold.
2. Skinny with boots, teal card, pink Tee
3. White Ill fitted too big button up with black belted jacket. (this one seemed better than it looks?)
4. Pink ruffle Tee and white lace card. ( Thrifted and perhaps better for spring....not sure how to wear it.) Dark boot cut jeans.
5. Details
6. Button up
7. Button up with boot leg Levis. My favorite look I think
8. Wrap blouse and red card. Skinny with booties. Wraps should work for me in theory, but there is never enough coverage. Not sure if I should avoid or embrace.
9. My small wardrobe.

Thanks for looking guys.

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13 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from

Mia

Veteran

Ah the school run conundrum...

I like to have a "uniform" of sorts so I do not have to think about it too hard. Perhaps create a school run capsule of 11 items, 4 bottoms and 7 tops that mix and match. A tight colour palette will help. Maybe 2 jeans, one trouser and a skirt of dress with tops, cards and jacket or two. This always helps me see gaps, like need more knits, less crisp cotton etc.

I photo my outfits on a table and refer to it later. You'll be amazed how many outfits out of 11 items. Dress counts and one top and one bottom.

Good luck and show us when you are done. There is also a lady in UK who does blog on school run outfits but can't remember name. I will send it later if I can find.

13 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'm on my way out the door. I wanted to say though, that you're doing so many things right already:

1. You've already making the most of your items with layering techniques. Brava!

2. Bootcuts are great on you. Your legs look really LONG! You can absolutely wear skinnies. I'd need to see more photos of the ones in 2 to give you my (not expert) take on the ones you one. I think bootcuts are most flattering on me, but I like variety, so I have both skinnies and boyfriends. (see below).

3. I like the cut of the white blouse in 3 -- it's a less tailored style. Perhaps what you're looking forward is a more "tailored" fit. This is doable on your frame, for sure, but, as a D cup who had no chest at all until my surprise baby at age 38, I find it's a tougher search. I think I might buy a size larger than usual and deepen the darts myself. For now, a little velcro or snap right at the apex of your chest (usually between two buttons, argh!) might help.

I've been buying a lot of woven, but "floaty" blouses recently. They layer under things well, and are super comfy. I've linked photos of my simple Levi skinnies and a few floaty tops --- all are washable and don't require a touch of ironing. Woohoo!

(Can't wait to see your new shoes)

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13 years ago

Tina.b

Veteran

I'm a SAHM too and this is something I've thought a lot about and still struggle with. I need clothes that are very functional especially in the winter months.

You've put together some nice looks here. I especially love your winter coat with the scarf. The jacket in #3 looks great and really pulls the outfit together (I need to do this more). And your legs to look very long in the boot cuts. But I definitely think you can wear all sorts of jeans, variety is always great.

13 years ago

dizzys

Active Member

Mia:This is exactly what I need to do. Capsule with interchangable like colors. This is were I tend to fail. I am a bargain hunter thrifter and tend to buy one piece at a time. The photo I took of my closet actually helped on a few occasions when I was shopping. I guess I forget what I have and need.

BethAnne: thanks for the skinny jean confirmation. The ones I have are actually to big at this point and are more slouchy. It helps to know I can go in that direction.

I have been thinking about the floaty tops but am trying to make them work in a way that also defines the waste. Have not tried the half tuck yet. I am also looking at the high low styles too. I tried on some cute sailor pants and have been looking for something to go in this vein. Washable is a must. Many things in this style are rayon..... they dislike the washing machine...and jelly stains :-).

I can't wait to see my shoes. I hope they work.

Tina: thanks for the boost!

13 years ago

dizzys

Active Member

Here is one I forgot. Purple cords and cotton shirt with fuzzy slippers. Fit is not the best on the cardigan....too floppy or thin or something. Wondering if this is usable/ fixable. Shirt needs an iron.

Noticing my biggest issue is bust fit and waste definition.

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13 years ago

Mia

Veteran

Well, couldn't find that UK blog I mentioned earlier but when I googled "school run fashion blog" I got oodles of stuff. Probably too much.

I find Angie's MOTG formulas so useful. I use the ones that appeal to me and often think of new ways to combine my items using her templates.

Hope you keep working with this and have some fun with it. The compliments are sure to follow....

13 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

Check out Angie's mom on the go formulas. These are great! They really work and can amp up your look.

Invest in a couple pair of great jeans. These do not have to premium, just great on you. Tis is MUCH harder than it sounds. I would also recommend a pair of weatherproof boots that you can wear your tucked into or outside of the boots.

Go through your shirts. Which ones fit and are in good condition. Keep those. Same with jackets, etc and start building a list of needs. Do not buy anything until the list is done! Scarfs are your friend. You can wear a similar outfit again, change the scarf, and it looks brand new!

Also, check out the blog ain't no mom jeans. She is is a SAHM that focuses on that lifestyle.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You've already had some great advice from the others but I wanted to add that you have the perfect face for the retro style you aspire toward. And one problem you might be having is that more ladylike style (which works so well for the date night or church outing) is really hard to accommodate for the school run. In other words, it's partly a problem of not having the right clothes for your purpose (or not enough, or not enough that fit properly or work with one another well.) But it's also a problem of feeling out of your style zone when you dress in the jeans/ shirts/ boots.

I DO think some really great fitting items will help a lot. And Beth Ann's idea of blouses is really great. The blouse is (can be) a retro look and would add some softness to the structure of jeans. Well worth a try. You can try a tuck or semi-tuck, as she does, for some waist definition, or you can wear a blazer with a nipped in waist on top. Leave it open and you don't have to worry about bust fit as much.

Also, I wanted to add that I have been working on this problem of the perfect work-at-home wardrobe (comfy, washable, yet fashionable and fits my style persona) and I swear it is a lot harder than dressing for an office job! So hang in there!! It's not your imagination that it is tricky!

13 years ago

dizzys

Active Member

Suz your comments concerning being out of my style zone resonated with me. Thanks for having that foreknowledge. I am having trouble finding prints that I enjoy in casual wear. I noticed today that there are a few newer patterns that incorporate dots into florals, so I might go in that direction. I keep telling my self that this is not a race. I don't have to have a perfect wardrobe over night.

13 years ago

Anonymous

Hi DC, you are so cute I just want to hug you! I love your specs (and I'm in the market for a pair so I notice them on everybody. Your coat and scarf are perfect and so interesting together. While it stays chilly, that should make school runs easier because only your jeans and boots are visible. Kudos on wearing real clothes for the drop off/pick up. You are already light years ahead of the yoga pants and scrubs moms, lol!

You've been given some great advice here. I'll skip to the wardrobe building part. I'm also a fellow thrifter and at one point I decided it was impossible to make a true capsule when relying on "whatever is out there" but I'm changing my tune. I found a new blog this morning on the capsule subject, and the blogger recommended BEFORE culling and BEFORE making a shopping list to figure out your style persona. I went out in a panic last year and bought a ton of summer clothes (I live in Phoenix) and they ticked a lot of boxes, but I hadn't really nailed down my persona yet and let's just say that many of them are...no longer with me, lol! Also I went crazy with prints and brights and many items only had one "friend" that they played well with.

So, to get to my point, I think it's quite possible to create a mix and match capsule with second hand clothes. You're wise to take your time, plan carefully and choose a preferred color palette. For some reason if I pretend I'm packing for a trip, everything seems to gel. It's then that I immediately know which pair of jeans and shoes are my "best" and then I choose tops and toppers that work with them. You might need/want to choose one item to buy new that's trending this season that will make everything else look updated. After spending some time in your closet, you might hit on a certain color or length of cardi or the new long shorts (or what have you) that would make everything else do double duty. If you can't thrift it, it might be worth it to allocate some of your budget to shop for it in a retail store.

And before I forget, here's the link to that blog: there are four posts about creating a capsule wardrobe

http://puddlingaround.wordpres.....-wardrobe/

13 years ago

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