Navigating fashion as a new mom has been incredibly difficult. It could be because I went through multiple transitions at the same time and I just couldn’t adjust my wardrobe fast enough. I had left my career after the birth of our daughter, my weight had skyrocketed (I had gained 74lbs!), and I had started going the gym more (trying to drop those lbs!). My career clothes were impractical and my casual clothes didn’t fit. I owned one pair of jeans and rotated some maternity shirts. It was time to rebuild my wardrobe.
But first, I had to be honest with myself about my current life situation. You see, I am a minimalist at heart who loves a curated closet of silk blouses and cashmere sweaters. My fantasy self wanted to buy ethically sourced clothes from boutique stores, but my in real life (IRL) self needed to shop fast fashion because it was budget friendly and practical. Fantasy self wanted to spend all the money on accessories and IRL self needed to buy boring basics so I could actually have clothes to wear. It was a little bit of an identity crisis, but after two years, this is what I learned…and truthfully, I am still learning this! I have to cycle through these rules periodically because its easy to lose sight of them in the flurry of motherhood!
Here are the four fashion rules I have learned:
1. Keep it comfortable!
Fantasy self wants those sassy shoes, but IRL self is constantly on the move and needs something that can be worn all day. Chances are that if it isn’t comfortable, you won’t wear it. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to wear athlesiure all the time, although I have some good look ideas here. When we think of comfortable, we tend to think of leggings, but it doesn’t always have to be leggings and a tunic top. You can still wear jeans (I wear these from American Eagle) that have elastane for flexibility or a dress (like this cute one from Old Navy) and be winning all day long.
2. Keep it simple!
Don’t over-think the outfit. Fantasy self wants it to be like NY Fashion week every day, and we can spend a lot of time thinking about how to recreate a look that we saw online. This can be so frustrating when our clothing options and our money is limited. But, our everyday outfits can be simple and also stylish.
3. Elevate the look with an accessory!
So, the outfit is comfortable and simple, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Chose an accessory that will elevate the look. Add a scarf, a bracelet (how beautiful is this one here!?), or some statement earrings (these are so fun!). Invest in something you love and it will make you feel special throughout the day.
4. Have an impractical outfit!
Put together a look that is wildly impractical, but perfect for a date night or a night out with your girlfriends. There is something refreshing (and even necessary!) about having an outfit in the closet that helps you remember who you are without kids. Its good to let Fantasy self out once in a while!
I would love for you to join me on Instagram where I am sharing the outfits I’m putting together from my simple closet! And let me know in the comments below if there are any other “rules” you would add to this list!
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