My uniform
Dear Sensibly Styled,
In three years I went from working woman to mother of a two year old and a 6 month old. Although I love them to death and wouldn’t trade them for the world, they have destroyed my style. And not in the usual way. Happily it was not difficult for me to mostly regain my pregnancy figure- okay maybe one size up. And although I still fit into my structured jackets, button up shirts and pointy shoes, they are not the most practical wear for peanut butter, pretend princesses, and play dates. Help me find a way to incorporate the style that once felt so me into my new life. I need to find pieces that feel business. Clean lines, structured jackets (they really are my favorite) fashionable shoes, and great details, that work with my climbing on the floor, going to the park, wash and wear mommy life.
Thanks so much,
Crystal F.
Heber City, Utah
and from our reader Jessica: Ok, First off I LOVE this website, it has helped me SO much with finding more modest clothing. So thank you!! Ok I need some new fall clothing and was wondering if you could help! I am 25 years old, size 4, and chase after a 18 month all day …. so I need cute, comfortable, stylish “mommy” clothing … HELP!!
Hi ladies! It’s Emily, and trust me…this is predicament that I understand all too well. I’ll turn 28 next month and I am the happy mama to a just over two year old boy and eight month old twin boys. That makes 3 boys 2 and under. My day is completely wrapped up in caring for my little ones, and after a lot of struggling to feel cute and put together, I’ve finally come up with my “uniform”. Before you read any further, read this article from Gwyneth Paltrow’s site GOOP, it seriously revolutionized how I think about clothes. Her concept, plus seeing how amazing Elaine (of Clothedmuch) is at putting together rad outfits, made so much sense to me.
So, I let the ideas simmer in my head for a little while, and this is my new clothing direction. Maybe it will work for you, too.
First of all, for a long time I felt bummed out that my daily life with children didn’t really allow for cute clothes. That is, unless I wanted to get my cute clothes spit up on all the time. Which, I don’t. I have now reached a point where I want my clothes for my job, the mama job, to be comfortable and functional…and easy to upgrade. I realized that the demoralizing part wasn’t the comfortable clothes for my job of raising children (comfortable is non-negotiable!), it was that I didn’t know how to step up my look for when I was out running errands, at the park, at the library, etc. This is my upgrade plan and everything is meant to mix and match.
p.s. the links for everything (except the cute blue floral camisole which isn’t available anymore, darnit) are at the bottom of the post
The core uniform is perfect for my job. The tops are neutral and comfortable, and the bottoms are stretchy and make chasing, bending up and down, and sitting with little ones in my lap a lot easier. I try to wear shoes as infrequently as possible (a trait inherited from my mother), but cute toenail polish makes me happy. Like Gwyneth, I love a neutral gray heather, but just about any neutral will do.
The first upgrade is for everyday errands or for throwing on when a friend comes by. I keep on my yoga pants and gray tee, add an easy sweater or light coat, and slip on some shoes. This is a perfect upgrade for taking books back to the library, picking up milk and bread from the store, going to the park with the boys, or for getting together at a playgroup. It’s not fancy, but it shows intent, which is the difference between a thrown together mess and easy mix and match outfits.
The second upgrade is a little more put together. Swap out the pants for some cute jeans, add a light coat and a scarf, and finish off with some flats. Or wear the jeans and gray tee with sneakers and a sweater. Or put a belt over the tee, slip on some flats, and add the necklace. Tons of options.
The final upgrade has even more options. First, you could swap out the gray tee for a cute top. Put it with the heels, boots, or flats. Or keep the gray tee, and add one of the upgraded sweaters for a more polished look. Trade out the bootcut jeans for the trouser jeans or black skinnies and put on a ruffled tank underneath the lightweight coat or casual sweaters and top it off with a belt…or not, either way works. Or keep the gray tee, tuck the skinny jeans in the boots, and add one of the upgraded sweaters. Or pair the tee with the skirt, boots (or red flats), and a sweater.
Combining all of these upgrades with the basic uniform creates about a million different looks.
What works for you? What are your favorite uniform basics and favorite upgrades?
Picture 1: crewneck, v-neck, henley, yoga pants, stretch pants w/ pockets
Picture 2: gray peacoat, purple wrap sweater, red high collar sweater, green shawl cardigan, chaco sandals, adidas sneakers, crocs flats, asics sneakers
Picture 3: green coat, yellow belt, blue flower belt, floral scarf, necklace, pink scarf, patterned flats, red flats, flare jeans, boot-cut jeans
Picture 4: gray sweater, teal shirt, green floral top, purple ruffle sweater, yellow pleated sweater, blue floral camisole (similar to shown), trouser jeans, pink ruffled camisole, black skinnies, patterned skirt, heels, boots
Related posts:
I know you may have posted too many items to list, but I need to know where to buy that light grey ruffled pea coat, the green tie sweater, and the rainbow colored necklace and scarf. This posting has made me feel super-optimistic about looking good after baby. She’s five months old and I am still fighting the frump. Thanks -Marianne
This is great! I’m not even a mom, but I’m a fan of comfort, and after work need a go-to wardrobe as well.
Could I get the link for the pink sweater with the button collar? I think I need it.
Would you mind posting the links to the red sweater in photo #1, green jacket and shoes in photo #2 and also the tops in the upper left corner of photo #3? I love everything!
Can you post more links – these are great finds and have revolutionized my thinking…this is SO, SO Smart….thank you so much! I’d like to snatch up almost everything you have pictured! I especially love the green double-breasted coat and the yoga pants. Thanks for the links!
Must have yellow pleated jacket and brown wedge boots from the last photo set. Please tell me where I can find them!
Can you post the link to the red flats in pic #1, the teal cap sleeve top, green cap sleeve top, and boots in pic #3?
VERY Cute suggestions! Thanks so much! Would you mind posting the red sweater link, the jeans and the yoga pants!
purple ruffle jacket! purple ruffle jacket! PLEASSSSE! i need to know where to buy it asap.
Can you please post the link to the green floral cap sleeve top in the last picture? I’ve already ordered the green fleece old navy one….can’t wait for it to arrive. Loving this post…heaven sent for us mommies!
About those Gap jeans… I have them and LOVE them so much, I bought another pair! Great advice!
Can you post links for the yoga pants and tops. Also the rose/pink colored sweater. Thanks so much!
I love every outfit in this post!
Can you also post a link for the shoes?
Thanks SO much for this post. I needed something like this broken down for me! Thank you, thank you!
There are so many adorable things, is it too much to ask you to provide links for it all?? I’d especially love to know where to find that blue floral sleeveless top in the last collage. Thanks!
P.S. Kym, I’m pretty sure the purple ruffled jacket is from Anthropologie.
I am a working mom but struggle with looking cute on weekends, etc. These ideas are perfect. In fact, I just bought two of the sweaters from old navy a few days ago.
Wow!! Totally love your website!! Could you post a link for the tall brown boots?? I think i might have to have them!
thanks so much!!!!
This is totally my favorite post yet. I love the whole mix and match concept. I used to subscribe to Marie Claire solely for their section on taking a few basics and making them go a long way (I don’t think they do that anymore though).
I have way too many plain colored items and need to find a few cute printed pieces to have some more options on the “final upgrade.” Seriously, thank you for this post – it was really fantastic!
i love knit skirts for this, too, because i never feel quite comfortable wearing my yoga pants in public.
Be careful not to wear stretchy pants EVERY day or you will end up gaining weight, because you don’t notice the difference. I suggest alternating stretchy pants with non-stretchy pants/jeans to avoid this.
Thank you SOOOOO much for answering my question!! I LOVE all the ideas, totally my style! You guys are the best!!!
Awesome post! Extremely helpful and very cute. I also wish you had links to the clothes mentioned, tho I can guess where many of them are from. Did you do these pictures on Polyvore or something similar? If so, can you just provide the link to the set so we can get to the items from there?
I’m in LOVE with the purple sweater/jacket from Anthropologie. Shwing!
I kind of want it all, and I want it all right right NOW NOW NOW.
Wow , I love this post. I have tried very unsuccessfully to cut my clothes down to basics and accessories to try and create a capsule wardrobe. This just makes it a lot easier in my head and I probably already have the basics of this.
thanks for the inspirational tips, I know what I will be doing this weekend!
Steph
[...] to dress up their look. Well ladies… here it is! Like Emily mentioned in her post ‘My Uniform‘ there are things you wear in the house that aren’t necessarily super cute, however, [...]