I'm taking a good, hard look at my wardrobe and trying to brainstorm how I'm going to dress in this next decade of my life (I will be 30 in March). I'm in a major re-building phase after all these years of pregnancy.
If I had to describe the look I'm going for I would say classic but fun. Think little black dress with some really bold shoes. Great pair of jeans with a bright, flowy top. In theory I know what I like, but I have the hardest time putting together the look I like and pulling it off.
I'm wondering, what do you wear? What is your favorite item of clothing? What is your best piece of fashion advice you can give this almost 30 year old mom with a horrible case of diastasis recti?
Help!
I want to read the comments. I am in the same boat, girl!
ReplyDeleteYou know what I'm going to say - we've had many a conversation about this! ;) I think a pair of really good jeans will go a very long way and are 100% worth the investment. Great jeans that fit really well are the foundation of a flexible mama wardrobe!
ReplyDeletePlus, having that one basic item that you love and you know always works? Priceless.
I can't wait to read the other comments!
DL1961 jeans. They stretch but don't stretch out. And most have a slightly higher rise.
ReplyDeleteLayer, layer, layer. I like my tops to be more snug even though I am bigger than I was 10 years ago. I think the closer they fit, the smaller I look. If I'm feeling chunky I'll pair with a denim jacket or open cardigan.. During the summer I love sundresses. They save me the trouble of picking out two pieces.
My ultimate goal, now that I'm 36, is comfort, I've found. It doesn't have to be sloppy to be comfortable, but I do find that I like clothes that have some percentage of stretch in them. I gratitate towards knit tops instead of woven, for example. I like to look good and feel pretty even on the days I'm not going out in the world, when I'm a full-on stay-at-home mama (I go to my job 2 days a week). I sort of develop a seasonal "uniform" each season and I think that's FINE. This winter it's long underwear + great jeans + black belt + wool kneesocks + bright long-sleeved tee + heavy gray cardi + necklace and hoops. Some days I totally change it up if I'm feeling energetic or I'm going out with the kids.
ReplyDeleteI also have that separation of muscles (what a terrible name - can't bring myself to type it) although it has gotten better. I invested in a great pair of what my sister calls "suck-em-up pants." I wear those things on occasions when I'm dressing up and I want to look ultra-good and I don't mind sacrificing a little comfort.
I keep a Pinterest board of clothing inspiration. That helps me pick out examples of what I like and gives me new ideas when I'm feeling bored with my closet and don't have the money to go crazy-shopping.
I like to acquire trendy accessories, but I rarely buy trendy CLOTHES because the trends change so fast, you know? I make sure my clothing doesn't look cheap and fits well and is a good color on me (I can't wear orange, brown and yellow - even black - next to my face without looking ill).
heeee, I love this kind of clothing discussion! I love nothing better than when a friend asks me to help her go through her closet! Hey, have you checked out C-style's blog? She's got a great classic style with a fun spark. http://www.cstyleblog.com/
Yes- comfort! That's huge. I made that a priority during pregnancy, and I always felt like I looked better because I was comfortable.
DeleteAnd thanks for pointing me to C Style Blog. What an inspiration!
I'm all in for the comments as well. I second a great pair of jeans. The hubs has treated me twice now to some really fine jeans. Both pairs lasted me YEARS and I literally wore them out. I'll be in the market for another pair soon here. ;) I like loose tops. And thanks to you, I finally know WHY I have that HORRENDOUS pooch after I eat. Seriously, I look at least four months pregnant after I eat anything. I hate it. I did the "test" and totally have diastasis recti! I'd just attributed it to what Solomon in Song of Solomon called her "mound of wheat." Whatevs... Anyway, I like loose tops that flow, but are trendy. I buy them at Target - seems the last few "designers" they've featured have had some form of "blouse" that fits loose - it just makes me feel stylish and feminine and totally hides the "pooch." Thanks SB! Can't wait to see your new look!
ReplyDeletemound of wheat - lol
DeleteLove the shoes! I'm with you on the classic looks. Forget about the diasastis recti; you're just adorable. I can't believe, though, that you're almost 30!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI recently bought a pair of Paige jeans. I used Piperline where they have free shipping and returns and I got 20 percent off for signing up. I love these jeans. Very comfortable, have some stretch to them and have a bit of a higher rise and come up a little higher in the back, perfect for bending down and playing with kiddos. Also, have you heard of stitchfix? You create and account and fill out a style proifle of things you like or don't like. Pay a 20 dollar shipping fee and they send you a box of cute trendy clothes you can try on at home...with your shoes, jeans, etc. I have done it once and kept a top. Your 20 dollar shipping fee is applied to the cost of anything you keep. Then send back what you dont like and only charged for what you keep. Also, you can pick the price range of the clothing. I liked this because shopping with my 2 year old is pretty impossible. Pretty neat and I plan to try it again.
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled to be reminded about Piperline. Thank you. They have a great selection of jeans, and I'm all about the free shipping because I certainly dont have time to shop!
DeleteAnd how cook does that other site, stitchfix, sound. I'm going to look it up now.
It's so hard, especially nursing. I haven't worn a turtleneck in ages, but I do love a good turtleneck. I find I do best with sold colors. It's easier. My "uniform" lately is the nursing tanks from the Motherhood store with a sweater or blazer and either skinny jeans, leggings or riding pants. I got 2 pair of Michael Stars riding pants and love them. They were sort of $$, but worth it. Get what you pay for?? But they are also dry clean only, so you might want to stay away from that if you have spit up around you like I do :) I wear that with boots or flats. Also, with nursing, I get HOT! So that's another reason why I like the motherhood nursing tanks because it has a strap for when I need to take my sweater off without showing my bra. At community group I HAD to take my sweater off but I just had a regular tank top that you could see my bra. I didn't care, but I was quite inappropriate. I'll send you an email with those tops I love! Get solid colors!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you posted this question for the www. I've enjoyed reading the comments. I agree about the good jeans. I'd always worn Target and Kohl's jeans (which are perfectly fine, and I still wear them), but my mom treated me to a pair of Chicco's jeans recently...and I didn't know what I was missing. I would've NEVER thought about trying their jeans (my grandmother shops there, so I was hesitant). Haha. My favorite thing about the jeans is the wash. Not too young-looking, but not too mommy-looking, either. The fit is great, too, because they come up just high enough to "hug" in my diastatis recti. :)
ReplyDeleteI love me a flowy top, too. I have a hard time finding good tops (I tend to like longer tops that hit below my bottom), but on the way home from Troy a few weeks ago, I stopped by Sikes and Kohns, and they had LOTS! It was a post-pregnancy woman's goldmine. I'm already planning my next trip.
So glad you told me about Sikes and Kohns. Stephen was saying he wants to go their soon. We might just have to make it a family outing this weekend.
DeleteHi, I also had DR after each baby (just had #3). One thing I'd add to the exercise where you lay flat on your back and lift your head is to actually use a scarf or your crossed arms to pull your muscles together while lifting your head and exhaling. I was taught this by a gynecological physical therapist and have healed my separation (hooray!-although I think I've said goodbye to ever looking like I've had no babies) :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah, I have been following your lovely blog for some time now (I found it through Whitney's blog,my old college roommate) but never posted a comment. As a lover of fashion and styling (and new momma), I had to jump in on this discussion! The JCrew Factory Winnie pant in black will take you a long way!! I usually purchase a new pair every season because I wear them out. They are a great fit and hit most people right at the ankle. Great investment. They can be worn with flats,easily tucked into boots, dressed up with heals, perfect with a tunic, classic with a cardigan etc etc. Happy shopping! -Rebecca
ReplyDeleteI will quote my designer friend Anne Mashburn (annmashburn.com) here-- She says you don't need much, you just need the right things... among her recommendations are a crisp white shirt, bright button downs, classic tee's, slim-legged black pants, cool sneakers, fun but versatile flats, cowgirl boots, black cardigan, cozy/elegant wrap, good jeans, casual but fitted shirt dress, pretty wool coat... I can't afford her stuff but I love the philosophy, which she and her 5 daughters really live by.
ReplyDeleteWhen I do buy, my best bets have been J Crew basics (great sales!)-- the white shirt, double cloth coat, 2-3 tees short and long sleeved, 2-3 cords, 2-3 shorts, 2-3 cardigans, and then solid color 3-season Patagonia or anthro dresses on sale that I love enough to live in, and a pair of jeans to wear with flip flops and one for wedges.
In my opinion fit is key, and many cheaper clothes, alas, just don't fit me well = waste of money ... So I have almost nothing in my closet! but what I do have I love and wear. I'd agree on having fun with accessories!
And no worries about abs! give yourself a year, and trust in Pilates!!