keeping up mom's appearance

As Baby Bunching moms we're often at the bottom of the list of those who need grooming. Who is always the last to get a shower? I am guilty of spending more money on my kids' clothes than on my own--strange since they cover theirs in paint and dirt then proceed to outgrow them 5 minutes later. But mom should not be neglected in her own warddrobe. It's amazing how great you can feel in a good fitting pair of jeans or a pretty necklace.

A hopeful change in the season means a shopping trip for a few items to spice up my boring weekly attire. One might think this is an easy task since as a current SAHM I’m A) available for mall shopping a good part of the week B) have a limited range of clothing needs. But clothes shopping involves careful planning, pre-shopping motivation and virtual blinders to keep from buying unnecessary things.

Let’s start with the timing for shopping. While I do have most days of the week to “shop,” bringing a four-year old and three-year old to the mall for mommy clothes shopping is well….stupid. If you can, my hat is off to you! My kids don’t sit in the stroller anymore and can’t be bribed for more than about 30 minutes. With kids in tow, that eliminates every day and time except when my kids are mutually in school….which gives me 2 ½ hours twice a week. I tend to want to use that time for my writing—call me selfish. So I’m left with the weekends. Can I just say how much I absolutely hate the mall on the weekends.

So my date with the mall was a Saturday afternoon. Kids are with playing with dad outside in the beautiful weather, I have four hours to get to the mall and back before I had to babysit for a friend. (Don't laugh at the time here. It took me two weeks to "book" this much time with husband to spend with myself.)

Some prep work had to be done before this date. I needed to take full inventory of my current closet and see what wouldn’t make it from last spring/summer/fall into this season.

Every Baby Bunching mom has her standard “mom” wardrobe basics (and if you don’t, you should invest in these):

--a great fitting pair of jeans (with a little stretch) that make you feel fabulous, usually ones which can be worn over and over again before washing—that is unless you get dirt, paint, food, etc on them (We think this is the single most important purchase)

--a few stretchy T-shirts all similar in style but in different colors that can be dressed up or down with skirts, shorts, jeans, slacks, necklaces, scarves, etc.

--a comfy pair of shoes to wear just about anywhere

--great accessories to make you feel fabulous.

So I was set to find a few new T-shirts, a few fun tops other than the boring T-shirts and a pair of flats.

Ok, now ready, steady, shop!

Ahhhhh…freedom. I look around and glance at my watch. I’m now down to 3 ½ hours left shop before babysitting gig. I briskly walk to H&M—home to my favorite “mom” T shirt. Browse a bit and catch sight of very, very, very long line. That’s OK, I don’t have kids with me. No problem. Start grabbing things to try on and head for the dressing room. With each piece I think, “Where could I wear this? The playground? Soccer? Playdate? The zoo?”

Head upstairs to Gap, the mother of all mom clothing stores. Pick out a few more staples and some bras. Look at watch and realize not only have I wasted lots of time waiting in lines for both checking out and the waiting rooms, but realize I’m tired of the mall noise. Need shoes. Walk a little ways and get waylaid by Banana Republic. Oh, gone are the days when I could shop here for my work wardrobe. Browse through looking longingly at silky shirts and dressy pants. I have a few in my closet already ready for the chance to wear somewhere, anywhere. Can’t justify these purchases (but how much I miss making them.) Move on and stop in at Ann Taylor. Again, it’s like torture to be back in this store—dresses, suits, fun skirts—wondering which of these won’t get me strange looks at the playground. But I find a pair of fun, funky flats on sale. Done. Ready to head home as I’m tired of waiting in lines, fighting the crowds and actually anxious to be back with my kids. They’re nicer than the mall rats.

Let us know about your favorite "mom" staples that make you feel pulled together.

Comments

[beth]

I love snappy little flats in fun colors, I just got a pair in orange and I have my eye on a pair of mustard colored ones. Long and lean gap jeans-stylish and comfy for my post babies larger frame.And I love getting fun shirts on clearance at Anthropologie, still kind of pricey for a tee but so cute and worth it imo.

[Motherhood Uncensored]

Yes, shirts with stretch are a must. I know people LOVE Old Navy, but in the long run, that stuff doesn't last me long enough.

I love accessories -- earrings, rings, necklaces -- on the big side -- scarves are great too.

Mascara and a tinted lip gloss (I know those aren't clothes)...

And what beth said -- bright colored shoes.

[Krystyn]

Jeans with stretch (for the muffin top, post-baby belly) and a stretchy, but slightly fitted shirt.

There are also some great shirts in style right now that have very forgiving midsections.

[JessPond]

Yes YES YES to Gap! Yes! They make the only jeans that I can depend on buying online! HOORAY! I like their casual stuff because a lot of it can go either way....nice yoga pants or jeans.

And I like how Gap and ON both right now have a little longer undershirts...ever since I had the boy I sometimes feel shirts are too short. And I don't weigh more than before...it's a mystery.

I think a nice coat is important...hide that your shirt has crap (does she mean literally, does she not? only I know!) on it.

I always wear at least earrings and my wedding ring if I'm leaving the house...and USUALLY a necklace. And ALWAYS makeup. At least minimal.

For every day wear ON and Gap are great...esp ON if you're just looking for tees or undershirts!! Sales rock! And as an added bonus, ON/Gap are my fav baby clothes stores, too! One stop shopping! :)

[Jenny P]

I really like Eddie Bauer for skirts, tops, and their natural-fit jeans. Their clearance prices rock.

[Tara Pringle Jefferson]

Here are my mommy basics (I might have to turn this into a post of my own...Hmmm.):

* cute flats
* a patterned wrap shirt - wrap shirts instantly cover up that "mommy belly" we have for a while postpartum
* funky earrings
* great fitted dark wash jeans - I don't do light colored jeans. I think they make me look frumpy. Dark ones make me feel more put together.

I avoid hoodies at all costs now because they make me feel sloppy. Same goes for sweats outside the house (unless I'm just going to play with the kids in the yard or something.)

I actually wrote about "letting yourself go" yesterday: http://blackandmarriedwithkids.com/2009/02/12/letting-yourself-go/

I can't wait to go shopping now! Thanks for the post!