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Reader Question: Dressing as a Mama

Today I’m answering a reader question about how I dress currently, now that I’m the mom of a little baby boy.

January: Can you share….how your style has changed after baby Feather, if any? I’m 6 months pregnant, with a 3 year old and I hate what I wear most days. Do you have any outfit ideas, especially for warmer weather?

I can say 100% that my style has changed after becoming a mom! I can confess that both my pajama and sweatpants/hoodie collections have increased exponentially. I rarely wear heels, delicate tweeds and embellishments are definitely a no-no, and I haven’t used a top handle handbag since giving birth.

I get dressed way more quickly than I used to, and I’ve gotten my day to day “mama” outfits down to a formula. Now that the weather is warming up, you’ll usually find me in either shorts and a top, or a dress, like the ones below. Here are a few typical spring outfits for me, with the components broken down below.

Leopard Dress

Easy dress… One that’s not too tight, slips on over the head, and machine washable to survive drool stains and spit up. Some waist definition is nice, like the drawstring on this one – but honestly I’d rather wear a trapeze dress and risk looking pregnant again than run around all day in a tight dress! I need to lift my arms over my head! This particular one is from Zara from a few years back – here’s another simple and chic tunic option, from Madewell.

+ Lower heels/flat sandals. Because I need to be able to walk!  The pair I’m wearing are older, from Cole Haan I believe – a similar option would be these whipstitched wedges from Jack Rogers (if you want to go a bit higher, try this cork version).

+ Crossbody or tote bag: I’m usually wearing either a tote or a crossbody bag – tote if I’m using a baby carrier, but otherwise I prefer crossbody, so that I can have both hands free. So I can easily pick up my baby boy, like below!

I’m wearing my Hermes Evelyne PM III bag here – another one that I like (which I think is a new iteration of a classic style), is this PS 1 pouch – I love the thicker strap, much more comfortable especially when running around all day. Yet another fabulous crossbody is this Fendi 3Jours – I recently saw it on a friend and it looked amazing on her, and it’d work for both work and casual.

Baby Feather

As you can see, this particular outfit combination is comfortable, keeps me cool in warmer temperatures, and is very conducive for picking up and (loving) baby! And its polished enough for me never to feel sloppy in most situations.

Here’s another version of the outfit above, this time wearing the Madewell Courier dress (full review here).

Also, I’d like to note that while I love my Hermes bags, if I have baby Feather with me, I pretty much only use mine with a canvas strap – luckily I have a few that I use with my Kellys, Bolide, and of course the Evelyne. And, I just picked up one of these fun Fendi straps as well (review to come soon!). Wider, flexible straps can make all the difference in the comfort of a bag, I’ve found.

I’d love to hear how your styles changed after having children (if at all)…what do you wear most days?

19 Comments

  • Reply
    Robin
    April 4, 2016 at 7:52 am

    SAHM of an almost 6 month old from NYC. Madewell is great for stuff that isnt too precious that you’d worry about getting drooled all over, but you still look put together. Their jeans are great, and though I dont have thier high-waisted ones, I do have a 9″ rise pair from the gap which are great for feeling a little more sucked it after baby. The Madewell version will probably be my next purchase.

    I also have a few dresses I bought from them pre baby, similar to their current “Afternoon Dress” that will be good when the weather warms up over here. Not made of cotton but machine washable (I do on delicate).

    Also, I know I am really late to the game on these, but the JCrew pixie pants are as comfortable as leggings, but legit pants. They have to be dry-cleaned, but thats not so bad.

    Shoes – jazzy flats. I think this really helps me feel like I am “dressed.” I usually alternate between loeaprd loafers and gold metalic vans that I’ve lived in since I was 7months preg.

    Sorry for the book if a comment, but this is something I think about a lot now that I am not working, but still trying to keep it together.

    Looking forward to hearing how everyone else does it!

    And baby feath is adorable 🙂

    • Reply
      Katherine
      April 5, 2016 at 12:37 pm

      Leopard flats are one of my favorite go to shoes too. Thanks for such a detailed comment – I echo you about items that aren’t too precious to be drooled over, perfect way to describe it!

  • Reply
    Sonya
    April 4, 2016 at 8:31 am

    My kids are almost your age by now but I wore cotton sweaters, Pucci dresses most hot days.

    Baby Feather is a beautiful boy!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      April 5, 2016 at 12:38 pm

      I bet you were one chic mama!

  • Reply
    Cassie
    April 4, 2016 at 11:43 am

    First off, your munchkin is absolutely adorable!

    Thanks for the early mom wardrobe suggestions. I’m currently 7 months pregnant, and I’ll be navigating the sartorial challenges of motherhood this summer. Do you carry your baby essentials in your purse, or do you carry a separate bag for those when you’re out and about? Any recommendations on how to keep your bag(s) organized with baby items in them?

    • Reply
      Katherine
      April 5, 2016 at 12:39 pm

      I usually carry the baby essentials in my bag – if we are going to be away an extended period, I have a separate diaper bag. I’m quite disorganized right now but I do my love my Skip Hop Diaper change station which organizes the diaper essentials.

  • Reply
    sherry @ save. spend. splurge.
    April 4, 2016 at 11:58 am

    What a darling little baby.

    My style has also changed as a mother but I find that I am getting more into higher heels, although I am still not carrying around any top-handle bags or clutches because I need both hands free.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      April 5, 2016 at 12:39 pm

      Oh good to hear that one day I may be getting back in my high heels!

  • Reply
    tata
    April 4, 2016 at 1:41 pm

    i always recommend something with button down (like your madewell dress) for easier breast feeding in public with a good big scarf for coverup.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      April 5, 2016 at 12:39 pm

      Great point! And I second the big scarf as cover up 🙂

  • Reply
    S
    April 4, 2016 at 4:06 pm

    Hi! A very lovely picture of mother and baby- your son is adorable and you look great as always!

    I found cross body bags a godsend especially after having my kids. As I get older , I feel comfortable clothing and easy accessories become more important, and when one finds stylish options, its really gratifying!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      April 5, 2016 at 12:40 pm

      Thanks very much! Crossbody bags are my favorite currently too 🙂

  • Reply
    Audrinajulia
    April 5, 2016 at 10:22 am

    Your boy is too cute and charming Crossbody is always a good idea toting with littles. Welcome to the outfit of comfort, Katherine! Nevertheless you’re still too chic with your mom style uniform.

    Best regards and enjoy your precious moments with your little one.

    Love,
    Angie

  • Reply
    Michelle
    April 8, 2016 at 11:04 pm

    Such a cute pic! Your mom outfits are awesome! I am not as put together. In winter I either wear jeggings or lululemon yoga pants while in spring/summer/autumn, I am in my cropped jeggings, lululemon or shorts. And I live in my tees ?

    Fun sneakers are my choice of footwear especially ones by Onitsuka Tiger or Adidas x Mary Katrantzou ones although it’s hard to keep the nicer designer ones like Dior Fusion or Chanel’s from being trodden on by little feet ?

    The Celine trio is still fave cross body bag. It may not look like it but you can put quite a lot even in the small version. I am learning to love my Goyard Cap Vert. Any handheld bags will only make an appearance on lunch dates with the husband else, they do not see light of day. Surprisingly, I don’t use my Evelynes when when I am with the kids. I find that it’s a little heavy to be a good cross body bag when you load it up. I usually carry essentials in my cross body bag and have the husband carry his backpack loaded with kids stuff like wipes, coloring books, crayons etc., Recently, I fell in love with the Lindy 26 and am surprised by how easy it is to carry. The color I have is not exactly kids friendly but it makes me happy to use it.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      April 9, 2016 at 10:21 am

      Michelle I’ve seen your outfits and they are wonderful. You have so many beautiful pieces and I also admire how you’re able to wear your jewelry (often times I feel too lazy). Your Lindy is adorable!

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    April 11, 2016 at 3:46 pm

    Your baby is so cute – and your body is back, at least from what i see from your pictures! Cheers!!! I used to have a diaper bag and it lasted for a few months, then everything into my bag, lol…and now I don’t even carry anything for him anymore, haha.

    I agree I haven’t wear it heels for months and just recently getting back to them, tight dresses too. I lived in those dresses like yours leopard dress for the first 2 years or so, a semi-loose fit with some forgiveness because I need that extra unpredictable extreme movements, and of course the vomit and such I need something non-silk that I can clean easily.

    But now that my son has grown up a little bit, I actually wear so many more heels, using my bags more often, and sort of getting back my pre-baby closet little by little. Good news for us!! Keep it up, your baby is SO ADORABLE, looking at his smile makes me happy!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      April 12, 2016 at 3:34 pm

      Thanks so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience – I’m happy to hear that you get back to wearing heels after awhile…mine are feeling quite neglected, lol!

  • Reply
    little luxury list
    April 26, 2016 at 7:18 pm

    Yay for easy style! My husband was a bit appalled at my initial mom style (ahem, wearing his clothes at home). But I’ve since graduated to really easy button down dresses, shift dresses, and really anything that’s easy and not too restrictive. 2 years later I’m still migrating to my heels slowly, but getting there!

    xoxo,
    little luxury list formerly Chic ‘n Cheap Living

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