Despite priority shifts when entering motherhood, first and foremost we are individual women. So whether it’s showing up at the office, running our own business, interviewing for preschools or hanging with your fellow mama-tribe at the park, it’s vital to pay attention to the very fact that outside of being “mommy” we are our own people. That said, personal style can lose momentum when juggling this new normal, but self-care is imminent when it comes to retaining a strong sense of self. I drive this message home with mama clients because entering a day strong and empowered will domino into either positively or negatively affecting everything that follows, including role as mama. I completely understand the challenges of keeping it together in the early hours of the day when you have one eye-open, one-eye on kiddo and one-eye on the day ahead. I have my own two-year old toddler tugging at my legs saying, “hold you, hold you, hold you” (= “hold me”) while trying to get myself presentable. It’s extremely challenging, but fortunately not impossible! So as your trustworthy Personal Stylist, here’s a few strategic styling tips to make what could be deemed a grueling process, a successful one.
6 TIPS ON GETTING DRESSED WITH KIDS:
Simplify: The idea of returning to pre-baby style seems far away and that’s because it is. Life has evolved and you need to embrace that. While taking risks before baby arrived felt very doable, things are more complicated now, time is of the essence and simplifying is key. Without compromising your creative vision, try and peel it back and find a uniform that works. Have conviction in your groove, become empowered by that and streamline daily dressing. Vision boards are super helpful to establish your new lane.
Create a Capsule: Once you find your “new normal”, simplified look, organize your closet in a way that hones in on that capsule, which should be mix & match friendly with pieces that flex from work to play and everything in-between.
Plan Ahead: Once baby (and/or babies) are asleep, and after bottles are washed, dishes are clean and your belly is full, more work sounds daunting. But styling your look the night before is the most essential tool to minimize stress in the AM hours. If this daily task seems overwhelming, put aside 30 minutes every Sunday night to organize an entire week’s worth of outfits so you only have to think about it once a week.
Find Your Color Story: Whether it’s neutrals, pinks, all-black, blues, etc. choosing a wardrobe in the same color story/palette will make pieces flexible and coordinated, thus getting dressed easier!
Eliminate the Clutter: Maybe you haven’t lost all the baby weight, or maybe you’re holding on to the item you wore in 2010 to that epic NYE party you attended with your partner (that you haven’t worn since). Either way, none of these pieces are currently working in the rotation and create noise in your closet while getting dressed. Pull the unworkable clutter together and move it to the back (less focal part) of your closet to be revisited at a later date. If none of those items make it back to front and center in the next 6 months, they need some serious reevaluating.
Undergarments: Each item/silhouette in your wardrobe will require a different undergarment be it thongs vs. nude bras vs. strapless bras. vs. nursing bras, etc. Don’t get tripped up each day trying to figure out what goes with what. Stock up on all your intimate staples to ensure you are prepared with the right styles to work back to each outfit.
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*photo/collab with ana gambuto