Mom Style

For the last few years, I’ve become what I’d call a “formula dresser”. While I’ll happily play around with details and colour (or more like neutral shades haha), I’ve increasingly stuck to similar silhouettes and created a sort of varied uniform for my day to day. By choosing pieces that easily pair together, I’ve enjoyed an ease to getting dressed while staying true to my style. Perhaps this isn’t the most sartorially exciting thing to do, but it’s helped me save time and make the most of my closet.

Since stepping into the mom role, I’ve been gravitating toward an updated uniform to fit my new lifestyle. Although I have so much admiration for the beautiful mothers who can wear pretty, flowy dresses and look put together all the time, I’ve been quick to realize that this isn’t me. That being said, I do still want to look somewhat like pre-mom self and still wear things that I enjoy.

When I go out now, my outfits have to be practical first and foremost. Before I put something on, a quick mental checklist runs through my mind: can I easily nurse in it? Will I be okay if baby spits up on it? Can I move in it? If the answer to all three questions is a “yes”, it makes the cut. The outfit also needs to require next to no thought to put together, since I currently have about a 10 minute window to get ready.

I look forward to the days when I’ll have a bit more flexibility in what I wear again, but in the meantime here’s my current “formula” for getting dressed quickly while trying not to look like I left the house in a mad frenzy…even though I probably did.

High Waisted Anything… | Growing a baby does a number to your core, and three months after giving birth I still have some excess flab and skin around the middle that makes me feel weaker than before. A higher rise makes me feel stylish, helps my core feel pulled in, and provides coverage while breastfeeding as well. I recently discovered Everlane’s Authentic Stretch denim during their $50 denim sale and am a true convert: they’re seriously the most comfortable denim I’ve ever worn. I have two ankle length pairs that I’m currently alternating between: the High Rise Skinny in Black pictured here, and the High Rise Cigarette in Washed Black (runs a little big, worn here). I also like the AGOLDE Jamie for a blue jean and when I want something a little more rigid and vintage inspired.

…with A Cropped Top | The perfect pairing to a high waisted bottom? The cropped top, of course. I originally thought I’d be exclusively wearing button down shirts during my nursing days, but I’ve found the style harder to wear and layer with during the colder months. Instead, I’ve been doing a lot of shorter tops that I can easily pull up to nurse in without having too much fabric bunch up. This sweatshirt was a lucky thrift store find, and I love its easy, boxy cut. I’ve pretty much exclusively been wearing it, as well as this RE/DONE t-shirt, for the last three months. The tee is super soft and lightweight, not too tight, and durable; I have it in both white and black. Each of these pieces are in breathable cotton so Miles can be comfortable while nursing, and they’re also easy to throw in the laundry post-spit up!

Comfortable, Stylish Shoes | Between lugging around a 15 pound baby, a bag, and a carseat (okay fine, Brian does this part 99% of the time), no-fuss shoes I can trek around in have been essential. I’d been curious about Veja sneakers for a while and got the V-10‘s recently to wear with my most casual outfits. I’ve also been wearing my Acne Studios boots a lot, and before the weather turned I was in my Everlane Day Gloves basically everyday. I reviewed shoe here, and I love them so much I recently also added the tan color to my wardrobe as well.

Good Outerwear | Since it’s basically what you’ll be in all the time, I think good outerwear is key to pulling together a stylish winter look. I found a thin, collarless down-filled shell at Muji last year and it was probably one of my best winter purchases ever. I like it on its own, but it also makes a great layering piece to provide additional warmth. This Vince overcoat has also been a wardrobe mainstay (styled here and here); it goes with everything and makes me feel instantly put together. When it comes to coats, I like pieces that are 100% wool or a wool/cashmere blend for maximum warmth and longevity.

A Nice Diaper Bag | Knowing that I’d probably stop using my small crossbody bags for some time, I wanted a diaper bag that was stylish enough to wear with everything yet neutral enough that Brian would be comfortable carrying it. I also didn’t want to own more than one. This backpack from Storq has been well used and loved, carrying everything I need with room to spare. Their clothes were my favourite while I was pregnant, so I love that the brand is still part of my daily life now.

Coat | Vince (old, similar)
Down Jacket | Muji (old, similar)
Sweatshirt | thrifted (similar, similar in black)
Denim | Everlane
Shoes | Veja
Backpack | Storq (c/o)
Stroller + Bassinet | Valco Baby (c/o)