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Share your best style tips please :-)

134 replies

Hamwidgeandcheps · 28/07/2013 19:33

I have seen some really glamorous, put together mums in the last week, out and about. I can't seem to dress myself for when I am with the dds anymore Hmm

If you look amazing at soft play and such like please tell me what you wear and where you shop. Tia

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OneLittleLady · 28/07/2013 19:39

My best tip is to make sure your clothes actually fit properly. it's a much better put together look when things fit properly. It's so obvious when things are too big or too small and makes you look disheveled.

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shaggyrogers · 28/07/2013 19:44

What have the mums you have noticed been wearing?

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leobear · 28/07/2013 19:48

I wouldn't say I am glamorous, but I do try to follow three basic rules:
Always have eyebrows shaped and tinted
Blow dry hair
Wear a structured jacket!! No fleeces,unless you are heading up a mountain

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peggotty · 28/07/2013 19:49

Know and dress for your body shape.

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Hamwidgeandcheps · 28/07/2013 21:06

Leobear - noted! I wore a fleece quite a bit last year Hmm

Ok so the most amazing looking mum at soft play had a v simple right black vest and a black maxi skirt with a small floral pattern with black sandals. She had one length shoulder length blonde hair and she looked amazing though the clothes were quite ordinary if you see what I mean.
Then I saw a mum at the emergency doc yesterday in a black wide strapped vest and a knee length fitted skirt both of which were a perfect fit - she had short hair with oversized sunglasses. She wasn't especially young or model looking bit she made me feel v scruffy!
There's a theme here - the hair has lots to do with it Hmm my hair looks shocking just now.
The last mum i saw was my hairdresser out with her baby. She had jeans and a Breton type too on with coral coloured sandals and one tiny coral flower hair clip that just pulled it all together. This got me thinking about accessories too...

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cloudskitchen · 28/07/2013 21:24

Accessorise! Most well put together people wear accessories. It turns clothes into an outfit Grin

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YoungBritishPissArtist · 28/07/2013 21:44

I'm not a mum but I think people look 'pulled together' when;

Eyebrows are well groomed
Nails manicured with no chipped polish
Ditto toes, if they're visible

I personally think black trousers and bags are hard to pull off.

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InMyShreddies · 28/07/2013 22:20

Don't buy anything you don't LOVE, avoid impulse buys.

Keep your wardrobe very well edited, so eg in this heat be very clear what your options are for bottoms / tops / shoes, and just prioritise having clean good clothes on every day. Takes practise to feel ok about wearing your favourite top down Tesco, but it's a way of life and you'll feel great.

What would you like to be wearing when you're sitting admiring others? It won't be the same as them - it'll be either your favourite outfit, or perhaps you wish you were wearing those trousers you saw but didn't buy.

Edit your wardrobe is a good starting point, then identify gaps and fill them.

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MangoJuiceAddict · 28/07/2013 22:30

Always make sure clothes fit properly. A black maxi dress is amazingly flattering and looks instantly glamorous when paired with statement jewellery and smoky eye make-up. If hair is greasy and you don't have time to wash it either 1) Dry shampoo it 2)Wear up in a big bun and wear statement lipstick and plenty of mascara- the perfect make-up for a hair off face look. Always shape eyebrows- IME most people look better with a bit of eyebrow pencil/powder used to fill in their brows and create a more defined arch. Painting nails a classic red looks groomed and goes with most outfits- use a base and top coat and it should last a full 7 days. An oversized handbag is very flattering and can bring an outfit together. Statement jewellery is amazing. IMO the three most flattering (and easiest) hairstyles are- down and wavy, a half up half down hairstyle and a big bun. Always wear foundation, blusher, lipstick and mascara. Add eyeshadow, eyeliner, highlighter etc depending on the outfit (not occasion- smoky eyes can look great with a maxi dress whilst shopping and natural eye make-up can look great on a night out). Oil hair once a week- you'll be amazed how much shinier it is and how much faster it grows Smile.

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Hamwidgeandcheps · 28/07/2013 22:50

Last two posts really helpful. I have just done a big edit for work outfits - not sure why I can't achieve this for the rest if the time - I assume its because what I need to wear for work is v clear - smart casual with no low necklines or short skirts abs never any visible underwear - I have this cracked :-)
I am ok with my make up and nails I can do all that its just clothes - the make up seems to make it worse - my good make up looks weird with my scruffy clothes!
Half my problem is that I'm still bf so I can't wear a lot of things I own Hmm

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MangoJuiceAddict · 28/07/2013 23:00

I BF my DD (many years ago now, but a fond memory!) and I know how difficult it is to find things that are flattering with milky breasts and what allows you to feed out and about. IME a stretchy t-shirt with a V-neck is good for this- the material can be stretched and hoicked about to feed and there isn't the worry of any buttons popping off. Wear with leggings, nice sandals, matching accessories and make-up to match shoes and accessories. IME breastfeeding isn't the most glamorous time in life but it is very special. Jeans, a plain top, oversized bag and ballet pumps is also simple but nice Smile.

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RainbowBob · 29/07/2013 11:30

I think I am just repeating what everyone else is saying, but when I think of all the best dressed women I know, they all - without exception - have good hair. It could be a well-cut bob, a sharp crop, bouncy-blow-dried long hair or just a neat style, like a bun. I think accessories do pull an outfit together, but even accessories are superfluous, IMO, unless that person has good hair.

Sadly, I was blessed with a head of hair which refuses to be tamed by even the most powerful hair products. I also have no time to tend to said hair, and no money to go to the hairdressers so I am, quite literally, buggered.

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Hamwidgeandcheps · 29/07/2013 12:13

Ok today I look ok. Black crop leggings with a grey empire billabong dress (much more simple and plain than it sounds) And printed Zara sandals and my sunglasses match the dress.
Hair is straight today but in general a big issue. I need to learn to put it up nicely but I have no idea! I have bought a bin ring though...

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QueenCadbury · 29/07/2013 12:50

I'm not sure I'm always put together but I know what you mean about seeing other put together mums. They always look so impossibly glamourous. For me I look best when I 've got clean hair (dry shampoo will give me an extra day!), clean clothes (no snot/porridge etc), nice accessories eg I may just have a tee and jeans on but I try to wear a coloured belt to give the outfit some interest, my watch and charm bracelet always make me feel more together, mascara and lippy and preferably tidy eyebrows! Now that my youngest is 2 it's getting easier whereas when they're little it's easy to think what's the point when they'll get milk stains/goo etc all over you.

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MarianaTrench · 29/07/2013 12:54

Bf is a huge barrier to looking nice. I can't wear any nice dresses atm and am stuck in jeans and drapey tops. Good job it's not forever.

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StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 29/07/2013 14:28

accessorise - I have tons of cheap necklaces, earrings and bracelets ditto shoes and bags. I get away with cheap stuff cos I put it together well and am often told how nice I look Blush which believe me being a big girl is not always said. if i feel nice in an outfit I usually look nice is my mantra so on bad hair days or days when I feel bad then i know I probably look rough too. I am a fan of matching stuff up though which some people disagree with.

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GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 29/07/2013 14:48

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Hamwidgeandcheps · 29/07/2013 15:01

My hair is long and blonde and naturally wavy. If I straighten it I feel more groomed but that adds on blow drying and ironing I don't manage it that often.
I don't wear jeans v often as I'm v self conscious of tummy destroyed by two kids and two c sections plus I find jeans quite uncomfy. I rarely feel smart in leggings though.
A good grunts if mine always looks amazing and only shops in charity shops and primark.
I don't know where to begin with accessories I sort of have up with dd1 when she pulled earrings etc

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Steamedcabbage · 29/07/2013 15:03

Good regular hair cut (and colour). If you are on a limited budget, put as large a percentage of grooming budget into hair as you possibly can as it is the first thing everyone sees, you can't really disguise it. (Wish I could take my own advice on this - I absolutely loathe being pinned to a chair at the hairdresser's - almost phobic about it - so get in and out as fast as poss and use colour from a pkt!!)

Decent quality shoes and handbags. Shoes should be polished and not down at heel.

And well thought out accessories such as scarves and jewellery (these don't have to be expensive)

My own personal one - (but boring/classic dresser so may not appeal) is always have a well cut navy blazer/jacket that fits. Can dress up or down. Invaluable capsule wardrobe item.

And if you wear black always make sure you are well groomed, with polished shoes, brushed jacket shoulders and lapels, no frayed hems or missing buttons, or it looks tacky

Lay out clothes for the next day the night before together with all accessories, shoes, underwear jewellery, bag etc ...that way you can spot any missing buttons or tears, and have time to make small adjustments

Have access to a good-sized mirror in decent light

Invest in 3 or 4 good quality, well-fitting bras (at least two of which should be in nude colour)

Depending on life-style, always put together two "interview/wedding/christening/funeral/posh going out outfits" together per year at the beginning of the season. So around about now, put together posh outfit for winter, again with shoes/boots/tights, jewellery, bag etc etc and at end of March/beginning April make sure you have the equiv prepared for summer.

Every so often (every five years or so) go to department store and get free make-up consultation as skin tone gets paler as one ages.

Ring-fence one hour minimum per week to personal grooming: manicure, pedicure, face-pack, de-fluffing, eyebrows, fake tan etc etc (if I can be bothered, I usually do this late Sunday afternoon)

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Steamedcabbage · 29/07/2013 15:07

Oh and something I have learnt from living abroad

Invest more money in less clothes. Apparently we only wear a very small percentage of the items in our wardrobes anyway.

In offices in Belgium/France, the women wear virtually the same outfit all season and just add different little tops or scarves to go with it

(Realise this is not necessarily practical if you are sahm with porridge being flung at you every morning though.) But over-riding principle sound I think

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GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 29/07/2013 15:07

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Steamedcabbage · 29/07/2013 15:10

Oh yes, lots of grunting involved here when getting dressed nowadays. Grin

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GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 29/07/2013 15:15

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Steamedcabbage · 29/07/2013 15:19

Thought of one last tip

Have a big wardrobe clear-out re-organisation at least once a year and group clothes by colour or function . My clothes are all in a mess atm - hanging on backs of doors and stuffed in too-full drawers (have been up and down in size recently) and it makes it so much more of a palaver/effort to pull everything together. Must have major sort out in coming fortnight ...

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SundaySimmons · 29/07/2013 15:22

Iron your clothes, nothing looks worse than an item of clothing that looks obviously unironed.

Dirty and well worn footwear also looks grim. No matter how much you love them or how comfy they are a grubby pair of shoes or sandals looks revolting. As does dry skin/calloused feet in sandals.

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