friendship

"I have two kids, a wardrobe full of clothes but no idea what to wear."

Today, I’m wearing skinny black jeans, a white tee and a black cardigan.

Skinny black jeans, white tee, black cardy, I need help. image supplied

Tomorrow, I will wear skinny black jeans, a grey tee and a blue cardigan. The day after tomorrow, I will skinny blue jeans, a red tee and a grey cardigan.

I'm in desperate need of a style intervention. I feel like my clothes are flat and boring. They're not even very flattering, frankly. But I have no idea where to start.

What happened to me you might ask? How did a grown woman get to this point?

Well I turned 30.

I had kids.

That's all, it's not earth shattering. It's the most normal thing in the world. But I feel like I have lost myself in utility. I slap on clothing quickly. I look for comfortable and relaxed, rather than something that expresses who I am.

Thankfully, I'm not alone in my merry-go-round of clothing choices.

I asked on of my closest friends, "Do you ever feel like you have no idea what you should be wearing anymore? Like, fashion wise?" She replied, "TOTALLY. Am I too old for converse all stars? Am I too young for serious suits? How much is too much to spend on a silk shirt? It's a f*cking mine field."

In an effort to find help, I turned to Instagram, and it did not let me down.

"So it's not just me. Good."

"My wardrobe used to be so together. Everything mixed and matched. Now I have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear, and I don't know what to buy. It's not just you," she reassured me.

ADVERTISEMENT

Yet this is not about not knowing who I am. It's about not knowing how to dress the woman that I am.

In an effort to find help, I turned to Instagram, and it did not let me down.

Casual Friday's call for ripped white denim, wouldn't you agree? - online now. image via instagram.com/featherandnoise/

I was surprised to see white denim is on trend, but it's good to know the connies are in order. Australian online fashion retailer Feather and Noise stock good basics at very reasonable prices, and if you're Melbourne based you can also book a personal styling session with them.This is their white Tash Jean ($79) and black spot Iris Top ($49).

"S U N D A Y || and we're off to the beach for a morning swim to take advantage of the great weather." image via instagram.com/trysomecolour/

If you jump on #mumfashion you'll quickly notice an abundance of colourful capes. Cassandra Symons, who you can find on Instagram @trysomecolour, got hers from St Frock.

"Friday's are not only for #flashbacks but also a little #frocktober action." image via instagram.com/kirstyashestyle/

Gold Coast based personal stylist and mum of boys Kirsty Ashe is far more put together than I will ever be, but I immediately tapped this photo to look at that dress. Chunky necklace from Country Road, Navy dress from Saba and sandals from Zoe Kratzmann.

"I've always had a bit of a thing for mullet skirts (and dresses and pants)." image via instagram.com/miafreedman/

We need to talk about my boss, Mia Freedman, because that girl knows fashion. I love her passion for colour, print and stylised clash. Flowing skirts and dresses could definitely work.

"This [dress is] by @bohemianluxe from @marshmellowboutique. Shoes from @sambagsydney," she writes.

Chunky sandals are on point. image via instagram.com/southofthebordersydney/

Speaking of Mia's favourites, it would be remiss of me not to mention South of the Border Sydney. They have bricks and mortar stores in Byron Bay, Bondi and Cronulla, or you can shop online.

ADVERTISEMENT

Host of This Glorious Mess, the podcast for imperfect parents, Holly Wainwright has these sandals.

"It's summer white with a splash of colour for work today." image via instagram.com/styleloving2/

Fashion blogger Karen Suzanne from Style Loving 2, writes, "I love all white but it can be a bit stark so a bright blazer or kimono can be a great contrast. I picked this on up on sale from #frenchconnection - it was the colour that drew me to it."

I have a huge collection of Elk at home. I have a habit of dressing up my basic, comfortable clothing with a big statement necklace, and Elk never fails to deliver.

"Jade Collection - Fresh Mint." image via Instagram.com/dandelionbabyaustralia/

But, it's hard to do a chunky necklace when you have a teething baby. So I have become obsessed with baby safe teething necklaces. They're bright, colourful and safe for little ones. This one is from Dandelion Baby.

While I think I will try to move away from my basic tees/cardigan look, I will never give up my 'YOU GOT THIS' tee from The Hood.

"Sometimes you just need a good reminder. You got this. And YOU DO!" image via instagram.com/alysj/

The Hood is a premium athli-leisure brand that gives a quiet nod to motherhood (and the sisterhood). The message, "you got this", is a pretty powerful reminder when you're having a day where things are threatening to get on top of you. Available from The Hood's website. For every garment sold, The Hood makes a donation to the Centre for Perinatal Excellence.

Have you got a good #mumfashion tip to share?