Great post! One year postpartum, I feel like my wardrobe and overall style vision are still all over the place. But so are most aspects of my life! I'm trying to give myself lots of grace and permission to go with the flow until I regain some balance (and sleep).
"A big part of my postpartum struggle was not feeling like I fitted in. I didn’t like a ‘mum’ and felt like all other mums where part of some club that I just couldn’t get access to. From the way they acted with eachother, to how they cared for their children, and even the way they dressed - it just didn’t feel like me."
I definitely felt this way at first! I'd show up to indoor play and see my red leather sandals stick out in a sea of Birkenstocks and sneakers. But then I realized I was just fixating on the patterns. On first glance, it might seem like all the "other moms" are dressing the same, but looking closer I could see a diversity of styles and personal touches. It is easy to feel like there's a great divide between you and other parents/caregivers, but I think some of it is due to our own perception. Once I started seeing other moms as individuals, I felt more at ease embracing my version of motherhood, along with the clothes I was choosing to accompany me on this journey.
Oh I love this comment Lan - it totally sums up the act of finding grace with your new self and easing it into it. There's really no 'fits all uniform' for parents and beyond. It's all about those personal touches x
Yes!! Each mom does have a unique style even if many are wearing similar outfits. AND can I just say, if I saw you wearing red leather sandals, I would use them as a conversation starter, don’t stop wearing them!!
I loved EVERYTHING about this article Anna: thank you! I completely relate to the lost feeling of the postpartum years, when you’re trying to reconcile this new life with your old self. I had such a battle! So great to be reminded of the importance of our three words, and all these ideas for how to level-up our outfits. I’ll be putting it into practise today!
How helpful and on point is this! Love to see the difference in your older outfits (which are amazing but you can definitely see the learning curve - you trained the styling muscle so well!). Pleease do a part two with outfit formulas, would love to see that. xx
I didn’t have you when I was a young mom feeling so “other” so often. But I am SO GLAD I have you now! Thank you for this honesty and for being here for us xoxoxo
Brilliant read, Anna. I love how you break down finding your style in a way that works for your lifestyle. I too have fallen victim to inspirational images from stylish women and thought I needed a lot more 'dressy' pieces in my wardrobe. But my reality is that I work from home and don't attend fancy dinners or events every week, so those pieces are wasted. All hail form and function!
After 7 years of pregnancy and postpartum dressing, I can attest that the struggle is REAL!!! This is such an excellent post for anyone finding themselves in the transitional season (I’m thinking someone moving from traditional working to WFH dressing too). A casual lifestyle does not have to mean (overly) casual dressing! But it does take some time and effort to find the right recipe.
I love the thought behind this - the only thing is that I’m in Canada, 🇨🇦so the hard winter months are unfortunately snow boots and the head to toe puffer… I’ve tried to accessorize with bright accessories (sprinkles!), like a scarf and a hat - but I have curly hair, so it gets matted in a scarf, and I have a moon face 🌝 so I feel huge in a hat (and that also wrecks my curls…)
Also I find that scarves are partly acrylic and that gets stuck all over me?!
If anyone from colder countries has any tips, please let me know as I’ve just moved here and am struggling. 😂 thank you!
Ha! I hear you. I'm in Ottawa. Indeed, it's hard to look put together when dealing with snow, icy walkways, slushy parking lots and cold. In terms of scarves, I prefer a lighter fashion scarf in cotton, silk or wool to a bulky winter scarf. I hate hats, but I do a merino wool touque and look for ones that aren't too tight. A hood type hat might be good for your curls. Anything acrylic will give your hair static. I'm considering getting a pair of winter Blundstones. I think they might bridge the gap between fashion boot days and full on snow boots . Oh, and on cold days, mittens not gloves. Mittens keep your fingers together and hold heat better.
I absolutely loved this post. I am 1.5 yrs post partum with baby no 2 and haven’t ever felt like I’ve had my groove back since pre baby no 1. I’d love a follow up / second post xx
Wonderful article. My kids are now teens so the playing in the park days are gone, but the advice works just as well for trying to figure out the working-from-home, day-in-the-office, home-but-not-working wardrobe differences and style needs. Love the three words approach.
I LOVE this newsletter - you give the best and most practical advice! I recently started adding “sprinkles” to my gym outfits and it made such a difference!
“Ignore what everyone else is wearing.” - you’re so right!! 👏🏼This is honestly such a good reminder. Trying to dress like other people is not necessarily dressing practically for the life I lead.
Almost 2 years postpartum and still trying to find my way through what I call, in a good way, a ‘new me’. This post and everything you do here is such an inspiration and it’s really helping me to find a way to feel like myself again. Thanks Anna X
Also, as per all the others, I’d love very much a part 2!
I loved how you broke this down! Practical but aspirational at the same time and yes 👏to the last tip of just ignoring what everyone else is wearing and do you! ❤️
Great post! One year postpartum, I feel like my wardrobe and overall style vision are still all over the place. But so are most aspects of my life! I'm trying to give myself lots of grace and permission to go with the flow until I regain some balance (and sleep).
"A big part of my postpartum struggle was not feeling like I fitted in. I didn’t like a ‘mum’ and felt like all other mums where part of some club that I just couldn’t get access to. From the way they acted with eachother, to how they cared for their children, and even the way they dressed - it just didn’t feel like me."
I definitely felt this way at first! I'd show up to indoor play and see my red leather sandals stick out in a sea of Birkenstocks and sneakers. But then I realized I was just fixating on the patterns. On first glance, it might seem like all the "other moms" are dressing the same, but looking closer I could see a diversity of styles and personal touches. It is easy to feel like there's a great divide between you and other parents/caregivers, but I think some of it is due to our own perception. Once I started seeing other moms as individuals, I felt more at ease embracing my version of motherhood, along with the clothes I was choosing to accompany me on this journey.
Oh I love this comment Lan - it totally sums up the act of finding grace with your new self and easing it into it. There's really no 'fits all uniform' for parents and beyond. It's all about those personal touches x
Yes!! Each mom does have a unique style even if many are wearing similar outfits. AND can I just say, if I saw you wearing red leather sandals, I would use them as a conversation starter, don’t stop wearing them!!
I loved EVERYTHING about this article Anna: thank you! I completely relate to the lost feeling of the postpartum years, when you’re trying to reconcile this new life with your old self. I had such a battle! So great to be reminded of the importance of our three words, and all these ideas for how to level-up our outfits. I’ll be putting it into practise today!
Oh it's so hard isn't it! Thank you so much for reading Holly x
How helpful and on point is this! Love to see the difference in your older outfits (which are amazing but you can definitely see the learning curve - you trained the styling muscle so well!). Pleease do a part two with outfit formulas, would love to see that. xx
Thank you Anika! x
I didn’t have you when I was a young mom feeling so “other” so often. But I am SO GLAD I have you now! Thank you for this honesty and for being here for us xoxoxo
Oh another mum feeling 'other' just breaks my heart - we need eachother so much, right?! x
YES! We TRULY, TRULY so. Grateful for you.
Brilliant read, Anna. I love how you break down finding your style in a way that works for your lifestyle. I too have fallen victim to inspirational images from stylish women and thought I needed a lot more 'dressy' pieces in my wardrobe. But my reality is that I work from home and don't attend fancy dinners or events every week, so those pieces are wasted. All hail form and function!
Absolutely!! I've got a lot of time for form and function! x
After 7 years of pregnancy and postpartum dressing, I can attest that the struggle is REAL!!! This is such an excellent post for anyone finding themselves in the transitional season (I’m thinking someone moving from traditional working to WFH dressing too). A casual lifestyle does not have to mean (overly) casual dressing! But it does take some time and effort to find the right recipe.
Oh my god the struggle is REAL!! I feel it! But you're right - it doesn't have to be *casual* casual - just pratical! x
Hi Anna, loved this! And yes please to part 2!
I love the thought behind this - the only thing is that I’m in Canada, 🇨🇦so the hard winter months are unfortunately snow boots and the head to toe puffer… I’ve tried to accessorize with bright accessories (sprinkles!), like a scarf and a hat - but I have curly hair, so it gets matted in a scarf, and I have a moon face 🌝 so I feel huge in a hat (and that also wrecks my curls…)
Also I find that scarves are partly acrylic and that gets stuck all over me?!
If anyone from colder countries has any tips, please let me know as I’ve just moved here and am struggling. 😂 thank you!
Thank you Emily! LOVE Marilyn's tips she left for you - they sound so helpful! x
Ha! I hear you. I'm in Ottawa. Indeed, it's hard to look put together when dealing with snow, icy walkways, slushy parking lots and cold. In terms of scarves, I prefer a lighter fashion scarf in cotton, silk or wool to a bulky winter scarf. I hate hats, but I do a merino wool touque and look for ones that aren't too tight. A hood type hat might be good for your curls. Anything acrylic will give your hair static. I'm considering getting a pair of winter Blundstones. I think they might bridge the gap between fashion boot days and full on snow boots . Oh, and on cold days, mittens not gloves. Mittens keep your fingers together and hold heat better.
Oooooh thanks Marilyn! Great ideas! I wondered about the blundstones but I have high arches so struggle to get some Chelsea boots on 🙄
I absolutely loved this post. I am 1.5 yrs post partum with baby no 2 and haven’t ever felt like I’ve had my groove back since pre baby no 1. I’d love a follow up / second post xx
Thank you so much for reading Kate! x
Wonderful article. My kids are now teens so the playing in the park days are gone, but the advice works just as well for trying to figure out the working-from-home, day-in-the-office, home-but-not-working wardrobe differences and style needs. Love the three words approach.
You are so welcome Gill! x
I LOVE this newsletter - you give the best and most practical advice! I recently started adding “sprinkles” to my gym outfits and it made such a difference!
Oh thank you! Got to love a sprinkle! x
What a brilliant post! So many great tips - thanks for sharing
Thank you! It was really useful! Waiting for part two! 🤍
“Ignore what everyone else is wearing.” - you’re so right!! 👏🏼This is honestly such a good reminder. Trying to dress like other people is not necessarily dressing practically for the life I lead.
You are so welcome! Thank you for reading! x
Almost 2 years postpartum and still trying to find my way through what I call, in a good way, a ‘new me’. This post and everything you do here is such an inspiration and it’s really helping me to find a way to feel like myself again. Thanks Anna X
Also, as per all the others, I’d love very much a part 2!
Oh you are so welcome Monica! I'm so glad you find it helpful! x
Really solid post, Anna!
Thanks Janey! x
I loved how you broke this down! Practical but aspirational at the same time and yes 👏to the last tip of just ignoring what everyone else is wearing and do you! ❤️
Thank you Angie! x