Great House Outfits? Sloppy Mama Had a Wake up Call Today.

Back when my kiddos were young, my go to outfits were 'stirrup' pants and an oversize nice sweater. These days, it is leggings and an over size sweater.

Comfy. Neat. No ironing needed.

Fashion really does repeat itself! Too bad I did not save the stirrup pants...I could have just cut off the bottoms!

best!

Leggings and cute, flowy tunics, oversized blouses, sweaters, plaid shirts, whatever. You can dress it up with a cute belt, scarf or cardi. Easy, cute and comfy.

Yoga pants with a cute knit top, ballet flats and a nice scarf. Tights with a tunic or sweater dress. In the warm months sundresses are the easiest way to dress an look cute.

Why would your husband's boss care what you look like when you're hanging at home?

ETA: I once read or heard that you should dress up each day as if you are going off to work even if it is stay at home. This puts you in a good mood and you can feel good about yourself and you carry yourself as if you are the most important person in the world. You could put on a little lip gloss and mascara and there you go for you. Say 30 minutes for you each day out of the 24.
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Every so often we have to do for ourselves first. The time is past due for you.

As others have said, take a few days sans child and go find out what you need for you. Have that lunch with the glass of wine and enjoy the peace and quiet and being a woman not a mommy! Get to know what it was like to be just you and shop. Do get a mani/pedi while out and have some fun. Don't hurry and don't worry. The kids are with their dad or a babysitter. Put yourself on the calendar and keep your clothing up to speed. In fact when you shop for clothes for the kids, shop for clothes for you. This way you know that you will get some items to replace your worn out ones.

After babies our bodies change and some do not go back to pre baby shape. So work with what you have now and not with what you had before. I recall a sundress that I made and loved before baby. It fit afterwards but I had to let out the waist a bit for it to fit right again. I also feel that we have a set body size as I have gone up to a 16 and down to an 8 and stay mainly between 12/14 and this has been for over 50 years.

Just remember to get basic colors that you can use for bottoms and brighter colors for the top that go with your skin tone. Yes those old color wheels or blocks are still important. Also do put out your clothes the night before to avoid disaster in the early morning.

Oh by the title, I thought you were referring to something going wrong in the house and a handyman showing up to fix things and you being in the red/green outfit or something else.

Have a good holiday season.

the other S.

PS The baby weight will come off but it might just take bit longer than you anticipated.

It might help if you laid out your clothes for the next day before you go to bed.
That way you won't be grabbing mismatched clothes in the dark next morning.
Lands' End and LL Bean clothing hold up well.

Did you know one of the words up for Oxford Dictionaries' "word of the year" for 2014 was "normcore"?

It's in awesome new statement embraced by hip kids everywhere, apparently. Basically the premise is that you reject all fashion trends and dress in plainest-of-plain clothes: basic jeans and t-shirts, maybe a fleece or hoodie. No patterns, few colors.

So all of us moms who stopped trying to be fashionable in any sense of the word are really just "normcore", and actually, we are are all super hip, ha.

All joking aside, this is exactly how I dress: jeans and plain well-constructed tees. If I need to be "dressy", I wear a cardigan and put on nice cowboy boots and jewelry... with a plain tee and jeans.

I'm not recommending anyone else dress that way, but I've never felt uncomfortable in my clothing.

Instead of trying to find all new clothing, I would find some basics you love and can easily dress up or down depending on what you are doing that day.

Good luck!

I LOVE my Athleta and Lululemon yoga pants! Yes, they are expensive but they are so well made and flattering it's worth the extra cost. They still look and fit like new after so many washings (they don't stretch, fade or pill) so it's totally worth it. When you think of all the money you spend on "disposable" clothes (Old Navy, Target, etc.) you realize you're better off having a handful of quality pieces. Easy to shop online and returns are easy. I also have a few of their tops, vests and jackets. Another good one is the Zella line at Nordstrom. And the good news is you can lose or gain a few pounds without having to buy another size, unlike jeans. Plus they always have certain styles on sale.
ETA: another fashionable and good quality mom friendly brand is Anthropologie, and they have GREAT sales!

well first off - it was at 6AM!!! hopefully he made allowances for it being that early...

Next? You need to hire a babysitter or leave the kids with the husband and go shopping!! NOT at Wal-Mart or Target...

ColdWater Creek -

If you have a consignment shop near you??? What about a Plato's Closet??

Swweeett Repeet?? http://www.yelp.com/biz/sweeet-repeeet-san-clemente

You need to start taking care of YOU....give yourself time to get ready in the morning...and start liking what you see!!

Good luck!

hee!!!!
HAHAHHAHA!!!!
snork!
H., you just made my day.
'like christmas gone wrong.'
well, sistah (and a tiny little sistah at that), i'm afraid i can't help you, as i'm the yoga-pants-and-sweatshirt queen. i DID finally toss all of the really crappy ones, the ones i used to designate as barn clothes. now even my barn yoga pants and sweatshirts don't have rips or holes or stains.
but i still refuse to wear anything around the house that isn't comfy first and foremost. and at my age (and girth) that means NOT jeans. not even the stretch ones.
so how about some good-looking yoga pants (they do exist!) with a decent old navy or target comfy sweatshirt? you may not be 'business partner' ready 100%, but you won't be embarrassed, and because the business partner situation is rare, it's not like you need to be in heels and pearls for your daily grind, right?
i've never pulled off the mrs cleaver thing!
but i do know moms who are never seen, not even to walk down and get the newspaper, without full warpaint and a tasteful outfit. i suspect they're bots.
:) khairete
S.

Those kinds if clothes make me feel frumpy, dumpy and sloppy!
I hate sweat pants/capris except for the gym.
Get some jeans, t shirts, long sleeved jerseys and sweaters and dress like a real live person every day!
I hate wearing anything that I couldn't run to the store in at a moments notice.
Not "decked out" every day by no means, but I generally only own clothing that looks good enough to leave the house in.
I get dressed--to the shoes--every morning, whether I'm off to work or staying home.

My at home/ errand wardrobe consists of-
jeans or cords.
cap sleeved t-shirts or graphic t-shirts, or 3/4 sleeved boatneck ts
sweaters or cardigans.
a pair of mary janes on my feet and I am ready to be out the door.

work wear consist of slacks.
a dress shirt
a sweater, cardigan or vest
a pair of kitten heels and I am ready to be out the door.

Good luck to you.
F. B.

I shop largely online and largely at old navy. life is good.

cheap clothing is cheap clothing. but if it fits it will look better. I would get a babysitter and go shopping. Try things on at whatever store you can afford. ignore sizes. a size 8 at one place is a 12 at another so try on several sizes. and get things that mix and match. I would go with several pair of dark pants (black, grey, brown, olive etc) and then lighter tops that can be layered or worn alone. you could go with many different colored tops and mix and match it all. good luck.

My favorite store these days is Ross. I get better quality stuff than at Target, but for about the same price. However, I do have to go and try it on. I'm terrible at guessing what style is going to look ok on me, so I don't online shop.

If you buy inexpensive jeans at a place like Ross, you don't have to feel guilty about buying jeans that fit you now! They are not expensive, so you when you lose the weight, you can buy new ones and you still haven't spent a lot. And, you will feel better about the body you have now instead of being reminded about those extra few baby pounds every time you get dressed.

I 2nd the leggings with above the knee flowy comfy dresses or tunics. This is my favorite fall & winter outfit. I have black, brown, gray & navy leggings that I switch out with different tops. The dress covers your backside or any other midsection parts you want to hide. It's comfy & looks cute. You can wear with flats or if you're headed out in the cold wear with boots & a scarf. It literally feels like you are wearing pj's! I have found them at Marshall's, TJ Maxx & Ross.

I have the same issue! We have a lot of people pop in and I have found that most people can sense when I'm in horrible sweats and they come over. ;) So, I went to Target and bought myself several pairs of nice PJ's that I wouldn't feel bad being seen in. I also went to Lucy and Nike and found a few coordinated lounge outfits that are super cute and I wear them around the house on those days when I don't get fully dressed. I also take time each morning to get dressed and done, in case my kids have an emergency. This has happened and I ended up in the ER with some crazy get-up on. Of course I could have cared less at the time, but it did give me a wake up call that I should try to be a little more prepared. One other thing that helps, but I always forget to do it is to set out my clothes the night before. I even thought maybe I'd plan ahead for the whole week and put aside 5 outfits for the week every Sunday..based on what is coming up that week. I haven't done it yet, but good idea huh?

Well, I have to say I love the line about "Christmas gone wrong"!!

The first thing I would do is tell your husband you are taking 2 days this month or in the next 3 weeks to go spend some thought and time on yourself. Find a Saturday or Sunday, tell him you are leaving at 9 AM and not coming home until 4 PM or maybe 5, and you hope he has a great day with the kids. Then leave. Browse - don't just go with lightning speed, throwing any old thing off the rack into your cart. Take the full 8 pieces into the dressing room, mix & match. After a few hours, take yourself to lunch with a trashy novel or a magazine, and have a glass of wine while you order something you'd never make at home. Go to a restaurant that doesn't cater to children and even to a place your husband doesn't like but you've been wanting to try. After a relaxing lunch, go out for Round 2. The first day you go out, don't have a goal to actually purchase a lot. If you find it, great. But just get used to being by yourself with leisure time, and trying on a bunch of different looks. On the second Saturday, go to some new stores and try a few that are worth a re-visit. Take the first purchases into the subsequent stores so you can mix & match.

If you have success buying on line, great. But I don't do well that way, and I also don't think you can judge the quality of the fabrics (so they stand up in the wash) and I don't think you can judge the fit.

I'd have thought Old Navy clothes would hold up better than they have in your experience. One thing I do is wash pretty much everything on "gentle" or "delicate", and I don't wash every time I wear it. I also line-dry what I can, especially bras and panties. I think you can get good buys at Marshall's (do you have those where you are?) but you have to be willing to walk in and walk out if they don't have what you want. Their merchandise changes regularly so a visit a week later will show new things.

I always shop sales and look for those coupons that come in the mail. They can be a good incentive.

For a look, I'd go with comfort. Are these really "house clothes" or are you expecting to go out, do errands, and have people into your house (e.g. business partner)? I think stretchy pants are great for moms who have a few pounds they're trying to lose, and especially around the holidays when you're maybe consuming an extra calorie or 2. I prefer shirts that aren't tucked in, so stretchy pants work great with sweaters, long shirts, or layers. I think you can change up a pair of neutral pants and throw on shirts from casual to moderately dressy, to change it up. Some women really like layers so they wear a long shirt underneath and throw on a second top that's shorter. Don't know if that works for your body type.

I also think a good pair of jeans is a great investment. I think it's easiest to shop in a store with a lot of different styles and leg cuts so you don't have to keep finding a new brand. Once you find what works, buy 2 pairs (maybe a blue and a black), and then you can just replace easily as needed. I only wash jeans about every 4 wearings so they hold up longer. I've heard a lot of people say that having a tailor alter your jeans is a great investment. I've never done it but you can consider it.

The other thing I do when I'm going to be getting up before my husband is put the day's clothes either on the dresser in a pile, or in the bathroom. It's impossible to tell black socks from navy in the dark, and the less opening and closing of drawers in the wee hours, the better. I also keep a pair of low boots or slip-on shoes right by the door. If I have to take the trash out or walk the dog, it's much easier than tying on sneakers or going back upstairs for something.

oh baby. no excuse. you can still wear sweats and what not, and look good. stay away from costco stuff. you're not overweight, and while you are working on achieving you ideal weight goal, go to www.athleta.com get a pair of sleeve (polartec) leggings (soooo warm n sexy). white you're at that site, get a sweater or two.
then go to www.bananarepublic.com or anntaylor.com get a few one color long tees. you can use those as lawyers or under a cute open sweater. etc.

I work from home and even before I was working full time from home, I was a stay at home mom and I always dress shortly after I am up for the day. I mean, shower, hair, clothing, shoes, etc. I do not feel complete for the day unless I am ready to go as if I were going out the door to a full time job somewhere. Getting myself dressed and ready for the day is just as good for me mentally as well. It puts me in the right frame of mind.

My go to outfits are White House Black Market jeans (LOVE these skinny jeans with all the zippers). Anthropologie had some cute long sleeve super comfy long sleeve tees and I liked them so much I went back and bought 5 different colors. Banana Republic has cute shorts and tees for the summer. I wear sandals in the summer and in the cooler seasons, I will wear sports shoes or boots. To dress it up a bit, I throw on my fitted leather jacket or a cute sweater.

I do not own any yoga pants, sweats, sweat shirts, etc. They just don't work for me because they make me feel lazy, blah and frumpy. I like form fitting nice clothes that work for being around the house to running quick errands which I do daily and for a spontaneous cocktail hour.

You need to get a sitter and take yourself shopping. Go try on lots of styles and see what you like best. You need a day and more to yourself to shop and be pampered!

H.,

I would suggest some leggings and long shirts that cover the bum. They are very much in style right now and are super comfortable but still cute. I purchased my leggings online from Dress Barn for around $30.00.

Also, I would totally recommend checking out Dress Barn's website. Despite their name, they have very cute clothes at affordable prices, fast shipping and good customer service. Their pants seem to be more high-waisted, which is great if you have a belly pouch like I do. I have several pairs of jeans from them as well that are super comfortable and were only $30.00-ish, yet they have stayed new-looking after a year of washes. I even get compliments on them from my very fashion-conscious co-workers.

In the summer, I live in dresses around the house because they are more comfortable than pants, I think, and you can just throw them on fast. Mai skirts are a comfortable choice, as well, and they can look casual or dressy depending on what you pair them with.

Go spend a few bucks on some clothes! You will seriously feel like a new person. I buy from thrift stores a lot and nobody even knows the difference.

Buying online is a gamble, but sometimes I find cute things. I have bought several maxi skirts off Amazon.com. Alloy.com has cute clothes.

I love Chicos!! Their clothes are very flattering and comfy. I have a couple of pairs of jeans and two pairs of peyton pants, black and brown.

I have several long jackets and sweaters. I am 5'2 and bigger. I want to look nice for work (I can wear jeans) and professional.

On the weekend, I'm wearing capi sweat pants and t-shirts or sweatshirts.

I would get a sitter and go shopping. Buy some high quality athletic wear for around the house. It will look cute, be comfortable and you can welcome a guest or pop out for a minute without changing.

Also a few pairs of nice PJ's is a must. At 6am there would have been nothing wrong with answering the door in what you slept in, if it was cute.
Anthropologie has adorable pajamas throw on a robe and you'll look just appropriate for early morning visitors.

All the places you mentioned have shopping carts!!! I totally remember those days. I would think I need to go to the mall/macy's then just head to Target because i could put the kids in a cart.

I agree with others that getting some time to try on clothes (vs ordering online) without the little ones is needed. For now go online and view stuff at Express, J. Crew or what ever stores are in the mall closest to you that you like. Most stores have the profession clothes, going out clothes and casual comfy clothes.

http://www.pinterest.com/darina007/home-wear/

Also, you can go to youtube and 'follow' ladies whose style you like. So weird, but helpful; they often have a list of where they bought their items.

edit: i don't think i'm supposed to give specific ones to follow.

I like Lou & Grey clothes from Loft for around the house and running errands. Their clothes are very comfortable and they seem to be well made.

Just wanted to say I feel your pain! I had a surgery recently and can't wait to get out of my frumpy jumpers and back into jeans! (I find my jeans at thrift stores, btw, lots of selections and different fits for a very good price!)

Since you're in California I'd say get a bunch of black capris that can be worn with anything. Then get a bunch of sports tops with some sports bras. Push some house shoes on when you come into the house then keep your tennis shoes by the door so when you answer it you can shuffle into them quickly. House shoes can go behind the door.

If you pull your hair in a pony tail then double it back until into a sloppy bun. It can look cute and a bit messy and still look okay.

There are also some stretchy dresses out there too that you can throw on over a sports bra.

I would go to a second hand store. Here in Michigan we have Goodwill stores. they have donations from people from clothes,appliances and such. Maybe they have stores like that where you live. We buy clothes from there all the time especially for our son who wears clothes so fast.

I have a couple pair of Calvin Klein straight leg stretchy jeans which look very stylish but they are as comfortable as sweats because of the stretchy fabric. I also buy warm up jackets in every color (usually Columbia) and I usually look very presentable but comfortable.

Find a CAbi consultant. Seriously! They bring the clothes to you (invite some girlfriends, drink some wine, make it a party). You can try on the sample sizes and then you can order what you like. A girlfriend of mine invited me to a CAbi party a few years ago, and I wondered where this company had been all my life. Their stuff isn't cheap, but I've found that it's classic enough that the items don't look dated after a few years, and they withstand washing/dry cleaning very well. The upside is that even if someone drops by the house and I wasn't expecting them, I always look pulled-together. Even if I'm just wearing jeans and a wrap-tee, I look like I'm not schlumpy, you know?

Hi H.,

My favorite online shopping place is Zappos.com. Prices are similar to in stores and they have free shipping in both directions. Their customer service absolutely cannot be beat! And, if you sign up at vip.zappos.com, you get free 1 day shipping in both directions. Because of their policies, it's so easy to get an item in multiple sizes and colors, then return what doesn't fit or you don't like. A couple of years both my DH and I needed new hiking shoes, and we're both really hard to fit -- his foot is very narrow, mine is very wide. We each ended up ordering about $1000 worth of shoes over the course of 3 days and we each found the perfect fit. Everything else went back to Zappos, so out of the $2K we purchased, we actually ended up spending ~$200, total.

Also, Zappos gives you up to a year to return items. Two years ago, I bought a purse in July for my daughter for a dance she was attending in February. In December, she found a purse that went better with her gown, so we returned the (unused) purse to Zappos, no problem!

BTW, if you ever have an opportunity to get a Friday off without the kiddos and don't mind a longish drive, you can get awesome deals at the sample sales in the L.A. Fashion District (check out the California Market Center and the New Market Center online). Sales are the last Friday of each month from 9AM - 3PM and you can get some amazing clothes for very little. My daughter got a gorgeous $400 Alberto Makali coat there for $50, and a $1200 couture gown for $180 (that dance last February!). We regularly find really well made, stylish clothes for $10 - $30, including silk blouses and dresses, American made jeans for $40 - $50, etc. Since these are all samples from name designers, you do need to be able to wear between a size 0 and size 8, but at 5'4" and 142 lbs, you should be able to find a decent selection of stuff.

During Nov and Dec., there are sales every Friday. My daughter will be home from college late tonight and we are heading out first thing in the morning ( so nice to have my shopping buddy home for a little while!)

Great ideas from so many! I second the idea of leaving the kiddos with dad & heading out for a little shopping on your own.
Not sure if it was mentioned or not but hit up some resale shops for jeans. 1.) Less expensive 2.) reusing = better for the environment 3.) the jeans are already "broke in" & don't have that stiff new jean feel.
Two of my absolute favorite pairs of jeans came from resale stores & cost me less than $5 each & they normally cost upwards of $35 new.
Happy shopping!