Once you become a mum, your ability to juggle certain everyday tasks really goes up a few notches. Hanging out a load of washing with one hand because the baby refuses to be put down? Sorted. Employing the wisdom of King Solomon to decide which screaming child gets custody of the disputed toy? No worries.
But getting dressed in the morning rush? That, however, becomes a whole new ball game.
Luckily, the Fox in Flats community is populated with dozens of dames who HAVE managed to get ‘looking good on little time’ down to a fine art. So a little while ago, we asked them to share some of their sneaky style shortcuts with the rest of us, so we could present to you a few choice snapshots of their collective knowledge. So check ’em out, employ a couple of these tips and you too can look stylish daily, no matter what the kiddies – and life in general – throws at you.
1. Pimp your ‘mummy uniform’
Jeans, a cami and a blazer. You can wear this outfit ANYWHERE – lunch, dinner, school concert, the races, shopping, movies, etc. – and always look like you’ve got it together.
Eloise
“My simple ‘de-Uniform’ was to take the elements of a basic outfit like jeans, t-shirt and hoodie, and switch them with something a little more interesting. I switched the t-shirt for a tunic or dress, and switched the hoodie for a fitted cardigan or my favourite cropped cotton swing jacket (for a great ’60s vibe). Add a scarf, a necklace or a hairbow (or all three!) and you’re basically wearing the same outfit, just ‘de-Mumsied’.”
“During winter, my go-to outfit is a dress, leggings, boots, and a long cardi. It’s warm, super comfy, and looks great. You can quickly throw on a necklace, belt or bangles to dress it up. It works for lunch, shopping, and even at night.”
Janna
“White t-shirt, jeans, blazer, ballet flats. Always looks stylish and in fashion, nobody notices if you wear it almost all the time and it requires no thinking!”
2. Bring the bling
I buy loads of costume jewellery at markets and op shops, and vibe up my plain outfits with these.
Linds
3. Dress up (literally)
After avoiding them for years, I’ve just discovered that dresses hide a multitude of sins!
Alex
“If you get the right one for your shape, it will be the most flattering item you’ve ever worn. It emphasises the best bits, and skims over the bits you don’t love so much. And no worries about matching tops and bottoms!”
Kim-Marie
4. Think ahead
“I check the weather the night before, and THEN decide on an outfit. If I have time (especially when I have early starts – some days I leave home for work at 7am), I put the clothes out the night before, as well as any accessories I want to wear. It saves me a heap of time. If I have an event coming up, I always decide on an outfit early on, then I keep an eye on the weather and change the outfit to suit the weather, so when the day and time come, I’m all ready to get dressed and go.”
5. Smooth your base
I don’t leave home without my magic knickers!
Kim-Marie
6. Wrap it up
“A scarf, summer or winter. They’re fab all year ’round and can turn an outfit from blergh to fab in no time at all.”
Natalie
7. Get it tailored
Never underestimate the power of well fitted clothes – especially after having kids!
Jen
8. Fake it till you make it
“I shave my legs with my hubby’s electric razor, put a scarf over my greasy hair and tell everyone I have a treatment in my hair, wear a chunky necklace to hide my lunch on my shirt, and I have had a shower on the go with baby wipes. I hate to admit I have even used a nose trimmer to trim my mono between eyebrow waxes. Eeek!”
9. Adjust your attitude
“My biggest trick is not sticking with ‘fashion.’ The majority of my wardrobe is plain so I guess my trick is to make a $12 Target t-shirt look cooler with great accessories (scarves, necklaces, hats, etc). Other than that, I simply add a good hand cream, a great foundation, and an attitude that shows ‘I am happy in my own style!'”
Pene
10. Ditch the PJs
I often go to sleep in my clothes…
“… I’ve got 3 kids (including 8 month old twins). I often go to sleep in my clothes and just keep wearing them the next day. I make sure they are not dirty and I wear deodorant and top it all with a smart trench and good shoes when I go out. So far no-one is any the wiser…”
Anon
11. If it doesn’t smell, wear it again!
I’m a little embarrassed, but it works for me.. If I find an outfit I like, I’ll probably wear it a couple of days in a row, or that week, making sure I won’t see the same people. Please tell me I’m not the only one who does this…!
Anon
12. Bag the basics
Use a bag liner so you can easily and quickly change bags and not leave anything important behind.
Kim-Marie
Borne Naked handbag liners from $19.95
13. Be prepared for mess
I also keep a packet of tissues in every bag I regularly use. With a squirt of water, these turn into instant baby wipes, which I still use regularly as my 7 year old is a dirt magnet. This way, I’m never without them!
Kim-Marie
Want more down-to-earth tips and ideas? Check out the 7 best beauty secrets of the Fox in Flats Community, here, and 7 sneaky hair shortcuts, here.
What’s your favourite style shortcut?
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