Once upon a time, I loved clothes. I bought far too many. I loved shoes. I wore different ones every other day. The heels were my favourite. I also had so many accessories. Different earrings, scarves, necklaces, bracelets, purses. It was especially fun finding a deal.
Over time, the practicality of these items declined. The necklaces were playthings to babes in arms and a potential hazard to me as they were pulled on. The heels were tricky to balance in when going for a long walk or wearing the baby (although, at my sister’s wedding, I successfully pulled off heels and babywearing quite nicely).
I have more jeans than dress pants, something that hasn’t happened since high school. I own more t-shirts than blouses. Before I hardly owned a t-shirt.
I don’t mind wearing jeans and a simple top when I’m going to the park. Or a playdate. I don’t feel the need to be Mrs. Fancypants. But when my husband and I go on a date, or I head to a friend’s place for a nice dinner, my closet is suddenly drastically bare.
Clothes that I wore before my first pregnancy fit differently or not at all.
When I go shopping for clothes, I get caught up looking at what’s practical; what will get the most use. I stare at the pretty items, the dresses, cute tops and wonder where I would be able to wear them in the next month or two.
I need to get back into the style that I know I prefer. Although, this dual-style is not a problem for me, I need to have options. I also like to keep things within a decent price range.
Over the past couple of years, the only thing saving my wardrobe are the hand-me-downs from my younger sister who cleans out her closet every so often and gives me the stuff she doesn’t wear anymore (which is always still in great condition). That’s been the bulk of my ‘shopping’.
Fall is coming, and it’s my favourite time of year for clothes. I think I will go out and get some nice things just for me. And force myself to find somewhere to wear them.
Last week I bought a very cute non-fancy, but still nice dress that I can wear to functions (whenever I go to functions, ha!) or even a nice dinner. I also got a cute jacket. It’s a start. My new post-baby, still-nursing body is still unsure of it’s size or whether or not it will stay this size but I feel ready to commit to clothes again.
How do you find your style is now? Where do you love to shop?
I am right there with you! I am ready to have my style and love of style back. I live in t-shirts and shorts (summer) and sweats in the winter and when I want to dress up I realize I’ve got nothing. Everything I buy has to be nursing friendly and practical.
Fall is my favorite time to shop too..boots, tights, sweaters, oh my! I love shopping at the Gap for sweaters but find myself not liking the prices as much..so Target and Kohl’s is where I go now.
Wow you have said exactly what I have been thinking. I used to spend so much money on clothes and now that my son is here, I cannot justify it anymore.
I have been finding a lot of great clothes from the Joe Fresh collection at Loblaws. Not only do they have cute clothes but they are very affordable. I have also found a few pieces at the Gap. Depending on the location I can usually find a few decent pieces at Walmart from the George collection.
Happy Shopping.
I’m going through the same thing, compounded by the fact that I’ve just lost 65lbs and have to return to work from mat leave in October. My body is completely different now, and I can actually fit inho stuff in ‘regular’ stores! I just wrote a post about thus too…my friend’s sister came over and did a personal styling thing on me. It was awesome! We’re headed to SF soon and I’ll be hitting the outlets for Banana Republic, Gap, Ann Taylor, plus H&M. H&M’s prices are actually pretty reasonable. Like Natasha, I’ve also found some great stuff at Joe Fresh, and love that I can sneak clothes shopping into my grocery trips! Happy shopping!
i think the whole work element plays a part in many women’s struggle with the fashion/identity thing…huge differences between style worlds, between office and the park;).
i stay at home, so aside from size changes over the years due to pregnancies and kiddos, my style has stayed the same. hopefully somewhat funky;), definitely denim heavy ( loooooove my jeans ) and lots of grey and black. i am boring. except for my love of pink. always have some pink somewhere:).
having an 11 year old fashionista to keep me company on shopping trips is fun as well – we are actually hitting montreal on monday for a mommy/daughter shopping trip…so h&m and zara for her and lucky and rudsak for me ( oh the boots!!!!). i don’t need a whole lot, so i am just looking for “the” pieces;) to make me feel all fally and happy.
oh, and my major weakness? j crew outlet shopping online…final sales are my best friend.
Even though I am not due back at work till January I have already started to crave my back to work clothing. Jeans and Yoga pants are boring me. When I was in Niagara Fall I bought these awesome heels at the Nine West outlet and I can’t wait to have an excuse to wear them 🙂
First of all! Let’s go shopping! I can meet you in Rideau Centre whenever you’re free during the week – during the lunch hour – since I work downtown.
I’d say about 75% of all my clothes are from Banana Republic – from t’s to work pants to sweaters and dresses. Next, I love Club Monaco and for jeans – GAP all the way! Shoes 9 West and Aldo. 🙂 Jeans and cute t’s and sweaters are my staple outfit for when I’m not at work.
My favourite things, though, are designer purses. I can’t get enough and I use them ALL the time so that justifies the cost. And a nice pair of sunglasses.
Great topic. I used to love trying out clothes. Now I hate it. I gained weight after I stopped nursing Ari, and my clothes fit differently. But now I’m pregnant again, and I hate to say maternity clothes are sort of fun to shop for.
I like shopping online the best. I don’t have to deal with dressing rooms. I like H&M, Old Navy and Target for clothes.
We don’t need all that… We should make bio–diesel out of prisoners and the deceased. School children should be required to walk on power generating treadmills for at least 1 hour a day. We should send illegals back to their low carbon footprint homeland. We can cut emissions from China by manufacturing stuff in the US.