It goes without saying, life with three boys under nine is busy. And as much as I love dressing up in beautiful clothes, the reality is that my day-to-day fashion choices need to be easy to wear, easy to play in, and make me feel put together and comfortable.
So here are my five must-have items for busy mums, who don’t want to say goodbye to style, but still want to find the bright moments each day and have fun with their little people.
- Your go-to jeans
Finding your favourite go-to jeans is like mum-fashion nirvana. The pair that you turn to again and again – that you can wrap up warm in and pair with boots and thick socks on a cold day, or roll up at the hem and wear with sandals and t-shirts in the summer.
The ultimate jeans for busy mums should be comfortable – you want to be able to squat down easily, climb up play equipment if you need to perform a daring toddler rescue, or run around in the backyard in them while kicking a ball. Forget super-tight, restrictive jeans and look for something with a bit of room for movement, which still has a stylish silhouette.
My pick this season is the straight leg jean – not clingy like skinny jeans, but also not so shapeless that you feel frumpy. The straight premium jean ticks all my boxes, with a full-length straight leg, and just enough stretch to mean you’ll be happy wearing them all day.
- A warm jacket
As the days get shorter, and temperatures sink lower, a reliable throw-on jacket is a must.
Think rugging up warm on the soccer-field sidelines, or staying snug while watching the kids play at the park.
This lightweight puffer jacket has you covered. It’s thick and warm, without being bulky, and it comes in four beautiful colours. Khaki green is the colour of the season, so that’s my choice. It’s also a winner in that it won’t crease or crush if you need to stuff it into your day bag before heading out on adventures.
- An easy to wear dress
An easy to wear dress is the ultimate time-saver. No need to think about coordinating tops and bottoms, it’s a complete outfit ready to go.
But what I look for in a dress has changed since I’ve become a mum. No more fitted dresses or short hemlines, it’s about being able to move freely, while knowing I won’t be risking any unexpected ‘Marilyn Monroe’ moments when the wind picks up.
A long-sleeve dress is super versatile for busy mums. Throw it on with ankle boots and a leather jacket, and you’ll feel super smart. Or throw on your favourite white sneakers and a denim jacket, and you’ll be casual cool, all set for the school run or a quick supermarket trip.
It’s all about ease, and this long sleeve dress fits the bill. Plus, patterns are super forgiving when you’re hanging out with kids – no need to stress about getting food spilt on you, any messes will be easily disguised. Winning.
- A patterned top
While we’re on the subject of patterns, a patterned top is another of my essentials. For the reasons outlined already, patterns are your friend!
Gone are the days of feeling fresh in a sparkling clean white top. Plain, pale colours seem to be a magnet for kid dirt and unexpected spills.
A flowing patterned peasant top will instantly up your mum-style game. Pair it with your favourite jeans, or tuck it into a stretchy skirt or pair of classic black pants.
This peasant top comes in a few different patterns and colour patterns, so you can choose the one that feels most like you, and feel effortlessly stylish all day.
- A cosy bright knit
Most of all, mum dressing should be fun. And what better way to bring some fun to cold winter days than in a cosy, colourful knit?
Look for something with a bit of interest about it – perhaps an interesting sleeve or neckline, or a pattern in the knit. Then choose a colour which you love, and you’ll instantly feel put together when you pair it with your favourite jeans.
This cable knit jumper in lilac has me feeling all the warm and fuzzies – with a cute cable pattern, and a pretty colour. Layer it over a collared white shirt or denim shirt, or wear it on its own and add a warm jacket. You’ll be returning to it again and again this season, I promise.
