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My Mom Uniform

The most glamorous thing I wear everyday is my baby. Obvi. I couldn’t survive motherhood without my Solly wrap!

This post by Sherry of Young House Love really struck a nerve with me earlier this year. I have pared down my closet so many times as I have gotten more and more into minimalism. Yet I still only wear about 30% of my wardrobe during regular weeks. This paragraph from Sherry’s post was what spoke to me the most:

That’s the core idea behind my “uniform” – just figuring out what you love and stopping the vicious cycle of buying other things to stay “on trend” or for the sake of “variety” or to “look different” and then realizing months later that you never wear them because they don’t make you feel as good or you don’t like the cut or the color nearly as much as your tried and true favorites.

The “for variety’s sake” part of her post spoke to me loud and clear. I tend to hang on to so many pieces “just in case” a certain occasion comes along, or worse, so I am not photographed on the blog wearing the same thing every day. But I still wear the same comfortable staples all the time. Comfort is the number one factor for me when I’m choosing an outfit. It’s hard to find clothes that are stylish, pretty, and comfortable. I wore the same pair of maternity shorts in four different colors all summer long because they were the only shorts that were comfortable.

Actually speaking of maternity clothes, that’s sort of where the uniform idea really gelled for me. My maternity wardrobe was much smaller than my usual one, and I did just fine. This concept is kind of like how my preferred way to decorate a house is neutral grays and whites on the walls, trim, and larger pieces dressed up with easy-to-change accent pieces. I still tend to choose a neutral palate even for the accents. So it makes sense that I’d keep my wardrobe staples to my favorite neutral colors and fabrics and change my look from day to day with accessories – scarves, outerwear, jewelry, hair, etc.

Boob Designs Jackie Neck Dress 

All this to say that when I unpacked the few nursing clothes I kept from when Mazen was little, I hated everything. The shirts were flowy and boxy and all short sleeves? I have no idea what I wore that first winter he was breastfeeding. But nursing clothes have come a long way! As soon as Birch was born I realized I needed some new nursing-friendly clothes. I went to Green Bean Baby Boutique and bought a few of the nicer Boob Designs pieces in person and ordered inexpensive staples on Amazon at 3 am. For a while all of my social feeds had ads for nursing clothes! Of course you could just lift up your shirt to nurse – but breastfeeding is so much easier when you have a hoodie that flips up or shirt that moves to the side, especially in the cold winter when you don’t want to take off your shirt. And who doesn’t want to make breastfeeding a little easier?

Old Navy Zip Down Sweater Tunic

May I present to you my 2019 Mom Uniform and nursing-friendly favorites.

  1. Amazon Patchwork Pullover – my favorite “I’m not leaving the house today” top. The patchworks unzip diagonally!
  2. Amazon Lacy Shirt – this is great for warmer days and dressier occasions and the top panel flips up.
  3. Amazon Short Sleeve Shirts – these are good for layering under a wrap or warm days and the v-neck moves to the side.
  4. Athleta Lined Soho Joggers – I already owned these, but they are great stretchy waistband pants with pockets and I wear them all the time so I wanted to include them in the list.
  5. Amazon 90 Degree High Waist Leggings – these are my new favorites for working out (see below for fashion ones)
  6. Amazon Purple Activewear Hoodie – my favorite top for going on sweaty walks or treadmill workouts.
  7. Amazon Cozy Long Sleeve Shirt – go-to for days at home
  8. Boob Designs Jackie Neck Dress – party dress of the season!! It’s so comfortable, and the panel flips up for nursing.
  9. Brooks Juno Sports Bra – super supportive and velcro down straps. I need a second one.
  10. Hofish Bras – these are super affordable and very comfortable. They have padded cups and are fairly supportive.
  11. Lululemon Align 25″ Leggings – you’ve heard me praise these over and over. The BEST leggings for lounging and under dresses and tunics!
  12. Target Nursing Tanks – love these because they are stretchy cotton and very long
  13. Old Navy Zip Down Sweater Tunic – The top zips down on both sides and the sweater material can be dressed up a bit
  14. Boob Designs Haley Top – I love this top for dressier activities like a ladies lunch. The panel flips up.
  15. GAP Maternity Stripe Shirt – this fabric is super soft, stretchy, and lightweight. it’s also fairly long.
  16. Latched Mama Petal Front Hoodie – I love the length of this tunic and it’s almost like a dress. The panel pops up.
  17. Boob Designs B Warmer Hoodie – my GO TO staple for everyday!! So cozy and I love the pocket for my phone. It’s tunic length so can look a little dressy with boots. Like all of the Boob Designs tops, the panel flips up.
  18. Boob Designs Simone Dress – party dress #2 for more casual events. great thick-but-stretchy material.
  19. Boob Designs Simone Shirt – this shirt didn’t make the collage for some reason, but the fabric is really thick and I can dress it up a bit! It’s probably my favorite. Pictured below!

I have a great mix of really nice Boob Designs and Lulu/Athleta pieces and inexpensive loungewear from Amazon and Old Navy. Of course these aren’t the only clothes I wear, but they are the ones that are in high rotation. My old wardrobe is currently in storage with a label that reads “Do not open until 2019.” Honestly I can’t even remember what is in that box, but I don’t really need any of it for now because the tops are not easy to nurse in and the bottoms are probably too snug. I think the best thing about these nursing clothes is that there is no reason not to keep wearing them long after Birch is weaned because the secret panels are not obvious. Unlike maternity clothes, these I can wear forever!

Latched Mama Petal Front Hoodie

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Comments

  1. Sherry’s post (and this one) really resonated with me too! I used to buy things (like a hot pink sweater when I really like neutrals more) just because they were different than things I already owned and I felt like I shouldn’t get another grey cardigan or another pullover even though I wore the ones I had ALL the time. I’ve definitely consolidated my wardrobe over the past few years and it’s so much easier to get dressed and find things!

    Reply

    • Same!! I don’t feel comfortable in bright colors. Even my bright blue Rothys I sort of regret wearing because they pop TOO much when I wear them!

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  3. I really loved this post! I don’t have children but I love the idea of “the uniform” because it is so true for everyone I think. I get frustrated with myself for always buying a different version of the same thing but maybe I should just embrace it because those are the clothes that I feel the best in.

    Also, a random question for ya………do you have a favorite sports bra you wear? I went shopping for one yesterday and they are so tight and uncomfortable (I tried various sizes……sized way up from what I usually wear in a regular bra) and why are they all strapy? I get myself all caught and jumbled up in them trying to get them on and off. Anyway, I know you work out a lot and run so thought I’d ask 🙂

    Reply

    • The Brooks Juno is my favorite for high impact (also breastfeeding friendly). I am about to order another one (I have two already, although one is very old). For low impact, I love this one from Athleta. It’s very comfortable and easy to get on. It’s great for walking or yoga. I have two of those too! I also have the Hullabraloo, which was my favorite medium impact pre-baby.

      Reply

  4. My baby is the exact same age as Birch (within days) and I’m laughing because I had the same realization during my pregnancy and I actually own most of those Amazon tops (and also bought them at 3 am while feeding). All in black because it hides milk. And amen to the need for nursing clothes. I get so sick of pulling up my shirt on a cold day, even if I’m wearing an undershirt, and we are out and about a ton.

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  5. You actually PARED down your wardrobe, instead of PAIRING it down. Unless you played some kind of matching game you’re not telling us about.

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  6. I am not a mom, but I want these clothes just because they’re really cute! I love your style, Kath. I think you look beautiful and effortless in my opinion. I have tried to add variety to my wardrobe but not at the expense of being uncomfortable. I love some trends, but I shop a lot at used and vintage-style stores, and I love quirky/boho/unique pieces. Thank you for sharing this post! It’s a fun topic.

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  7. Love these outfits! My newest little one is a bit older than Birch, and I am also pretty much over my nursing clothes from my older son (now three).

    Question for you: How have you found the sizing on the Boob tops to be? I’m often in between Small and Medium sizes and can’t figure out what to order from them. I really want the Haley top!

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  8. The same thing happened to me when I was pregnant and nursing! I was also inspired by the YHL post and have cut my wardrobe way down. It’s amazing! I actually wear everything and have so much less stuff. Also, baby B is so sweet!

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  9. I had the same realization lately…all of my clothes are black, gray, olive green…neutrals! I’m embracing it and loving getting dressed now. It’s so easy! That Old Navy zip sweater is so cute. I was bummed to see it is mostly sold out. I remember you doing a post about leggings and I’m trying to find it, but can’t remember if it was here or on your Instagram. I am in desperate need of some new ones. I need a decent pair to “compress” cellulite. ha!

    Reply

  10. Sherry’s post really resonated with me as well! I also realized after having a baby earlier this year that my maternity wardrobe was wayyy smaller than my normal one and I always had things to wear! So I set out to pair down my closet significantly. I haven’t gone as far as incorporating a uniform, that’s the next step for me. But I have WAY less clothing and actually like and wear almost all of my clothing!

    Reply

  12. I am SO intrigued by this idea!!! I do find myself reaching for the same few pieces for my work/exercise/weekend uniforms. You have me inspired to go through my wardrobe and donate items (to goodwill or ThredUp) that are I just don’t wear!

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  14. Thank you for this post! I’m currently 36 weeks pregnant and have just started thinking about nursing clothes. I will return to this when I’m ready to do some shopping!

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  15. Wow, you young women of today are so lucky!!!! My oldest baby is 32 this year so it’s been a while since any of this was needed. Such lovely and versatile pieces, they look great on you.

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      • My mom said to me when Mazen was little: “can’t you just lift up your shirt? That’s what we did.” Well yes I could but then my tummy would be exposed to the world and cold which is just uncomfortable! The variety of things they have come up with to make nursing easier are great.

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  16. I think loud colors don’t suit me. I tend to buy a lot of navy and black. I just ordered an indigo barefoot dreams cardi. Love them. You always look put together.

    Reply

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