Black clothes and children

[ltlmrs]

After trying to wear different colors/clothing styles after DD was born and feeling frumpy and icky the entire time, I've decided to go back to my pre-baby days uniform of black. After years of wearing mostly black (with jeans/black or white pants/skirts), I just cannot change my style just because I have a little snot nosed toddler with grubby fingers. So far, the only thing I can think of doing that will help keep me clean is to get super diligent about wiping Ladybug's hands and nose the moment I spot anything unpleasant. I'm hoping this will go a long way to keeping the house clean too.

But, I'm having a hard time deciding what the next step should be. Ideally, I would like to continue to wear my pre-baby clothes. I mostly stay at home and it can get so depressing to see myself in the mirror during the day and feel frumpy, wearing my old clothes would go a long way towards making me feel better. I have several pretty aprons that I've actually thought about wearing at home when it's just me and Ladybug, but it feels a bit too 50s housewife... That and given the fact that aprons don't cover sleeves or below the knee, I'm not sure this would be effective. So the alternative to wearing my old clothes with an apron for cover up would be to buy cheap black t-shirts and wear those, but to be honest even the cheap ones are not possible in the budget right now.

So my question is what's the best way to keep clothes clean with a little one. Any tricks/tips that you've picked up over the years?

[smeisnotapirate]

I usually wear black (was a music major in college, so that's just the way the wardrobe went) and I know what you mean about EVERYTHING showing on it.

Honestly? I offered it up as a "mom thing." I changed clothes 5x a day and rubbed and scrubbed, and eventually just got tired of it. I'm the mom of an almost 2yo. If people want to critique the snot-stain on my shirt? Meh.

I think the aprons are a cute idea, though! If you're self-conscious about kid-goop, wear the apron, and then if you have to run out you can put on a sweater or something to cover your sleeves and only the apron-covered part is showing.

But honestly? Most people will see your little 18mo and ignore the booger stains on your black shirt. The 18mo is cuter.

[mkksmom]

I wish I had an answer, but half of the time, I don't even have time to notice a little snot/spit-up/grease from cooking until after I put the girls to bed. At that point, I change into some nice PJ's and relax. I did treat myself to a nice new bathrobe this winter. Maybe little jackets or sweaters over top. I've been a SAHM for 5.5 years, so I guess I am just used to my new uniform. For me, it's black pants and long sleeve t-shirts in the winter. Each winter I replace a few of them because they are too stained to wear any more. Summer is shorts and a plain colorful t-shirt like the Old Navy perfect fit tees or I get the cherokee brand from target. I usually ask for gift cards for target or old navy for christmas and bday so I can buy my shirts.

[brennatsi]

Baby wipes get out almost anything. If I see snot and food on my black clothes, I have a 90% success rate with baby wipes for a quick spot-clean. And I wear dark jeans on the bottom and nothing shows on them-- even though my kids seem to think they are a napkin.
Do what makes you feel good!!

[ltlmrs]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who wears black after children!

Brennatsi, the babywipes are a great idea!

I think I will hold off on decluttering most of the pre-baby clothes and only get rid of some of the ones that are not nursing friendly.

[Om Girl]

I second brennatsi's comment about babywipes...they work even better on black polyester/nylon type yoga pants.

I bought a pair of black yoga pants (not the cotton ones) and a matching black track jacket from the athletic section at Target and I wear them weekly...
They have lasted through multiple trips through washer/dryer...they dry quickly and clean up in a pinch with a babywipe.

Yesterday DD had banana all over her and my black pants...a little wipee action and I was out the door in less than 5 minutes!

Don't give up who you are...if you wear black, then wear black!

I love the apron idea...they're super handy for wiping little noses and hands too!

[Logan]

I dont wear only black, but EVERYTHING I wear gets dirty almost as soon as I put it on. If we are going out or to the shops I will change into something a little more presentable. (or if Im lazy, I just hope the Ergo will cover up most of me ). If its the playground or a really quick errand I never bother changing. My job before was a nanny so its not like I had a professional career before where I used to be really dolled up and look great all day, so this is just normal for me. Its just part of being a mom. I could waste hours fighting it, or accept it.

[proudmomof4]

Do layers work for you? Think cardigans, vests, or the mentioned aprons. I do wear an apron when I work around the house (cleaning or cooking) but I make sure it's a fabric I like.

I'm not sure whether your preference of black is more about the color scheme or the solid, so I might be missing your point here. But anyway: patterns could be a little friendlier with "snot-noses", e. g. like in "mille fleurs" designs or "mille file" patterns and would still go with black.

[jennlyn]

I always wore aprons when my children were little and it kept my clothes way cleaner. If you wear prints, spots aren't so obvious, but on solids anything seems to show. I can totally see a black outfit with a happy print apron over it. Little ones like bright colors and prints- why have your baby only seeing mama in black? Right now there are tons of apron patterns out there if you sew. Wear them at home and take them off to go out- way better than trying to dodge sticky fingers. No one wants to relive the scene in the Nanny Diaries where the nanny observed the mama grabbing the child's wrist and turning the child away so as not to soil her outfit.

[AAK]

I do have several aprons! I love them. You're right, they don't cover the shoulders, etc. But I love them and have save many shirts because of them. Also, aprons have come a long way--many have attitude! But, since you like black, how about a basic black one. Get one with a pocket and you will find that it is great to stash that odd toy that was left out or whatever.

Amy

[dkenagy]

My grandmother always wore an apron that I am currently looking to copy for myself--it had wide shoulders that kind of crossed in the back and somehow tied...? Anyway, that would cover everything but from the knee-down and sleeves... And I love the cardigan idea--I do that anyway!

[Logan]

Im confused about the apron idea....wont the apron still get mucky? And then you are wearing an apron and dirty? Or is it just so you dont have to change when you go out?

[jennlyn]

Logan, the apron keeps your good clothes clean and unstained. I always considered my aprons somewhat disposable- much easier to make a new one than to replace my other clothing. I didn't let my children wipe their hands all over them so no, they weren't mucky . My favorite keeping clean tip was to have a dozen or two inexpensive washclothes handy for cleaning up the children . I washed them with my dishtowels and they worked way better than a paper towel. Being diligent about keeping your little one clean helps too- she will not like being dirty if you don't leave her that way. I am not a hyper-vigilent clean freak, but I don't care for grubby hands and snotty noses either. I don't walk around like that, so why should my children?

[Smokering]

Aprons are in right now. Some of them ARE 50s-housewife, but in an ironic way - other ones are pretty modern and sleek looking. I've been lazy about wearing mine recently, but I should get back to it - mine's pretty.

[LCBMAX]

Looking for a good way to turn old t shirts with sentimental value into aprons... til then, I just wear my shirts inside out til I leave the house, and I (usually!) remember to turn them right side out again before the world sees me.

[newbymom05]

I have a patterned scrubs top that I wore when my youngest was in his urpy stage. It was cheaper than a nice apron and totally covered my shirt and was easy to lift up to nurse.