s/o: Let's talk clothes!

[Mosaic]

I saw in another thread that I'm not the only working mama struggling in the closet each morning getting dressed for work!

What works for you? What are your must-have articles of clothing? What do you look for when you go shopping? What mistakes have you learned from?

Here is my list of challenges is a working mom's wardrobe:

1) tops/dresses that are nursing-friendly. That means:
-- easy access for pumping
-- hides the telltale "headlights"
-- fits well whether you just fed LO or got stuck in a 4.5 hour meeting and are dying to pump
2) low-maintenance: easy-to-wash, no-iron
3) patterns or dark colors to hide the early morning sticky finger/runny noses
4) somewhat comfortable so that you can bend down to pick up LO and all their stuff from daycare

[cat13]

Not too much advice, but I'm definitely interested in what others have to say. 

[Xerxella]

Well, I work in an office and I definitely go with neat khakis and/or black stretchy, but dressy type of pants (currently I'm wearing Daisy Fuentes brand).  I find Kohl's and JC Penney have good prices and styles.  For tops, I usually do a button down short sleeve shirt.  I really have about 10 of the same ones in all different colors.  (I'm boring, I know.)  They're like Croft &Barrow (sp?) or  Worthington or St. John's Bay or something like that. They all must be wash and wear and no iron needed.  There's no way, I'm taking all these clothes to the dry cleaners or ironing them.  I always check the label before I even pull them off the rack. 

Also, my must have is a casual suit jacket style jacket.  (Did that make sense?)  It can be relatively casual, but I have 2 I leave at work.  That way they can be thrown over any problem areas.  Un-sightly back bra bulge?  A jacket takes care of that.  Leaking milk?  Check!  2 year olds yogurt all over the sleeve that you didn't notice til you got to work?  Check!  You get the idea.  A sweater would work too in a more casual office.  Personally, I'd have at least 2, because I always seem to forget to take it off and leave it at work and then forget to bring it back the next day.  Or, spill coffee on it or whatever. 

[*bejeweled*]

The best work related advice my Mom gave me was to wear a "uniform". Freedom! And cheap.

When I was working I only wore oxford shirts in white, pink or blue paired with black pants or skirts with boots or heels. I would wear pretty jewelry.

I laundered my shirts @ the cleaners weekly. J o y. And so professional.

[CatsCradle]

Originally Posted by *bejeweled* 

The best work related advice my Mom gave me was to wear a "uniform". Freedom! And cheap.
When I was working I only wore oxford shirts in white, pink or blue paired with black pants or skirts with boots or heels. I would wear pretty jewelry.
I laundered my shirts @ the cleaners weekly. J o y. And so professional.

Agreed!

Also, I have three words:  Black, Grey, Blue.  Black wasn't a huge leap for me because I was sort of New Wave and Gothic-y in my younger days.  It turns out to be very much like a uniform, so I don't spend a lot of time thinking about it every day.  I can try to look cool during my non-office hours.  I don't think my true tastes would fly in a law firm setting.

I find the best things that make me feel unique are jewelry and good shoes.  I'm past the nursing part but I do need to feel comfortable getting everyone organized and off during the morning, as well as the mad rush home.

[hildare]

i cannot do button down shirts, they never ever fit me right. 

i am, however, a huge fan of the cardigan.  i don't work in the most formal environment, though, so i find the beloved cardis do what the suit jackets will do for most people.  a big plus if they're multicolored, and can be paired with many things. 

my "uniform" is typically a knit or no iron skirt (i find they fit better than pants, especially with weight fluctuation- they only have to fit in one place); a nice shirt (i'm a big fan of a spandex blend top, more professional than a cotton shirt, but not button down.. when nursing i'll wear a nursing tank underneath); and a cardigan.  it's kind of dumb but i really invested in the cardigan collection, just because the pants/skirts and shirts are pretty basic and neutral and i could wear the same stupid ones every day and no one would notice-- but then -- magic!  the cardigan changes everything. 

if i am feeling colorful or funky, i do wear unusual/colorful tights with boots. 

the advantage to my "uniform" is that i can just pick a color that i'm feeling that morning, out of the cardi collection, and the other stuff pretty much just matches (black, grey, brown, or purple/plum are my "neutrals")

i need to work on the jewelry, i notice the admins tend to accessorize well with pieces that are large (or scarves) and color-coordinated.. i tend to just wear the same thing every single day (a small chain with a pendant, hoop earrings if any).

[tccandlsccmom]

I went on ebay and got a number of nursing dresses....sold them after I stopped pumping and nursing during the day (post-young-toddler time) on ebay and so it was like renting them :)

[Imakcerka]

khakis for weekends and I suck up to my boss to get as many work logo shirts as possible.  Actually just wear one from another company and you'll get like 5 on your desk by the end of the day.

During the week pencil skirts at the knee.  All colors, pretty much any shirt you want and cute flats.  Or heels... I'm a heels person.  But I'll rock my chucks with some business causal.  I love one color dresses, like a grey dress, with aqua heels. 

We had this one girl try to tell me I had fashion issues.  And I was like... yeah?  And?  If I don't care I can wear any combo I want!  Mama told be to shout it.  I'm shouting it!

[Skippy918]

I wear pullover v or crew neck shirts even when I'm pumping with either jeans or shorts. Our dress code is super casual.