Motherhood demanded I dress differently
An active mama lifestyle led me to discover new ways to enjoy fashion.
by Lily C. Fen
When I had my son, my body changed, and my lifestyle and clothing needs along with it. It was as if the world of fashion had transformed overnight. My “trendy” pieces had become outdated by the time I felt confident enough to leave my baby for a few hours and spend time out with friends.
Before the baby, I had learned to dress to flatter my body and felt that I looked good in pencil skirts. I completed the ensemble with kitten heels and a satin top and often chose this as my smart casual look — it complemented what I felt were attractive parts of my body. I also loved long necklaces or wearing ostentatious earrings, depending on the occasion.
Finding new fun in fashion as a mom
I quickly realized that babies liked to tug on long earrings and needed running around after, especially once they started crawling and later, learning to walk. At first, I found myself on all fours, tracking a baby who was beginning to crawl. I went to child-friendly spaces that required shoes off. I discovered the joy of glitter socks then — if dangly earrings and a form-fitting skirt weren’t working, I needed to find my fun in fashion in other ways. The socks were a start.
Rainy weather and long walks with a napping baby in the stroller
In the first year, when my baby was napping a lot, I would spend up to three hours on foot, pushing our stroller across the city. The movement always helped my little one doze off. When it was raining in the spring or autumn, even the pitter-patter of raindrops was enough to lull him to sleep. Because I was outdoors in all kinds of weather, my tailored clothes were not the best fit. I had new needs and responded as such, to make my life as a mom more comfortable.
I invested in a light, waterproof coat for the spring and early months of fall — it was difficult steering a stroller across the city with one hand while holding up an umbrella with the other. With both hands on the handle, I didn’t need to get soaked when it poured out.
Eventually, as the weather got chillier, my husband and I searched for an all-weather coat for me — a waterproof one with a light layer of insulation to ward off cooler temperatures. I was too busy caring for my baby to notice what my partner had — he said that I looked on trend, like all the younger moms around me in these coats that were built for Scandinavian territory. I felt warm, snug, and dry.
The abrasive surfaces of the playground required quality outdoor clothing
As my child learned to walk, and other mothers introduced me to several playgrounds, I often found myself having to move around abrasive surfaces, deal with sand or pebbles, or sit on moist grass.
Tailored clothing such as cigarette pants, whose material was too delicate for the playground, had to stay in the closet. Denim or colored jeans, with their tougher material, turned out to be a great match for the playground. Satin blouses didn’t cut it either — by the time my son had been weaned from the breast and I no longer needed breastfeeding tops, I opted for breezier cotton T-Shirts and loose-fit sweaters. These also agreed with the fashion era around me, and let my changing body feel like it had wiggle room. I also wanted to be practical when it came to my transient need for breastfeeding tops, and had kept my purchases to a minimum.
A need for movement and femininity
I once noticed another mom with a colorful, calf-length skirt during one of our family music classes. I complemented her on her outfit. She laughed and said she used to love mini skirts but that they didn’t fit her active mama life. She had started wearing lengthier styles that provided that feminine touch — with coverage — that she needed. What she shared propelled me to follow her fashion footsteps.
The midi-length skirt was picking up speed in the fashion arena and it seemed like a good choice, even for the chilly months when pants had become the norm. I settled on a black skirt, with a ruffled layer at the front, to mix and match with certain fall sweaters and dressy black boots. This allowed me movement with my child, if I ever had to bend over to help tie up his pants or wipe his hands clean after playtime outdoors. It also gave me the opportunity to get in touch with my feminine side during the colder months. A flowing cut, with electric pleats and in bright colors worked well during the summer months.
Looking good made me feel good, and that made me a better mom
There was a leap I made when transitioning from before having kids to the aftermath of becoming a mother. It was important for me to be mindful of my needs to look and feel good. I found new ways to channel that, in a way that served how active my daily lifestyle had become. The better I took care of myself, the more I had to give my son.
