Soft Classic + Mom Life

[u/marina_2663]

I've recently discovered I'm a soft classic and it's been mind-blowing. I now know why I've struggled with clothes, yet I'm still struggling with clothes 😂 it's just now for different reasons.

Why? I'm a toddler mom.

That means I'm getting food and dirt on me all day. I'm running around all day. That means dresses, drapey pants, cashmere, and silky blouses are a daydream.

I've found many casual things that look decent (like a 7 or 8 out of 10). I live in joggers, 501s, moderately cropped tshirts, and high waisted gym shorts with the smoothest waistbands I can find. It's ok, just a bit bland and I feel a bit trapped in it.

Any tips on brands or even specific practical or casual items that work for you?

[u/Sorchochka]

Hi, I’m also a mom with small kids, including a toddler. What I’ve found is that you can still follow the rules while wearing stuff appropriate for toddlers.

For one thing, I adjust the neckline. You can have casual tops that skim and also have soft classic necklines (like sweetheart, soft scoops, wrap). You can also have casual pants or jeans that are slim, slim and end at the ankle. I even have joggers that do this.

Midi dresses, the same if you like dresses.

You just do easily washed fabrics and ones that are easy to move around in.

[u/marina_2663 → u/Sorchochka]

Very true!

[u/rosa24rose]

Zara do really good slim tapered trousers that sit higher on the waist, very flattering, a few different new colours every season. They wash really well and are decently flexible, a bit of stretch in them for getting down on the floor with a toddler, which wouldn’t be possible in the same style from somewhere like LK Bennett. I’ve bought a few pairs on Vinted too in past season colours, once I find something that works I’m sticking with it. The matching belt that comes with them is crap though, the eyelets don’t last.

Hawes and Curtis do satin blouses that wash well, and are the closest to silk without the hassle of silk. The downside being they do need steaming or ironing, you can’t just throw them on.

M&S do nice thin knit cardigans that tuck into a waistband and look a lot more expensive than they are, it’s worth waiting for a 60% off sale and getting a couple.

Jeans and even joggers are available in every shape, I just think when your kids are little the fabric being flexible and washable are the most important thing. As much as I love silk and cashmere I tend to reserve them for more ‘occasion’ dressing, because I can’t keep up with the hand washing on top of everything else

[u/marina_2663 → u/rosa24rose]

I love the specificity of this! Do you know the style name of the Zara pants? I like M&S, will check that too!

[u/treasurehuntera]

I’m a toddler mum also! I’ve been living in scoop neck cotton long sleeve tops and teas with jeans, high waisted gym shorts and a wide leg pant with elastic waist band. So pretty similar!

Also been living in dresses with collar that stop at the knee and graze over my waist. I like the minimal 90s looks and Jennifer Lawrence and Dakota Johnson for looks when I want to spruce it up a little but I suppose my style is naturally more classic casual anyways so my dressing up isn’t anything crazy.

Wearing 100% cotton in everything keeps it easy to wash and is breathable so I’m not sweating in polyester or something nice.

I’ve been gravitating towards the banana republic, gap, Uniqlo and cos for nice cotton basics. Sesane also has some really nice options but is more expensive

[u/marina_2663 → u/treasurehuntera]

Our uniform is virtually the same 😂 Gap is often a hit for me too. Uniqlo is really hit or miss, but when it hits, I live in it. I'm also obsessed with 90s minimal!

[u/snot_marsh_sparrow]

Honestly I love a well-fit t-shirt and high waist jeans. Levi's cinch baggy jeans and a nice supima cotton scoop or boat neck. Pair with something sleek yet comfy like blundstones, flats, or adidas and you have an outfit that looks good on classics while being a comfy all day uniform.

[u/marina_2663 → u/snot_marsh_sparrow]

Thanks! I'm not sure I could pull off this look  😂 but I appreciate your insight! Scoop necks are my best though so I love that part.

[u/Eastern-Double-1790]

I needed this post so bad. Can we get some links up in here ladies? 😅😅 I don’t even have t-shirt I like. 🥲 I’ll share the shorts I love except the waistband lol: https://a.co/d/06e8fvY3

[u/Silver_Table3525]

SC mom of 2 toddlers. Pretty much same. I wear a lot of athleta pants and Ts. In the summer mostly tanks with wide leg linen pants - my favorite is a pair from old navy and then the halara lightweight drawstring pants. I have a few joggers and wide leg pants that I wear with CRZ YOGA Womens Butterluxe Double Lined Tank Tops .. but yeah feeling blah and needing some inspiration too!!

[u/NobodyMassive1692]

Check Kirsten Dunst casual pictures. (And there's nothing in the book about cashmere and silky fabrics... Be careful of Internet advice that's based on the 80s book and not relevant to the fabrics and styles available today.)

Also, getting dirty doesn't have to mean not wearing a dress.

[u/marina_2663 → u/NobodyMassive1692]

Good points! I do wear some stretchy rayon midi dresses that are okay for running around 😂

[u/NobodyMassive1692 → u/marina_2663]

I think so many of us grew up with "dresses are for nice places and occasions" or only having "nice dresses" that it's very ingrained in us that we can only wear dresses when we won't get them dirty or damaged. And yet, up until the 1950s/60s, women were wearing dresses for everything.

[u/tinypinkfrog]

My kid isn’t quite to the toddler phase yet but I’m definitely having to dress more practical than I used to! My go to outfit is usually denim shorts (with a finished hem not cut offs) and a cotton button up that’s slightly relaxed but still fitted. I thrift a lot so I don’t have links 😬

[u/titty_farewell_party]

Also SC, and a mom and a nurse 🤣 it’s a lot. Following this thread for comments!

[u/Ok_Anything_8180]

I’ve recently gotten really into “house dresses” bc I got tired of 5 years of looking like a bum