I really relate! After becoming a mum I felt like my wardrobe belonged to a totally different person and it really affected my confidence.
I’ve been using Indyx too after reading Anna’s post and it has changed the game for me. I had a huge wardrobe clear out and have slowly been adding in pieces I love that actually fit my new body and lifestyle. Also having Substack for realistic, real life outfit Inspo rather than the super polished instagram influencers is amazing. Looking forward to following along with you.
Indyx is the best! Without it, I wouldn’t have a clue about what I owned. I’m a sucker for buying similar versions of the same thing over and over again (no more striped shirts for me 😂) Agree that Instagram is filled with so much sponsored content and gifting. Substack is where we see the realistic side of what moms are actually wearing!
Melissa I relate to this so much. I bagged up so many clothes post-partum with my son because they didn’t feel like ‘me’ any more. I also cut all my hair off into what I felt like was an obligatory bob to exert some control over who I felt like I was becoming. Second time around I’m trying to take it a bit more steady before the hair gets the chop again 😂 I have personally found Frankie Graddon’s newsletter ‘Mumish’ very inspiring for functional mum style. Keep writing ⭐️
Ohh, Ellie. I chopped my hair last summer after my wedding to exert some form of control over my life… never again 😅 It’s always bangs or a bob, isn’t it😂 Thank you so much for reading 🤍
Melissa, this is a beautiful piece. I relate to everything you’ve said so much!! Many of us have been on a journey like this of some kind - whether driven by body, identity, or lifestyle shifts (or, in most cases, a mix of all!) Thanks for the mention, your honesty and transparency, and I can’t wait to read more!!
Thank you so much Christina! I’ve been following your Substack for a while and it’s so validating to see other moms putting time, energy, and thought into getting dressed. For a long time, I thought it was silly for me to be so fixated on something as frivolous as what I was wearing - but now, I know it really is a ritual and a big part of exploring my new identity. It means the world you took the time to read thank you 🤍
Oh, Melissa, I feel all of this so much. I’ve struggled with my style over the years too, wondering what suits me and finding it difficult to curate the outfits I see and want to wear vs what actually suits me.
I started to find my style again last year and began buying pieces I loved that would work for someone who suffers with bloating often. A few months later, I found out I was pregnant and couldn’t really wear some of those things anymore. I’m now three months postpartum and have felt those tears right along with you. I’ve always struggled with body image, as I suppose the majority of us do to some degree. I’m now navigating my new body after a c-section and getting dressed has been hard. I went and tried on a few new pieces about a month back and that was a mistake. I did manage to find a couple of pairs of drawstring waist jeans I like and can rely on, but it took a lot of trying on to get there.
What you said about it being an identity problem hit the nail on the head. I scroll Pinterest for hours and curate boards on what I feel is my personal style, but then I see others and wish I could feel more confident to try things I see.
I’m currently doing something similar and going through my wardrobe and making a pile of things to donate that I know for definite I will never wear again. Then curating what I do have (linen trousers and skirts etc.) to create outfits I’m excited to wear. I think where I’ve struggled most is with more casual outfits that I still want to feel put together in. I love the sound of the app, definitely going to check that out!
Thank you for sharing this, it’s so nice not to feel alone 🤍
Jenna! Thank you so very much for sharing your own experience. I knew I couldn’t be the only one out there struggling with this. The transition into motherhood is filled with so many identity shifts, it’s no surprise that we feel a bit lost when it comes to getting dressed.
I’m hoping this “getting dressed” project will help me discover my personal style and, in turn, help me figure out who I’m becoming in this next chapter.
Definitely check out the Indyx app and let me know what you think! Bear in mind it took me a few days of tinkering with it to get my head around everything and start cataloging my items. After that it’s been super easy to use!
Agree - more people need to warn new moms about this identity crisis when it comes to getting dressed and leaving the nest! I was thrown 😅 Thanks so much for reading 🤍
I relate so much! My whole wardrobe changed as my body changed and I’m now 15 months postpartum and still struggle
Glad I’m not the only one! I’m sure it will be an ongoing journey of honing my personal style after baby/body changes💝
I really relate! After becoming a mum I felt like my wardrobe belonged to a totally different person and it really affected my confidence.
I’ve been using Indyx too after reading Anna’s post and it has changed the game for me. I had a huge wardrobe clear out and have slowly been adding in pieces I love that actually fit my new body and lifestyle. Also having Substack for realistic, real life outfit Inspo rather than the super polished instagram influencers is amazing. Looking forward to following along with you.
Indyx is the best! Without it, I wouldn’t have a clue about what I owned. I’m a sucker for buying similar versions of the same thing over and over again (no more striped shirts for me 😂) Agree that Instagram is filled with so much sponsored content and gifting. Substack is where we see the realistic side of what moms are actually wearing!
Oh same, how many striped shirts can one girl have haha
Melissa I relate to this so much. I bagged up so many clothes post-partum with my son because they didn’t feel like ‘me’ any more. I also cut all my hair off into what I felt like was an obligatory bob to exert some control over who I felt like I was becoming. Second time around I’m trying to take it a bit more steady before the hair gets the chop again 😂 I have personally found Frankie Graddon’s newsletter ‘Mumish’ very inspiring for functional mum style. Keep writing ⭐️
Ohh, Ellie. I chopped my hair last summer after my wedding to exert some form of control over my life… never again 😅 It’s always bangs or a bob, isn’t it😂 Thank you so much for reading 🤍
Melissa, this is a beautiful piece. I relate to everything you’ve said so much!! Many of us have been on a journey like this of some kind - whether driven by body, identity, or lifestyle shifts (or, in most cases, a mix of all!) Thanks for the mention, your honesty and transparency, and I can’t wait to read more!!
Thank you so much Christina! I’ve been following your Substack for a while and it’s so validating to see other moms putting time, energy, and thought into getting dressed. For a long time, I thought it was silly for me to be so fixated on something as frivolous as what I was wearing - but now, I know it really is a ritual and a big part of exploring my new identity. It means the world you took the time to read thank you 🤍
Oh, Melissa, I feel all of this so much. I’ve struggled with my style over the years too, wondering what suits me and finding it difficult to curate the outfits I see and want to wear vs what actually suits me.
I started to find my style again last year and began buying pieces I loved that would work for someone who suffers with bloating often. A few months later, I found out I was pregnant and couldn’t really wear some of those things anymore. I’m now three months postpartum and have felt those tears right along with you. I’ve always struggled with body image, as I suppose the majority of us do to some degree. I’m now navigating my new body after a c-section and getting dressed has been hard. I went and tried on a few new pieces about a month back and that was a mistake. I did manage to find a couple of pairs of drawstring waist jeans I like and can rely on, but it took a lot of trying on to get there.
What you said about it being an identity problem hit the nail on the head. I scroll Pinterest for hours and curate boards on what I feel is my personal style, but then I see others and wish I could feel more confident to try things I see.
I’m currently doing something similar and going through my wardrobe and making a pile of things to donate that I know for definite I will never wear again. Then curating what I do have (linen trousers and skirts etc.) to create outfits I’m excited to wear. I think where I’ve struggled most is with more casual outfits that I still want to feel put together in. I love the sound of the app, definitely going to check that out!
Thank you for sharing this, it’s so nice not to feel alone 🤍
Jenna! Thank you so very much for sharing your own experience. I knew I couldn’t be the only one out there struggling with this. The transition into motherhood is filled with so many identity shifts, it’s no surprise that we feel a bit lost when it comes to getting dressed.
I’m hoping this “getting dressed” project will help me discover my personal style and, in turn, help me figure out who I’m becoming in this next chapter.
Definitely check out the Indyx app and let me know what you think! Bear in mind it took me a few days of tinkering with it to get my head around everything and start cataloging my items. After that it’s been super easy to use!
Getting dressed to go ‘out’ after having a baby deserves it’s own moment - I wholeheartedly related to this and having a crisis of ‘WHO AM I!’
A lovely piece, I’m sure so many will relate to ✨
Agree - more people need to warn new moms about this identity crisis when it comes to getting dressed and leaving the nest! I was thrown 😅 Thanks so much for reading 🤍