How Mums Can Dress Up Nicely For Autumn

Image Credit: UnSplash

{This is a collaborative post}

If you’re a mum, you probably think quite a bit about how you can dress differently, based on the time of year. You want to look your best as the seasons change and really make the most of the experience. But how do you do this in a way that makes sense? What should you be paying attention to? 

That’s where this post comes in handy. It explores how mums like you can really go to town and create the best outfit as the seasons change and we move toward the colder months of the year. 

Layer With A Chunky Sweater 

You’ll want to start your sartorial adventure with a chunky sweater, the most obvious sign that the seasons are changing and you need a change of tone. Adding this keeps you warm and reminds you that life goes in cycles. Things aren’t the same the whole time. Chunky sweaters are a great option, no matter what you’re doing, whether you’re taking the kids on a cold school run or spending the morning in an icy church pew. Once you have your trusted knit sweater, you’re ready to take on the world and start enjoying the changes that the new weather is bringing.

Put On An Oversized Blazer 

You can combine your sweater with an oversized blazer if you want. These are great and help you get that polished look that a lot of people want as the weather changes as the focus on work becomes more extreme. Oversized blazers are a form of layering and one of the best options for formal occasions. These allow you to upsell any outfit and be more “smart-casual” than you’d otherwise be. They also let you attend events and conferences without having to pack an entire pantsuit if you don’t want to. A blazer can make almost any underlying outfit acceptable. 

Add A Scarf 

While it might seem simple, adding a scarf can have an enormous effect on how you feel as we head into autumn, while making you a more stylish mum at the same time. Because they’re so close to the neck, they have an outsized effect on keeping you warm, even more so than gloves. What's more, you can wear a scarf in a variety of ways. It can even work indoors, complementing your outfit and making you feel like you’re a million bucks. Tying it differently allows you to explore your creative side and how it pairs with other accessories that you might have in your vanity.

Try A Plaid Miniskirt 

You might also want to experiment with a plaid miniskirt. These aren’t necessarily practical, but they feel seasonal, especially when worn in pumpkin patches. If you want to stay feeling warm, add some leggings. Make sure you’re wrapping yourself up nice and cosy so you don’t wind up freezing yourself and generally feeling awful whenever you go out. You can also wear plaid with a turtleneck sweater to keep you toasty on long walks in the cold when the wind is biting at you. This option is ideal if you don’t like the idea of wearing a scarf but you still value your core temperature. 

Wear Some Chelsea Boots 

Another idea is to put on some Chelsea boots. These are handy because they offer thicker material and cover your ankles so you’re not standing in the biting cold all the time. Again, if you pair these with leggings and some trousers, you can really keep yourself warm, even in some of the coldest weather that might come along in November. Chelsea boots have the benefit of being highly flattering for your figure. They elongate the legs and make you feel so much taller, which is a nice touch. You can also get them with raised platforms if you need a little extra height, which can come in surprisingly handy.

Tie A Flannel Shirt 

If you’re in the mood to look a little rustic, you could also try tying yourself a flannel shirt. It might sound old-fashioned, but, of course, what goes around often comes around. Tying your shirt at the waist is a great idea and gives you a sort of rustic vibe. It’s also a great choice if you’re a fashion-forward kind of mum who really wants to show off her figure. Flannel is the best material for this during the autumn. It’s a sign that you’ve left the bright colors of the summer behind. 

Pair Wide-Leg Trousers 

What about wide-leg trousers? Those are also an option for the autumn months when the leaves on the trees start to turn orange, red and brown. You can match these with your ankle boots if you want to mark a transition from your summer wardrobe. Pay close attention to how this change makes you feel. You’d be surprised by just what a massive difference it can make to your outlook and approach to the weather.

Add Glare-Reducing Glasses 

The autumn is a time of the year when glare can be high due to the position of the sun in the sky. Therefore, you might want to buy glasses online with the appropriate shade. Glare reduction makes it easier to concentrate when you’re at your computer while also cutting down on eyestrain if you’re doing a lot of driving. Glasses can be stylish in their own right. You can use them as accessories if you’re trying to look more sophisticated. 

Add Corduroy Pants 

Finally, if you really feel like pushing the boat out and leaning into the autumnal spirit, you should opt for corduroy pants. This material is the ultimate in seasonal fashion and, thanks to its layering, keeps you warm. Corduroy is the ultimate rustic style for this time of year as well. It has a kind of earthy feel about it that makes it nothing like anything else out there. Try it and see how it feels on you. So there you have it: how mums can dress up for autumn. Which of these options will you try?

Mum Life Meets Fashion: How to Keep Your Style Sharp Amidst the Chaos

 

Image Credit: Pexels

{This is a collaborative post}

Being a mother is no small feat. From changing nappies to attending PTA meetings, the tasks and responsibilities are seemingly endless. In the midst of this dispersed routine, it's common for mums to lose sight of their previous way of life - one that included taking time to get ready and putting together stylish outfits. 

However, retaining your sense of style doesn't necessarily mean you have to forego your mum duties. With a little bit of thought, planning, and stocking up on some key wardrobe essentials, you can keep your fashion game on point, even amidst the chaos of motherhood. Let’s take a closer look at how to effortlessly balance motherhood while maintaining your personal style. 

 

Find Balance Between Fashion & Function

Embracing the mum life doesn't mean sacrificing your style. You can still look chic while staying comfortable and practical. Invest in good-quality basics that offer both style and ease, like stretchy jeans, flowy tops, and comfortable shoes. Don't forget to pack a few matching bikini sets for those family beach days, which provide both comfort and flair. A pair of easy-to-throw-on sunglasses and some simple yet elegant accessories can also instantly elevate your outfit, ensuring you feel stylish without compromising on function.

 

Easy-to-Style Wardrobe Essentials

Maxi dresses, loose-fitting cardigans, and wide-legged pants are fantastic pieces that are easy to put together while remaining stylish. Also, consider investing in some high-waisted jeans. They are fashionable and serve as a tucked tummy shield during those playground frolics. Versatile items like button-down shirts or knit sweaters can be mixed and matched leading you to look photo-ready at all times. 

 

Don’t Shy Away From Colours & Patterns

Dressing up as a busy mother doesn't have to mean sticking to boring, monochromatic outfits. This is where you can take out those matching bikini sets that have been waiting to see the light of day. Bright, bold colours and vibrant patterns not only add a fun element to your outfit but also cleverly disguise any accidental spills or smudges. 

 

Trying out Love Leggings - Energise and Revitalise Sports Leggings - Which to Choose?

Love Leggings - Great for all kinds of activities, even tree climbing!

{This is a review post, many thanks Love Leggings for the sports leggings you sent to my daughter}

OK, the first thing I have to tell you is that if you order some Love Leggings you won't be disappointed. We have been happy customers for just under three years now and one of my 14-year-old twins Miss E doesn't wear any other leggings apart from them. We've had both the regular leggings and the sports specific ones and she swears by them. So many leggings go thin on the bum, come away at the seams or show off your knicker line but not so with the Love Leggings.

For the last couple of years, Miss E has been wearing both Focus and Energise sports leggings and she has been really happy in both styles. More recently she has also been sent a pair of Revitalise leggings to try out too and this means she has now tried all three styles of sports leggings that Love Leggings currently sell.

Energise - £35

Energise are ultra-lightweight compression leggings so they have a little extra support. Miss E finds these perfect for running as they have pockets for her phone, keys etc. Made from 80% nylon and 20% elastane, these leggings have added lycra for 4 ways stretch. They feature a high-rise waistband, distinctive seam design and are sweat-wicking. They also encompass shape-retention technology so they hold their shape for the life of the product. 

Both my girls have had Energise leggings for well over a year and even with constant wear, they have never faded colour, bobbled, or lost their shape. Miss E has worn some of hers so much that they have naturally worn out for that is after months and months of wear and I have been very happy with their longevity. 

Energise leggings are available in regular, tall and petite ranges, with sizes 6 through to 28. It is so nice to find a brand that is inclusive and made for women of all shapes and sizes. You can get them in full length, 7/8ths and cropped styles. Currently, they are available in black and thunder blue. 

Heading into Winter with Femme Luxe Loungewear

{This is a collaborative post}

Can you believe that when I went out to the car this morning to drop the girls at school the temperature gauge showed 4 degrees?  That is properly cold and it means that Winter is well and truly on the way. With that in mind, it is important to have some cosy clothes to wear as you relax at home or head out for a walk or shop.

My teenage girls have got quite a selection of loungewear now and it's a good job as they wear it a lot and aren't always the best at looking after their clothes. So there is often no point in me spending money on premium brands and I like to stock up on cosy essentials for a good price. Femme Luxe has a massive selection of loungewear to choose from and you can search their website by the colour you fancy, by set or even by choosing only oversized loungewear, if that is the cut you like best.

When you think of loungewear you don't have to be limited to just an old-fashioned set of joggers and sweatshirt or hoodie, oh no, there is so much variety. Cropped, skinny fit, oversized, zip-up, sexy, knitted, petite, fluffy, velour - the list goes on and on!

Let me share with you what my teenage twins choose this time - 

Dua Nude Fleece Oversized Long Sleeve Drawstring Cropped Hoodie

This hoodie is from the brand Brave Soul and it looks really well made. We like the Brave Soul label in this house as it is very on-trend, affordable and cut well. Although this is described as nude in colour, it looks like a light dusky pink. Miss E is wearing a Medium size and it is described as oversized but she normally wears a medium and I don't think it looks oversized on her, so I'd say it comes up slightly small.

The sleeves are a good length and the hoodie stopped on her waist. The hood is large and has a drawstring. This Dua hoodie is currently £10.99 on the Femme Luxe website but they have a special 15% off everything code at the moment. So that makes it £9.34 and there is very often codes on the site to get extra discounts, so always keep your eyes open for those.

This hoodie is available in XS to L, although it is worth noting that Femme Luxe is one of the sites that tend to understate sizing, as in this case the large would fit a 12/14 and I don't think most people would consider that large. 

February's Lockdown Teen Style with Femme Luxe

{This is a paid collaboration with Femme Luxe}

Lockdown - Home School Style

It's been the strangest of years and now we're heading towards the end of (what we hope is) the final lockdown and the girls and I have been reflecting on how being home has been a blessing in so many ways. They've loved being able to dress in comfy and casual clothes for months and I think it will be a big shock to have to get back into tights, ties and blazers for school.

Let me share with you some of the great lounge suits, tracksuits, call them what you will, that they've been wearing this February. They have been gifted to us from Femme Luxe and the girls are really pleased with them.

Above Miss M is wearing Lizzie joggers in hot pink and these retail for £11.99 currently, although as is very often the case with Femme Luxe, you can use their current discount code for 25% off, making them £8.99. So always check on the price or google for discount codes as I've always found one each time I've ordered so far.  Other colours differ in price and are £12.99, £13.99 and £14.99.

These joggers are available in sizes 6 - 16 and I'd say they come up generous in size. They are also a really good length, both of my girls are 5ft 7/8" and they are long enough for them, which is unusual and really pleased them both. 

They have a hidden drawstring inside, cuffed bottoms and really generous pockets, which is always a plus. They feel nice and fleecy on the inside and are a mix of polyester/ cotton. I've found them to wash up well, but you can't tumble dry them, which is a bit of a shame. 

Starting my New Job wearing Hotter Sol Sandals (Review & Giveaway)

I started my new job last week and I had a great time. It was so nice to feel part of a team again and to be doing something that is feeding into a goal that I believe in. As well as that, it was great to be able to dress a bit smarter again, and with it being summer I needed some sandals to complete my outfits.

As if by perfect timing I won a pair of Hotter Sol sandals and I knew these would be good for work as I still have a pair from two years ago. Back in April 2017 I went shopping at my local Hotter shop in Eastbourne and came away with metallic gold Sol sandals and they are still going strong now. Yes they have discoloured inside (that will be my sweaty feet!) but the actual shoe itself has hardly aged in two years.

I had a look on the Hotter site to see what the latest colours are for the Sol sandals and I had a choice of platinum multi-coloured, truffle multi and jet black multi in standard and wide fit. Or blood orange, royal blue multi or white in standard fit. I absolutely adored the orange pair but I saw that my old ones were the wide fit, so I ordered the orange in standard fit and the jet black multi in wide, both in a size 7.

How my Meg & Bee Handbag Helped me to be Bold Again

{As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, any affiliate links will be marked with #ad)

As a larger lady, shopping isn't always fun for me. I know many of the BBW (big beautiful women) or the body confidence, plus-size community would tell me there are loads of fabulous clothes out there, in far beyond my size. I should embrace who I am and how I look, and just shop to suit me and no-one else.

And I do. I shop for me but the reality is that I don't like being a size 22/24. I'm not healthy at this size. I need to lose weight and this will happen, but right now I'm a bit stagnant in that quest. I don't like my shape and for me, it doesn't feel flattering in clothes. I have a truly enormous stomach, like a great big air balloon on my front.

I'm not writing this for you to tell me I am OK as I am, or that I look good. I know I look presentable and sometimes I feel beautiful, but a lot of the time I just feel uncomfortable and like I'd like to slice my enormous belly off the front of me. Not in an unhealthy kind of way, just in a wishful... I'd look so much better and everyday tasks would be a lot easier kind of way.

I like to be comfortable and that is more important to me than being trendy or stylish, so I go for clothes in the same kind of cut and I like longer tops that cover most of my belly. I often fall back on black or navy, despite the fact that I love reds, pinks, bright blues and greens, as they are safe colours. Ones I don't have to stand out in.

Women's Plus Size Fashion made Easy with JD Williams

Definitely getting a bit sun-kissed and very happy tonight in my @jdwfashion new lace top. Perfect for a hot summers night at @playamontroig @eurocampholidays I'm waiting for the karaoke to start as I'm the queen of cheese!

A post shared by Michelle Pannell (@michelletwinmum) on May 31, 2017 at 10:46am PDT

I hadn't heard of JD Williams until they got in touch with me and then all of a sudden I'm seeing their adverts everywhere and I have to admit that I am so glad I now know about them. As a larger lady I don't always find it easy to buy clothes that look good and suit me. I go into shops like New Look that do a plus size range but they are all trendy cut-away styles that would suit someone in their early twenties and then I look in M&S and I might see a few things I like but I can never find the larger sizes.

A Massive Range
Well now my problem is solved as JD Williams have the biggest range of clothes that I think I've ever seen and all available in my size. Their range is available from U.K. Size 12 to 32 and they are constantly making changes to ensure there is always the latest styles and something to suit everyone. As well as ladies fashions there is also fashion for men (again catering for the larger sizes), kids, homes and electrical goods.

When I first had a look round the JD Williams website I was a little overwhelmed with the choice but once you use the search filters to make sure you only see the items that fit your criteria you are left with a good selection of items that you could purchase. I was really pleased to see there is a whole range of price points too, some of the items are a complete bargain and it is definitely worth looking at their Outlet area on the site as there are dresses from £6, tops with up to 60% off and boots with up to 70% off, there is certainly something to be said for buying your boots off season!