When you become a stay-at-home mum, your work clothes tend to sit on one side of your wardrobe gathering dust. You hang on to them because you know that you will be going back to work after your maternity leave. But for mums like myself, you change careers or decide to be a stay-at-home mum which means that work wardrobe is no longer required.
I recently had a question from a friend about what clothes to keep from your work wardrobe when you become a mum and here are my suggestions
- Black pant suit. Every wardrobe should have a black blazer and black pants. The Blazer can be worn to dress up jeans and the pants are a great alternative for a smart outfit out with a dressy top. If the Blazer is a boxed in style or no longer fits, donate it or sell it. The pants also need to be a slim fit. If you can’t fit into it post baby or your body shape has changed, donate it.
- White Shirt. Whether it’s a long sleeve or short sleeve, white shirts are a versatile top in your wardrobe. If it can’t be done up at the bust post baby, wear a white singlet underneath and wear the shirt open. If it is discoloured, get rid of it and make a note of buying a white shirt later on to replace it.
- Tops that can be incorporated into your casual wardrobe. Not all workplaces have a strict corporate wardrobe. You may have tops that work well worn smartly with black pants or casually with denim shorts. Only you can determine if these tops will work so be as ruthless as you like. Remember that once you become a mum, you will get marks and stains on your tops so having a few spare tops will be handy.
- Scarves & Accessories. I often do a yearly stocktake of my accessories and get rid of any that haven’t been worn in a year. Use the same technique like the last tip by deciding if the accessories can work for your every day wardrobe. If they can’t consider whether you would wear them on a night out?
- Shoes. During pregnancy feet can go up a size. Post pregnancy, your foot size may go back to what it was, but if you have had multiple children in quick succession, you may find like me, you go up a size and a half. Those shoes may not fit you anymore so it’s best to donate them or sell them if they are in good condition.
When I changed careers to become a plumber, my work clothes stayed in my wardrobe for over FOUR years. Some items I just never wore even going out on weekends, or I put on weight which meant I couldn’t fit back into them. Any clothes that were brand names like Review, Cue and Veronika Maine I sold online and others I donated to my local charity. The money I made on my work clothes was then used to buy everyday basics for my smart casual wardrobe.
Do you still have corporate work clothes hanging in your wardrobe? Had a clean out recently?
I’m linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.