One of the hardest parts of working from home is balancing the working part and the home part. And — let’s face it — it’s the home part that makes it hard. During a normal work-at-home day, we not only do the work that pays the bills, we also clean and cook and sort laundry and hug sticky children. And we sit on the floor an awful lot, and sometimes even venture outside.

That is a lot to get dressed for.

Most of the time, moms default to dressing for the messiest possible kid thing. I see moms all the time who look like they are ready to fingerpaint with a hyperactive toddler — they are wearing worn out sweatpants and stained tee shirts, as though they are just waiting to have something disgusting wiped on them. And while motherhood is often about the wiping of the disgusting substances, you don’t have to turn yourself into a walking Kleenex. In fact, I wish you wouldn’t.

Read the rest of this entry

I’m a big believer in street chic, or in turning to other women when I’m looking for fashion inspiration, particularly if what I’m hoping to find is some balance of style and function. So I was thrilled this week when so many of you put in your two cents about what to wear after you give birth. Your suggestions were fantastic.

Tops
For casual wear, stick with soft comfy tees, either regular styles or nursing tees. Yasmara recommended patterned tops, which “will hide any milk leakage (and baby spit up) better than solids.” She is absolutely right. She also made a pitch for Lilypadz breast pads; whatever brand you buy, keep extras in your bag. If you’re not planning to nurse, you will still want nursing pads for the window until your milk dries up.

If you will be nursing, or pumping when you return to work, the consensus was that you choose tops that are easy to open for more convenient access to your breasts. Button front shirts are one option, although some Working Closet and Friday Style readers pointed out that if you are large breasted to begin with, your extra large nursing breasts may not fit properly in a button-front shirt. Instead, think about a wrap shirt, which will both flatter your fabulous nursing breasts and play down your post-baby tummy.

Finally, think about a nursing cami or tee under a fitted sweater or jacket. Again, easy access for baby or pump without a lot of pulling and tugging.

What if you will NOT be nursing or pumping when you return to work? Again, a wrap shirt will camouflage the last of the baby tummy, as will a fitted jacket over a cami or tee. Be SURE that the jacket fits properly, please, and that you can button it, even if you will never wear it that way. You can also look for slightly longer tunic tops in a slight A line shape; this will draw attention to your face and skim over your mid section. Look for a tunic that hits at the hipbone, for the most flattering line.

Bottoms
Again, stick with basics; you want several pairs of pants or skirts in neutral colors and flattering lines. The easiest thing is to choose pants with a slightly wider leg, which will balance your post-baby hips and tummy, in black or navy or charcoal gray, or a knee-length skirt, also in a neutral color, with a slight A line. Pair a darker bottom with a lighter colored top to draw attention up toward your face (and your totally fabulous Mommy cleavage). Be sure that pants and skirts fit properly. A couple of you said that you bought nicer pieces on sale and had them altered as you lost weight, which is a great suggestion.

Everyone agreed that you should NOT, under ANY circumstances, try your pre-baby jeans on for, well, a while. I would say honestly not for the first three months, at least, but everyone is different. Instead, get a pair of jeans that fit properly and look good on your bottom half AS IT IS RIGHT NOW. I bought my post-baby jeans at Old Navy, on sale, and wore them for quite a long time; I was actually kind of sad when they stopped fitting. Other readers recommended Levis, which have a very forgiving fit and are terrific for curvier bodies. And one savvy reader wrote to say that she bought jeans at a consignment shop, for next to nothing.

Consignment, as an aside, is a great idea for postpartum wardrobing, particularly for pieces that you need right now but might not need in three or six months. Suits, for example, or dressier skirts or pants–pieces that would cost a substantial amount if you bought new–are great things to pick up at consignment. And the jeans idea is terrific because you can buy them for next to nothing, wear them until they don’t fit, and then go back for another pair that DOES fit, all without spending the baby’s college fund.

Several of you wrote to remind me that in the first few weeks after the baby, you can get out your very early maternity pants, the ones with the expandable waist band (NOT the kind with the big “pocket” in the front) and wear those again. I agree, but I would caution you to treat this as a stop-gap measure; these are MATERNITY pants, so if you’re still wearing them for the baby’s first birthday, we need to talk.

The Core Postpartum Work Wardrobe
3-5 nursing bras, or regular bras in your new size (err on the side of MORE nursing bras because they will wind up with breast milk on them, and when that happens, you definitely need to launder)

3-5 soft cotton tees (more if you like, although you will be doing laundry ALL THE TIME in the first few weeks, trust me)
2-4 pairs yoga pants

1 pair of jeans that fit you RIGHT NOW (replace as needed)
2-3 pairs of trousers (less if you will be wearing skirts, more if you only wear trousers) in a wide width and a neutral color
2-3 skirts (less if you will also wear pants, more if you only wear skirts)

Some combination of the following, all of which can be mixed or matched:
button front shirt
wrap shirt
nursing cami or tee
fitted cardigan
fitted jacket

Finally, keep in mind that a wrap dress is incredibly flattering on a fuller figure. If you are nursing or pumping, look for a wrap made specifically for this.

Where should you shop? Go to stores you already love and look at larger sizes than you would typically wear. Think about places like Forever 21 and H&M as well; lower-end chains are a great source of trendy, temporary pieces. Where ever you shop, resist the urge to buy things extra big in the hope that they will hide how big you are; clothes that fit are always more flattering than clothes that hang, even if you’re feeling like your body is bigger than you like. Don’t get hung up on the number in the waistband. Instead, focus on fit, and only buy–and wear–what really fits well.

You can find more terrific suggestions in the comments on this post and this one, too.

I’m all about basics, for everyone, but especially during pregnancy, because you’re trying to balance looking good and making sure everything fits, all without spending your entire year’s clothing budget on pieces that will only be useful for maybe six months, tops.

Did I say balance? I meant juggle.

The secret is to choose a small collection of staples, pieces that are the maternity version of what you would wear if you were NOT pregnant. For some things–tees and yoga pants, for example–look to retailers like Target; if your tees don’t survive the pregnancy, it doesn’t really matter. (But even for lounge wear, please PLEASE buy proper maternity pieces–don’t just make due with your husband’s sweats and tees. PLEASE. I’m begging you.)

If your office is very conservative, it might be worthwhile to invest in one suit and just wear the hell out of it. Look for something with pants AND a skirt; mix and match the pieces like you would a non-maternity suit. And don’t worry about wearing the same thing over and over–after all, you’re pregnant! How many maternity suits can you be expected to buy?

Think also about getting at least one dress, particularly for summer. A shirt dress is a great option because it can go easily from work to weekend. Wear pumps or dressy flats for the office, and cute skimmers for the weekend. Wear it with your suit jacket or a little cardigan ( you don’t need a maternity cardigan, by the way–wear a regular cardigan but DO NOT button). Choose something in a neutral color–navy or black or even white–which will allow you to change your look with accessories.

So what SPECIFIC pieces am I loving right now for the mamas-to-be? Funny you should ask . . .

Japanese Weekend Lux Jersey Polo, Bella Blu Maternity, $54.00

Mod Print Top, Bella Blu Maternity, $42.00

Black Fold Over Pants, Bella Blu Maternity, $88.00

Gap Maternity Roll Panel Modern Flare Pants, now $48.00

Knee Length Ponte Skirt, A Pea in the Pod, $125.00 (jacket and pants also available)

Liz Lange for Target Shirt Dress, $27.99

I love shoes; I think most of my affinity for capri pants comes from the fact that they are the ideal pants to show off a really great pair of shoes. Simple, traditional details like buckles or kiltie fringe will stand out when you pair them with cropped pants, while brighter, more vibrant colors and patterns are kept in check by the conservative line of the pants. I like to pair black capris with leopard print ballet flats, or navy capris with pointy toed pink suede loafers; I will also wear lime green cropped pants with a basic black mule.

(Yes, I really do own lime green capri pants.)

There are a couple of basic rules to remember when you’re choosing shoes to go with cropped pants of any sort. Stick with shoes that you don’t mind people seeing; the shorter hem of the pants will draw attention to your ankles and feet, and if you’re wearing worn out shoes, everyone will notice. Think carefully about proportion. If you are tall or have long legs, a basic ballet flat or peep-toed flat is perfect with your capris. If you are shorter, or have short legs, opt for something with a little heel or a pointy toe, both of which will visually lengthen your leg. No matter what your height, avoid chunky, clunky shoes, which are too heavy for a cropped pant, and think twice about anything with a very round toe box, which also shortens your legs.

Vary your heel height, but avoid very VERY high heels with cropped pants. If you want to wear a bit of a heel (like the espadrilles pictured below) look for pants with a slightly wider leg, something that falls from the hip and does NOT taper. Pairing tapered capris with high heels is like pasting a bullseye on the widest part of your hips. The best heel is a low wedge or kitten heel, something under two inches.

Finally, for the casual office (or for weekends), think about pairing your capris with a cool pair of canvas skimmers. This summer, great canvas shoes are everywhere, in a variety of colors, prints, and heel heights (mine have a wee wedge heel). Choose a pair that has finished edges rather than unfinished seams, and that slip on instead of tying (and please, PLEASE skip the kind with the pretend lace holes but no laces–you know what I mean). If you like, you can look for a peep toe skimmer, but please pedicure.

Linea Paolo Norene flat, currently $59.50

Faconnable Marcie flat, currently $119.90

Kors Michael Kors Castle flat, $245.00

Steven by Steve Madden Gypsey peep toe flat, currently $69.90

Franco Sarto Kidder loafer, $69.95

Steve Madden Majic wedge, $49.90

BC Footwear For Pete’s Sake skimmer, $39.95

All shoes available at Nordstrom.com, which is currently having a GIGANTIC sale (plus the always-fabulous $5.00 shipping).

Last week, Tonya asked about capri pants.

Just wondering, what are your general guidelines on capri pants? I think they’re ok where jeans are acceptable — how about when the office is mostly in khaki pants? And what should I wear with the capris if I want to stay away from open-toed shoes?

Capri pants come in a variety of lengths, everything from just below the knee to just above the ankle bone. As a general rule, a shorter hemline is more casual (because, let’s face it, capris that hit close to the knee are essentially shorts). A longer hemline–something that falls below the widest part of your calf–is both the most versatile and the most flattering.

Think about proportion when you’re choosing capri pants. If you have wider hips or womanly thighs or a little junk in your trunk (did I really just say that?), look for capris with a wider leg, one that falls straight to the hem from the widest part of your hips or thighs. If you have slim legs, you can look for something with a slimmer leg, but steer clear of tapered capris; no matter how wee and tiny you are, tapered pants will make you look like an ice cream cone. Trust me.

Pockets are also something to think about when you’re looking for work-appropriate capri pants. A flat front–something with no pockets–is the most flattering and professional. Slash pockets can make your hips look wider, and porkchop pockets are too casual. Even in a basic cotton twill, a flat front is a cleaner, more streamlined look. And you shouldn’t be putting your cell phone in your pants pockets anyway.

Capris also come in every imaginable fabric, from basic cotton twill to silk and wool blends. Machine washable fabrics are the most casual, but you can find great cotton blend capris (either with a little stretch or in a cotton/linen or cotton/silk mix) that can go in the laundry AND go to the office. I like a cotton/spandex blend for everyday; machine wash inside out, hang to dry, and iron. Yes, IRON. It won’t kill you. (Or spray with wrinkle release and hang to dry, or hang to dry and then toss in the dryer on the “fluff” cycle. But seriously, HANG TO DRY–the dryer is responsible for nearly all of the wear and tear your clothes will encounter.)

Tonya asked when and where capris were acceptable; the answer is pretty much anywhere. It depends more on the actual pants than on the office dress code, although you want to chose capris that fit the environment you work in. For a casual office, you can opt for cotton blend capris; pair them with a fitted tee and a jacket, or a twin set, or a tailored cotton blouse. For a more conservative office, choose capris in a silk or wool blend, and wear them with a dressier blouse or sweater, or a jacket.

If your office or profession is essentially casual, think about a suit with cropped or capri pants, instead of the traditional suit with trousers. A suit with cropped pants can be either very casual (wear with a tank or tee, without the jacket or with the jacket unbuttoned) or very dressy (with a cashmere turtleneck or silk blouse, or with the jacket buttoned up). Ann Taylor has some great suiting options for cropped pants.

I love these suits; the first is a Cross-dyed pique, which is a more casual fabric in a more tailored cut. The suit on the right is a cotton silk blend, which is a slightly more sophisticated fabric, but the cut and styling are more casual. Either suit could be dressed up or down, and the pants could easily be worn without the jacket.

In an office where jeans and khakis are the norm, a nice pair of capris is a simple way to look professional and not overdressed. And they move easily from work to weekend! An added plus.

Coming Friday: appropriate shoes for capri pants. (NOT FLIP FLOPS, and yes I know that’s what the woman in the photo is wearing. Shame on Ann Taylor.)

I grew up in the Yuppie ’80s, when women’s suits were essentially men’s suits with skirts and floppy bow ties (remember those? I had one that was hot pink with white polka dots–awesome). The idea was that in order to be taken seriously by the men in the office, you had to look like one of them, except of course that your suit had to have a skirt because pants were TOO masculine. It was hard to win, really.

Fortunately, women and their suits have come a long way in the past twenty years, but the suit is still a difficult wardrobe piece. So many offices are business casual these days, and so many of us are working from home or part time or in non-traditional fields, and it’s hard to know how to wear a suit, or even if you really need one in the first place.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that if you are a professional of ANY type, you NEED a suit, for presentations and job interviews and meetings with clients. Choose something with a classic shape, in a neutral color.* I recommend a three-piece suit, one that has pants AND a skirt, in a three-season fabric (a nice wool crepe, for example, or a silk blend). Having pants and a skirt gives you two ways to wear the suit right off the bat, but! don’t stop there. Make the suit–or its separate components–part of your everyday wardrobe. Wear the jacket with jeans; wear the skirt with a beautiful sweater. Wear the pants on their own or with a different jacket. Dress your suit up with a silk blouse or dress it down with a basic tee. Don’t save your suit for The Perfect Meeting; wear it often and well. Instead of your workaday shoes, wear the suit with knee-high boots (with the skirt) or peep-toed pumps (with the trousers). Wear the jacket out on a Saturday night with a silk camisole under it; wear the skirt with a tank and some pretty sandals for a casual day of shopping.

When you need to really look the professional part, put the suit back together, but don’t default to the mannish Yuppie look. Instead of a basic menswear shirt, put a silk tee under your suit, or a cashmere sweater. Or wear your neutral suit with a white shirt and a really fabulous necklace (something with a dramatic design or color scheme). Add a bright belt or stand-out shoes and an incredible bag. Wrap yourself in a big shawl instead of an overcoat. The suit should be basic, but that doesn’t mean boring.

But wait, you’re saying, I live where it is blazing hot in the summer/freezing cold in the winter. How will I ever find a suit that works year-round? Answer: you probably won’t. Cover that one extreme season with a second suit. Right now, my favorite option for summer is a seersucker suit, one with cropped trousers and an A-line skirt and a slim jacket. Where does one find such a suit?

Why, Target, of course. For under $100.00. Not bad for a second suit.

Don’t be intimidated by the suit; when you are building a basic professional wardrobe, a suit is a cornerstone. But in order to function as such, it has to really work for you. Don’t relegate your suit to a special corner of the closet; wear it often and well and you will look as professional as you feel.

*I promise, we’re not going to talk about neutrals and basics forever; we’re laying a foundation here. On Friday, we’ll look specifically at how to lively up your basics and add color and texture to your essentials. Honestly, my favorite part of my closet is the accessories section because that’s where the shoes and handbags live. And you can NEVER have enough shoes. Or handbags! I promise.