An affordable capsule wardrobe for new mums

Jasmine Hunt Fashion, How to 25 Comments

Editor’s note: The gorgeous Jasmine Hunt from Pretty Chuffed had her second baby late last year and is back on the blog with tips on creating an affordable capsule wardrobe for mums with young babies. Jasmine will also be popping up here more frequently this year with great style tips for stay-at-home mums.

I’m not going to lie – trackies, pyjamas and yoga pants certainly have their place in early motherhood, especially in those very early days when sleep is…well, NOT sleep, meals = whatever is in the fridge and your level of interest in fashion is well, ‘care factor zero’. (I’ve totally been there!)

But, if you’re anything like me, once that newborn fog wears away you might just find that your current wardrobe is not comfortable or practical for life with a baby. When I started maternity leave, my wardrobe consisted of corporate gear and party dresses, and whilst I still love a flash of sequins and a well cut pair of pants, the items I had didn’t suit my new life full of parks, playgrounds, libraries, play dates and catching up with friends over coffee (always coffee!).

I also found that my body had changed shape and size and I didn’t quite suit some things I used to wear. So, after buying a few key pieces I inadvertently designed a capsule wardrobe practical for life with a baby.

This year, after having my second baby last November, I’ve found my style (and body!) has once again changed and I’ve been putting together a capsule wardrobe that will form the basis for outfits for the next season or two. This autumn/winter/spring wardrobe is perfect for life with a baby (and/or toddlers!) – comfortable, practical, stylish and full of no-brainer outfit solutions that will make life even easier. All outfits are also breastfeeding friendly, however if you are nursing and would like more specific tips, see this post I did earlier this year.

Of course, the beauty of a capsule wardrobe is you can adapt it to suit your own taste, and swap out things you don’t like to wear with things you do. And forming a capsule wardrobe doesn’t have to be expensive – everything I’ve featured is under $100, however, also try thrift shopping for basics and shop your own wardrobe for things that might be able to be reused, restyled or even altered to better fit your new everyday.

This capsule wardrobe centres on three basic colour themes – black/white, camel and denim. Denim is a no-brainer mum-wardrobe staple, however I’ve updated the look by adding in a denim dress, which can also be worn unbuttoned as a long trench-style jacket. Camel and other neutral colours (including dusty pink, beige and cream) are HUGE this season, and I think camel is probably the easiest to work into an everyday wardrobe. Plus, it pairs back perfectly with denim and black and white. And, as many mums with young children can attest, black is a fail-safe colour to work with!

I love these black pants from Boohoo that can be dressed up or down and are a change from jeans. The bomber jacket is another big trend this year, so I’ve included a black bomber which you can throw over just about anything, and then just chuck it in the wash! The suede look trench is another basic I couldn’t go past – it will complement any outfit and keep you warm (if you’re worried about grubby little handmarks on it, it also comes in camel; or swap it out for a black woolen coat, a chunky knit cardigan or a denim jacket).

Tan shoes and accessories are also big this season, and I’ve included some gorgeous ankle boots and a nappy bag that hit the 70s trend but also pair back with your monochrome basics. And, I always have a pair of statement sunglasses on hand, because, well, no sleep.

I’ve designed this capsule wardrobe for mums with young babies to create many casual looks, however the boots allow the outfits to be dressed up a little if you so call for it. Don’t be afraid to wear black on black or denim on denim, too; there is certainly no rules these days and actually those looks can be quite fashion-forward! Have fun. (I haven’t added in any jewellery as I find I tend to wear very little of it day to day, however a great pair of statement stud earrings and a necklace would be all that is needed for these outfits.)

Young mums capsule wardrobe

 

1. Seed linen tee $79.95

2. Seed top $49.95

3. Sportsgirl pullover $69.95

4. Boohoo bomber jacket $54

5. Boohoo soft crepe pants $38

6. Ally jeans $39.99

7. Ally denim dress $39.99

8. Boohoo shirt dress $40

9. Boohoo suede look trench $80

10. Rubi Shoes rivet lace up flats $29.95

11. Rubi Shoes ankle boots $39.95

12. Rubi Shoes plimsolls $24.95

13. Colette Hayman baby bag $79.99

14. Cotton On sunglasses $14.95

15. Sportsgirl scarf $29.95

For some examples, here is just six of the many possible outfit combinations:

Capsule wardrobe for young mums

Or try one of these combinations:

1 + 5 + 10

1 + 5 + 10 + 9 + 13 + 15

2 + 5 + 10 + 15

2 + 6 + 4 + 12

1 + 6 + 11 + 13 + 14

1 + 6 + 4 + 10

2 + 6 + 12 + 13 + 14

3 + 5 + 10 + 15

3 + 6 + 12

7 + 10 + 15 + 13

7 + 11 + 13 + 14

8 + 9 + 10

8 + 12 + 15

8 + 7 + 10 + 15

8 + 4 + 10

8 + 3 + 11 + 15 + 13

7 + 4 + 10

Aren’t capsule wardrobes fun? I think they prove that you don’t need a vast wardrobe to update your look or to dress for a new season. Just a few key basics will get you through, and remember to put your own stamp on it. Love a blingy earring? Work it. Love wine or merlot colours in autumn? Add a maroon scarf or a rich knit. Can’t stand ankle boots? Try a flat over the knee style! Not breastfeeding? Swap out the shirt dresses for a shift dress or a midi t-shirt dress. See? It really is that easy.

What did you, or do you live in when at home with young babies? Do you live in jeans or are you a dresses girl? Or both? Have you ever tried putting together a capsule wardrobe?

Jasmine Hunt Pretty Chuffed headshot

Jasmine Hunt is a Brisbane-based clothes lover, style blogger, mother, wife and professional window shopper who loves to find the latest trends on a bargain and shares them on her blog Pretty Chuffed www.prettychuffed.com.au. Pretty Chuffed is a blog that aims to share the fun, the fashionable and the affordable, because you don’t need to spend a lot of money to look and feel great. Jasmine posts what she is wearing every day on her Instagram account @PrettyChuffed.

Comments 25

  4. Loving this – my little man is 7 weeks now, slowly but surely working my way to a capsule wardrobe (loving Little Party Dress after Jasmine’s recommendation!) X

    Reply

  6. Thank you so much for this! My little boy is nearly one, but when I brought him home from hospital in April last year I had no idea what to wear or buy and searched everywhere for inspiration specific to breastfeeding Mums! I am just in the process of updating my winter wardrobe for life as a stay at home Mum (hoping to improve on last winter’s uniform of jeans and a tshirt) so this is perfect timing 🙂

    Reply

  7. Such a brilliant capsule wardrobe for a new mumma Jasmine. I love the camel/denim paired with classic black and white pieces. Hope you are loving your mum journey the second time around.

    Reply

  8. Thank you, Jasmine. I’m a not so new mum and your advice and picks have given me new inspiration for my weekends and days off wardrobe. I’ve even been able to shop what I already have in my wardrobe to pull together the looks you’ve suggested.

    Thanks a million!

    SSG xxx

    Reply

  9. I love your capsule wardrobes thanks jasmine!
    and I am far away from being a new mum!
    I could easily wear most/all of these! … lovely!
    happy Friday! love m:)X

    Reply

  11. I’m not a new mum – my little guy is eleven – but this would also make for a great capsule wardrobe for a long weekend away. I was just pondering my choices for an upcoming break in a few weeks, so it was great to see this all laid out 🙂

    Reply

  12. You always look stunning Jasmine and I love this capsule wardrobe anyone could wear it ,though I will show my daughter when she has her bubba!
    I had one baby in October and lived in dresses but found that quite the problem as I had enormous boobs I’m talking DDs so if a dress fitted at the top it hung at the waist,I must admit I felt quite ugly after my son was born but when I had my daughter it was July and fitted back into a pair of black pants quite quickly and just wore different tops but we are talking late 80s early 90s and Mums weren’t supposed to look good,I’m so glad that has changed,great post Jasmine have a lovely sleep filled weekend Xx

    Reply

  13. Lovely ideas Jasmine, and I must say your children are gorgeous. I follow you on IG. I’m a grandma, but I know my daughter and daughter-in-law would love all these. I especially like the Sportsgirl pullover. I can’t remember what I wore all those years ago when I was breastfeeding, all I can remember is making sure I was still covered enough! x

    Reply

      1. Jasmine,

        With the pullovers, would you wear a breastfeeding vest underneath to avoid showing your whole tummy when feeding? Or do you just wing it?

        Love your advice!

        Reply

        1. Hi Amber! Personally, I usually would just wear a nursing bra underneath, however it would depend on the bottoms – a high waisted pant for example doesn’t show much stomach so you can much more easily get away with it; however with a normal pair of jeans etc I would wear a breastfeeding singlet underneath and tuck it into the jeans 🙂 Hope that helps X

          Reply

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