Getting Dressed, Lately

Idk if it’s postpartum or the fact that I desperately need to go through my closet (probably a little bit of both tbh), but every time I get dressed to leave the house lately, I find myself feeling—meh. Uninspired. Slightly frustrated.

There are a few practical reasons. The main one being that something is going on with my toe, which has made wearing flip flops and minimal flats (often my shoe of choice come warmer weather) weirdly painful. Temporary, but annoying.

Also my body just hurts more. Is that a postpartum thing? Or is that the sleep deprivation?

And then there’s the more obvious one—things still don’t quite fit like they used to. Which is fine, truly. But it means I either need to get more creative with what does work, or make a few strategic additions while my body continues to settle.

But that’s not the whole picture.

What’s actually happening is that my style is evolving. As it tends to when life does.

Living in a city with an almost 7-month-old, my days look different. They’re more physical, more mobile, more unpredictable. There’s more walking—like a lot more—more bending, more carrying, more sweat lol. And my clothes need to meet me there.

I don’t think I’m moving away from the more delicate, structured parts of my style—if anything, I’m realizing they need a counterpart—something to balance them.

Lately, the question I keep coming back to is, how do I bring more comfort and ease into my daily style without sacrificing polish—or that bit of edge that makes it feel like me?

Because of course, the two aren’t mutually exclusive. But they do require a bit more intention.

I’ve noticed it in the small things. I’ll get dressed and instinctively reach for shoes that don’t quite exist in my closet—something I can walk miles in, that still feels elevated.

Or I’ll default to sneakers, but then realize I don’t quite have the right pants to balance them—nothing that feels grown, considered, and proportionally right without skewing overly casual or, somehow, juvenile. I’ve never been huge sneaker girl (I think I overdid it when I worked at adidas), but if I have to, I’ll make it work.

And this is where I keep circling back to the idea of “mom style.”

Is that actually a thing? Or is it just what happens when your lifestyle starts dictating your wardrobe in a more immediate, tangible way?

I don’t think my style has fundamentally changed. But my needs have. Maybe temporarily, maybe not—tbd.

Right now, I’m craving more comfort and ease from my clothes—both physically and emotionally as I’m still getting used to my squishier parts. Pieces and outfits for long stroller walks, the metro, baby-wearing, freakish baby grip strength, and yes—drool.

That still feel like me.

So for now, I’m doing what I always do when I’m in transition—I’m paying attention. Going back through old saves, pulling references, trying to understand what I’m drawn, and why.

Gathering inspiration, but also looking a little closer at the gaps.

More to come as it unfolds—perhaps a new series—but until then, here’s what I’m thinking.

• Right now my days lean more casual. They’re slower and filled with multiple long walks—around the park, to get coffee, excursions in the city. This is where my focus is for getting dressed.

• The vibe feels off-duty, but very much on-duty if you catch my drift. Unfussy and leisurely, but still polished and intentional. This whole Vogue Edit is just what I needed to get my gears turning.

• Footwear is—will be—a big part of this journey (especially until the toe situation resolves). Can I wear a flip flop kitten heal on a long walk? Sure. But I don’t really want to at 9am after a night of broken sleep. Loafers, ballet flats, mules, supportive sandals, and the occasional sneaker will be in high rotation.

• Sneakers (at least in the short term) and styling them in a way that feels chic and modern will also be a big focus.

• Pants that hit between the heel and the ankle will help. I love a good puddle on a pant, but there’s no sense in doing an hour long walk with pants dragging through Paris. I have plenty of laundry to do already.

• Ditto pants that are between a wide leg and a straight leg. Something that balance a larger chest (or shoe) without swallowing a petite frame. For my proportions, this usually means a leg opening around, or under, 21”.

• Continue to explore casual pants that aren’t denim or a poplin pant with an elastic waistband—chino’s or trouser’s that don’t read too corporate come to mind.

To be continued! Chat soon. xx, Sarah

ICYMI