On Your Fashion Identity Crisis in the Workplace

L E T T Y M E A N O C K // 
​Deputy Style Editor @ASOS // 
Yoga Teacher + Student @mindfulmeets // 
Mama to Alf Man // Wifey to Jack

Are you one of those people who just doesn’t know what to wear on a daily basis, plagued with the debate in your head of “do I like this, is it me, is it too safe, is it too daring..?” SAME! Did you then find that having a kid/s added another layer on top of these daily questions... “Do I look too mumsy, do I look like I’m trying to be a ‘cool’ mum..?”
Yep, after the baby-vom clothes have been able to be disposed of and normal dressing can resume, WTF do you wear, especially back to work? Trying to find the balance between being true to yourself and your style, and then conforming to what you ‘should’ wear is real.
Firstly, I hate conforming and I don’t feel anyone should do anything based on what they ‘should’ do if it compromises your self-worth FULL STOP. I went back to work for the same company and after coming to terms with my own identity crisis after having a child (we all go through that right?) I realised I then had to grapple with my colleagues perception of me as well. All very well if you’ve (finally) adjusted, but what if your work colleagues haven’t. The crunch for me was being asked if I was having a mid-life crisis after getting my nose re-pierced... I’m 31 FFS !!!!
I’ve had a long, fun career in the fashion industry, travelling, shooting, events, party-ing. Obvs having a baby and moving out of London, my life and priorities are different now... But why should you feel you have to prove yourself to others? Yes I’d rather go to a Mini Rodini sample sale now over a Stella McCartney one (don’t get me started on not having any money either!) but a reminder in any industry, that your colleague with children, shouldn’t just be defined by that label. The ‘old, fun me’ still exists, but you’re always going to have the newbies who only know you as the Mum who has to run for the train everyday to get to nursery pick-up on time.....
In this confusing climate of societal expectations placed on you and your body during motherhood, it’s no wonder it’s confusing. On one hand you’re being told to “dress like a Mum” eg. sensible, respectable, covered up to hide your Mum-bod, VS the unrealistic “​ ​#​goals” fed to us via role models such as the Jenners and Kardashians of Motherhood. Stick to your gut, don’t compare, keep to your style + don’t lose your identity (as well as the lie-ins, energy and sanity of having children!) ..Be proud of YOU, your body + your unique style, don’t worry about anyone else’s view on you!