With such busy lifestyles, especially with little ones running around, it gets difficult to stay on top of fashion trends or even invest in basic wardrobe staples.
Most of my clothes shopping trips are triggered by the need to restock my children’s underwear or pick up a particular coloured shirt for whatever “Coloured Shirt” Day they are having at school.
Mornings come along and it’s first up, last dressed. Spoiler alert – I’m first up. It’s me. And last dressed. Also me.
If you also don’t have a lot of time in the morning to decide what to wear or a lot of time after work to shop ’til you drop, then it’s time to create a capsule wardrobe on a budget. This is deceptively simple to do and requires you to simply build a strong foundation of simple and stylish wardrobe staples.
Wardrobe Staples for Busy Mums
Think of it like stocking your pantry with items you use every week. Except, instead of sugar, it’s a cute summer dress. From wardrobe basics to elevated pieces, here are our top six wardrobe staples for every busy mum.
1. Basic Dresses
We’re all big fans of dresses, but for effortless style, you can never go wrong with having a variety of basic dresses. Not only are they comfortable but they are also easy to throw on during the morning rush and can be worn for so many different occasions.
From a sleeveless slip dress or summer dress to a long sleeve knit dress, we suggest having a few different options as wardrobe staples. Mini dresses are great for the occasional night out when you get to dress up AND shave your legs. Midi are ideal for casual and busy mornings and maxi lengths are fun, flowy and pretty for parties or just for around the house.
If you’re rushing in the morning, just throw on a t-shirt dress with ballet flats or get classic style with a versatile little black dress on date night – either way, a basic wardrobe is anything but basic!
2. White Tops
There’s something about a crisp white top! Whether it’s a plain white tee, crisp white button-down or a flowy white blouse, white tops elevate your ensemble to a whole new level. That is until your child spills juice on it. But, hey, that’s why we suggest investing in a few different options.
Thanks to the solid colour and neutral shade, these wardrobe essentials are super versatile and can be worn year-round with any outfit and for any occasion.
Wear a white t-shirt with a huge range of bottoms like your go-to jeans, a midi skirt, or linen shorts. Then, add a layering piece like a denim jacket, leather jacket or trench coat to top it off.
3. Wide Leg Jeans
Now, I don’t want to overly excite any mums out there, but did you know that the wide-leg jean is coming back? I think I’ve been waiting since high school for this style to make its grand return.
Out with figure-hugging skinny jeans and in with the comfy wide-leg silhouette – YAS!
While it’s always fun to have a few different styles of jeans in your wardrobe, if you had to choose one style, it has to be wide-leg jeans. Featuring a comfortable looser fit, they leave plenty of room for movement.
Simply style them with your favourite t-shirts or crop tops for casual looks. Yes, crop tops are also back and yes, you can rock them! If you’d rather eat your child’s sock than attempt to wear a shirt that’s missing the bottom of it, then pair wide-leg jeans with a simple cami.
4. Denim Shorts
When the sun is shining and the weather is warm, a classic pair of denim shorts is a wardrobe staple. With their carefree charm and timeless appeal, denim shorts are the ultimate casual sidekicks.
There’s nothing worse than sweating up a storm on the soccer pitch sidelines because you stupidly decided to wear jeans on a 35-degree day. A pair of flattering shorts will get you through those hot days. From trips to the beach or treks around town chauffeuring your kids to every sporting activity under the sun, denim shorts are the way to go.
There are several denim short styles these days, including the daring daisy dukes to the more relaxed boyfriend shorts. We love the high-rise look which keeps things neat, tidy and tucked. Easily match these versatile pieces with a breezy top or blouse for picnics in the park and summer beach days.
5. Blazers
While jackets in denim and leather are closet staples, our pick for must-have outerwear is a blazer. Pop a blazer over any outfit and you’ve got an instant ‘cool mum’ vibe to you.
With their structured silhouette and padded shoulders, a blazer exudes confidence and authority like nobody’s business. Lean into the corporate look with a black turtleneck and pencil skirt or tailored trousers. Or show off your individual style on nights out with a faux leather blazer and straight-leg jeans.
6. Leggings
We’ve saved the best for last. LEGGINGS! A comfy alternative to black pants, classic black leggings are year-round wardrobe staples. Great for running errands or casual occasions, you can wear them with any top like basic tees, crop tops, and oversized hoodies.
They are also the perfect weekend pant taking you from morning cuddles on the couch to night-time BBQs with mates. And, of course, they are ideal for chasing after kids or escaping to the gym. With a good pair (or a few good pairs) of leggings, you’ll effortlessly transform from laid-back athleisure to stylish streetwear.
Finding the time for fashion (yes, it’s possible!)
We have a million and one things on our to-do lists but taking some time to upgrade your closet and bring a few wardrobe staples into your world can make you feel good about yourself and about the clothes you’re wearing.
It’s important to curate a collection of versatile, good-quality, and timeless items that can be mixed and matched to create countless chic outfits. By focusing on quality over quantity, you invest in pieces that stand the test of time and streamline your daily routine.
Okay, so now you know what you need to buy – where do you go to buy these wardrobe staples? Ally Fashion is our pick! Affordable and on-trend, Ally Fashion caters to women of all ages, stages, and phases and is not only fun for us mums but also for tweens and teens. I often find fashion deals for myself as well as my 11-year-old daughter at Ally Fashion. In fact, it’s one of our fave places to shop when we do a mum/daughter day.
Head into your nearest Ally Fashion and get your wardrobe staples sorted today. If you’re strapped for time, then head online and find everything you need (plus free shipping over $80 and excellent online-only deals too).
This is a sponsored post for Ally Fashion
