I open up my instagram and there’s Jessica Alba dressed in a chic ensemble trailed by her two daughters wearing adorable outfits. They all look like they have stepped out of a clothing catalogue. I gaze down with a sigh at my stained t-shirt and wonder if we are in fact part of the same universe.

I realize celebrities have stylists and are prepared to be photographed when they leave the house, but I also know that I had never resorted to living in track pants, that is, until I had a baby.   When Adil was born, all of my nice clothes quickly gathered permanent stains and mysterious rips.   I made an emergency trip to GAP and bought ten generic tshirts in different colors. Sadly, it made up the bulk of my wardrobe for the first eight months of his life.

Now that Adil’s approaching the one year mark, I actually have some time to consider my appearance and I am trying to bring fashion back into my life. The track pants have been folded next to the workout t-shirts where they belong and I’ve ventured out on a few shopping trips to try and remedy the sad situation of my closet.

The key to a busy mom’s wardrobe is for it to be practical and comfortable yet still stylish. I’m having fun with colorful pants this summer. My latest one is a pair of bright red chinos which I wear with a basic tshirt or sometimes dress up with a nicer top. I’ve found that the great thing about a bold pant is that you can wear it with a generic top and still feel stylish with very little effort

Post Adil I discovered that my jeans were just not flattering anymore. Unless you go back to the same exact shape you were before having children, it’s worth getting a few new pairs.

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. It’s so easy to throw on a scarf, colorful bag, or a necklace to change things up a little. The best thing is that it only takes a few seconds and you can pair it with any of the basics in your wardrobe.

Shoes! I need them to be functional and comfortable because I do a lot of walking with the kids in my daily life. Toms have become my new favorite shoes this summer. They’re so comfortable, go with everything, and now can be found in almost every color. I have an unusual grey tweed pair which I love. I alternate these with ballerina flats; my pink Cole Haans add a nice pop of color when I head out.

A lot of mothers, myself included, find themselves in a rut after having a child. It’s quite normal, because after all if you barely have time to shower, fashion seems like a distant luxury. After the haze clears, it’s worth taking stock of the situation, going on a few trips to the mall (WITHOUT the kids), and picking out clothes that you feel good in.   If I look good, I feel good.

The last time I dressed up to go out my son, Zain, was watching me intently. Before I left he exclaimed

“Oh wow Mimi, oh wow! You’re so style (stylish)!”

I broke into a grin. It was so worth it.