'A bright lipstick and sunglasses are your friends':Style advice for new mums

Apart from the obvious accessory(a muslin thrown artfully over one shoulder)what does one wear while holding an antsy newborn in the crook of one arm and an enormous bag full to bursting withnecessities in the other?""The most important thing is that you feel good in what you are wearing,"" says Zo?? de Pass, founder of popular style blog Dress Like A Mum,whoalong with the mother behindMe, Myself and Ivy,Amy-Rose Watts, is offering up some handy advicefor surviving the early days of motherhood.

Invest in a great pair of jeans or dungarees

Take the opportunity to purchase some gooddenim.Not only do jeans go with everything (thus minimising the amount of time you need to spend coordinating your outfits), but they"re also immensely practical.""The likelihood of you dressing more casually than you did pre-kids is pretty high,"" says de Pass.""If you have ago-topair of jeans or dungarees that you love wearing, it will save you time and stress.The latter are also great for breastfeeding and mum-bum concealing.""Watts agrees, citing abutton-down blouse underneath dungarees as her go-to.

Opt for jazzy trainers

A pair of cool-as-a-cucumber sneakers are a must, regardless of whether you"re wearing a floral dress or mooching around in tracksuit bottoms.""Practicality is key - as a new mum you have too many other things to think without worryingabout dealing with than uncomfortable feet,"" advises de Pass.""Trainers don"t have to be boring - go for shoes that make you happy.Leopard print and metallic are in my neutrals.""Watts is also an advocate for updating your footwear, statingthat""whether you suffer from swollen feet or not, a new pair of shoes are the perfect way to carry yourself into parenthood.""

Supersize your arm-candy

""You will also find that the amount of "stuff" you now need to carry around with you has dramatically increased,"" continues de Pass.Scout out a oversize sack that you can bung all your baby-accouterments into - it will make your life infinitely easier.If said bag has an extra long handle - even better.There"s nothing more irritating than your bag repeatedly sliding off your shoulder while you"re preoccupied doing other things.

Mother"s day gift guideRediscover old pieces

""Startlooking properly atyour wardrobe at things you haven"t worn for a while and work out ways to dress them down or just wear them differently,"" suggests de Pass.""For example a shirt you used to wear for work could look cool under dungarees, or wear a dress you"ve only worn to a wedding once with ankle boots and a biker jacket.""Rather than only splurging on new additions to your wardrobe, use this period as an opportunity to revive pieces that have ended up stuffed in a far corner of your cupboard.

A bright lipstick and sunglasses are your friends

Few vices detract from dark circles under your eyes better thansunglasses and a swipe of lipstick""If you haven"t tried bright lipsticks before, now is your time.When my daughter was a couple of months old a makeup artist told me that a bright lip (and a big smile) detracts from a tired eye,"" recounts de Pass.""I have worn it most days since.I also always carry sunglasses with me - perfect for an impromptu nap on a park bench!""

Scout out new brands

Aperiod during which you"re likely to beseverelysleep deprived and running around like a headless chicken, is perhaps not the time to startshunning your fail safe pieces.But that"s not to say you shouldn"t be on the lookout for specialist brandsthat might make your life easier.""I adore the practical teething necklaces from Lara and Ollie,"" says Watts, ""and there are somegreat things available from independentbrands likemere Soeur.

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