Stylish mums to stylishly blend fashion and functionality

It's possible for stylish mums to stylishly blend fashion and functionality. No, really.

Good mums are known for being kind, nurturing and patient. But fashionable? Not so much.

Some days, just getting out of the house with matching socks can seem like an accomplishment. But a little planning and attention to details can go a long way in preparing you for the stylish, adult world.

Here are some fashion tips for looking good - or, at least, presentable.

Limit gym clothes to the gym
Sure, sporting tracksuit pants and a T-shirt around Target is comfortable, but it's also frumpy and screams mum. If you must, trade the T-shirt for something form-fitting with a lower neckline and couple it with a zip-up jacket. Save the XL "2004 Walk Against Alzheimer's" T-shirt for when you have a headache.

Lose the baseball cap
While Faith Hill looks sexy strutting around with her three daughters in a ball cap, most of us don't. Your greasy hair isn't really that noticeable, especially from a distance. And if you're really concerned about your mangy mane, try a ponytail with a headband or big sunglasses.

Accessorise
Spruce up outfits with scarves, belts and jewellery. Wedding bands and diamond stud earrings you were given for high school graduation don't count. Don't leave the house without cute earrings, even if it means no time for mascara. Accessories are cheap and interchangeable. And they always fit.

Avoid high-maintenance clothes
That silk blouse looks great fresh from the dry cleaner, but goes downhill fast. And who has time to iron? Rather than banish wrinkly clothes to the Siberia of your wardrobe, buy stuff that looks good after wearing it multiple times.

Ditch the mum jeans
If your jeans cover your belly button, call a sitter and get to the store. Quick. Because, let's face it, if Jessica Simpson looks bad in mum jeans, so will the rest of us.

Go for some heel
Nothing says frumpy like a dirty pair of sneakers. A little heel dresses up any outfit and adds confidence to your step.

Mimic good style
Grab a glossy magazine when the kids are asleep and take some fashion tips from the celebs. Even if you can't dress like the stars, at least you'll know not to wear the peasant skirt that's in your closet.

Invest in a few good pieces
We all wish the sales assistants at boutiques knew us by name, but who has the budget? Instead, spend a little extra on clothes you wear a lot - jeans, slacks and jackets - and go cheap on the trendy stuff, which won't last many fashion cycles anyway.