Ain't No Mom Jeans

Reader Question | How To Hide Varicose Veins and Still Look Summery

We know it’s time to peel some layers, Mamas, because suddenly, right around March 21, we were inundated with reader questions about what to wear to hide veiny legs during the dog days. Here are a few excerpts to give you an idea of the sense of panic ANMJ mamas are feeling as the weather warms up:

I have pants on all.the.time.  Of course, pants lend themselves to cooler-weather tops, and I look ridiculous.  When it's 90 degrees and humid, I still have on jeans or khakis. I'd love to wear skirts and dresses, but my legs make me so uncomfortable. . .

- Laura

I'm 33 weeks along with my fourth baby, and lucky me, this pregnancy I got varicose veins. UGH! And now I have the joy of wearing ugly compression stockings or old man athletic socks.  At least this has been a winter pregnancy and they are easy to cover with pants so far.  I am told that the veins will recede after I give birth (in April), but I don't know how soon, or how much longer I have to wear the ugly socks.  And I'll be nursing again. And I'll have the lovely postpartum body to deal with.  Sigh. 

- Jodi

I work in the public schools. So summers for me are all about running around with kids in hot, dry Denver, sitting by the pool, or "hiking" in the moutains (as much as one can hike with a 1-year-old and a four-year-old). In the past, for me, all of those activities have been done in a short skirt or shorts. But, this summer I cannot bring myself to bare my awful veins to the world. Please help!

- Talia

Well mamas, there are TONS of fab options for staying cool, playing with the kiddos and looking summery, all while keeping your gams covered.  Read on for our vein-hiding picks.

Palazzo Pants Are Back?  Seriously?
Yes.  One of my favorite ways to stay cool and covered last summer whilst prego with number three was by wearing wide-legged palazzo pants with skimpy tanks and sliver wedges or flops.  They let me lounge on the grass with my boys after eating too many strawberries, climb on the jungle gym and look reasonably put together running around town. 

 

Palazzo Pants by dynamama featuring tie dye tank tops

Reader Question: Footwear For When It's Too Hot For Boots, But Too Cold To Go Without Socks

Reader Question:

Hi,
I am a mama of twin 5 year old boys.  I have recently found your site and love it!  I work from home so I easily fall into the trap of wearing the same old unfashionable clothes and have also been known to go a day or two (or three!) without showering.  Your blog has really helped me take on a renewed focus on being more fashionable and just feeling better about myself.
 
One area that I continue to struggle with is shoes.  I live in Michigan and find that there is a period of time between winter and spring where I don't know what shoes to wear.  It is not cold enough to wear boots, but not warm enough for sandals or flats with no socks.  I struggle to find fashionable shoes that I can wear with some type of sock, and have them be comfortable.  I need to chase around my boys so comfort is a must.  But I also don't want to look like an old lady in orthopedic shoes.  Can you please help by giving me some suggestions?  

 

Sarah

 

Answer:

Sarah, thanks for writing in!  Growing up in MI myself, I know exactly what you are talking about.  And this transitional weather often drives me crazy, too.   But I've been thinking about your request...and now that the weather in Philly is chilly again I've found myself struggling with the same thing.

Here's what I've been happy wearing...

Booties

I don't typically wear these shoes to the park, but for general errands and outings with the kiddos, I find the heel comfortable enough for baby-wearing.

Note my Smartwool socks peeking out.  Navy denim + navy-ish wool socks = close enough.

 (wearing: Levis skinnies, J.Crew Factory sweater, Madewell plaid shirt, Clarks booties, Bella leopard-print baby carrier. Makr backpack, Salt sunnies)

Cute Sneaks

I'm slowly figuring out the whole cute sneaks + skinny jeans thing.  Personally, I like this look a whole lot better if the skinnies aren't legging-tight.  But that might just be me.  And since I'm not the tallest person around, I roll 'em. 

My converse are high-tops, but this look would work even if a bit of white sock showed.

(Also?  This is a different day....but Raines likes to wear the same thing over & over & over....)

Mom Street Style | Kate's Second ANMJ Feature

Mamas, we have a first today.  Reader Kate is being featured for the second time in Mom Street Style.  You may remember her effortlessly chic and super-functional maternity outfit for touring Italy with a toddler back in January.  No, she is not a freak of nature--she has not recovered this quickly.  In fact, she's not even due until May.  This is a picture from last spring, before she was even pregnant with her second babe, but which she sent to ANMJ after her Italy pics.  Follow? 

Actually, Kate emailed the above snapshot asking for help replacing this, her go-to for spring in Germany--skinnies, wedges and layers (it can be chilly there!)--outfit, but we say, what needs replacing? She wrote:

. . . but after seeing today's post with Kristen rocking wedges and flares, and all of your J Brand Lovestory brainwashing, I think it's time to put the skinnies away for a little while... especially because they may not be so forgiving post-partum.

We appropriated the pic for Mom Street Style because we think Kate walks the line of winter/spring dressing perfectly.  We love the gray/cognac color combo popped with a muted red pullover with a lighter layer peeking out and funky sunnies.  Again, she nails the effortless, functional vibe we adore, and though we'll miss the gray skinnies, it will definitely translate to the petite flares she contacted us about.

Congratulations on your soon-to-be-here babe, Kate!

- M.

S Gets Crafty For Easter (Prepare to Be Jealous)

Mamas, it's all about the children.  I sacrifice and I sacrifice and I sacrifice for the children.  Those precious, precious children.

As proof-positive of said sacrifice and of my worth as a mother (do they not go hand-in-hand?), I give you this, my latest ridonkulous creation my masterpiece:

 

I've titled it:  "Smug Mummy's Easter Basket."

Do you not see the calligraphied "R"?  The "R" for Raines?  Such that on our Easter morn I can don a pastel hairbow and inquire of my precious boy, "Raines?  Can you find the R?  Can you find the R, Raines?"  And lots of rejoicing will follow all of this natural learning - even on Easter morning, Mamas.  We learn.  

Do you not see the glass?  It's non-toxic, even when heated.  And the organic soil?  And the real, growing grass?  Plastic?  Pshaw!!  Never would I let those tiny, gentle hands touch something so base as plastic.  And on Easter?  Horror.

Go ahead.  You can Pin it.  I know you want to.  

But in all seriousness Mamas, I SO wanted to have real Easter grass for Easter this year.  But when I concocted this idea in my "big stwrong brain" (as R would say) it looked more like this:

 

Ahhhh....now I see!  I'm just missing a bow.

Shop Your Closet: Solve the Keep-or-Toss Problem With a Picture (in other words, a high-waist denim failure)

Mamas, sometimes the key to shopping your closet is knowing what (and when) to purge.  You just can't make good outfit choices with a closet stuffed full of unflattering, ill-fitting items.  But when something has sentimental value...it can take us (or at least me) a loooong time to say goodbye.  But man, pictures sure help speed up this process.

I've written before about high-waisted denim for post-partum moms.  It's a strange strategy, to be sure, but my old high-waisted Sevens served me well after each baby was born.  Of course, I never showed off the high-waist (which included a jelly-belly squeezing out of the top), wearing them instead with my favorite pooch-hiding sweater.  

You'd never know they were high-waisted.

But my pooch is starting to shrink (albeit very slowly), and high-waisted denim is great choice for all of the shorter tops we're seeing this season.  And tucking a little tee into a pair of high-waisted denim is such a cute nod to the 70's.  

So I busted them out.  You've actually seen this outfit before....but not the a full body shot.  Why?  'Cause I hate it.

What's the problem?  Oh...so, so, so many things.  But let's just start with the fact that I look like a munchkin and go from there:

This outfit has so much potential.  But those pants....sigh.  Those pants.  It's time to say goodbye.

But goodbye was made infinitely easier by finding an awesome pair of high-waisted denim on sale at Nordstroms.  Hello, Mother Denim.  Look at the difference:

Hats Are Tasty: Dansko Giveaway Take 2

UPDATE 3/30/12: Jennifer Hughes, you're our Dansko giveaway winner. Email us at aintnomomjeans@gmail.com so we can get these to you.  Congratulations!

I’ve got to tell you, Mamas.  Hats are not only pretty and comfortable—they are tasty too!  We here at Ain’t No Mom Jeans have been snacking on hats (or crow) a lot lately because there’s been some talk surrounding a certain comfort footwear brand—namely Dansko—on this blog: they’re soooo comfortable, but a thing of shame, to be hidden under scrubs, Chefwear and boot cut or flare denim.  Dansko has responded to our biased banter with not one, but now TWO generous giveaways for our readers.  I submit for your approval (and mine) the Dansko spring footwear line.  It is fab under flares and it is worthy of skinnies and skirts.

When Dansko approached ANMJ for another give away, I was wary.  I perused their spring line and was delighted by what I found: stellar details with seventies-inspired braided and tooled leather, brass nail heads, rich colors and fresh designs.  I was torn between the Mirabel line Tori, Tru or Tasha, and the Rio line Randi, Rowena or Ryder, and I was shocked to find six pairs of crazy comfortable but heightening (I am not a woman of stature, after all) sandals that I would not only accept as a consideration but would definitely buy in a store at full retail.  It was a difficult choice, but I finally decided on the Rowena and I’m so glad I did.

13 Affordable Spring Finds From Target (For Little Boys and Girls)

I just signed Raines up for T-ball.  A big day, Mamas.  A big day.  And the kid needed a mitt.  So we ventured into Target, after I prepped both boys that we were going to Target only for:

1. a mitt 

and

2. Chocolate Chips

That's it.  No toys, no nuthin' else.  Got it??  Yes, they said.  We got it.

Too bad that I didn't get it.  We rolled past the kid's clothing aisle, something that rarely tempts me at Target (too many licensed characters and dorky graphics for my taste - at least in the boy's section), and WHAM!  Ended up with a cart-full of stuff.  Talk about missing my teachable moment, Mamas.  Sheesh.

(Raines, in his Target tee, gingham check shirt and flip-flops.  And the mitt, of course.  He was most excited about the mitt.  He wanted to be sure to show the blue baseball that came with it.  Oh, joyous surprise!)

While I tend to be very, very careful with Target purchases for myself, I love cheap clothes for kiddos...or at least for kiddos like mine.  Pax outgrows most things before he wears it twice, and Raines manages to rip, tear or otherwise stain almost everything he touches.  I'll be glad when he's over his zoom-cars-on-knees-on-pavement stage.  His entire closet of denim has been decimated (he's currently wearing one of two pairs without holes in the knees).

But, being the picky girl I am, I don't buy anything - even for the kiddos - unless I love it.  Unless I think it's cool.  So most of the time, my kid's clothes don't come from Target.  

But I'm currently loving Target's Spring offerings.  The colors are bright and spot-on.  The patterns are sophisticated and the graphics are actually cool. I'm shocked.  But happily so.  Even better?  They have rockin' stuff for girls, as well.  (And everything is under $20, with many pieces under $10.)

So, because I'm a geek*, here are my 13 favorite pieces for both little boys and girls from Target:

 

*13 is a prime number and is awesome.

Mom Street Style | Happy Spring! Bright Denim from Toronto Shopoholic

Sure, today's the first day of spring, but there's still a bit of chill in the air.  Sick of chunky knits, turtlenecks and tall boots?  Be like Jane, our vernal equinox Street Style Mom.  Start with a lovely spring jacket thrown over a spot-on chambray shirt, layer it up with a monochromatic scarf, and pop those cool weather essentials with bright denim that will take you all the way through summer.  Fab, Mamas.  Seriously fab. She writes:

I am 5 months into baby number 2 and trying to infuse some style into my mommy wardrobe. I got to go out with a friend this past weekend (NO KIDS!) and decided to put on some of my fun clothes that I don't always wear when I am on duty :) I am working on figuring out yellow denim and the more I wear them the more I like them. They are harder to style than regular denim because highlighter yellow isn't exactly neutral, but I have worked out about 5 outfits so I am feeling good about the purchase.

Love that your blog is bringing real mommy style to the masses!! 

- Jane

Put the fact that you would never know this woman is five months postpartum aside (um, Jane, you look fantastic and so not postpartum, but I'm still filing you under Style - Postpartum because the awesome layers and bloused top are excellent strategies for hiding common postpartum probs like pooch and muffin top--bravo!).  Jane's ensemble should be a case study of how to dress in the chilly early weeks of spring.  Read  more about her and her escapades in Toronto on her blog torontoshopoholic.com.

Happy Spring!

- M.

How To Inject a Dose of Spring Into a Basic Work Wardrobe

 Reader Question:

I'm headed back to work full-time now that my kids are older, and I work in a pretty conservative field.  I've bought a few basics, but am at a loss now that it's (slightly) warmer and I'll have to pack away my black boots, tights and sweater dresses!

I'm a size 4 (which I've worked hard for post-babies!) but so many of my old clothes look frumpy.  While I'm over 40, I don't look it and don't want to!  Could you give me some tips to use what I've got to be stylin' in the office and budget-friendly?

I went out and bought a black skirt suit with a pencil skirt, some stretchy black belts for the pencil skirt and sweater dresses, two camis - white & black, and a no-wrinkle crisp fitted white shirt.  I have a few cardigans (a bit dated and baggy) but one classic charcoal cashmere sweater set that still works, kind of.  I also have three pairs of dress khakis and a pair of dressy washable black slacks.  And I have one cute silky scarf in neutrals.

A lot of my friends are in the same boat - starting over with a closet full of jeans, t-necks & tees, and no idea where to start.  Can you show us a few looks that could build on the basics for spring but would work for .... well, work?  

Thanks!  I love your blog and read it daily.  I love when you feature other blogs too - I'm starting to follow a few more but yours is the most fun (and fashion-forward).  

Julia

 

Answer:

Julia, thanks for writing in!  What a fun question - and I love that you gave us an idea of what you already have in your closet.  Your basics are very relatable...I'm willing to bet that most mamas have some version of what you described.  So how to perk up a fairly dark and and basic wardrobe for Spring?

Here's a sample of the types of items Julia has in her closet:

Tahari jacket | Tahari skirt | Tahari pants | Gucci Button-down shirt | Jackie Cardigan | Jackie Shell  | Gap Classic Khakis | Neutral Scarf

 

To perk these pieces up....we need to inject a little color, and some patterns.  My recommended shopping list is actually pretty short.  Ready?  

Shop Your Closet: Wear a Dress With Pants

Yup.  We're here again.  Anyone as old as I will remember this trend quite clearly.  First we donned dresses over bootcut denim, then gravitated to skinnies.  Remember?

Now...I'm really liking dresses over flares.

There's such a fab 70's vibe going on (still), that a flowy dress over flares just feels...right.