Ain't No Mom Jeans

Shop Your Closet: Layer a Short Dress Over a Maxi

Mamas, I have to give credit where credit is due, and this idea came primarily from Stylemint, whose stylists paired the Broadway Dress over a long maxi:

(photo credit: Stylemint Broadway Dress)

I saw this and thought, well, hunh.  Interesting.

Interesting, because I have a problem dress.  It's a t-shirt style dress, and happens to be a maxi-length.  It also happens to look, according to Raines, like a nightgown.  And once that thought is in your head, there's no turning back.  

Buh-bye dress.  Right?

Except...this damn dress is comfortable, I can nurse, and it sorta obscures any poochiness....so I find myself rescuing it from the donate box and re-hanging it in my closet.  Only to try it back on, realize that it is best accessorized with slippers and a teddy (as in bear) and fling it, annoyed, back into the donate box.  Repeat...49857343094872093 times.

I mostly hate this dress.

Unfortunately for me, this dress' fate is now sealed.  I now love it under my little Target shift dress, which can be too short for some mom-life situations (not riding a scooter, mind you). 

(wearing: Jason Wu for Target jersey dress, J.Crew Factory Striped Maxi dress - here's a much cuter one, Jessica Simpson gold sandals - similar, bracelet c/o LOFT - similar)

Now whenever I'm in the middle of a crazed closet-purge, I won't be able to part with this truly stupid dress.  Instead I'll remember this outfit and be all like, "oh wait!  I have that one outfit I can wear this nightgown with!  Yessssssssss....success."

But seriously!  This trick is a good one!  It's basically an easy (and comfy) way to make a shorter, sexier dress a bit more manageable.

One final example: 

(wearing: Velvet Harden Knit Mini dress, Target maxi skirt, Salt sunnies)

 

Almost looks like loungewear, right?  Yup.  Feels like it too.  And what do we say when we find a respectable outfit that feels like sweats?

C'mon Mamas, say it with me:  Yesssssssssss.....success.

xo,

S

DISCLAIMER:  Mamas, if you own (and love) that striped J. Crew factory dress, I have no doubt that it looks much better on you than it does on me.  On me, there's just something about the way it falls that screams take-me-to-bed-in-a-purely-platonic-way!!!  

Found! Racerback/Convertible Nursing Bra

I have a serious problem with most nursing lingerie.  Particularly since I've been wearing it for about 4-1/2 years.  And, aside from the beautiful options S. has made it her quest to find, this stuff is ugly, and not all that functional in a non-puritan's wardrobe of drapey, bosom-baring and otherwise skimpy in some way, tops. 

I mean, why do most nursing bras cover you to your collar bones?  Is a little jiggle not okay once you're a mama?  Is showing cleavage, even if it is lactation-induced, a no-no?  (BOOOO! from the Hub's peanut gallery.)  And why is it so difficult to find a nursing bra that can be worn with (gasp!) tanks and racerbacks?  I mean, these are--ahem--assets, purchased not with cash, but (literally) with blood, sweat and tears, so I think we mamas have earned a right to work it for all it's worth while we've got it, which is why I was THRILLED when I gift card power-shopped the Motherhood Maternity section of a Babies-R-Us a few weeks ago and found this cheapy little gem, which, for some crazy reason, is not even advertised as a convertible nursing bra. 

Family-Friendly, Interior Design Considerations (And an Online, Home Design Giveaway From Curio Designs!)

Mamas, I'm so excited about this one!  The following article is a guest post from Allison Harlow (Lane's sister - yay!).  Allison is an interior designer and the owner of Curio Design Studio. Curio Design Studio offers interior e-design for mamas on a budget!  For $85(!!), Allison will help choose paint color (OMG I needed her help - remember these walls?  Nightmare), address space layout, give you some DIY ideas of existing furniture and pull together a shopping list of suggested additional decor.  Love this!  

For those of you with more serious design needs, Allison also offers a few other affordable packages ($185 - $255).  Check out her portfolio here - I'm loving the sophisticated little girl's room she put together.  The chalkboard table is gorgeous.  

In addition to Allison's savvy tips, she's also offering one reader a Classic design package.  For the record, I am jealous.  You can find out how to enter at the end of Allison's article, below.  

*********

 In order to achieve a modern, polished, yet family friendly interior you should always start by considering the following four design principles:

1. Is it Functional?

  It doesn’t matter how gorgeous your living room is if it doesn’t fit the needs of your family. Address function first!  For families this means storage, storage, storage!

Shelves as Storage

If you aren’t lucky enough to have existing built-ins, try using pre-made Ikea shelving. Ikea shelves are relatively affordable and easily customizable.

One example of customization is to simply add bold wallpaper to the back of the shelf to create interest (here are my current faves when it comes to wall paper):

Home Furniture Catalogs

Mom (or Nanny!) Street Style | Nancy Brightens up a Yoga Pants Uniform

Meet Nancy, Mamas! She’s the cutest nanny S. met at Target and she’s rocking a bold, yet comfortable and functional, spring look we absolutely love. She’s wearing a Gap long cardi as a dress over Gap yoga pants, a target tank, target flats and a scarf given to her by her mom.  Props to Nancy for taking an oh-so-standard yoga pants-based mom uniform to another level by creatively mixing brights.

As the weather warms up, try your hand at color-blocked looks with layers that will take you through transitional spring weather and daring color combos.  Choose colors of the same saturation and brightness and mix in a fun print (or two) that ties it all together.

 

 

Comfy Color-Blocking for Summer by dynamama featuring low tops

Are you mixing brights this season? Tell us how!

- M.

Reader Question: A Post-Partum Mom Needs a Cute Camping Outfit

Reader Question:

Dear M&S,
I have a fashion dilemma. My husband, who is turning 30 on May 5, wants to have a birthday weekend camp out. The plan is to get a big group camping site and invite 50 or so of our closest friends out to set up tents, roast weenies and drink beer. 

Now I've camped, a lot; but what I haven't done is camped and been a hostess (much less camped and fixed my hair or worn much more than a bikini and shorts). Also, did I mention that at the time of the party I will be 6 months postpartum and probably not in a bikini wearing state of mind? Also, many of the guests will be coming in from out of town-- some of whom I haven't seen since our wedding, including my photographer friend who has promised to come, camera in hand. 

What I really need are some ideas for a cute, put together yet cool and unfussy looking outfit (*ahem* that I can nurse in). I know it might seem like a tall order, but I'm sure you two can handle it because you ladies are geniuses!

Thanks so much for your wonderful blog and keep up the good work!

Sincerely,
Jen

 

Answer:

Jen, thanks for writing in!  Your little shindig sounds like a blast.  And while a bikini and cut-offs are perfect for this kind of thing...at 6 months post-partum...wow.  That is tough. Tell your photographer friend to brush up on her photoshop skills.

But...you do have options.  The key is pulling something together that is comfortable, practical, hides the pooch, yet makes you feel (and look) like a young, fun, hip mama who is up for camping at 6 months post-partum!  Rock on, Chick.  (And BTW?  It's called Glamping.  Glam Camping - get it?  I did not make that up.  It's a thing. I swear.)

My strategy?  To distract from the pooch with legs and/or shoulders. But do it in a completely casual, nonchalant way.  Like..."Hell yeah, I'm out camping.  Yeah, the babe's only 6 months. Yeah, I'm showing some leg...and/or my seriously great rack. I know, I know - you all wanna start having babies now cause I'm just makin' this look eeee-zeee."  

My first thought?  Cut-offs.  Pair 'em with flops or sandals if it's hot, or rainboots if the weather turns.  This outfit would be perfection:

(photo credit: Piperlime, 360 Sweater's Lital Short Sleeve Sweater)

 

Here's how I'd do it post-partum:

• Beat-up cut-offs?  Check.  (Heck, these could even be your old maternity jeans.)
• Black Nursing Shaping Cami?  Yup.
• Lightweight, pooch-hiding sweater?  Check.
• A cool bracelet or two?  Perfect.

I'd pair this outfit with my favorite Reef flip-flops, but since you are camping, you could even pair this with a sportier sandal, if so inclined.  These Keens aren't bad:

Shop Your Closet / Reader Q: Baseball Hats! (And Other Hat Baby-Steps)

Reader Question:

Hi Ain't No Mom Jeans --

I love reading your blog, and I have a burning fashion question. In recent years my eyes have become super sensitive, and I find myself wearing a baseball hat with sunglasses almost every time I have to stand outside for a long time. I'm thinking there has to be a cuter way to shield my eyes, but I'm a little bit afraid of a fashion statement hat. Any hat suggestions to stand in for my sloppy baseball hats?

thanks!!

- ali. (bay area, CA)

 

 

Answer:

Ali - Thanks for writing in!  Baseball hats are so crazy-relevant right now that I say, keep wearing 'em!  Seriously!  Want some inspiration?  Try this...

 

(photo credits, clockwise from top left:  J.Crew | Style Activist | Sartorialist for Style.com | Philly Weekly Style Blog)

 

Personally, I'm kinda loving the look of keeping your hair down with the cap (like that cutie in the glasses), or in a low, messy pony (like the J.Crew image above).   I'll bet a romantic half-up/half-down do' would work also. 

Here's my take:

 (wearing: Levi's denim leggings, Frye Carmen 3 strap boots, J.Crew factory chambray shirt, J.Crew sweatshirt, Anthropologie poncho)

See that "C"?  It's for the Coopertown Padres, Mamas.  

Reader Question | Homesteading Style

Reader Question:

Hi,

I've been really enjoying reading your posts and have found a lot of inspiration.  I recently had my first baby who is now 4 months old and I have a husband who doesn't seem to find anything wrong with the big belly and junky tees and baggy pants that I have been wearing.  He doesn't seem to think that I should need to spend money on clothes to feel like I look better.  It is a nice sentiment but I still would like to dress more attractively!

I am a stay at home mama and I have a small homestead to run.  I grow a lot of our own food and on any given day need to move from weeding and planting(so getting my knees very muddy), hosting drop by visitors, chasing hawks away from my chickens, nursing a demanding baby, harvesting from the garden to make dinner, etc, etc.  I would love to look better while doing all this and the way my day works it would be really impractical to frequently change clothes from task to task.

Please help with ideas for outfits that could help me pull all this off while still looking pulled together myself!

Thank you!!

Emily

 

Answer:

Emily, what an amazing life you're leading!  At heart I'm a pioneer woman/hippy, so when I saw your email, I pounced on it before S. could get to it!  I love that you're living off the land--and, you want to look (and feel) good doing it : ).  But as I thought about what would really work for your lifestyle, I got a little nervous.  It occurred to me this might be kinda super hard to pull off--I mean, your days (and I assume nights) are spent not only caring for a babe who knows exactly what s/he wants, but actually planting, tending and cooking you family's sustenance.  So. . . not just spit-up, nursing and playground sand, but mud, dirt and manual labor.  Hmmm. . . I thought. . . you might not be too far off the mark with tees and baggy pants, but I think I've come up with a nice update to freshen up your look and keep it functional.

 

Homstead Style by dynamama featuring hats

First, I'd start with accessories.  If I were a homesteading mama, I'd make a fabulous hat, sunnies and a large, airy cotton scarf my trademarks.  Not only will they pull your look together, they'll keep the sun off your face and shoulders and the wrinkles at bay.  Nobody needs that business after stretchmarks and postpartum pooch onset.  Nobody.  Throw the scarf on when you're out of the vegetable patch and company stops by, and in addition to wrapping it around your neck, you can use it as a nursing cover, shawl, baby shade, head wrap, etc. (so get one you really like).  If you can avoid losing them, accessories also get lot less wear and tear if you care for them well, so even the junkiest t-shirts and baggy pants will look instantly updated when you wear them. 

Footwear.  You're one of the lucky few who actually has an excuse to wear wellies on a regular basis, so I say go for it!  Besides Hunter boots, which are pretty spendy, Target, Old Navy and Lands End (everything is 30% off right now, too!), all make great versions.  I'd wear them with shorts, skirts, skinny jeans and under cuffed boyfriends (see S.'s update on how to wear rain boots).  I am also a long-time lover of 90's fav Georgia work boots.  I just know in my heart of hearts that these babies will be back with a vengeance, and they're arguably on-trend as lace-up boots--but they actually work (like, as work boots).  I seriously had a pair for 15 years until they mysteriously went missing and I'm coveting them again as I write this.  Wear them unlaced at the top with boyfriend and cuffed/cropped skinny jeans and with shorts, or if you're feelin' it, skirts, too.

As a nursing, stay-at-home, homesteading mama, my other mainstay would be loose, interesting, not-too-expensive t-shirts and tanks.  Look for styles that fall away from the tum with details like bias-cut fabric, over-sized pockets, epaulets and snaps, and pair them with durable separates like already-destroyed boyfriend jeans, cutoffs or a cute pair of printed shorts.  I like styles with wide scoop necks that pull down for easy nursing.  I've been know to do some light gardening in skirts, so if you're having a fairly light-duty day, don't overlook the possibilities of a pretty, printed skirt this spring and summer.  Grab a light chambray shirt, too--it'll keep the sun off during peak hours and will look amazing thrown over any outfit here, either worn open, belted or half-tucked.

Oh, and don't forget knee pads, a fab pair of work gloves and lots and lots of sunscreen--not only will they help you do your job, they'll keep your pants and legs fresh and sun damage--the mother of all age spots--in check.

Thank you for writing in and for your kind words, Emily.  Happy homesteading! 

- M.   

Wearing Rainboots: Inspiration Through the Seasons (And $100 Giveaway to Bogs!)

This post is an update to our original How To Wear Rainboots - For Moms article, originally published in March of 2009.  It was in dire need of an update.  Especially since it remains as one of our top-hitting posts.  Crazy.  

When I wrote it, rainboots were being worn everywhere by celebrities and just starting to be embraced by the general population.  But rainboots still seemed a bit out-of-place unless it was actually raining.

Since then, rainboots have come into their own and are now considered a valid boot-about-town.  And while I still think they look silly on a sunny day walking down a dry sidewalk, I've amended my original "rules" (which were totally annoying anyway).

When Moms Should Wear Rain Boots

1. When it is raining.
2. When it is wet -- meaning puddles are on the ground.
3. When you might be wading in a stream, mud bed, or pond.

Let's just summarize things into the following statement:  Wear rainboots whenever you feel like it.  I'm going to guess that most moms will probably feel like it when it's raining, snowing, generally wet, muddy, or on a cold, gray, day.  Or during a cool summer downpour.  

What Kind of Rain Boots Moms Can Wear [Again, from the original article]

1. Tall plain ones - hunter green, dark gray, bright yellows, red, etc.
2. Tall black patent leather ones -- the sheen of these boots will look a little more sophisticated.
3. Some patterns are OK for the brave -- but proceed with caution on this one.  Skip the Hello Kitty boots, skip the ladybugs, skip anything with rainbows or anything that you think an 8 year old would want to borrow.  If reading this makes you nervous, stick with plain.

I'm actually OK with this advice.  But I'd also add that rainboot styles have exploded in recent years.  If you aren't a fan of the typical wellie, there are now rainboot wedges, booties, rubber motorcycle boots and, one of my personal favs, duck boots.  Here are some super-cool, non-wellie rainboots:

Mom Street Style | Sarah's Take on Eileen Fisher for Young, Hip Mamas

Mamas, meet Sarah.  She wrote in after reading S.'s thoughtful answer to ANMJ reader Leslie's question about mature brands like Eileen Fisher, and we asked her to be our next Mom Street Style as soon as we saw her pics!  Sarah brings the point home that truly flattering pieces from mature brands can be balanced with youthful, trendier items for an ageless, unique and pulled-together look. 

Reader Question: Where Very Tall Mamas Can Find Colored Denim

Reader Question:

Hey there,

I am in love with the bright jean/khaki trend this spring & summer, but as a 6'0" mom with a 38" waist, I'm having a HUGE problem finding colored jeans in my size & style.  I've tried Gap, Talbots, Macy's - any suggestions?

Love your site, thank you!

Sarah

 

Answer:

Hi Sarah!  Thanks for writing in!  Your question is well-timed, because I just heard the following from IndiCustom Denim:

1.  They are now doing custom jeans in colors!

and 

2.  They are having a Spring sale on all custom jeans - 30% off - with sale coupon SPRING12

IndiCustom is, as you can probably guess, an online store that makes custom denim.  Sarah, I threw your measurements into their online designer just to be sure...and YES.  They do have skinny jeans in bright colors available for a 6' tall mama with a 38" waist.  Here are the current color offerings:

Pretty, no?

IndiCustom actually let me customize a pair for myself last month (more on that coming soon)...and so far, I've been really impressed.  I actually screwed up the first pair (I'm not very good at precision tasks like taking measurements)...and it turns out that if your custom denim doesn't fit...they make you a new pair.  Seriously.  You just call and they ask questions about the bad fit, and then input all of the changes into their little computers and VOILA!  New denim.  The toughest part is the wait.

My other thought for you....is to try men's jeans.  (No throwing things, Mamas.  I actually HAVE worn guy's jeans, so pipe down.)  But seriously:  Gap's men's line is filled with bright, fun colors for denim and khaki pants.  I think rocking a pair of colorful boyfriend jeans (or khakis) would be completely adorable. 

Here's Gap's current lineup: