Ain't No Mom Jeans

Sooooo....High Tops? For Moms?

Mamas, have you noticed the whole high-top sneaker trend?  It seems to be growing.  I had peripherally noticed it a while back, but didn't really...well..care.  Until I was totally charmed by Refinery 29's feature of Elettra Wiedemann:

Those are some serious shoes (Monika Chiang sneakers, to be precise).  But paired with black skinnies and a silky blouse...they're cute.  Like...really, really cute, without veering into puppies and kittens cute.  Sleek-cute.

For the first time, uh, EVER, I found myself coveting a pair of serious high-tops. But, you know, not seriously.  Cause...I mean...well...look at 'em!  Seriously?

I just couldn't commit the cash to such a big, dark, sneaker.  At the time, I could think of exactly ONE way those babies would look amazing...and Elettra's wearing it.   

But high-tops continued to pop up on my radar....and Mamas, I actually own a pair (sort of).  Converse high-tops - they count, right?  I typically wear them under something (last seen under my printed Paige skinny jeans)...but buoyed by Elettra's outfit, I resolved to not just wear them, but to show-off the actual High-Top.

But first, my high-top sneaker inspiration board:

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. 

Mom Street Style - Vera's Fav Nursing Cover

When I finally worked up the nerve to nurse my first babe in public (instead of running to the car or planning every outing around feedings), I was daunted to say the least.  And when I faced breastfeeding my second with an on-the-go 19-month-old, the prospect of boob exposure during the regular course of lunging after my toddler terrified me, as does trying to run after a two- and four-year-old going in opposite directions whilst nursing my third bub, so I can absolutely relate to Vera, this week’s fab street style mama.  Vera just had her fourth and was thrilled with the range of motion, not to mention the style, of the DRIA nursing cover S. reviewed last year.

Vera writes:

I just want to say thank you!! I bought the Dria cover after reading your review of it and I LOVE it.  Actually, I am trying really hard not to wear it every single day.  I just had my fourth baby, and despite nursing all my kids until about 18 months, I never used nursing covers - I just thought they were awkward and actually drew MORE attention to the fact that you were breastfeeding.  I had good luck just wearing a cami and a shirt and pulling my shirt up and was pretty discrete about it.  BUT, the Dria is soooo soft and comfy and hides my huge post-c-section pooch, and actually I'm finding that I like being able to nurse in public with it.  Having a very active 21 month old boy, there have been a couple of times that I've been at Starbucks or some place nursing the baby and he decides to do something crazy and I need to react quickly - not something I can do while having my boob hanging out!

Thanks! I'm attaching a pic of the one I got - I love it, even though my hubby is giving me weird looks every morning when I pull it out after trying on fifty other things first LOL!

- Vera C.

For those of you mamas not familiar with the DRIA nursing cover, check it out.  It is the most versatile and fashion-forward piece of nursing gear I have ever encountered, and I don’t think I’ll be shelving it even after I’m done nursing bub #3.  In any of the patterns, it’s a gorgeous, lightweight poncho that’ll kick up the volume on even the most boring outfit.  It covers everything, including you, your babe, the car seat or your stroller, it wads up into a tiny ball, washes well and dries fast and without wrinkles.

Vera, you look amazing in your slouchy boots and nursing poncho! Thanks for sending in your Street Style submission—keep ‘em comin’, Mamas!

- M.

Four Perfect, Pooch-Hiding, Nursing-Friendly Outfits For Fall (Including Date Night!)

Poochy mamas, rejoice!  This season has a ton of adorable, pooch-hiding tops in store...and the best news?  Not an empire-waist in sight!  

Outfit 1 - Playing at the Park

I tried on the BB Dakota top.  It's like a strange, but sophisticated hoodie that is crazy-comfortable and totally pooch-hiding.  So comfy, in fact, it could easily double as loungewear with these.  Nursing girls, this top easily pulls down for nursing access.

 

 

Post-Partum, Nursing Park Outfit by aintnomomjeans featuring a floppy felt hat

Jack BB Dakota lightweight hoodie
$60 - modcloth.com

 

AG Adriano Goldschmied high waisted skinny jeans
$164 - piperlime.gap.com

 

Socks
$10 - topshop.com

 

Minnetonka boots
$90 - piperlime.gap.com

 

Old Navy floppy felt hat
$20 - oldnavy.gap.com

 

 

Go Buy Now: 25% Off Cake Lingerie Nursing Bras

As you mamas know, we at Ain't No Mom Jeans are passionate about pretty maternity and nursing lingerie. After nine long months and a surprisingly, um. . .  different. . . postpartum body, the last thing you need to be wearing is a scraggly, nubby, turtleneck-high nursing bra, adding insult to injury.  For feminine, sexy alternatives, check out Cake Lingerie's gorgeous fashion nursing bras, now 25 percent off through the end of July.  

I snapped up Cake's Velvet Delight Plunge bra ($45) and matching panty, but now I'm wishing I'd also picked up the Turkish Delight Balcony ($45) and the French Vanilla ($45) with matching boy short (the short has removable garter suspenders!) and the Meringue ($49, perfect for tees). 

Don't forget to use Cake's fit calculator (click "verify your size").  With the same measurements, I was a different size in the Velvet Delight than the Meringue, for example.  Shipping is a flat $15, free on orders over $150.

- M.

Reader Question: How To Do Strapless Dresses and Tops While Nursing

 

Reader Question:

I'm about to have my second son and am very excited for summer outings with the boys. I love strapless dresses and tops with cute empire waists (to hide the baby pudge and stay cool), but I have no idea how to do the whole "nursing bra with a strapless top/dress" thing. Do they make strapless nursing bras? Do I just use a regular strapless bra and flip it down? We also have a few weddings to attend, so a strapless bra is going to be a pretty major staple in my summer wardrobe.

Love your ideas and insight. And I, too, am a Denver girl, so I feel your pain, longing for spring and summer! I'm over the winter maternity blahs!

Thanks,

Jen

Answer:

Hi Jen!  Thanks for writing in!  Yes - they do make strapless nursing bras.  They look like this:

The above bra is La Leche League's Strapless Nursing Bra.  Attractive?  No.  Supportive?  Nope.  Can you nurse in it?  Not...really.  I actually reviewed this little number a couple of years ago, in the Best Nursing Bras For Summer article.

10 Gorgeous Nursing Bras (And The Best Places To Find Them)

Happy Valentine's Day, Mamas!  Valentine's Day is a perfect time to chat about something near and dear to my heart:  nice lingerie (hello, La Perla!).  I looooove nice lingerie.  In fact, before R was born, I had amassed quite the collection of tiny, 32-AA bras.   

HAHAHAHAHAHA

Since R was born, my now-saggy C-cups and I feel the urge to throw a pity party around Valentine's Day for the boxes of pretty pretties we no longer wear...but this year, we decided to round up a few (ok, TEN) of our very favorite nursing bras.  These are so gorgeous you'll want to wear them long after you stop nursing.   (Unless, of course, you wear them to death like we do, and then they end up stained and shapeless.  But you get the idea.)

Stomach Pooch, Meet Shaper Cami (Your New BFF)

For some reason, I didn't use shaper camis after Raines was born.  Which is how I ended up with pictures like this one.

This time around, however, I was better informed and ready for the pooch.  Unlike last time, I was under no illusions that the pooch would be gone in a matter of weeks. 

Game on, people.

Enter the shaper camis. 

To say these things changed my post-partum sartorial experience is an understatement.  But instead of blathering on...I'll just show you.  A picture is worth a thousand words, after all:

Styling the Bump: Third Trimester Tips (And Loads of Style Inspiration!)

This post is the last in a series of posts on styling the bump through all stages of pregnancy.   Also check out Styling the Bump: First Trimester Tips (How to Style, What to Buy) or Styling the Bump: Second Trimester Tips.

By the time I got to my third trimester, the realization was just sinking in:  I was pregnant.  And the baby?  He's growing.  There were no more strange looks, no mistaking my belly for extra muffins or a tumor...whether I was ready or not, the baby was coming in three (or, in my case with babe #1, two) short months.  Yikes.

And this time around?  I think I had belly amnesia.  Cause I'm surprisingly HUGE.  But looking back (pic of me on NYE with babe #1)...I think that this is simply how I look during the third trimester: a little girl with a huge, huge belly.

(Which is what I would've said yesterday, given the chance, to the man who yelled out of the car, "Lady, that baby is gonna FALL right out!")

So what do you do when styling a bump of epic proportions?

Not.  Much. 

My philosophy in these situations is simple:  if you're going to do it (and there's no going back now) then rock it.  Own it.  Flaunt it.

Our Sexy Tips on Rookie Moms

Rookie Moms asked us to guest post on easy ways to make moms feel sexy...just in time for Valentine's Day! 

 When the topic of sex (or sexy) comes up, I always find it helpful to chat with my husband.  Not only does he always have an opinion on this topic, but it is usually something very simple and to the point.  When asked what “items” a mom could wear to look sexier, his response (after the eye-roll) can best be summarized by the punch-line of the old joke: “Show up naked.  Bring beer.”

But….the problem, as I see it, is that sexiness is just as much about a feeling as it is about a certain look.  Yes, we can show up naked (with beer), and we love that you guys just look past poochy stomaches and saggy boobs and merely focus on the fun that’s about to start….but for us (or me, at least) it’s not so easy.  I need to feel it.

Click here to read the rest of the article and to see our easy tips on adding a little something-something to your wardrobe. 

Also check out the "sexy police" link at the bottom of the article.  Double bonus points to any of you that can actually rock this look.  LOL

xo,

S