Ain't No Mom Jeans

My Summer Mom-Uniform Edit

Awkward Mom shorts.  That's my summer momiform edit.

No, not really. 

  (wearing: tee...belt c/o Lucky Brand...shorts - old, but here's the same style in brown...sandals -awesomely comfortable...bracelets - old Chan Luu but here's my new fav and Lindsay Bloom gold bangles...backpack)

 

I've been playing around with different lengths of shorts...but the jury is still out, Mamas.  I'm not sure I love this mid-length.  I'll probably go back to rolling them up.

Anyway, my summer momiform (heck, my year-round momiform) consists of some kind of tee (give or take sleeves, depending on the season) plus denim.  Like I mentioned last year in our Summer Style Rules article, I primarily rely on a cool shoe + bag combo to keep things interesting in the summer months. (If you missed it, my 2013 sandal picks are here...and bags picks are coming soon!)

But I have two accessory additions to the summer momiform this year:  patterned belts and statement sunglasses. 

Mom Street Style: Kristen's Perfect Seven For Post-Partum

Mamas!  These quick little peeks into reader's closets are quickly becoming one of my favs.  Here's Kristen's....

 

Hi Shana, thank you for ANMJ! It makes me smile.

I think I may have emailed before, but I could be completely making that up. I'm tired! [NOTE FROM S:  Sing it, Sister.]

I'm a mom of 16-month-old twin girls. I work full-time but in a blessedly casual office. I gained 80 pounds through IVF hormones and then bed rest. Only have 10 to go, but still have the dreaded pooch.

 

Reader Q | How To Style A Gingham Shirt?

Reader Question:

Hi ANMJ!

First off, I have to tell you that if it wasn't for you, I'm not sure I would have left the house after baby #2. It wasn't so much the baby weight as it was the overall body changes and new shape. Plus it's so hard to feel sexy after giving birth! Empowered and in love, yes. But sexy? Not until I found your blog. I would read you hourly if you chose to post that often. And my husband has been loving my style lately--major plus!

My dilemma now is that I randomly bought this shirt from j. crew and now that I'm home, I can't for the life of me figure out what I was thinking!

Is there any way to wear this without looking like a prudish Daisy Duke??? You are tops when it comes to wearable, stylish mom clothes and I'm hopeful you can help. Thank you so much--for everything!

With love and gratitude,
Stephanie

 

Answer:

Stephanie - Thanks so much for your kind words!  And I'm loving your purchase.  Gingham shirts are a pretty safe bet.  They'll add a pop of color and pattern to just about any outfit.  The trick (for me, at least) is to prevent a preppy-overload, and, for you, to keep the look far, far away from those crazy Duke brothers.   Gotcha.  Here's what I found:

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:

Shop Your Closet: A Styling Trick To Keep His Eyes on Your...Uh...Face?

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I've been thinking about some sexy styling tips for moms.  You know - short skirts, high heels, the usual.  But when I asked Mike what he thought was sexy, he immediately replied, "You know that necklace you have...?"

Strange, right?  But I knew immediately which one he was talking about.  Because whenever I wear it, he really can't tear his eyes away.  It's not that my husband has some strange neck fetish, or that there is anything super-special about this particular necklace....the secret lies in its length.

This necklace is long - roughly 20", and provides a subtle little flash of bling...riiiight there.  Right where his eyes want to go anyway.

Scary Style – Mom & Baby Halloween Costumes You’ll Wear Again

Wahahahahah. . . in the spirit of the season, we thought we’d jump on board with the Rookie Moms Halloween Carnival.  The Moms challenged other bloggers to come up with costume ideas that would re-use items they already own or make use of items that could easily be re-purposed.  It just so happens that last year, I dressed the entire fam in a coordinating ensemble of mainly re-used clothing items to fit a last-minute western theme.  It all started with young Huck wanting to wear his cowboy dress-up costume, and while the prospect of three cowboys and a saloon (read brothel) mom was more to Hub’s taste, I thought we should push the theme a little further, because a.) Trampy Halloween costumes are sad enough, but on a mom. . . even worse, and b.) As a second child myself, I wanted to carve a unique, non-sidekick Halloween persona for Little Lou (and he wound up stealing the show!). 

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

 

 

Mom Uniform Inspiration: Styling Bright Denim

Winter, I'm done with you.  I want Spring.  I want bright flowers peeking from the ground, I want sunny skies and 70+ temps.  I want bare arms.  I want color.

Chances are, I'm stuck with several more weeks of cold (while Denver is having a warm spell now, March always breaks my heart)...so in lieu of warm winds and swapping my snowboots for sandals, I'm really feeling brights. Specifically brightly colored denim.  (Specifically the pair of coral red Gap skinnies M found on the clearance rack for under $20.  But I won't.  I promised.  Avoiding "twinsies!!" is becoming harder and harder for us.)

So if you'd like to add a little pop of color, keep reading.  I found a few gorgeous pics for inspiration, and as always, we play around with making them oh-so-mom-friendly.

Bright Denim + Dark Neutrals

I love Vanessa Jackman's pic from London's Fashion Week.  While black and yellow can be fraught with peril (what goes 'buzz buzz'?), Shu Pei (pictured) pulls it off perfectly.

How To Wear Plaid Part 4 - With High-Waisted Denim

For moms without a post-partum pooch (like M above, lucky girl)...plaid shirts get a sophisticated twist when tucked.

M tucked her cheap-n-easy Target plaid shirt into a pair of higher-waisted flare jeans, added a cool belt, necklace and heels.

I'm loving the choice of a girly necklace/belt with the plaid.  And who doesn't love red shoes?

Now, I know we tend to focus on mom-friendlier footwear than M's sexy red heels...but I've gotta be honest.  I've been struggling a bit with the flares + flats combo. I'm planning to play around with it (and let you know the results, even if it's a disaster)...but if any of you are successfully rockin' the flare/flat combo, please let us know.  Warning:  We will harass you for a pic.

Anyway.  I do love M in this outfit.  So classy, yet comfy.  Nice.

If, however, you are looking for more of a rocker or hipster vibe...I'm also loving this plaid shirt / high-waisted denim pairing from Madewell.