Ain't No Mom Jeans

Styling a Comfy Printed Maxi Three Ways (Reader Q)

Reader Question:

 

Hello,

I am so glad I came across your blog via the Rookie Moms site. I need this fashion kick in the butt to get out of my yoga pants. I feel I often find great pieces and then get them home and don't know what to do with them.   Case in point, I just ordered this skirt  and am super excited about it, but am I limited to a white tank? If you could give me another recommendation, I'd really appreciate it. 

Thanks!  

 Jenn

 

Answer:

I took one look at this skirt, Jenn, and immediately contacted the designer (via Etsy, love that!).

It's on-trend, gorgeous, yet as comfy as sweatpants.  You should be super-excited about it!  Nice. Pick.  Ms. Krista over at Satin Stitch Designs was kind enough to send a skirt over to me so I could style it up here.  (And psst!  Each is custom made, so no hemming required.  That is much appreciated by this short Mama.)

Jenn, since you are writing in looking for ideas, I'll skip over the obvious stuff like the white tank you already mentioned, or a black tee, or chambray shirt, or even a denim jacket...right?  I mean...any of those would be fabulous with this skirt, but since you took the trouble to write in, let me see if I can do something a bit more interesting.  Here we go.

Mom Street Style: Abby Rocks Cobalt Blue Denim (Plus Three More Ways To Style)

Mamas, Abby sent in this adorable picture of herself on her way to a baby shower.  She writes: 

 

I have been a huge fan of yours since discovering your blog after the birth of my Daughter. She is my second child and was born C-Section due to her being breach. I was so discouraged and frustrated with my body changes and in tears over the lack of selection in my wardrobe. Until I found your blog. You helped me feel "normal". I could relate to you because you do not tout perfection. You help us all breath easier and enjoy a sense of comfort in candidness. Your transparency freed me from the pressure to look a certain way within a certain time frame. (Nano-seconds after child birth? No thanks, Hollywood!)

I remember being in tears from laughing so hard at your recounting of trying on shaper-camis only to get stuck! I was laughing harder than I had laughed in a long time and thought "Finally, someone has the courage to write what we are all feeling, thinking, struggling with!"

You had me at "Jelly Belly"!

You have inspired me to try looks I never would have been brave enough to dare..to think differently about my wardrobe.

WOW.  Thank you, Abby.  Your words made my day.  And I'm sharing your words here not to throw a parade in my honor (yay me! yay me! yay-SHUT UP)...but because I know so many other mamas out there are probably reading and nodding (and me too).   We feel ya, Abby.  YES. DOWN WITH PERFECTION!!

But Mamas...Abby also had a question:

So here is my take on the Cobalt Skinny jeans..I'm still not sure I got it "right" and am still wanting ways to work this bold color (hello, shoes..what shoes does one wear with these for a more casual look?) without looking like a Crayon explosion. I happened to be going to a Baby Shower, hence the heels. You do not find me in these normally! 

Abby, here's how I'd wear them:

Scored a Fab Dress at Target? Awesome. Now Here's How To Wear It Without Looking Like Everybody Else...

Mamas, you know Target's designer collaborations, right?  Have you ever scored an item before it's sold out?  Perhaps a printed tunic from the Tucker collab, or my little red and navy dress from Jason Wu?  Well here's the thing:  everyone's got one.  So when reader Samira asked if she could guest post on ways to keep your Target score fresh, I was all. over. it.  Yes, please.

*********

Kirna Zabete for Target is here!  It’s been a lower-key launch than say, the Missoni collection (!!!), but that is a very good thing for us humble shoppers.  This collaboration may not have as high a profile, but it does have the combined eye of two excellent clothing curators, Beth Buccini and Sarah Easley.  Designer taste on a Target budget: always a win.  

Unfortunately the upside of Target collabs (so available!) is also the downside: so available.  Many of us interested in fashion on a budget will be adding these pieces to our wardrobes in the coming weeks.  Take this pretty floral dress for example:

Kirna Zabete For Target Long Sleeve, Tie Front Floral Dress, $45

 

It’s gorgeous, it’s washable (hey, polyester) and it’s the kind of dress you might think you have to rock-paper-scissors your girlfriend for.  Nope, even if you both get one  (S's Note:  Hear that, Mol??)  you could mix it up in some very different ways—all of them low-key.

Here are three ways to keep your Target dress fresh:

Reader Q | How To Style A Navy & White Striped Knit Blazer?

Reader Q:

Hello!

I am 9 month postpartum with twins and your site has really helped me get styling ideas for my new lifestyle and new body (read - huge boobs and poochy belly).  I recently picked up this knit blazer at Land's End to help me look polished but be able to move freely to keep up with my now mobile twins...

...but everything I try it on with looks boring and predictable (like the model's outfit).  Do you have any ideas for mixing interesting colors or patterns or silhouettes with this blazer? 

Thanks for all your help!

- A

Answer:

Yeah...these blazers are surprisingly tough.  When they first popped onto the scene I was excited:  stripes AND a soft, sweat-shirty knit in a blazer?  Yessss!  But then...these blazers often look so darn preppy and, as you mentioned, predictable.  

The key, I think, is to pair these with slightly subversive pieces.  Which sounds scarier than it looks.  Here's three ways I'd style these babies up:

*Note:  In the collages, I'm using this Juicy Coture Blazer instead, simply because the pic was cleaner.  But the LE knit blazer will work nicely here too.

Fall Basics 101: A Starter Mom-Drobe

Mamas!  Fall is around the corner, and we're juuust about ready to start talking Fall trends.  In September. So stay tuned.

However, each time we start discussing trends here on Ain't No Mom Jeans, our inboxes flood with requests from Mamas asking us about the basics.  

Reader Lauren wrote in:

"...my clothes are woefully worn, outdated, and too big.  I've been saving money for a "reward" shopping spree when I hit my goal weight, and that day is coming quickly.  I feel overwhelmed with where to start with my buying, though; I literally need a whole new wardrobe."

Reader Kammy agrees: 

"I'm a long-time reader, but am ashamed to admit that my wardrobe has consisted of the same sweatpants and tank tops since my first son was born over 3 years ago. I'm ready to dress like a grown up, but am feeling so completely overwhelmed!  I've glanced back through your mom-drobe series, but I am still feeling so lost and just don't know where to start!"

And by the sheer number of requests we've recieved over the last two years, these Mamas aren't alone.  

So.  Before we start yapping about trends, let's talk basics.  Below I have gathered up 14 key pieces that can be considered a cornerstone of any Mama's wardrobe.  These items represent only the business of being moms (including a simple date night look).  Black-tie event?  No.  Workin' Out?  Nope.  Going to the office??  Not unless your workplace is very casual.  But for trips to the park, days at the museum, afternoons running errands...this is your starting point.  

DISCLAIMER:  The starter mom-drobe shown below is based on my style sensibility.  Which may not be yours.  That's OK.  This list is intended to be inspiration for the types of pieces to look for, not necessarily the exact pieces.  

 

Fourth of July Style

If there's ever a time to dress thematically, it's the Fourth of July, Mamas.  Christmas sweaters--and I know this from experience--can be a slippery slope: it starts out when you pick one up for an ironic ugly Christmas sweater party. 

As the season progresses, even when you don't have an ugly Christmas sweater party to attend, and overwhelmed with the spirit of the season, you may find yourself reaching for said ugly Christmas sweater.  Ironically.  Of course.  But when you venture out of your holiday bubble into the real world, you will notice people snickering at you--not quite behind your back. 

Not so for this Fourth of July wear.  With the Americana trend still pretty well in full swing, you'll be able to proudly, and patriotically, wear any of these pieces separately.

 

 

Fourth of July Style by dynamama featuring cotton short shorts

Here's to fireworks, barbecues and the Fourth of July, Mamas--have a great holiday!

- M.

Mom Street Style | Sara's Perfect Tot Soccer/Babywearing Outfit

Mamas, meet Sara, a tres-fab L.A.-to-Denver re-lo, who was rocking a perfect iffy-spring-weather tot soccer/babywearing outfit at (gasp!) seven weeks postpartum.  Yes, that seriously is a seven-week-old sweet baby girl nestled in that Ergo, and Sara is not only coherent at 10 AM, but she and her whole adorable family--her 2-1/2-year-old son and partner Israel, a music blogger (www.thecargoculte.com), were also in tow (check out their recent family portrait, taken at indie craft fair UNIQUE LA)--were the picture of family unit bliss at Denver's Wash Park this week.

It was a bit difficult to get all the deets and have an actual conversation as I was trying to pry my suddenly-velcro 2-1/2-year-old off of me, but we managed (to be fair, there was an incident of a rope--agility training for two-year-olds--being mistaken for a snake.  L. is very literal).  Sara pointed out that we were wearing the same J Brand skinnies (both cuffed with sneaker alternatives).  She's wearing olive classic TOMS; a drapey, breastfeeding-friendly top from Old Navy; a camel ErgoBaby, and super-yummy Chloe sunnies (she confided she got a great deal on them on Gilt.com, or in my parlance Guilt.com--I recently unsubscribed. . . :).

Looking this put together on a weekday morning (seven weeks post baby to boot) is seriously impressive, but it also brings home that a mom uniform stocked with solid basics like great glasses, a fresh pair of TOMS and fab-fitting denim, (and a crazy-hot short hair style like Sara's) will always go the distance. 

- M.

Summer Style Rules For Moms - Part 1

Mamas, there's a whole big bunch of crazy you can hide underneath a stylish winter jacket and a big scarf.  Spit-up stained tee?  Yup.  Grungy nursing bra peeking out?  None's the wiser.  Too-big maternity jeans with the panel showing?  It's all bunched up under there - but nobody knows.  A flash of bum, due to an unknown hole in your leggings?  Oh, yeah - I can still feel that surprising little breeze...but HEY!  Cute jacket!  Great scarf!  Bum totally obscured!

I think you see where I'm going with this.

The summer months, Mamas, are tricky dressing months.  Because it's so hot, your clothing choices are not only limited, but on full display.  There's none of this Oh, this shirt doesn't really work so I'll throw it under an interesting sweater and add a scarf.  Nope.  Anything you wear is pretty much front-and-center.  But the whole so. flippin. hot. thing makes it hard to care.  I go through a period each summer when I'm choosing outfits based only on one thing:  which pieces touch my body less.  And chunky jewelry aka statement necklaces?  Uh, NO.  Getitoffgetitoffsweatysweatysweaty!

Summer style:  Not as easy-breezy as it sounds.

So. Many of you have asked us to do a set of style rules for the summer months.  And while I have the same reservations about "rules" (break 'em if you can!!)...there are a few, uh, guidelines that do come to mind which might help to keep us mamas both looking and feeling cool (in all senses of the word). 

RULE ONE:  Your Shoes and Bag ARE the Outfit (Every. Outfit.)

Mamas, if there is one offender...or, um...pet peeve, if you will...it's this:  

Here's the deal:  

A.  Shoes

I get when Mamas are sportin' a sport sandal.  I don't love them, but I get the practicality.  However, I'm left completely speechless by the thinly disguised comfort sandal.  The one above uses a flower.  Others use strange colors (green? rusted leather?) or weird heel detail.  No matter what the disguise, the result is the same: a sandal that just isn't chic.  At all.  And unlike a sports sandal, these babies won't even let you play soccer.  You aren't going to be running down the street comfortably.  And the worst?  Most of these sandals are expensive.  So if you are going to drop $100 on a sandal....find a better sandal.  There are a TON of really amazing, very stylish sandals that are just as comfortable as the thinly disguised  'comfort sandal'...but don't require some teenagery flower to prove their mojo.

B.  Bag

If the bag you carry all summer is big and dark and leather...rethink the bag.  

C.  Shoes + Bag

Find a comfortable, chic sandal and a summer-worthy bag that look good...together.

Now, let's not go nuts here.  I'm not talking about investing in some It-Girl bag and Choos.  Nor am I saying that they must match exactly.   I'm just saying that your sandal and bag choice should be intentional.  They should be cohesive.  On a hot, sticky day, they are often your only accessory.  Your only way of injecting style into your outfit.  When you have a cohesive sandal-bag combo, no matter what else you are wearing, you will look great. And it's easy - just part of your daily mom-i-form. 

Here are five pics, hopefully(!) illustrating the point I'm trying to make.  The white tee-n-jeans is pretty much my mom-i-form once the weather starts to warm, but over the years I've amassed a little collection of shoes and bags which help to keep things interesting. 

First up...my Makr Farm Rucksack.  Longtime readers are probably sick of this bag.  But I love it still.   And I'm wearing it to death with my new summer sandals - The Whistlestop Sandals from Madewell.  Shockingly comfortable...but probably best for mamas with a narrower foot.

This is the closest I get to matchy-matchy:

(wearing:  Levi's Juniors 535 Super Skinny Denim Legging, James Perse Cotton Scoop Neck Tee  - I sized up two sizes for extra slouch, Makr Farm Rucksack, Madewell Whistlestop Sandal, Salt Hathaway Sunnies)

Next is an oldie - I bought this Marc Jacob's bag many, many summers ago when I was flying alone with Raines and two laptops (don't ask).  It was the only bag I could find that could fit both laptops, a billion diapers, wipes, snacks, toys and books.  GAH - my shoulder hurts just remembering that flight. 

Shop Your Closet: Shorts and Sweaters - A Perfect Mom-i-form For Spring?

(wearing: J.Crew striped cashmere sweater - now on crazy-sale in a different color, Madewell shorts, Salt sunnies)

I love so much about Spring - the flowers, the lush green, the fresh smell of earth and rain....but sartorially, it kinda drives me nuts.  I'm so amped up for warm temperatures, but I typically wake to 40-something degrees.  Only to dress for it, then find myself sweltering around 2PM as the temps climb near 70.  Denver was the worst, but Philadelphia can compete:  Hello, humidity.

But these are good problems to have, Mamas. If you haven't yet gotten around to voting for my nanny's Harambee Aquaponics Project in Kenya, please do so now.  At the time of this writing, they are only in the #4 spot...and they need to get to #1.  (Want more info?  Read our article on the project here.)

Ok.  Back to our silly little concerns.  

Shop Your Closet: Try The Monochromatic Trend....Mom-Style

Mamas, did you see this pic?  It's currently on the front of jcrew.com...

 

Monochromatic dressing at it's best.  The model is rocking shades of the same color, as well as different textures.  Awesome.  

But man...this look is a pretty big commitment to tangerine.   I'm willing to bet that most of us don't own five (five!!) pieces of clothing in matching-ish hues (black and gray do not count...nor does white or navy).

Madewell has a slightly-toned-down version:

"Start with our Garment-Dyed Midi Shorts, then pile on pieces in the same color family.  Voila!"  says Madewell.

So I surveyed my closet.  My momdrobe consists of a whole lotta cotton, cotton and more cotton (throwing "varying textures" out the window)...in mostly navy, white and gray.

So I expanded my search to include night-out pieces.  And I came up with this little outfit....which would be perfect for a moms night out:

(wearing: old Gap cowlneck top, J Brand waxed purple denim, purple heels by Kimel - similar here)