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. 

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.

Shopping: 15 Flat Summer Sandals That Are Both Cute AND Comfy

Mamas!!  We had a random 80 degree day a week(ish) ago.  I know!!!  It was fabulous.  Raines amused himself with the hose outside (God, five year olds are easy) while I snuggled Pax down for a nap.  You know those really restful naps?  The lazy summer kind, where the windows are wide open, the sunlight pours in, and you can hear the bees buzzing and smell summer with every breath?

Yes.  That.

Sadly, the next day was back to the rain/50 degrees/blah/dreariness that has defined this Spring.  But I smelled it, Mamas.  Summer is coming.*

*Draugelis family motto, right up there with Army of Lovers. 

Since there are very few ways that I can stand to "accessorize" in summer (quotes are intentional - I barely accessorize in summer)...sandals make up a key part of my summer momiform.  My summer sandals must be cute and comfy, and extra points for an element of cool.  Here are fifteen of my current favorites. (I really couldn't narrow it down!)

 

The Nudes

1. Wanted Acapulco in Tan, $49

The slight gold accents are like jewelry for your feet:  subtle, yet pretty.

2. Birkenstock Cairo in Toffee, $90

Hello, darlings.  You've been missed.  Welcome home.  

3. Madewell Whistlestop Sandal, $138

I bought these last year, and they are shockingly comfortable for a sandal with very little footbed padding.  I have worn these walking around Philly with the kids.  They make my outfit.  You can see them in action here. 

4. Naya Helena Sandal, $120

This sandal comes in three ever-so-slightly different shades of nude.  Now that's dedication to the shade! [slow clap....clap....clap]   Also?  One of the reviewers called these a "great walking shoe".  BAM.

5. French Connection Vicky Sandal, $115

Soft and gorgeous and nude.  Yesssss.  (My husband's three favorite things.)

 

Zee Coloures

6. Salt Water Sandals for Women, $40ish

The navy ones seem to have disappeared off the internets, except for the manufacturer's link above.  However, if you'd rather have any other color (red, yellow, silver, perhaps?), then Zappos has a good selection.  I bought a red pair last summer (here's the full review) and love them still.  

7. Lucky Brand Covela, $69

Mint?  And silver?  With a cork bottom?  I'm in.

8. Kork-Ease Yvette, $135

I'm kind of a sucker for a good ankle-wrap strap.  And the navy here is gorgeous.  But if you still aren't convinced, they also come in tan.  I'm talking to you, you wild and crazy tan-loving Mama!

9. Madewell Hole-Punch Sandal, $90

So cute, so sweet, so comfy.  Seriously - the footbed is nice and padded.  LOVE THESE. (Yup, tan also.  For the same wild and crazy bunch.)

10. Ted Baker Ballena Sandal, $150

What could be wrong with a neon strap, mirrored toe, and padded footbed?  Answer:  NOTHING.

 

The Embellished

11. Minnetonka Ibiza Sandal, $55

I'm cheating! I featured this last year!  But it's still good.  And now comes in three different colors and I love them all.

12. Clarks Indira Rue Sandal, $80

What the heck, Clarks?  These unassuming little comfort sandals in teal snake are awesome. I'll bet you never expected to see those words together....

13. Pikolinos Alcudia blah blah blah blah, $200

These sandals are stoopid expensive, and have a bizarre name that I didn't feel like typing out.  Pikolinos, please rename these to something easier (may I recommend 'the Shana'?) but otherwise don't change a thing.  These are my heart-beat-fast sandals.  These are the sandals that will - instantly - make any outfit.  Forever more.  For any situation.  Cost per wear?  Uh...can we do it?

14. TOMS Oahu Strappy Wedge, $69

Ok, so, I realize that these aren't flat.  BUT!  BUTBUT!  They are so comfortable, that they deserve a place amongst the heros of comfort sandals.  A VOILA!!  Here they are.   

15. Zigi Girl Adorable Sandal, $50

Calling the wide-footed!  One reviewer described herself as having a "WIDE foot and somewhat disproportionately fat feet (sigh)".  However, she found that these "fit perfectly if not a tad on the wide side."  Ah ha!  

There you have it.  The sandals that have been haunting my dreams.  Which pair(s) are haunting yours?

MUAH!!!

S

ps.  This write-up has been brought to you courtesy of a looong day of unexpected potty training and glasses (plural!!) of Sav Blanc.  BOOYA  

 

 

 

Wearing All Black in the Spring

 

Beth emailed a while back, wondering about all-black outfits.  She wrote:

I love to wear black. I know that may not be the "in" thing to do- but it works for me. Black, a rich midnight blue, dove or heather gray- those are colors I work well with. The problem is that those then look so drab for spring. Any thoughts?

Yup.  See, I'm with you, Beth.  While color is huge right now, I tend to be a more minimalist, neutral kind of gal at heart. From growing up in the 90's, perhaps?  Which also explains my oversized white t-shirt obsession.  But black is pretty fabulous - there's no reason you can't rock all black all year.

Mom Street Style | Hana & The Hi-Lo

One last little outfit of summer....

Sigh.  Love this, love summer.  Pretty Mama Hana and her little guy Luke at the Lobster Fest.  It was hot, hot, hot in Hana's neck of the woods, so she busted out the sandals and the hat while she still can.

That skirt & shirt will transition so easily to Fall.  Just add a denim jacket and ankle booties and voila.  

Hana, thanks so much for sending this pic!  You look gorgeous, and I'm now dying for a high-lo skirt.

xo,

S

Reader Q | Recommendations for Flirty Yet Modest Summertime Dressing?

Mamas, when we received the following reader question about modest summertime dressing, I was stumped.  There are many words to describe my style....but modest isn't one of them.  Most of the time my bra is hanging out (even my work shirts tend to be low), my shorts are usually inches away from dangerous territory, and I'm generally confused by the boobs or legs rule and usually end up going with both.  TA DAAAA!

My theory?  Flat shoes make up for a lot of skin.

But I had the best of intentions, Mamas.  I thought about the modest question and was all "oooo, maybe I'll try dressing modestly for ONE WHOLE WEEK!  I'll do a fashion experiment, blah, blah..."  So I busted out some turtlenecks and gypsy skirts and mom capris and then - THANKFULLY - saw an email from Style With Shannon.  Fellow mom-blogger Shannon specializes in modest fashion and was happy to take a crack at our reader's question.  And guess what?  Her style is fabulous, flirty, fun...and modest?  Crazy, I know. 

Reader Question:

I'm an LDS (aka: Mormon) mommy of three little cuties.  Our religion is a strong advocate of modesty (not too high, not too see-through, not too low), in a world that's not-so-modest. Hence my dilemma.  I wholeheartedly support modesty, but my advocacy doesn't make it ANY easier finding cute, stylish mommy gear.  I LOVE your style!  And while most of it I can wear, some things I can't... like super-low (way cute, btw) v-neck shirts.  And yet, I know those shirts are also very flattering to a small chest (another problem of mine)... so what's the compromise?  I hate the look of your basic white t-shirt under a v-neck shirt--it's so lame!  Where I live, that is what we Mormon Mommies are subjected to day in and day out, especially come summer, and it's getting out of control!  Away with the underneath shirts I say!  And while we're at it: Boo to khaki cargo capris!

Help the Mormon Mommies think outside of the box! :)

Sincerely,

Modestly Frustrated.

 

Shannon's Answer:

Being a modest dresser myself I can understand how hard it is to find something stylish and covered up in the summer! But I do have a few tips on how to stay cool and look stylish at the same time.

1. Layering

 Ok, living in Utah I know what you are talking about with the white "Shade" shirts that EVERYONE wears under EVERYTHING. Instead, try a collared shirt under a sleeveless dress.

1 Piece, 3 Easy Ways For Mamas: The Bandage Mini

Now before you start rolling your eyes, I do realize that a short, tight mini skirt doesn't, at first blush, sound like something you'd throw on while kiddo-wrangling.  I get that.  But, if you recall Em's wise words in How to Rock Skirts With a Toddler Underfoot:

Short skirts can work...but watch the flowiness.  The shorter the skirt, the easier the wind flips it up...or the kiddos will want to hide in it.

With a bandage mini, there is no flowiness.  Literally ZERO.  And they are miraculously flattering on multiple body types:  Wear 'em high to show off curves, or low around your hips with a voluminous blouse to hide a pooch.  Also?  They can be had for cheap.  For reals cheap.  I have two.  My big splurge (Target) was $14.  But my Forever 21 number?  $7, Mamas.  Seriously. 

I think the keys to wearing these skirts while playing with the kiddos are:

• Keep it casual (you only paid, like, $10 for the thing)
• Wear swimsuit bottoms underneath for major playtime

If you've been following my instagram feed (@shanachristine) you've already seen my pink Target mini at the Bryn Mawr farmers market.  Here are three other ways I've been wearing it:

1. As A Beach Cover-Up....When You Want Something Outfit-y

 (wearing: Target skirt - similar, Gap factory top, J.Crew bikini, Reef flip-flops)

Whether you are running errands before/after beach-going, or headed out to a pool party with a confusing dress code, bandage skirts are pretty awesome as a swimsuit cover-up.  Pair with a top in a similar hue, and it feels almost like a dress.

And if the skirt gets wet at the beach?  It's cheap. Nobody cares.

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 | Michelle's Non-Maternity Fabulousness

Mamas, meet Michelle.  She was just walking by my house as I pulled up in front with three sleepy/cranky babes in tow.  I almost let her get away, then mustered up some courage and accosted her with something like, "Hey!  Are you pregnant!?  You're so cute!  Can I take a picture of you?" 

Remarkably, Michelle didn't high-tail it down the street.  Maybe she figured I could out-run her given she's getting into her third trimester (I know, you can barely even tell, right!?) . . . Or maybe having a car full of kids makes you seem trustworthy in spite of the crazy stuff that actually comes out of your mouth.  Not sure.  I explained the why-for and, even though she was on her way back to work from lunch, she stopped for a quick snap and chat.  Thank goodness.  Because really.  This mama-to-be is AH-dorable.    

This black/cognac combo is one of my absolute favs, and set off with a denim jacket or vest and fab shoes, it's even better.  I love that Michelle re-purposed a non-maternity Club Monaco strapless dress, creating a waist with the contrasting skinny belt, and spent her money smartly on these lovely Paso Fino sandals from Anthro. 

The truism that you can never go wrong with a great pair of shoes or a yummy handbag is even truer when you're prego. 

- M.

Our Readers Weigh-In! The Comfiest (and Most Stylish) Shoes For All-Day Exploring

Back in February, we posted this Facebook question to our readers:  

What are the shoes you reach for when you know you'll be walking around all day long? These would be the shoes you bring to explore a new city, or when you're out exploring your own city. Any thoughts?

And Mamas, you didn't let us down.  Since the summer travel season is almost upon us (and a looong weekend just around the corner) we thought this would be the perfect time to reveal your picks for the most stylish and comfortable shoes for all-day toolin' around (in any climate).  Each pair of shoes in this article has been rigorously tested -- by you.  

Here's the list (starting with warm-weather picks and getting cooler....)