Ain't No Mom Jeans

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:

Shop Your Closet: Bringing Sexy "Back"...Wiiith a Cardigan

I can't remember where I originally saw this styling trick.  Some avant-garde fashion blogger spun her cardigan around and wore it backwards, thus prompting a rash of copycats...but like our mothers taught us (and we will most likely teach our kids) imitation is the highest form of flattery.

In any case, I tried it.  I thought the v-back was too low...until I realized that it was a perfect way to show off a pretty racerback. 

Kinda fun, no?  

But the front was another story.  To make it look cute and shirt-like, I had to use some belt trickery:

5 Fall Basics That "Work" for Work and Play?

Readers, we've been receiving more and more emails from moms about to go back to work.  While we've been meaning to do a back-to-work article for quite some time, we've been putting it off.  However, we received this lovely email from reader Cathy a few weeks ago:

Hi ladies!

First of all, I absolutely love your blog!  A friend passed it along, and I’ve gotten so many other mom-friends hooked!  And as a mainline mom, I often wonder if I might bump into Shana at the playground or other fun spots around town.  I live in Wayne with my 2 year old little girl, husband, and westie dog.  Hopefully some day our paths will cross – would love to meet you!

 

Anyhow, I’m writing in with a wardrobe question as I’m thinking ahead to fall.  I have been working from home for the last five years, and a new job includes a little more office time (2-3 office meetings per month).  I’ve been really enjoying getting out of the house a little more, but I haven’t had to think about a work wardrobe in such a long time.  I have lots of summer skirts and dresses that I’ve been able to wear to work this summer, but I need to do some serious updating for fall.  I’d like to invest in some good cross-over pieces ... things I can wear at the office, during the week when I’m working from home, or on date nights with my husband.  When in doubt, I tend to buy black work clothes (black suits, black wrap dresses, sheath dresses etc.) so I’m looking to add a little more color.  My office is business casual so it’s pretty flexible in terms of dress code.

 

Ooooo....what a challenge!!  What could one buy to spruce up their work wardrobe, add some spice to date night AND still run around with the kiddos?

Well.  After thinkin' and thinkin'...I have 5 ideas.

Spring Momiform: Printed Shorts & Boots

As if it weren't obvious enough from my article yesterday on nude shoes, I'm in full-on Spring mode.  However, the weather is not necessarily cooperating.  Despite the constant Denver sunshine, temps continue to hover around "too cold for bare legs".  Which is pretty much my barometer of real Spring.

One of my favorite styling tricks for gray days is to bust out my patterned shorts.  Patterned shorts are almost dressy in a Palm Beach chic kind of way...so they help to elevate comfy mom clothes.

Throw them on over tights or leggings, add rain boots (or really, any boot would do), and something warm and comfy on top.  It's an outfit that requires little thought, but looks a bit more interesting than the usual. 

(wearing: Flexees shaper cami, Splendid v-neck tee, Juicy Couture tie-front cardigan to distract from the pooch, J. Crew shorts, textured tights from Nordstroms, Hunter rainboots and a Lands' End jacket)

Or do like J.Crew and throw these shorts on with a sweatshirt (I'd add a scarf and boots)....

My Spring Babywearing Uniform

I've been wearing the heck out of this outfit.  It's comfortable, goes virtually anywhere thanks to the wellies, and looks good with or without the jacket.

The backpack as diaper bag concept we first explored here... and I'm happy to report that it works as well as I'd hoped, especially when babywearing.  Pax is a chunk (85th percentile, baby) and babywearing with him is a whole different ballgame (R, my first, was in the 5th percentile).  So YES - carting around a diaper bag with the weight equally distributed on my shoulders has been crucial.

But let's talk about the jacket. 

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.

Wearing: LOFT's Orange Windbreaker (and baby-wearing too!)

We received several comments from yesterday's post regarding LOFT's fabulous orange windbreaker.  Specifically, reader Dusti wanted to know:

"I'm thinking of getting the orange jacket, but I am wondering how to best style it with skinnies? I'd like to make it a staple for the spring...what are your thoughts of a few options what to wear under it?"

Ummmm...it just so happens that I bought that very windbreaker, and have been wearing it non-stop.  (Am I the only one who does that?  Wears a new item for several days straight?)

Here's a few pics from the last few days.... 

Winter / Spring Mom Uniform Idea: Dress + Leggings + Rainboots + Warm Accessories

One of my very favorite things about blogging?  Hearing from our fabulous readers.  And one of our readers sent in a pic so gorgeous, I knew I had to post it!!

Girls, meet Amy.  Amy is (obviously) pregnant, and rocking a very cool version of a daily mom uniform. 

Amy says she's been trying to "stretch the wardrobe I already have through these months of maternity madness--an infusion of scarves, cute shoes (that are actually flat), blousy dresses, and a few extra pieces that will work from now all the way through postpartum and nursing". 

She's right.  Cozy dresses, accessorized with an array of tights, scarves and flat shoes are one of the easiest and most stylish ways to get dressed in the morning.  And so flattering for new moms. 

When describing her outfit, Amy says:

"It's pretty much my uniform these days with all of this snow--drapey cashmere dress, cute tights, snow boots, and a big scarf.  I love this outfit because I can carry all of the stuff in my purse to make it a "nonsnow" outfit--a pair of ballet flats and a light silk scarf.  I seriously wear some manifestation of this getup at least 3 or 4 times a week.  And...none of it is maternity!"

This mom uniform works for both pregnant, new moms, and experienced moms alike.  For a non-pregnant version of this look, see our post on Gwenth Paltrow's Daily Mom Uniform. (Amy, you're in great company, style-wise!!)

For moms chasing a toddler around, swap out the tights for leggings - they'll give you a bit more coverage.

Amy is wearing a cashmere blend dress from Banana Republic, funky purple tights from J. Crew, Nordstrom's cashmere scarf and armwarmers (I love these things!!), and J. Crew Galoshes.

Galoshes (or rain boots) are a really great way to start transitioning winter outfits into Spring, and would probably be my first choice for rocking this mom uniform now!

Here's what I came up with, using Amy as inspiration:

  

I'm loving American Apparel's Chambray Henley Shirt Dress, $62.  It's completely on trend, and would look equally amazing this summer with a pair of nude platforms for date night as it does all cozied up here.  Wear this dress with a pair of black tights (Gap's are shown here), and some fabulous rainboots.  I can't stop thinking about Hunter's Original Gloss in Violet, $115 at Zappos.com.

To make this look winter-friendly, add in some fun armwarmers (I'm showing Michael Kors, on sale at Nordstroms for $29) and a gorgeous wool scarf.  I tend to wear lots of solid color clothing, so I like to add in a bit of pattern with a scarf.  The 100% Merino wool Gray Floral Scarf pictured above is a more interesting twist on the standard gray scarf, and can be found at SFMoma online for $65.

If things are still really chilly in your neck of the woods, you can further cozy this outfit up by adding thick wool socks over the tights (showing above the top of the rainboot), a long-sleeve layer under the chambray dress (let the sleeves peek out from underneath the chambray's rolled sleeves), and throwing the whole look on with a warm parka. 

Ugh.  I hate that I'm still talking about parkas....but March is often Denver's snowiest month.

Amy, thanks so much for sending in this gorgeous pick -- we just LOVED it.  And congrats on the new baby!  I remember well the "grandama-sized panties" you mentioned in your email...here in Denver the nurses referred to them as "sexy panties".  snort.  And as awful as they are....I LOVED them.  "soooooooo comfortable....aaaahhhh."  Disposable or no, I washed and wore mine more than I'd like to admit. 

xo,

S

Pic is courtesy of Jennifer Wilson of jennifer/brooks photography.  Offices in Washington, DC and Seattle.