Ain't No Mom Jeans

Reader Q: What to Wear to a Super Bowl Party - Super Bowl XLVI Style

Few things confound me more than dressing for sporting events/parties.  I like designer denim, tall boots, drapey tops, interesting sweaters. . . but these items somehow just don't seem to fit with queso dip and beer (much as I do love those Super Bowl standbys), so I welcomed ANMJ reader Tamar's question as a challenge and spent pretty much all week culling Super Bowl party-worthy ensembles.  See What you think!  Tamar writes: 

I recently got my body back down to its original size and I am looking forward strutting my stuff at our friends Superbowl party. Problem being I have no idea what to wear. I was thinking a cute outfit in team colors? Colored blue denim with a cute top? 

- Tamar

I love the idea of going in team colors, Tamar, particularly if you or hubs are big sports fans, and this year we're in luck, because the New York Giants and the New England Patriots have nearly identical color schemes of blue, red, white and gray.  (Or if you're a Patriots fan, Nautical Blue, New Century Silver--of course.  Totally different.  I'm sure that's complete sacrilege.  Sorry.) 

But pulling off team colors without going the distance of face painting can be tough.  I've put five looks together, including two traditional team-wear outfits and three other more-every-day looks, from edgy to preppy, that incorporate pieces you probably already have.

Super Bowl XLVI (Giants vs Patriots) 2012 Outfits by dynamama featuring tailored shirts

Have fun and congrats on getting your pre-baby bod back!

- M.

Mom Street Style: Gwen's Babywearing, Spring Transition Outfit (And Upcoming Giveaway Info...)

Readers, I ran into Gwen at the Denver Botanic Gardens.  It was one of those "warm? cold? now warm again?  Nope - there's the wind!!" kind of days.

Gwen looked adorable and perfectly dressed for the weather in her soft gray and stripes.

Here's what I'm loving:

1.  When in doubt, go striped.  I'm always amazed at how much stripes can lighten up a whole outfit -- even under an Ergo!

2.  Lighten up!  Swap out your dark-wash denim for a lighter wash, or gray.  The whole outfit will feel more Spring-like.

3. Monochrome bottom - keeping your footwear and legs in the same color family (or same tone) visually lengthens legs. 

Gwen's top is the maritime J.Crew hoodie I've been coveting for a while, her skinny cargos are from Brass Plum (Nordstroms) and her boots are the infamous Ugg Cardys.

Now, about that giveaway...

What Moms Wear: Uggs (And How I Learned To Love Them)

Contributing author Madeleine Burka Hill is a writer, shoe-lover, and girly-girl raising two boys with her fabulous naval aviator husband. In her spare time, she indulges her online shopping habit and practices yoga. In Dec. 2010, her husband's Navy career took this self-proclaimed east coast girl and her family to live in central California.

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I swore I’d never wear them.

Here's why: in the early 2000s, it seemed like all of young Hollywood was being photographed in Uggs with shorts and bare legs. I still see this a lot today - It might work for celebrities, but in my opinion, it’s not an attractive look for anyone, especially not for a mom.

But there I was. It was February 2010 – there were uncharacteristically frigidly cold temps in Virginia Beach, Va. My beloved clogs just weren’t going to cut it. So off to the department store I went – and out I walked with a pair of the formerly sworn off Uggs (black, of course - I can't help it). And I fell in love. They were so warm, so cozy and comfortable. They are definitely not for trudging through huge snow drifts, but they do serve a purpose. 

An Uggs look that works for most is to slide them over leggings or very skinny jeans - this avoids bunched up pants. The slimness of the pants balances out the bulkiness of the boots.The trick is to avoid looking sloppy. On top, a chic, simple sweater or a long and drapy style works best. My friend Sharon (pictured) is a perfect example of how to wear Uggs and look polished – slim pants and a cozy sweater - kind of like an urban snow bunny. 

If you're squeamish about wearing a waist-length sweater with slim pants (which Sharon pulls off beautifully), go with the long drapy look. I like one that I can wrap around myself.

 Ladies with muscular calves should stick with a shorter Uggs style, of which there are many. Like the look but don't want to invest in a pair of Uggs? Try the Bearpaw brand - it's the same look but at a cheaper price.

Here are a few cozy and chic winter looks for Uggs & leggings/jeggings...

How To Wear Mixed Prints for Spring / Summer 2010

  We're seeing mixed prints everywhere this Spring:  Fashion mags, blogs, runways - you name it, it's there.   But it's a tricky, tricky trend.  While a haphazard approach to just throwing on mixed prints can work, this type of look is usually pulled together by a killer pair of heels and a statement bag.  So the overall look screams "I'm purposely not matching in an ironic way!!" instead of "I got dressed in the dark!"

Moms, however, rarely are rocking killer heels or a statement bag, so the quirky mixed trend look can quickly veer off into crazy-lady land. 

Additionally, while I find spreads in fashion magazines very inspiring, I often feel that that the clothes are either impractical for my daily life, or (especially in this case) the look can only be achieved with the exact carefully selected silk floral skirt and shirt shown in the spread.  In short:  beautiful, but not accessible.

So here's my attempt to take this trend in a very mom-friendly direction.  It's an easy and fun way to perk up your everyday basics.

Winter / Spring Mom Uniform Idea: Boyfriend Jeans + Sweatshirt + Girly Accessories

 Yesterday we showed a mom-uniform outfit idea based on a blousey dress (courtesy of reader Amy), and today we have another mom-uniform outfit idea coming in from our reader Esther!  (Esther, BTW, is the insanely talented children's clothing designer Chinny Chin Chin that we profiled last year.)

Esther, typically addicted to a large black parka at this time of year, was inspired to swap it out after reading one of our End of Winter Outfit Ideas.  I'm so glad she did.

I'm head over heels in love with Esther's outfit.  By now most of you know my long-standing love affair with destroyed boyfriend jeans (really, there is nothing more comfortable)...and Esther manages to up the comfort level even further by pairing hers with a comfy sweater and Ugg-like boots.  A gorgeous scarf, a cool spring jacket and movie-star shades completes this drop-dead cool look.

NOTE for other Ugg boot wearers:  Notice that Esther has rolled her jeans to hit at the top of the Ugg boots, instead of attempting to stuff all of that fabric into the boots.  Perfect.

Esther is pregnant, and I love that this look can work for both pregnant and not-pregnant moms.  Esther's "pregnancy denim" is actually Converse jeans from Target.  (Esther - would you leave a comment telling us about the rest of your fabulous outift?)

So...inspired by Esther, I came up with another version of her mom-uniform idea.  But since I'm optimistically thinking Spring, I put together a slighty warmer-weather version:

Items in this set:
Women's sweaters - merino - Merino boyfriend sweatshirt - J.Crew, $70
Gap Petite Military anorak, $70
Gap Petite Destructed easy straight jeans (light wash), $70
Women's shoes - ballets - Patterned classic ballet flats - J.Crew, $120

Forever21.com - New Arrivals - Accessories, $13

I'm loving the drape and ease of J. Crew's Merino Wool Sweatshirt, but any thin, drapey sweatshirt would work.  (FYI:  These kinds of sweatshirts are also amazing with tiny little skirts or shorts for date night - just add high heels).  I just bought an army green jacket like the one above (which is actually on sale for $44, BTW) and I find that I'm wearing it everywhere.  There's a lot of casual boyishness going on in these outfits, which makes them the perfect foil for girly accessories.  Add a pretty scarf, like Esther, and once the weather is warmer, swap out your Uggs for pretty printed flats.  I'm also into ribbon-tied bib necklaces for moms.  Not only do they look very, very cool with a simple sweatshirt, but the kiddos can pull on these things all day with minimal risk.  With Spring and it's widely ranging temperatures, having a pretty little something layered under the scarf ensures you're always lookin' good.

xo,

S