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. 

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.

Reader Q | How To Style A Basic Nursing Dress For A Wedding (And Stay Warm)

 Reader Question:

LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog - you have helped me a TON! Now, I have a big favor to ask. I'm headed to a wedding in Duluth, in April....which means there could be a blizzard or it could be balmy. I'm going to be chasing a three year old and carrying around (and nursing) a ginormous 9 month old. Thanks to your suggestions on other nursing/maternity items, I picked up this Isabella Oliver nursing dress in French Navy.  It does a good job (with Spanx) of holding in my about 4 months pregnant looking pooch....I feel comfortable in it, but I need shoe and accessory suggestions.

 

Did I mention I am standing in this wedding, and there are NO suggestions in terms of color, etc.? The bride likes my dress.....where do I go from here!? All I have figured out is dangly earrings are out, cause I have a grabber, and maybe wedges would be better for toddler wrangling...Thank you thank you!

 

I've even attached a photo of myself in said dress, so you can see what we are working with ;)

 

Holly

 

Answer:

Holly, you look seriously fabulous.  4 Months Post-partum?  WOW.  

So you need a few options to work with crazy Duluth weather, while toddler wrangling and standing up for the bride?  Gotcha.

The most important one, I think, is the standing up for the bride part.  While there may be no suggestions from the bride in terms of color, I think we should be careful.  While your dress may look great with, say, a hot red pump for date night, I think that's the wrong choice for wedding photos - you don't want your bright pumps competing with the bride in pics.  Know what I mean?

Holly, I came up with a couple of possible looks for you.  They include some subtle accessories, and a way to stay warm(ish) if you find yourself in the middle of a blizzard (which seems likely....Marquette, MI just had a snowday last week).  Warning:  I said warm-ish, not warm.  But you'll look amazing, and won't totally freeze.  Which is the best you can hope for as a bridesmaid, I think. :)

Me (and my fav, end-of-summer outfit) Have Been Featured in Life in Mod

Check it out here.

Thanks Camille - it was fun!

xo,

S

Mom Street Style | My Mama

Mamas, meet my mama.  She taught me how to love.  She taught me how to laugh.  She taught me how to pass on a two-lane highway, how to do my own laundry and how to walk away from boys who weren't very nice.  And she taught me how to dress.

So when she popped over last week on one of these 95+ degree days we've been having, looking cool and crisp in this effortlessly posh and oh-so-current shirt dress, I knew it was high time to feature Babs here on ANMJ Mom Street Style.  She's wearing an unknown maker gingham shirt dress, Chanel sunnies, sliver wedge Clark's sandals and an LV Palermo GM bag I've been coveting like crazy.

Shirt dresses are having yet another major moment.  They're practically papered over every collection this year, and this versatile, preppy staple is a great counterpoint to less structured summer dresses, confusing capris and shorts. 

Whether you're at work, running around town with the babes or meeting up with the fam for brunch, it's almost impossible to go wrong with a shirt dress.  And with the addition of a belted cardi or slim cut jacket and boots, it will take you through three seasons.  For a less conventional take, pair a shirt dress with a slouchy bag, shortie boots and a low slung belt.

 

- M.

 

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 | Kate's Second ANMJ Feature

Mamas, we have a first today.  Reader Kate is being featured for the second time in Mom Street Style.  You may remember her effortlessly chic and super-functional maternity outfit for touring Italy with a toddler back in January.  No, she is not a freak of nature--she has not recovered this quickly.  In fact, she's not even due until May.  This is a picture from last spring, before she was even pregnant with her second babe, but which she sent to ANMJ after her Italy pics.  Follow? 

Actually, Kate emailed the above snapshot asking for help replacing this, her go-to for spring in Germany--skinnies, wedges and layers (it can be chilly there!)--outfit, but we say, what needs replacing? She wrote:

. . . but after seeing today's post with Kristen rocking wedges and flares, and all of your J Brand Lovestory brainwashing, I think it's time to put the skinnies away for a little while... especially because they may not be so forgiving post-partum.

We appropriated the pic for Mom Street Style because we think Kate walks the line of winter/spring dressing perfectly.  We love the gray/cognac color combo popped with a muted red pullover with a lighter layer peeking out and funky sunnies.  Again, she nails the effortless, functional vibe we adore, and though we'll miss the gray skinnies, it will definitely translate to the petite flares she contacted us about.

Congratulations on your soon-to-be-here babe, Kate!

- M.

Hats Are Tasty: Dansko Giveaway Take 2

UPDATE 3/30/12: Jennifer Hughes, you're our Dansko giveaway winner. Email us at aintnomomjeans@gmail.com so we can get these to you.  Congratulations!

I’ve got to tell you, Mamas.  Hats are not only pretty and comfortable—they are tasty too!  We here at Ain’t No Mom Jeans have been snacking on hats (or crow) a lot lately because there’s been some talk surrounding a certain comfort footwear brand—namely Dansko—on this blog: they’re soooo comfortable, but a thing of shame, to be hidden under scrubs, Chefwear and boot cut or flare denim.  Dansko has responded to our biased banter with not one, but now TWO generous giveaways for our readers.  I submit for your approval (and mine) the Dansko spring footwear line.  It is fab under flares and it is worthy of skinnies and skirts.

When Dansko approached ANMJ for another give away, I was wary.  I perused their spring line and was delighted by what I found: stellar details with seventies-inspired braided and tooled leather, brass nail heads, rich colors and fresh designs.  I was torn between the Mirabel line Tori, Tru or Tasha, and the Rio line Randi, Rowena or Ryder, and I was shocked to find six pairs of crazy comfortable but heightening (I am not a woman of stature, after all) sandals that I would not only accept as a consideration but would definitely buy in a store at full retail.  It was a difficult choice, but I finally decided on the Rowena and I’m so glad I did.

Target Drives Serious Wedge in Quality v. Quantity Resolve

There's always a lot of talk about quality v. quantity and cost-per-wear (CPW) here at Ain't No Mom Jeans, and we do truly believe in responsible, well-considered shopping.  But, like S.'s little floral denim shorts, there's a time and a place for cheap, on-trend items, and that place is called Target. 

Or Tarjay, if that makes you feel better.  Whatevs.  Not only will they know your teenage daughter is pregnant before you do, but they've also nailed some seriously adorable wedge sandal styles for Spring, which at present seems like (as H would say) an infinity months away.

This damnable store has yet again driven a serious wedge in my quality versus quantity resolve, and three, yes, three, of these styles are now lurking in my Target shopping cart.  Check them out.  I am most in love with the Perri Strappy Espadrille Wedge but I also snapped up the Twyla Espadrille Wedge in-store a few days ago. . . 

 

Target Drives Wedge in My Quality v. Quantity Resolve by dynamama featuring wedge heels

Wedge heels
$25 - target.com

 

Women's Mossimo® Pam Rope Wedge w/ Braided Strap... : Target
$25 - target.com

 

Womens Mossimo® Perri Strappy Espadrille Wedge -... : Target
$30 - target.com

 

Womens Mossimo® Perri Strappy Espadrille Wedge -... : Target
$30 - target.com

 

Womens Mossimo® Perri Strappy Espadrille Wedge -... : Target
$30 - target.com

 

Womens Xhilaration® Twyla Espadrille Wedge
target.com

 

Womens Xhilaration® Twyla Espadrille Wedge
target.com

 

Hmph.  Foiled again.

- M.

Mom Street Style - Alex's Much Needed Date Night (and Vintage Shawl)

Readers, Alexandra sent in these pics of herself right before a much-needed date night (ummm...I need one too).

I love the eclectic look here - the combination of patterns, the modern wedges and vintage shawl.  It's just fresh, fun, and pretty.  Perfect for date night!  

I'm totally sold on the idea of throwing a vintage shawl on over a simple tank to make an outfit more interesting.  Of course, I'd throw one on over distressed skinny jeans and cage heels....but that's just me.  The point is that this idea can be translated so many different ways.  And check out the back...

Thanks Alex, you gorgeous mama!!

xo,

S

Alex writes a humor & personal narrative mommy blog at Before The Baby Wakes. She is the mother of two. One who is 3 & one who is 36. She’s exploring herself & motherhood one sarcastic minute at a time. Follow her on Twitter & Facebook.

 

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