Ain't No Mom Jeans

Reader Q | How To Style A Camo Vest

Reader Question:

 

Hi Shana and Molly,

 

I discovered your blog a month or so ago and have worked my way through most of your archives. I've recently lost about 50 pounds (after having two children) and am starting to become more interested in making myself look nice.

 

Anyway, I may or may not have bought this camouflage vest from Target recently. 

 

I don't know what I was thinking. I had Shana's camo pants in my head and was thinking of the military trend and... it just happened. Now the question is what do I do with it? Return it? Wear it over a neutral tee? Under a jean jacket? Both?

 

Thank you so much for writing such insightful, entertaining posts. I will be more careful when considering trendy pieces next time!

 

 - Jill

 

Answer:

Hunh.  Jill, this camo vest has been on my mind lately.  Initially, when I first read your email, I didn't love it...but...well...it's growing on me.  The vest is growing on me!  And I always like a challenge.  So: I thought I'd try styling it up for a final verdict.  And you know what?  I think this vest could work!

 

Four Perfect, Pooch-Hiding, Nursing-Friendly Outfits For Fall (Including Date Night!)

Poochy mamas, rejoice!  This season has a ton of adorable, pooch-hiding tops in store...and the best news?  Not an empire-waist in sight!  

Outfit 1 - Playing at the Park

I tried on the BB Dakota top.  It's like a strange, but sophisticated hoodie that is crazy-comfortable and totally pooch-hiding.  So comfy, in fact, it could easily double as loungewear with these.  Nursing girls, this top easily pulls down for nursing access.

 

 

Post-Partum, Nursing Park Outfit by aintnomomjeans featuring a floppy felt hat

Jack BB Dakota lightweight hoodie
$60 - modcloth.com

 

AG Adriano Goldschmied high waisted skinny jeans
$164 - piperlime.gap.com

 

Socks
$10 - topshop.com

 

Minnetonka boots
$90 - piperlime.gap.com

 

Old Navy floppy felt hat
$20 - oldnavy.gap.com

 

 

Mom Street Style - Fall In the Japanese Foothills (Ryoko's Puffer and Fur-Lined Sneaks)

 

The weather in our little part of Japan has gone from high 80s and humid to high 50s and damp in a matter of days. When you factor in the wetness, some days are downright cold! Weather like this makes it easy for me to dress like a stuffed raincoat, but I have to fight the urge.

 I saw Ryoko and her two month old son Towa at a hockey game and her adorable outfit inspired me to stay warm AND well-dressed. After some VERY embarrassing sign language and a little bit of translation from another Japanese mother, I got her to agree to let me take her picture! I think I'm going to have to work on my charades.

 

Her coat is functional but also modern and flattering, it reminds me of the Patagonia/Lands' End versions that S talked about here. Adorable baby Towa covers up the floral ribbon piping on her simple hoodie, which took it from seeming like athletic apparel to being cute sportswear. I love her denim skirt with leggings, just enough to keep her comfortable but remind us it's not the dead of winter just yet. But the fur lined New Balance sneakers were my favorite part, I'd want laces in every color! (I like these from Tretorn, too!) Ryoko's pretty mascara and loosely knotted hair make her look like she is babysitting that child, not staying up nights nursing him! 

 

Thanks for being such a sport, Ryoko!

 

- Lane

*********

Want to read more from Lane?  Check her out here....and psst - she's now in Japan! 

 

 

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.

How To Wear Plaid Part 5 - Inspiration From Around the Web

 

Ummmm...yeah.  We love plaid.  For the last month, we've done a weekly feature on the various ways to rock a plaid shirt.  If you missed it, check out these articles:

How To Wear Plaid Part 1 - Holiday Style

How To Wear Plaid Part 2 - Girly Details Plus a Jacket

How To Wear Plaid Part 3 - Date Night

How To Wear Plaid Part 4 - With High-Waisted Denim

But we're not the only ones loving the plaid.  To finish up this series, I found some great sources of inspiration from a few very talented fashion bloggers.  Not only are their looks totally fresh and fun, but they are all mom-friendly.

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.... 

Pairing Boots with Denim, Leggings and Tights - Which Colors Work?

Since posting Part 3 of our Style Rules for Moms, where we discussed the importance of tall boots, we've been fielding both emails and comments from readers wondering which color of leggings/tights/etc to pair with the new pair of <InsertAnyBootColorHere> tall boots they just bought.

It's a good question.

Part of the answer, however, lies in the fact that our very last style rule was this:  mix it up.  Clear your head of the notion that shoes, bag and belt must always match.  Think of black and brown as being new BFFs.  And those harder-to-describe shades?  Tan-ish, caramel-y, taupe?  Even gray? Your new go-with everything neutrals.

Take a look at the picture above, from Shopbop's fabulous Shoptalk blog. This is one of my favorite inspirational outfits for Fall.  Notice that she's wearing black tights, taupe-y shoes, army green shorts, a gray sweater, and a cognac bag.  Yet it all works.  Why?  Because, in this pic, she's really just wearing a bunch of neutral colored clothing.  Consider black, taupe, tan, gray, army green, and shades of cream to all be neutrals. Mix with wild abandon. 

So how to translate this answer into your everyday boot outfit?

Perfect Fall Transition Piece: Vests (How to Wear Them Now, and Later)

While I'm am SO ready for Fall, Denver, clearly, is not.  The constant 80 degree temperatures are starting to drive me crazy.  Although, being 8 months pregnant might have something to do with it.  But while I'm dreaming of cozy sweaters, tall boots, scarves, and cute little gloves, my reality is still flip-flops and tank tops.   

However, I've been eyeing up a new momdrobe necessity, something along the lines of a more interesting sweater:  the sweater vest.

While the term sweater vest conjures up images of school-boys in argyle, the modern sweater vest is a cool and cozy way to add a bit of warmth (and style) to summer's basics as we ease into Fall.  And once Winter hits in full force, vests can easily be layered for maximum warmth.

So here's how I'd wear it now...and later:

What We're Reading This Week: Sweatsuit Alternatives - The Prequel on Rookie Moms

If you weren't convinced, in last week's guest post on Rookie Moms, to trade in your sweatsuit, Rookie Moms and Ain't No Mom Jeans have again teamed up with another sweatsuit alternative.

For those of you chanting, "Die, Sweatsuit, Die!" right along with me, you'll appreciate what Rookie Mom Whitney called my "anti-sweatsuit rant".  Love that. 

For the rest of you still clinging on to your sweats...well, read the rant.  And if you are still not convinced, I have one more opportunity next week...

xo,

S

October 2008 Mom

Never underestimate the power of a good hoodie.  Our October mom, Jayme, understands this.  A cute hoodie is a great way to infuse a little personal style into the t-shirt-n-jeans combo.  Jayme’s hoodie, in addition to being a great color, has some cool embroidery which gives it an almost handmade, boho vibe.  For breastfeeding moms, hoodies can be thrown on over a nursing cami, and for babywearing moms, hoodies allow you to carry your babe around without worrying about the kid chewing off a button and choking.  And when your hoodie is as embellished as Jayme’s, no jewelry required.  So choose your hoodie wisely and express just how cool you are.