Ain't No Mom Jeans

Reader Question | How To Hide Varicose Veins and Still Look Summery

We know it’s time to peel some layers, Mamas, because suddenly, right around March 21, we were inundated with reader questions about what to wear to hide veiny legs during the dog days. Here are a few excerpts to give you an idea of the sense of panic ANMJ mamas are feeling as the weather warms up:

I have pants on all.the.time.  Of course, pants lend themselves to cooler-weather tops, and I look ridiculous.  When it's 90 degrees and humid, I still have on jeans or khakis. I'd love to wear skirts and dresses, but my legs make me so uncomfortable. . .

- Laura

I'm 33 weeks along with my fourth baby, and lucky me, this pregnancy I got varicose veins. UGH! And now I have the joy of wearing ugly compression stockings or old man athletic socks.  At least this has been a winter pregnancy and they are easy to cover with pants so far.  I am told that the veins will recede after I give birth (in April), but I don't know how soon, or how much longer I have to wear the ugly socks.  And I'll be nursing again. And I'll have the lovely postpartum body to deal with.  Sigh. 

- Jodi

I work in the public schools. So summers for me are all about running around with kids in hot, dry Denver, sitting by the pool, or "hiking" in the moutains (as much as one can hike with a 1-year-old and a four-year-old). In the past, for me, all of those activities have been done in a short skirt or shorts. But, this summer I cannot bring myself to bare my awful veins to the world. Please help!

- Talia

Well mamas, there are TONS of fab options for staying cool, playing with the kiddos and looking summery, all while keeping your gams covered.  Read on for our vein-hiding picks.

Palazzo Pants Are Back?  Seriously?
Yes.  One of my favorite ways to stay cool and covered last summer whilst prego with number three was by wearing wide-legged palazzo pants with skimpy tanks and sliver wedges or flops.  They let me lounge on the grass with my boys after eating too many strawberries, climb on the jungle gym and look reasonably put together running around town. 

 

Palazzo Pants by dynamama featuring tie dye tank tops

Mom-Drobe Inspiration: Long, Linen Pants (For Hiding Veins and Stretch Marks While Staying Cool)

Now you know I love my shorts.  Especially my denim cut-offs (and here's how I styled them last summer).  However, I realize that not all of you are shorts devotees.  And from time-to-time we receive comments or emails asking for warm-weather options that cover up post-baby stretch marks or varicose veins.  Maxi skirts are one good option, but another?  Super comfy linen pants. 

Linen pants often feel like sweatpants (and get softer after each washing - use the delicate cycle, lay flat to dry), but unlike sweatpants they have great drape and are very breathable.

And drape is good for your bum. (I'll just leave the "breathable" comment alone...)

Even better, I found a couple great pics from Shopbop and Calypso to use as inspiration...

Linen Pants + Cropped Top

I'm loving this look from Shopbop.  The model is wearing Juicy Couture linen pants and a Vince sweater (now sold out).

I love the cropped, boxy sweater layered over the soft linen pant - so comfy chic.  Perfect for a cooler summer night, strolling the beach.

Ok - using this pic as inspiration, we can re-create this look (linen pant + cropped top) a couple of different ways.  Cropped oversized sweaters work (short or long sleeve), as do cropped swingy tanks for hot weather.  Just layer your cropped tops over another tank.  Please.

Here's what I came up with: