Ain't No Mom Jeans

What To Wear To Look Hot at Your High School Reunion (without trying too hard)

Reader Question:

I'm attending my 25-year HS reunion in 2 months and am wondering what I should wear to the Dinner/Dance? I want to look hot without seeming like I'm trying too hard.

Answer:

Ah...yes.  The high school reunion.  Where you want to look totally, wildly hot...but in an effortless way.  Where you fend off compliments with a dismissive wave of your hand, "this old thing?  I've had it for years." 

So what to wear?  If you Google, "what to wear to your high school reunion", most of the advice centers on the little black dress.  LBDs are always appropriate for these types of events, and if you have one you love, go nuts.  However, the LBD isn't the most imaginative choice.  I'm assuming that you are writing in because you are looking for something beyond the obvious.

Hip Moms, Prepare To Love Madewell.com (A more affordable, boho version of J. Crew)

Have you heard of Madewell?  It's a new concept store launched by the same folks that brought us J. Crew, and is, in fact, referred to in the media as "J. Crew's sister store".  From what I gather, the prices are roughly 20-30% less than J. Crew. 

What's the difference?  Madewell is a very tightly edited collection of clothing that leans to bohemian, rather than preppy (the look J. Crew is so famous for).  This tight editing makes it easy to shop (there's very little to weed through), and these forgiving bohemian silhouettes are perfect for camouflaging a multitude of post-baby body issues while remaining on-trend and hip.  And the lower price point doesn't hurt, either.

While Madewell stores have been around in select cities, Madewell.com just launched.  And I'm in love.  I'm betting this online retailer will quickly become a favorite.  It's hard to resist items like a perfectly slouchy T in just the right shade of gray (pictured at left), worn with an insanely cute-yet-mom-friendly bracelet that  manages to walk the line between tough and feminine (pictured at right).

And both pieces are each under $40.  Not bad.

Need more convincing? How about....

Dresses For Nursing Moms - Summer 2010

One of the most frustrating parts of nursing (well, after latch issues, colostrum staining issues, supply issues, pumping and bottle issues), was my complete inability to find cute clothes that allowed for easy nursing.  Never was this issue so apparent then when it came to dresses.  I know, dear readers, that you feel my pain.  We have had many of you asking for advice on this topic.

One would think this was easy.  In this day and age of pro-breastfeeding (almost to a fault, as M points out here) one would think that there would be scores of adorable nursing clothing available to help us legions of breast-feeding mothers continue to nurse. 

<snort>

Not so much.

While there is certainly more choice now than even two years ago when I first started on this quest, separating the dowdy from the cool takes a bit of work.  Especially when it comes to dresses.  Not only do you need easy access and minimal exposure, but if you are like me, you need something that works with a nursing bra.  Gone are the days I could get by bra-less, and while one can nurse in a strapless bra...strapless bras are neither supportive nor easy when it comes to nursing.

So to narrow the scope somewhat, here are the "rules" I applied to all dresses to be able to qualify as "nursing dresses":

The Rules

1. Easy Access -- You must be able to nurse in this dress without having to untie it from the back, lift it over your head, or go through any other weird contortions.
2. Minimal exposure - One boob at a time, please.  Just one boob at a time.
3. Nursing Bra - You must be able to wear a nursing bra with this dress.  While there are a few that would require a decent looking bra, all cami style or strapless dresses are out.
4. It must be washable.  Spit-up happens. 
5. Bonus points for pooch-hiding properties

Here are my picks:

Reader Question: How to wear nude pumps?

Reader Question:  

Hi!

 

I found your website this past January and have really enjoyed it! I only wish you would write more! But, being a mom of a 27-month-old girl and a 11-month-old boy, I can imagine why you don't.

 

I have a style question for you. I have been seeing nude pumps show up a lot on the red carpet, and on the feet of those who are more stylish than I. It seems like it would be really wearable (neutrals go with everything, right?) but I'm worried that perhaps I don't know the right way to rock them. Have any suggestions or advice on how to wear neutral pumps? Also, any ideas on where to get a good pair in time for wedding season?

 

Thanks,

-Rachel

Answer:

YES!  Nude pumps are everywhere and we’re convinced this comely trend is here to stay for a while.  We love nude pumps (and platforms and flats and sandals) because not only do they make your legs look miles long, they’re total mom-brainers (i.e., your exhausted, multitasking brain can rest assured, once you’ve selected the perfect pair, that they’ll compliment virtually anything you put on with them).  

Perfect For Moms? Lesley Evers Day Dresses

There's something stealthily sexy about a day dress.  Perhaps it's because the day dress is so unabashedly feminine.  Perhaps it's because the silhouette is so different from the normal uniform of jeans and drapy tees.  Perhaps it's because these dresses are cut to celebrate the real female form (you know - the one with curves).  Whatever the reason, the sexy day dress is worth another look.  And you'd be hard pressed to find a better version of the day dress than the one that Lesley Evers has perfected.

Reader Question: Baby-Friendly Necklaces?

Reader Question: I want to wear necklaces that are on trend but my son will pull them off. Could I wear a scarf as a necklace look? Even in hot a$$ summer? thanks. love love love your site.

Answer:  It doesn't seem like fashion trends could get any mom-friendlier right now.  What happened? Was it the celebrity baby boom of 2008/2009?  I mean, rock hard abs are a distant memory, the hottest footwear out there right now are cork wedges and flat sandals and muffin top is actually in.  But it's true ladies, the gettin' has gotten even better.  Now we have fabulous, mom/baby-friendly neck gear to boot. 

Reader Question: What To Wear To A Baptism?

Reader Question:

Hello,
I found your blog via Shana's sister, Scotti, and I must say I love it!  We recently just had a baby boy and are having a baptism in May. I would like to wear something classic, understated and still look amazing after getting my body back. Could you possibly do a piece on what to wear for your baby's baptism?
I'm considering all options but am steering more towards a sheath dress, pencil skirt, or the like. My one requirement is that it must be below the knee, even just slightly.
 
Thanks!
Nell

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.

Mom Street Style - March 2010 Mom

I was impressed with Melissa's outfit (pictured at left) for several reasons.  Beginning with the fact that it takes a fairly brave women to wear dangley earrings and a silky top with a kiddo as young as her son.  Or a very experienced mom.  Melissa also has an older son, so I actually think she's both. 

Melissa is wearing a striped long-sleeve tee and silk-cotton ruffle front button down from LOFT.   Her jeans are Diesels, her earrings (and gorgeous cocktail ring pictured at the bottom of the post) are from Stella & Dot. 

Let's discuss:

What Target Does Best: Spring / Summer Picks

I have such a love-hate relationship with Target.  I even went so far as to call Target "mom crack" in a previous post.  But, eventually, I'm drawn back in.  Usually after issuing some ultimatum. 

To M:  "I am NEVER going to buy clothes at Target again!  I'm serious - it's my New Year's Resolution." 

Ultimatums usually get me in trouble.  Like my "I will never co-sleep" ultimatum, or my "My kid will NOT be a picky eater" ultimatum. (Yeah, right.)  The list goes on, really.

So true to form, despite my "resolution" this year, I have just returned - VICTORIOUS - from Target, loaded with all kinds of insanely cheap-yet-adorable clothing.  Sigh.  I'm back in love.  For now. 

The Liberty of London for Target Collection helped woo me back in, but it wasn't the only source of temptation under those fluorescent lights.  A perfect romper (thanks to M's post I have a full-on romper addiction), look-alike Hunter Rainboots, and a perfect tiny cross-body bag -- all under $20!!! -- sold me. 

Here are my favorite picks for Spring / Summer: