Ain't No Mom Jeans

Winter / Spring Mom Uniform Idea: Dress + Leggings + Rainboots + Warm Accessories

One of my very favorite things about blogging?  Hearing from our fabulous readers.  And one of our readers sent in a pic so gorgeous, I knew I had to post it!!

Girls, meet Amy.  Amy is (obviously) pregnant, and rocking a very cool version of a daily mom uniform. 

Amy says she's been trying to "stretch the wardrobe I already have through these months of maternity madness--an infusion of scarves, cute shoes (that are actually flat), blousy dresses, and a few extra pieces that will work from now all the way through postpartum and nursing". 

She's right.  Cozy dresses, accessorized with an array of tights, scarves and flat shoes are one of the easiest and most stylish ways to get dressed in the morning.  And so flattering for new moms. 

When describing her outfit, Amy says:

"It's pretty much my uniform these days with all of this snow--drapey cashmere dress, cute tights, snow boots, and a big scarf.  I love this outfit because I can carry all of the stuff in my purse to make it a "nonsnow" outfit--a pair of ballet flats and a light silk scarf.  I seriously wear some manifestation of this getup at least 3 or 4 times a week.  And...none of it is maternity!"

This mom uniform works for both pregnant, new moms, and experienced moms alike.  For a non-pregnant version of this look, see our post on Gwenth Paltrow's Daily Mom Uniform. (Amy, you're in great company, style-wise!!)

For moms chasing a toddler around, swap out the tights for leggings - they'll give you a bit more coverage.

Amy is wearing a cashmere blend dress from Banana Republic, funky purple tights from J. Crew, Nordstrom's cashmere scarf and armwarmers (I love these things!!), and J. Crew Galoshes.

Galoshes (or rain boots) are a really great way to start transitioning winter outfits into Spring, and would probably be my first choice for rocking this mom uniform now!

Here's what I came up with, using Amy as inspiration:

  

I'm loving American Apparel's Chambray Henley Shirt Dress, $62.  It's completely on trend, and would look equally amazing this summer with a pair of nude platforms for date night as it does all cozied up here.  Wear this dress with a pair of black tights (Gap's are shown here), and some fabulous rainboots.  I can't stop thinking about Hunter's Original Gloss in Violet, $115 at Zappos.com.

To make this look winter-friendly, add in some fun armwarmers (I'm showing Michael Kors, on sale at Nordstroms for $29) and a gorgeous wool scarf.  I tend to wear lots of solid color clothing, so I like to add in a bit of pattern with a scarf.  The 100% Merino wool Gray Floral Scarf pictured above is a more interesting twist on the standard gray scarf, and can be found at SFMoma online for $65.

If things are still really chilly in your neck of the woods, you can further cozy this outfit up by adding thick wool socks over the tights (showing above the top of the rainboot), a long-sleeve layer under the chambray dress (let the sleeves peek out from underneath the chambray's rolled sleeves), and throwing the whole look on with a warm parka. 

Ugh.  I hate that I'm still talking about parkas....but March is often Denver's snowiest month.

Amy, thanks so much for sending in this gorgeous pick -- we just LOVED it.  And congrats on the new baby!  I remember well the "grandama-sized panties" you mentioned in your email...here in Denver the nurses referred to them as "sexy panties".  snort.  And as awful as they are....I LOVED them.  "soooooooo comfortable....aaaahhhh."  Disposable or no, I washed and wore mine more than I'd like to admit. 

xo,

S

Pic is courtesy of Jennifer Wilson of jennifer/brooks photography.  Offices in Washington, DC and Seattle.

  


 
 

What We're Reading This Week: Wearing Flats With Tights from Blue Collar Catwalk

Dear reader: have you ever considered the rule of thirds with regard to your flat footwear?  How about the sheen and texture of your shoes in relation to your tights?  Have you recently scrutinized the curves of your feet and how your flats accentuate them, either elongating or shortening your leg, depending on their fit?  No?  Mmm hmm. . .  I didn't think so.  

Neither have I, and I suppose that's why I've been largely unsuccessful at pairing flats with skirts and tights.  Not that I've tried that hard.  I either a.) spit and curse my 5'4" (and 5/8ths!) height, then put on a pair of heels instead, or b.) spit and curse my 5'4" (and 5/8ths!) height, then opt for trousers.  

"How many times have you put flats on with a pair of tights and just feel ... off? You either look barefoot, cut off at the ankles, or weighted down and a bit shlumpy. I think we've all been there. . . " the genius behind Blue Collar Catwalk sagely writes.  Kyla has pondered these questions and she nailed the formula in her recent post Flat Out Lovin' It Part 2 - Flats With Tights.  At 5'3" with a 30" inseam and looking as smack-down fabulous as she does, Kyla's definitely the go-to-gal on this subject.

Check out her post for the most insightful analysis of flat-wearing (with skirts and tights, no less!) heretofore and for some amazing styling tips that will inform your fall through spring wardrobe.

- M 

   

Mom Street Style - February 2010 Mom

One of my dear friends was visiting from Minneapolis last week.  She and I grew up together in the beautiful (but oh-so-cold-and-snowy) Marquette, MI.  Despite my background, I spent the entire weekend cursing the weather gods for all of the snow and cold that suddenly blew into Denver.  My friend, on the other hand, wasn't fazed in the least.  She pointed out that Denver was still about 20 degrees warmer than our hometown (or Minneapolis for that matter) and that Denver didn't get "real" snow.  Just something fluffy that more closely resembles the fake snow they use on stage.  Certainly nothing you can make snowballs out of.  And this stuff often melts at the first sign of sun.  A far cry from our hometown, where the last snowbanks sometimes finished melting in June.  So yes - I've gone soft.

One of my favorite things about living in such a climate as Denver is the ability to wear ballet flats.  I've always loved the Audrey Hepburn inspired outfits that involved ballet flats and slim little capri pants...but the reality was that in Michigan, ballet flat season lasted approximately 6 weeks:  From the beginning of September (after the summer thunderstorms and muggy heat stopped) through mid October (before the first snowfall).  Not practical.

All of this, by the way, is my way of apologizing to our Northern readers for our February Mom.  Get ready for severe ballet flat envy.

I love Nicole's outfit, pictured at left.  I love the rolled jeans and ballet flats, I love the sophisticated black and white palette with a pop of color (pink!!), I love that she's carrying a fancy bag full of diapers instead of a diaper bag.  

Nicole is really wearing a glorified (and sophisticated) take on the basic t-shirt & jeans mom uniform, and her outfit is a great example of using a fabulous coat to dress up your t-shirt and jeans.

A note on Nicole's jeans:  Nicole is wearing CJ by Cookie Johnson's Faith jeans, $117 at Nordstrom's.  These jeans have a higher rise, but due to a special waistband, they won't gap at the waist.   Nicole tried to claim these jeans were her version of "mom jeans"...but if all mom jeans were this hot, the name of this blog would be different.  

Lastly, check out little Caroline in her matching black-white-pink outfit and rainboots.  Sigh.  Little boy clothes are getting better....but this is a whole different category of cute.

xo,

S

Reader Question: What Types of Footwear Can You Wear with Leggings and Skinny Jeans?

Reader Question:

I have recently fallen in love with skinny jeans and leggings.  Heels really aren't my thing and normally, I would wear UGG boots or ballet flats, but some outfits just don't call for the winter boots but I am too cold to wear ballet flats.  Are there any other comfortable, warm choices you would recommend to go with skinny jeans?  Is it ever ok to wear a street shoe, like my slip-on sketchers with socks, with skinny jeans.

Answer:

I love that you are embracing skinny jeans and leggings!!  But footwear for these styles can be tricky.  Let me first try to address which footwear I think looks best with leggings and skinny jeans, and then take on the more specific part of your question about leggings + sketcher sneaks.

Best (Easiest) Footwear Choices With Skinny Jeans & Leggings

1.  Boots

We're talking any shape of boot, with any heel height: flat boots, high heeled boots, ankle boots, knee-high, or over-the-knee boots.  They all work.  In fact, boots of any shape and style work: winter boots, western boots, motorcycle boots, sleek boots, moccasin booties, rain boots, combat boots, rocker booties with chains, etc.  You get the picture.  Whatever you're boot fetish, I'm willing to bet it will look amazing with skinny jeans or leggings.  Be wary of traditional Uggs (I'll talk more about this below).  For a bit of inspiration, check out our November 2009 Street Style Mom, or the pics below (all from shopbop.com).

Lastly, I'm loving the outfit put together (pic below)  by K_Isa_Bella on Chictopia.com.  The socks and lace-up boots look just so cool.  You could certainly use this idea of layering socks and boots with other boot styles.

Mom Street Style - December 2009 Mom

I know, I know.  It's February.  But I was about to post our January mom (late) and realized that we hadn't yet posted our December mom.  Sigh.  Prior to becoming a mom, I had a slight problem with getting places on time. (I can hear my friends all snorting with derision).  Now that I'm a mom, time has ceased to have any meaning whatsoever. 

But our December mom is too good to miss.  Meet Emily - she's actually Raines' nanny.  So not technically a mom, but Em certainly knows how to look cute and be comfortable around the kiddos!  I'm always amazed at what she puts together: she could seriously be a regular feature.

In any case, I wanted to highlight a cool trick that she taught me this past December.  You know those shirts that come with their own sash?  (Or belt, or whatever)  Em layered the shirt under a boyfriend cardi, and then used the sash belt over the cardi to better define her waist.  Genius!

I love that you could also pull this off with any cute sash belt.  Try also a skinny scarf or a man's tie.  Just layer a thin boyfriend cardi over a longish tunic, and tie your sash of choice around your natural waist, like Em. 

xo,

S

Winter Outfit Inspiration: Violet Boutique

Right about now, I'm starting to ache for Spring.  Which means that I tend to view Denver's eternally sunny skies optimistically:  the sun is out, therefore it's warm, right?  No. Not by a long shot.  Add to the mix the fact that magazines are filled with Spring fashion coverage, boutiques have winter items on super sale and window displays are showing the most fabulous little gauzy dresses, tops and sandals.  BOOOOOOOO.

I could seriously use some fashion inspiration.  So Molly and I asked a few boutique owners and a personal shopper at Nordstroms to put together some inspiring looks to help us get through the winter.   First up?  Stacy McElhany, mom of Emerson and owner of Violet Boutique, Denver.

When Stacy asked us what kind of outfit we were looking for, I told her to put on something inspired.  And Stacy's outfit (pictured) is certainly inspired, with a very unlikely source of inspiration: Dick Van Dyke in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  

NOTE:  Emerson took one look at her mum and declared that she did look like "that man".  Mission accomplished!

I love that Stacy effortlessly rocks the boyfriend denim trend (with socks!  My favorite!), the denim-on-denim trend, the ankle-bootie trend, and the long cardigan trend without looking contrived. 

Ideas To Takeaway:

• Try layering a vest under a long cardigan, or even layering a paper-thin cardigan (buttoned up) under a bulkier cardigan
• Try wearing your boyfriend jeans rolled up, with socks and ankle boots for cool, effortless vibe.
• Throw on a brooch to glam up boy-inspired outfits.
• Experiment with men-inspired neckwear.  Stacy's silk scarf almost seems like an ascot, and I, inspired by Stacy, wore a white shirt, men's tie and a buttoned, vneck boyfriend cardi with jeans the other day.  I ended up getting quite a few compliments.  It's unexpected and fun.
• For a cohesive look, keep the color palette to a minimum. Stacy's basic colors are shades of black, shades of denim, and white.

Most of the items Stacy is wearing have come from her store at one point or another.  Her boyfriend jeans (It's Ellie jean) will be available at Violet this Spring.  She's also wearing a Grandpa cardigan by Cullen, Denim Vest by Pink, Rebecca Taylor White Blouse, Blowfish Booties, Ralph Lauren Trouser socks, Adina Reyter hoop earrings, and a Vintage Replication brooch.

If you have more questions for Stacy, or would like to order from Violet, call her at 720-932-1655.

Hmmmm....I always forget about movies as fashion inspiration.  Winter is the perfect time to snuggle up with an old movie.  And be inspired. Dick Van Dyke? Who knew? 

Thanks, Stacy!  You look fantastic! 

xo,

S

What We're Reading This Week: Size 12 Skinny Jean Recommendation from Fashion For The Economically Challenged

Gang, meet "FashionAddict".  She's a fellow blogger who focuses on affordable fashion.  If any of you follow her blog, Fashion For The Economically Challenged, you'll quickly learn that not only does she manage to find cute looks at really affordable prices, she is a whiz at shopping her own closet.  You'll see how she remixes her favorites over and over.  I love that.

While FashionAddict mainly focuses on office appropriate attire, I came across one of her posts that would be especially of interest to moms.

Over the last year or so, there has been much discussion on Ain't No Mom Jeans about the value of skinny jeans.  I would dare say that many of you are under the assumption that skinny jeans should only be worn by size 2 gals.  While I've always disagreed (I think skinny jeans can be flattering on a range of body types/sizes)....well, for many of you, the love wasn't there.

But a picture is worth a thousand words, no?  And no one can dispute that FashionAddict looks great in her skinnies.  I love that despite her misgivings, she gave them a try:

MVP Date Night Top - Splendid Ruched Tunic

Has this happened to you?  You have an event.  Not a fancy one, but a party or a date with hubs or a dinner with friends you haven’t seen forever, and you want to look your best.  Maybe you haven’t been out past 6 PM in AGES.  Maybe you’re not feeling so hot, maybe you just had a baby or you’re battling some holiday bulge or are having a freaky existential crisis, I don’t know.  But it’s apparently written all over your face, because when you decide to stop into a boutique to check the price on a hot little top you’ve had your eye on, you click with the sales chick, who knows exactly where you’re at (Believe me, she intones, I have kids, too.  You need to take care of YOU sometimes!), and the next thing you know, you’re drooling at your reflection in a pricey outfit you would never, could never, should never, even THINK about buying. 

But you’re thinking about it.  You’re negotiating in your mind: I could skip the shoes and the designer denim and just go for the top and the belt.  $#!%.  The belt is over $200.  OK, skip the belt.  But the top’s no good without the belt.  This will probably still fit fine when I’ve lost the baby weight . . .  I could wear it a lot. . .  like, everywhere. Everywhere where Prussian blue silk and $200.00 baby-soft suede obi belts and nearly 4-inch heels is an appropriate mode of dress.  Like playgroup.  Like the zoo.  Like work.  Hmmm . . . No, my story isn’t jiving . . . OK, STOP.  Take a deep breath.  Think of your children!  Imagine your husband’s face when he sees the receipt.  Thank the nice lady for her time and hightail your sweet postpartum patootie out of there as quickly as possible. 

Then, if you really do need something to step out in, go look for a piece that will change with your body and is adorable, transitional and versatile, just like your own bad self.  The Splendid one-shoulder ruched tunic top ($49.00) doesn't look like much at first glance, but it's my new date night MVP for moms.  Anyone can wear it and look hot and it can be styled up and down, sideways and every which way in between. 

The ruching is your post-baby-belly’s best friend, it’s crazy-good for nursing/pump-n-dumping (on your right side, anyway) and the one-shoulder cut is current, edgy and sexy without trying too hard.  Oh, and you’ll be comfortable, ohhh so comfortable, in this buttery soft, whisper thin cotton/modal tee.    

Here’s how to wear it.  A blank-slate top like this is a veritable chameleon, so it’s all about the other pieces you choose.  If you’re going casual, throw it on with well-fitting straight or skinny jeans, killer heels, a long necklace and big/dangly earrings.  If you need it, make sure that ruching is nice and bunched up around your muffin top.  No one will know what’s fabric and what’s you. 

To step it up, wear it with a huge statement necklace—pretty much anything from our holiday accessories post or something similar will do the trick.  If you want to go dressier, think about tucking it into a high-waisted skirt like the Milady Skirt at Anthropologie (if your skirt doesn’t have detail at the waist, finish it off with a subtly-detailed belt—I love the Belgo Lux Bow Belt or the Tasha Multi Chain Belt, both at Nordstrom).  

 

For a second dressy look, consider a pair of fancy pants or a slim cut trouser and try a more delicate necklace (or none at all) with another mom MVP (for its magical ability to define a non-existent waist), an obi belt, like the Stitched Obi Belt at The Limited (please tuck the ends in rather than tying them in a big honkin’ bow, however) or, my real fav, Cecilia De Bucourt’s obi belt at Barney’s.

Happy date night!

- M 

 

 

 

Reader Question: What To Wear To A Country Bar (With a Mechanical Bull)

Question:

I have a friend's birthday party at the end of the month. We are celebrating at a country bar-- the kind that has a mechanical bull and everything. She is turning 33 (I am 28) and she's the friend who I always go to for fashion advice (since I have no clue when it comes to that). WWYW? (What Would You Wear, haha. :)

Tegan

Answer:

Tegan - Obviously my first thought was daisy-dukes, cowboy boots and a triangle bikini top.  I'm thinking pink gingham. 

No?  Really?  Ok.

What We're Reading This Week: It Looks Good To Me's Denim on Denim Post (And Boyfriend Jean Winter Styling Idea )

Caro, the author of one of my very favorite blogs, It Looks Good To Me, waxes nostalgic on the denim-on-denim trend. Denim on denim can be tricky, but so comfortable and chic when done well.  I especially love a super-soft chambray shirt paired with darker jeans.  

In her blog, Caro shows several denim-on-denim pics for inspiration (including this one from The Sartorialist), as well as recommendations on how to recreate this trend. Not only is her recommendation spot-on, but it is oh-so-affordable.

Lastly, I wanted to point out that this picture shows a really great way to wear boyfriend jeans in the cooler months.  As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I typically reserve my boyfriend jeans for warmer weather.  However, I love the idea of slipping a taller boot underneath.  

Yet another New Year's Resolution:  take a few more fashion risks (but still mom-friendly, of course!). 

xo,

S