Ain't No Mom Jeans

Maternity Wear that Makes Me a Teensy Bit Sad I'm Done With Belly Business

Well Mamas, I'm three weeks out from having the babe who changed my life forever.  Again.  Again again. And as I've surfed the internet for fab fashion over the last few lazy, sleepless weeks, I've found myself drifting back to the maternity section.  And then I realize, I will likely never have need of maternity gear again.  Um <sob>, ever.  Ev.er.  And while I'm thrilled to see my feet, and glad to be able to clear out a third of my closet, I can't help but feel a little wistful bidding adieu to my child bearing years and settling into my child rearing years. 

While a good half of what I wear while pregnant is not maternity wear, there's much to be said for the comfort of clothing specifically designed for pregnant moms-to-be--pants are a must and the extra length on tops helps keep the bump covered and cozy.  And given what a long way maternity wear has come in the last few years, I no longer (and a little too late) find the prospect of wearing maternity clothing so shockingly abhorrent. 

I love that colored denim, bodycon silhouettes and horizontal stripes have made their way so quickly into accessibly-priced collections.  Here are five hot mama maternity outfits my wanderings turned up over the last few weeks.  They make me wonder why I ever wasted a second worrying about the size of my bum whilst growing a human life and think hmmmm. . . I could do this again.  Maybe.

5 Maternity Outfits That Make Me a Tiny Bit Sad I'm Done With Belly Business by dynamama featuring topshop maternity

Time flies too fast, Mamas!  If only having sweet babes actually slowed it down.

- M.

Mom Street Style: Jen Rocks a Cool Skort (and my fav combo: blush + white)

Some people complain about their in-laws....but I'm not one of them.  Gang, I got really, really lucky.  Mike's whole family is amazing (Yup, his mom included), and his sister Jen is one of my very favorite people...EVER.  Crazy fun, honestly kind and a total bad @ss.  

She's also adorable and stylish and perfectly rocks a beachy, casual vibe each summer.  I featured her two years ago also.

This year she was wearing (just coincidentally) my current favorite combo blush + white.

Then, I found out that her cute skirt was actually a skort.

THEN I saw the back....

Mom Street Style: Fran & A Full Skirt - Should We Show This Skirt More Love?

We received this street style submission via email from new mom Fran of You Frill Me:

Hey ANMJ gals,
love your blog, been reading for a while now.  

What I want to know is why does the shorter (knee - to - midi - length; I'm not talking mini here), fuller skirt seem to get overlooked as a viable momdrobe option? I have a couple, and I find them easy and comfy to wear.  I think they are feminine and fun, and can work on a variety of body types.  The fuller shape of the skirt makes it easy to play with kiddos on the floor, and the shorter length is way cooler than a maxi skirt on a hot day. If it's chilly out, I put leggings or tights underneath. Plus, it's easy to throw on a cute patterned skirt with a neutral-ish top, and look put-together and chic, especially for those of us that enjoy a vintage, classic vibe, and for those of us who are a bit on the petite side, which makes finding a maxi that isn't too long (and doesn't swamp us) difficult.  Can we give this shape skirt some love?

Here's my take on it:

She looks amazing, no?

What do you think, Mamas?  I've always avoided this shape because I'm worried about wind or accidental exposure (although tights or leggings would take care of that).  And I know Em's article warned against a flowy skirt with a mischievous toddler....but....hunh.  Fran looks great, so I'm tempted.  And she's right - a vintage vibe is fun and totally on-trend at the moment. 

Do we need to give these skirts more love? 

Thanks for writing in, Fran!  Love the outfit - pattern mixing and all!  Nice!

xo,

S

ps.  Em - I especially want to hear from you!  Could you rock this skirt around R??  Admittedly, he might be more mischievous than most, LOL!

Reader Question: Hiding a Post-Partum Pooch During the Last Hot Days of Summer

Despite the consistently hot temps, I'm mentally transitioning to Fall.  I've been working on articles about Fall trends, some reader questions about the best Fall work wardrobes and shoes, gleefully browsing through the Sept issue of magazines (holy moly - have you picked up the Sept Vogue?  It's almost as heavy as Pax!)...when this reader question came across our email:

HI from hotlanta!

since finding your site (yesterday), i have spent hours reading, looking, absorbing- i. love. it.

i found your blog when i did a google search for "how to hide baby pooch"...that in itself should tell you the state of my union. sadie, my precious third (and LAST) girl arrived a month before my 35th bday. and, much to my dismay, the weight is in no hurry to leave this uncomfortable body. i know i will be back to a version of my old self in the near future-but until then i have to find a way to dress myself that doesn't lead to tears EVERY time i walk out the door. the heat here makes it impossible to "hide" without a heat stroke. please, oh pullleeease, give me one "uniform" idea for this miserably hot weather. i am still about 20-25 lbs OVER where i need to be- think 5ish weeks postpartum. yep, de-pressing. i am desperate to feel somewhat put together as i conquer the last of the poooooooch.

hope you are all settled in from your move!

sunni

 

 I think the "find a way to dress myself that doesn't lead to tears" is what got me.  'Cause I have BEEN THERE.

Sunni, the post-partum pooch sucks.  It just sucks.  Mine is still decently big and hard (I have that diastatis thing going on where the muscles split).  And hiding the pooch in hot weather is almost impossible.  Once the temps cool, you can turn to a poncho (I loved mine) or those huge pooch-hiding sweaters that we covered last winter....but for now?  Ugh.  It's tough.

That said, first and foremost, try a shaper cami.  You can check out our favorites and our pictoral evidence on the value of the shaper cami here.  Shaper camis made the biggest difference to my post-partum self, and the best ones are made of micro-fiber.  Shaper camis may be hot, though, so may not quite be the silver bullet you are looking for.

Next, either find a top that hides (really truly hides) the pooch and pair it with a pair of shorts for maximum summer cool.

I've talked about my favorite pooch-hiding top before, and YUP.  I'm STILL WEARIN' IT.  Boring?  Perhaps.  But this top hides everything.  Even on a full stomach.  I call it my Eatin' top.

Wear It Now & Into Fall - The Three Unexpected Colors that Look Amazing With White Denim

Are you ready for the end of summer?  I'm not.  We've been in Michigan for the past month, spending each waking minute either at the beach or my parent's lake house in Big Bay (pictured).

Michigan has gorgeous summers.  With fantastic storms - lightning all over the place. One of my very favorite things is to watch storms come in over the lake.  Gives new meaning to the word foreboding.

Any other Michigan water babies out there?  

But I had promised to talk pants.  White pants, specifically.  Which I had previously labeled as not mom-friendly.  I now rescind my comments.  (It turns out that OxyClean does work.  Hunh.  Who knew?)

 

Mom Street Style | Bugaboo Donkey Sighting

I am honor bound to begin this post by writing, “S. was right.”  We hotly debated the merits of the Bugaboo Donkey convertible double stroller when we heard about it last year.  I balked at the name and the $1,700 price tag.  S. pointed out that the side luggage basket would be perfect for icing beer and wine for jazz in the park.  I conceded that point and softened to the Donkey’s appeal, but it was not until I had my first Donkey sighting outside of the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto a few weeks ago that I actually fell in love—serious, covetous love—with this stroller. 

Southern Gal Style For Modern Mamas: Madras!

Readers - Do you know BiblioMOMia?  She is a fabulously fashionable mom blogger (and academic) who always leaves honest and thoughtful comments for us at Ain't No Mom Jeans.

We love her.  So when Amy took us to task last year for hating on Southern gal inspired critter flip-flops...we listened. And boy-oh-boy, are we glad we did.  Keep reading for a Southern Mama's perspective on fashion.  Love it.  Thanks, Amy!!!!

*******************************

Are you hot yet?  Yeah, me too.  I was raised in the cradle of the American South, which often felt more like an armpit by August.  I now live in DC, and it’s absolutely disgusting by the end of the summer.  Heat and humidity like you wouldn’t believe (like S is discovering over in Philly!).  Time to put the hair up and the sunscreen on, here below the Mason-Dixon line.

There are lots of things about Southern Girl Style that are hard to understand:  Ribbon belts and monograms.  Vera Bradley.  Pearls with polo shirts.  Maybe one day I’ll try to explain some of those, too.  But if there’s one thing that a southern gal knows how to do, it’s dress for the heat.  In the South, women don’t sweat – we glisten.  And my mama would be horrified if I “glistened” too much in public!  But, she’s never walked a toddler to the Metro in the blazing sun, or walked all over the city pushing a stroller in this god-forsaken humidity.  When the end of the summer rolls around, and you’ve sweat through everything else in your closet, I have a simple answer for you:

 Madras.

Mom Street Style: Melanie's Sophisticated Navy and White

Gang, meet Melanie.  She had biked to Lower Harbor Park to catch a cool breeze before dinner.  Impressively, Melanie biked down, pulling a chariot, while wearing white trouser pants and a button-down.  She's my new hero.  

You know I love the navy + white combo.  And I'm also loving the wicker basket on her bike.  Wouldn't a straw diaper bag be so cute with this outfit?

Melanie's trouser pants and top are Calvin Klein, her sunnies are Oakley's and her flops are Tevas.

Wanna see how we met?

 

Awwww....little Ava was so adorable.  Pax wasn't quite sure what to do when faced with a baby his size who so outpaced his own social development (ah, boys).  They had the baby version of this conversation:  

Ava:  Pax, here - let me get that hair off your face.  

Pax:  Wha?

Ava:  There.  That looks better.  Don't you think that looks better?

Pax: Um -

Ava: Isn't this a beautiful night?  What could we do on this beautiful night?

Pax:  Uh-

Ava:  I think we should crawl around and feel the grass between our fingers.  Really feel it.

Pax:  NOM NOM NOM

Ava:  No, Pax!  Not eat the grass!  Feel the grass!  Can't you feel it?

Pax:  NOM NOM NOM

 

Boys crack me up.

xo,

S

 

Summer Styling: 9 New Ways To Style Shorts and a Simple Tee / Tank

Shorts, especially denim shorts (which we talked about styling last summer), look best with something other than a t-shirt or simple tank.  A silk blouse, an embroidered tunic, a button-down, even a structured jacket or blazer - these are the pieces that pair best with shorts - denim or not.   All You Need Is Style nailed it. Voila...

 

Fabulous, no?  But not necessarily the first thing I reach for when I'm facing a day of hauling/chasing two small boys around in summer heat and humidity.  

My uniform, these days, is almost always shorts and a tee.  Or a tank.  But this uniform can get B-O-R-I-N-G fast, especially towards the end of summer.  And sure...throwing on some jewelry can help...but I wanted something different.

Soooo....here are a few ideas (and a bit of style inspiration) of easy, mom-friendly tweaks to a simple shorts-and-a-tee momiform.  Try one.  Try two.  Try 'em all.  If, however, you manage to get all of these ideas into One Glorious Outfit, you must send us a pic.   

Mom Street Style: New-Mom Lindsay's Gorgeous White Dress

How amazing does Lindsay look?  Pretty. Darn. Amazing.  Especially considering that little baby Freedom (LOVE the name) is only a few weeks old.  Weeks, people!!  Lindsay is wearing a stunning Nicole Miller dress that was a gift from her mother.

[S stands up, applauds loudly]

I am going to remember this.  Forget diaper bags, forget strollers.  When my boys have kids, I'm going to take their wives shopping for one fabulous dress.  One dress that makes you forget all about the post-partum pooch.  One dress that is show-stoppingly gorgeous...yet comfy, nursing-friendly and looks good with flats. 

We should all own one of these dresses.

Lindsay's jelly flats are by Melissa & Compagne, and she's carrying Skip Hop's Bento Bag.

xo,

S