I've been working on our upcoming How We Wear It, which will focus on long shorts. I have a bunch of ideas, but one of them I wanted to run by you Mamas.
So: Long khaki shorts. I was having trouble styling these things...long khaki shorts can come off so dowdy, especially with flat shoes. But once I added heels, and then topped the whole thing off with a blazer....
Continue reading "Fav Combo: Long Shorts + Blazers (And Would You Wear Them To Work?)" »
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This is our monthly series called How We Wear It, where *we* show all of the different ways to rock a wardrobe basic. And by "we" I mean...all y'all. If there was One. Thing. our readers have communicated again and again, it's this: You want to see a wide range of body types represented here on ANMJ.
So. I'll show you how I've been styling my old standbys, and so will Cam. And then, dear readers, we want to hear from YOU. You can play along via our Linky party at the bottom (you can sign up at the bottom of this article or on Cam's page), you can send us an email (send it to either Cam or me), upload a pic to ANMJ's Facebook page, or use Instagram with the hashtag: #howwewearit. As reader pics come in, I'll be keeping this page up-to-date.
Ready?
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Awkward Mom shorts. That's my summer momiform edit.
No, not really.
(wearing: tee...belt c/o Lucky Brand...shorts - old, but here's the same style in brown...sandals -awesomely comfortable...bracelets - old Chan Luu but here's my new fav and Lindsay Bloom gold bangles...backpack)
I've been playing around with different lengths of shorts...but the jury is still out, Mamas. I'm not sure I love this mid-length. I'll probably go back to rolling them up.
Anyway, my summer momiform (heck, my year-round momiform) consists of some kind of tee (give or take sleeves, depending on the season) plus denim. Like I mentioned last year in our Summer Style Rules article, I primarily rely on a cool shoe + bag combo to keep things interesting in the summer months. (If you missed it, my 2013 sandal picks are here...and bags picks are coming soon!)
But I have two accessory additions to the summer momiform this year: patterned belts and statement sunglasses.
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Years ago my dear friend Sarah came to visit. She was pregnant - uncomfortably so. We thought hitting the pool might be soothing...except Sarah was not happy with her one bikini. Her pregnant boobs were busting out of the top, and she was unhappy with something regarding her stomach (the dark line, maybe? Stretch marks?)....but it seemed silly to run out and buy a new swimsuit. Yet...the pool was one of those extra-warm ones, with a lazy river and tubes and waterslides, and it beckoned. So I dug through the closet and unearthed Mike's old rashguard from a few surfing trips eons ago. His rashguard was big enough to fit over Sarah's belly, yet in true rashguard fashion, fit everywhere else. (Magic stretch, those rashguards.)
But the cool thing? Not only was Sarah comfortable, but when the rashguard was paired with a little string bikini bottom, she looked...sexy. Like sporty and flirty and all adorably pregnant. Sadly, we don't have a single pic (adorbs or not, can you blame her, Mamas?)...but to this day rashguards remind me of Sarah.
And rashguards are seriously rockin' right now. Not only can you find the usual suspects from the surf brands, but even mainstream retailers are getting in on the game. The result? Rashguards with serious style. I still like them best with a skimpy little bikini bottom, but their sporty-yet-sexy vibe works with a variety of bottoms....and beats the heck out of a dowdy swimdress.
Besides, I'm pretty serious about water play, and rashguards are just the thing for fearless rough-housing. Yesssssss!
1. Tommy Bahama Colorblock Rashguard, $78
Love the quirky color-block twist
2. J. Crew Colorblock Sun Shirt, $78
This is rashguard perfection, right here. Shown with this top and bottom.
3. J.Crew Colorblock Short Sleeve Tank, $98
This is like a rashguard made into a vintage-inspired swimsuit. Whatever it you call it (suit? rashguard?), I like it.
4. J.Crew Striped Rashguard, $78
Because we don't have enough striped tops, amiright? And OMG: Lands' End also has a striped one just like this, for $39. Shown with this top and foldover bikini bottom.
5. VPL Tape Vent Rashguard, $185
I love the sophisticated color scheme, and how this one looks like an actual shirt.
6. Dakine Best Wishes Rashguard, $40
Like a Hawaiian shirt, but so freaking cool. Also in short sleeve. Shown with this top and bottom.
7. Basta Surf Rashguard Top, $195
Love the contrast neckline and zipper, and the crazy-stripe pattern is the coolest.
8. Athleta Zanzibar Rashguard, $54
The other color options available on Athleta strike me as a bit much, but the white is right-on. Shown with this top and bottom.
9. Roxy Rocker Rashguard
Love the looser cut, and the boat-neckline.
As I mentioned, rashguards do have magic stretch, so I find that I'm happiest when I've gone up a size (or two!).
Yay for Summer!
(photo credit: Lands End!)
xo,
S
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Reader Question:
Hello,
I am so glad I came across your blog via the Rookie Moms site. I need this fashion kick in the butt to get out of my yoga pants. I feel I often find great pieces and then get them home and don't know what to do with them. Case in point, I just ordered this skirt and am super excited about it, but am I limited to a white tank? If you could give me another recommendation, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks!
Jenn
Answer:
I took one look at this skirt, Jenn, and immediately contacted the designer (via Etsy, love that!).
It's on-trend, gorgeous, yet as comfy as sweatpants. You should be super-excited about it! Nice. Pick. Ms. Krista over at Satin Stitch Designs was kind enough to send a skirt over to me so I could style it up here. (And psst! Each is custom made, so no hemming required. That is much appreciated by this short Mama.)
Jenn, since you are writing in looking for ideas, I'll skip over the obvious stuff like the white tank you already mentioned, or a black tee, or chambray shirt, or even a denim jacket...right? I mean...any of those would be fabulous with this skirt, but since you took the trouble to write in, let me see if I can do something a bit more interesting. Here we go.
Continue reading "Styling a Comfy Printed Maxi Three Ways (Reader Q)" »
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Mamas!! This is our new monthly series called How We Wear It, where *we* show all of the different ways to rock a wardrobe basic. And by "we" I mean...all y'all. If there was One. Thing. our readers communicated LOUD AND CLEAR via the survey, it's this: You want to see a wider range of body types represented here on ANMJ.
So. I'll show you how I've been styling my old standbys, and so will Cam. And then, dear readers, we want to hear from YOU. You can play along via our Linky party at the bottom (you can sign up at the bottom of this article or on Cam's page), you can send us an email (send it to either Cam or me), upload a pic to ANMJ's Facebook page, or use Instagram with the hashtag: #howwewearit. As reader pics come in, I'll be keeping this page up-to-date.
Ready?
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I've walked into thrift stores only a few times in my life. The whole setup isn't really my thing. I hate digging through huge piles of stuff, I have a bloodhound's sense of smell (mold especially kills me), and I find itchy clothing depressing. I don't care who made it in what decade, I'll take a new jersey knit over vintage polyester any day.
I do own some vintage pieces, though. I'm not totally immune to their charms. All of mine were passed down from my mom. I wore Mom's old Calvin Klein cut-offs all through high school and college, her sexy red maxi dress when I was pregnant (the only time my boobs were big enough to fill it out), and you may recall seeing her sparkly prom purse on the blog from time-to-time. But here's the deal: They were my mom's. I didn't have to go scrounging through bins, worry about smells, or wonder about a stain. They all came with stories - familiar stories, stories that are now part of my family lore.
But thrifting...it's intimidating and impersonal and smells bad. Yet it's cheap. SO cheap. And it's better for the environment.
As a tree-hugger who is not independently wealthy...yet (snort)....if I'm really serious about reducing my own personal environmental impact (and saving some cash along with those trees), I need to take another look at how, and what, I consume. I'm all about CPW (cost per wear) and buying fewer, better quality items...so how can you go wrong with quality at $3.99?
I'm assuming, of course, that quality can be found for $3.99. Because Yentine said so, more or less. And she's pretty much the thrifting expert in my little online world.
So keeping Yentine's first tip in mind (HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE, which may have been the root cause of my past failures)....I went thrifting. At the Goodwill in my tiiiny hometown, population 25,000. If you ever wanted to set a thrifting bar low, go to a small, isolated town with an overabundance of non-ironic Carhartt. But unlike Philly, in my tiny hometown I can park without fear (the PPA is NO JOKE) and I have free babysitters (thanks, Mom!).
My thrifting trip was....hunh. Successful? Keeping an open mind, I did end up trying stuff on, and even walked out with an item or two. To prove I was there illustrate, I took pics.
Continue reading "Confession: I Hate Thrifting. (But I'm Trying To Change My Ways)" »
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Mamas! Quick! LOFT is having a Spring Cyber Monday sale (until midnight tonight, I think) that involves 50% off of everything and free shipping on every order. I don't always have the best luck at LOFT...but I was able to find some pieces I really, really liked.
1. Beach V-Neck Coverup, $60
It's hard to beat crisp navy and white in the summer.
2. Corset Tankini Top $50 andbottom, $40
I typically hate tankinis...but this one is downright sexy.
3. Side Button Cotton Caftan, $55
Or maybe I like this one better....???
4. Tiny Droplet Print Racerback Dress, $60
The cutest nursing-friendly dress I've seen in quite some time. It also comes in summery solid colors...like sea green or coral.
5. Geometric Woven Sleeve Sweater Tee, $50
What's happening here? This looks more like Marc Jacobs than LOFT. Nice.
6. Corded Dobby Striped Trench, $128
Wear this. Look chic. Done.
7. Talia Low Heel Sandals, $90
Orange, tan and a cool (low) heel? I'm intrigued. Plus the reviews claim serious comfort. Whoa.
Also? My next t-shirt review is coming up...and I think you'll like what I have to say about LOFTS' sunwashed tees. (I like mine two sizes up).
xo,
S
ps. Also? A gorgeous bracelt.
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Do you remember my friend Brent, of Urban Fieldnotes? He managed to score tickets with a plus one to a NYFW show. Aaaand guess who he asked to be his plus one?
I obsessively starting planning My Outfit.
But there was a catch: Brent is a street style photographer, not a fashion blogger. So his plan was to attend the show, but then spend the rest of the day outside doing his street style photog thing. And since I was tagging along for the day...."Shana, dress warm" said Brent. "It's going to be 30 degrees, and after the first four hours of being outside, you'll really get cold."
oh. Wait - four what?
And that's the story of how I ended up at my first NYFW in a puffer coat. I did, however, wear a pretty dress underneath (as well as three layers of tights & leggings). I felt...you know, cute and comfortable, if not photo ready.
I think "photo ready" is over-rated anyway. From what I could tell, it involved way too much bare leg for 30 degree weather (says the mom).
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One last little outfit of summer....
Sigh. Love this, love summer. Pretty Mama Hana and her little guy Luke at the Lobster Fest. It was hot, hot, hot in Hana's neck of the woods, so she busted out the sandals and the hat while she still can.
That skirt & shirt will transition so easily to Fall. Just add a denim jacket and ankle booties and voila.
Hana, thanks so much for sending this pic! You look gorgeous, and I'm now dying for a high-lo skirt.
xo,
S
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