Ain't No Mom Jeans

A Maternity Workwear Capsule Wardrobe For Spring (and an ASOS Giveaway)

Maternity workwear.  Isn't that phrase just so...depressing?  Ugh.  It conjures up images of schlumpy, black, ill-fitting suits and those awful maternity button-down shirts.  (shudder)

We can do better, Mamas.  

I threw together a small Spring capsule wardrobe for working mamas-to-be.  And it's almost completely post-partum friendly, and much of it is pumping-friendly.  But best of all?  Maternity workwear (blaaaah) has come such a long way that not only would I happily(!!) wear any of these pieces NOT pregnant, but most are pretty. darn. affordable. 

 

Stylish Winter Coat Options For Pregnant Mamas (Hint: They're Not Maternity)

Each and every year we get a bunch of reader questions that center around maternity winter coats.  Are they worth the money?  Are there any non-maternity options that work?  Anything affordable?  It's a toughie.  So I went right to the experts:  our readers.

Here's what our very experienced readers recommended over & over & over again (and in some cases, with pics to prove it!).  

1. Try A Cape, Poncho or a Swingy Coat

This was, hands-down, our reader's most-recommended option (and also what I did with both pregnancies).  At first blush, it doesn't sound all that great - how much swing is needed?  And a cape?  Really?  Is it warm enough?

But here's the thing:  Pregnant Mamas get hot.  As reader Erin pointed out:  I just wore a poncho, I was too hot to wear a real coat - the best part of being preggers!

I agree.  Typically, I'll need a sweater in anything less than 82 degrees.  Yet while pregnant?  This is what I wore - even in WINTER:

 

 

I also had a 3/4 sleeve wool swing coat (that you can see here) for colder days, and I'd layer with a sweater underneath.  Long gloves were paired with the 3/4 sleeve coat.

But really, any coat with a bit of swing might get you through.  Go ahead and let your belly peek out!  For example, reader Paula was still using her pre-pregnancy coat in her last trimester:  My nonmaternity coat still buttons right above my baby belly - and I'm due in 3 weeks. With pregnancy I'm naturally so warm... and I always cover my neck to keep from getting cold.

Even a pea coat might be swingy enough.  Reader Sheena "just buttoned as many buttons as I could on my wool peacoat. Eventually I was down to just the top button, but so goes it!"

This option makes sense for Mamas who hate to burn their hard-earned dollars on something that won't go the distance.  Reader Samantha "refused to buy a maternity coat (seemed like a waste as this is our last baby), so I found a swing coat at Macy's. It's a perfect cut, and plenty of room around my growing belly. Plus, it will work for me even after the baby arrives (due in April)."

 So.  If you happen to be in the market for a winter coat, it might make sense to buy one that will work for pregnancy, post-partum, baby-wearing, and beyond!  Try a non-maternity swing coat like Samantha...or find a cape.  Nicole chose "a cape from Isabella Oliver with gloves, scarf and hat or a larger peacoat. I was always so hot- this worked!"  Good choice, Nicole.  Even maternity capes can have a life post-pregnancy.  (Isabella Oliver no longer makes a cape, but I'm loving Hatch's.)

As examples, I've found three capes/ponchos that would look gorgeous whether you are pregnant, baby-wearing, or headed to the office post-partum:

Reader Ashley Did Our Personal Style Exercise...See Her Inspiration Boards and Resulting Outfit

Mamas, I'm excited.  One of our readers, Ashley (from Portland, OR) recently ran through our easy method to determine your personal style.  Ashley, a mom of a three year old and a one year old decided to create her quick-n-dirty style board on Polyvore.  But she didn't stop there.  She basically created a collage for each step of her analysis...resulting in a pretty fantastic in-depth look at determining personal style.

Keep reading below to see how Ashley figured out her personal style, and then, translated it into a super-cute outfit (babywearing, to boot!).

*********

One of the first posts I read on Ain't No MomJeans was about finding your personal cool.  The idea was to flip through magazines as fast as you can, ripping out any page that strikes a cord.  Then, figure out what those pages have in common.  And, voila! A style is born.

Well, I actually found some time and decided to give the method a try. Since I didn't have any magazines lying around, I went to the next best source: Pinterest.

First, I scrolled through the women's fashion section, clipping images to polyvore like a crazy woman.

Personal Style Profile B by aswornell featuring a news boy hat

Next, I went to my polyvore account and took a closer look at all of the images I clipped.  I made a set that had the images grouped based on what they had in common.  I made one with layers...

Mom Street Style: Kristen's Genius Style Tip For Baby-Wearing

Mamas, check it:

When you're all covered up by baby, let your legs take center stage.  As reader Kristen writes...

Forgive the crappy photo, but I believe I may have found the perfect baby-wearing accessory: fancy pants! These particular floral pants are leggings which, in my book, makes them eligible for: ignoring my 4 year old at the playground, reading a magazine in the YMCA lobby when my husband thinks I am "working out," and going to a friend's birthday party when my real-life clothes don't fit (see reading at gym, above, haha.)

Brilliant, Kristen!  I love it.  We need to add this little gem to Lane's Baby-Wearing Style Basics.

Kristen's chambray tunic was from Old Navy (now gone, but Gap has one) and her leggings are from Stylemint.  Sadly, they are sold out, but a wait-list is available.  Otherwise, Urban Outfitters has a pretty pair, but I also like their muted paisley legging.  Mamas, are any of you rocking crazy legs these days?  Mind sharing your finds?  I can't quite decide....

 

Kristen, you look gorgeous, girl!  Love this look - thank you so much for writing in!

xo,

S

How Did I Live Without This Backpack-Kid-Carrier? (A Kokopax Carrier Review and Giveaway)

Mamas, you know those hiking backpacks?  The big ones?

Hi, Dad.

Yeah.  They are heavy.  I bought this one (after trying on, like 10 others), simply because it was the only backpack I found that didn't make me feel like I was going to fall backwards, turtle-like (It's MEC, btw. WOOT WOOT Canada).

Notice, however, the date. Raines is juuuust over one.  And he was in the 7th percentile for weight.  7th, Mamas.  THE SEVENTH.

How much use do you think I've gotten out of that pack since?  Yup - you guessed it:  Nada.  And certainly not with Pax.  Not. Even. Once. 

I could eat my brother for breakfast.  75%, baby.  75%.

I had pretty much abandoned back-pack use.  The Ergo I love, and used it quite a bit with Pax...but in the last several months, the kid is just too big.  Even with the Ergo on my back, I can only wear him for 20-30 minutes.  And my beloved Belle baby carrier in leopard?  Running errands (in and out of the car) only. 

Which is too bad, because Pax loves to be carried.  Like the big, 'ol baby he is.  Sorry buddy - your Mum is just too small.

Enter the Kokopax carrier:

 

Mom Street Style | Sara's Perfect Tot Soccer/Babywearing Outfit

Mamas, meet Sara, a tres-fab L.A.-to-Denver re-lo, who was rocking a perfect iffy-spring-weather tot soccer/babywearing outfit at (gasp!) seven weeks postpartum.  Yes, that seriously is a seven-week-old sweet baby girl nestled in that Ergo, and Sara is not only coherent at 10 AM, but she and her whole adorable family--her 2-1/2-year-old son and partner Israel, a music blogger (www.thecargoculte.com), were also in tow (check out their recent family portrait, taken at indie craft fair UNIQUE LA)--were the picture of family unit bliss at Denver's Wash Park this week.

It was a bit difficult to get all the deets and have an actual conversation as I was trying to pry my suddenly-velcro 2-1/2-year-old off of me, but we managed (to be fair, there was an incident of a rope--agility training for two-year-olds--being mistaken for a snake.  L. is very literal).  Sara pointed out that we were wearing the same J Brand skinnies (both cuffed with sneaker alternatives).  She's wearing olive classic TOMS; a drapey, breastfeeding-friendly top from Old Navy; a camel ErgoBaby, and super-yummy Chloe sunnies (she confided she got a great deal on them on Gilt.com, or in my parlance Guilt.com--I recently unsubscribed. . . :).

Looking this put together on a weekday morning (seven weeks post baby to boot) is seriously impressive, but it also brings home that a mom uniform stocked with solid basics like great glasses, a fresh pair of TOMS and fab-fitting denim, (and a crazy-hot short hair style like Sara's) will always go the distance. 

- M.

Mom Street Style | Sarah's Take on Eileen Fisher for Young, Hip Mamas

Mamas, meet Sarah.  She wrote in after reading S.'s thoughtful answer to ANMJ reader Leslie's question about mature brands like Eileen Fisher, and we asked her to be our next Mom Street Style as soon as we saw her pics!  Sarah brings the point home that truly flattering pieces from mature brands can be balanced with youthful, trendier items for an ageless, unique and pulled-together look. 

Reader Question: Footwear For When It's Too Hot For Boots, But Too Cold To Go Without Socks

Reader Question:

Hi,
I am a mama of twin 5 year old boys.  I have recently found your site and love it!  I work from home so I easily fall into the trap of wearing the same old unfashionable clothes and have also been known to go a day or two (or three!) without showering.  Your blog has really helped me take on a renewed focus on being more fashionable and just feeling better about myself.
 
One area that I continue to struggle with is shoes.  I live in Michigan and find that there is a period of time between winter and spring where I don't know what shoes to wear.  It is not cold enough to wear boots, but not warm enough for sandals or flats with no socks.  I struggle to find fashionable shoes that I can wear with some type of sock, and have them be comfortable.  I need to chase around my boys so comfort is a must.  But I also don't want to look like an old lady in orthopedic shoes.  Can you please help by giving me some suggestions?  

 

Sarah

 

Answer:

Sarah, thanks for writing in!  Growing up in MI myself, I know exactly what you are talking about.  And this transitional weather often drives me crazy, too.   But I've been thinking about your request...and now that the weather in Philly is chilly again I've found myself struggling with the same thing.

Here's what I've been happy wearing...

Booties

I don't typically wear these shoes to the park, but for general errands and outings with the kiddos, I find the heel comfortable enough for baby-wearing.

Note my Smartwool socks peeking out.  Navy denim + navy-ish wool socks = close enough.

 (wearing: Levis skinnies, J.Crew Factory sweater, Madewell plaid shirt, Clarks booties, Bella leopard-print baby carrier. Makr backpack, Salt sunnies)

Cute Sneaks

I'm slowly figuring out the whole cute sneaks + skinny jeans thing.  Personally, I like this look a whole lot better if the skinnies aren't legging-tight.  But that might just be me.  And since I'm not the tallest person around, I roll 'em. 

My converse are high-tops, but this look would work even if a bit of white sock showed.

(Also?  This is a different day....but Raines likes to wear the same thing over & over & over....)

Mom Street Style: Ji-Eun's Perfect Accessory For Babywearing

I met my friend Ji-Eun for a little shopping and lunch last week. She is a Korean living here in Japan, and while she may not be as obvious a foreigner as I am by first glance, she gets equally as confused when people speak to her in Japanese. But her English is AMAZING (she learned from 'Sex and the City' and Desperate Housewives' mostly, so take that Rosetta Stone!) and therefore we are attached at the hip whether she likes it or not.

Her son 9 month old son Jun-Ho put us to shame by riding quietly in his Ergo while we shopped, meanwhile Vesper tore up and down the aisles pulling down anything she fancied (mostly bras? was she trying to tell me something?) and doing disappearing acts under the racks of clothes.  Somehow I managed to spend $100 anyway, so she must not have been too distracting.

Ji-Eun was dressed perfectly for baby-wearing, according to some of my own basic rules, by layering, choosing a neutral but patterned cardigan, practical yet fun and cool boots and my personal favorite part of the outfit, and adorable hair-clip just out of the reach of Jun Ho's grabby hands!

- Lane

*********

Want to read more from Lane?  Check her out here....and psst - she's now in Japan! 

 

 

Mom Street Style - Vera's Fav Nursing Cover

When I finally worked up the nerve to nurse my first babe in public (instead of running to the car or planning every outing around feedings), I was daunted to say the least.  And when I faced breastfeeding my second with an on-the-go 19-month-old, the prospect of boob exposure during the regular course of lunging after my toddler terrified me, as does trying to run after a two- and four-year-old going in opposite directions whilst nursing my third bub, so I can absolutely relate to Vera, this week’s fab street style mama.  Vera just had her fourth and was thrilled with the range of motion, not to mention the style, of the DRIA nursing cover S. reviewed last year.

Vera writes:

I just want to say thank you!! I bought the Dria cover after reading your review of it and I LOVE it.  Actually, I am trying really hard not to wear it every single day.  I just had my fourth baby, and despite nursing all my kids until about 18 months, I never used nursing covers - I just thought they were awkward and actually drew MORE attention to the fact that you were breastfeeding.  I had good luck just wearing a cami and a shirt and pulling my shirt up and was pretty discrete about it.  BUT, the Dria is soooo soft and comfy and hides my huge post-c-section pooch, and actually I'm finding that I like being able to nurse in public with it.  Having a very active 21 month old boy, there have been a couple of times that I've been at Starbucks or some place nursing the baby and he decides to do something crazy and I need to react quickly - not something I can do while having my boob hanging out!

Thanks! I'm attaching a pic of the one I got - I love it, even though my hubby is giving me weird looks every morning when I pull it out after trying on fifty other things first LOL!

- Vera C.

For those of you mamas not familiar with the DRIA nursing cover, check it out.  It is the most versatile and fashion-forward piece of nursing gear I have ever encountered, and I don’t think I’ll be shelving it even after I’m done nursing bub #3.  In any of the patterns, it’s a gorgeous, lightweight poncho that’ll kick up the volume on even the most boring outfit.  It covers everything, including you, your babe, the car seat or your stroller, it wads up into a tiny ball, washes well and dries fast and without wrinkles.

Vera, you look amazing in your slouchy boots and nursing poncho! Thanks for sending in your Street Style submission—keep ‘em comin’, Mamas!

- M.