Ain't No Mom Jeans

Reader Q | How to Style a Lace Top For Work

Reader Question:

First, let me say that I love your blog! I read it religiously. So much so that my husband no longer asks where I get new ideas from. Thank you for helping me feel kid-friendly, mom appropriate and sexy all at the same time.

Here's my question...I'm looking for some ideas for work appropriate layering of a lace shirt. I am an attorney and need office appropriate wear, but get bored with the same old dark suit getup.
If I can at least make the tops under the jacket interesting, I feel like I win. On non-court days, I have a little more freedom in what is appropriate. I'm 100% on board with the layering a turtleneck.  I tried a t-shirt today.

(wearing:  GORGEOUS lace tee is Lauren Conrad for Kohl's)  

Is there anything else? Would a button down work?

-Suzanne

Answer:

Suzanne - Thanks for writing in!  You obviously read the article (linked above) where I recommended a lace top.  If you recall, I claimed that it was oh-so-easy to style and soooo very versatile and...well.  I see that you are calling me out.  (Nicely, of course.)  Challenge accepted!!  It's time to put my styling where my big ol' mouth is, and attempt to style one up for the office.  Not just any office....but one of the most conservative of work environments. 

(I came up with six possibilities.)

Shop Your Closet: Wear Black and Navy...Deliberately

(wearing: Stylemint Lola Jeans in black, an old Theory button-down - similar, cropped navy sweater from Ann Taylor - similar, Mia Buckaroo Boots - can be found on eBay...or I'd wear these in a heart-beat)

Mamas, we just spent the most ah-mazing week in Baltimore.  Have you been?

Mike was there all week on business, staying at some fancy-schmancy hotel we'd never normally afford (*cough $300 a night *cough)...so my choices were thus:

1.  Stay at home for a week - alone with the boys -  while they whined for Dad

2.  Go and play all day long in the kid-wonderland that is Baltimore

Easy decision.  But I was on strict orders from Mike:  "Babe - you can only come if you ask me for nothing all week.  I'm serious - NOTHING."

Um...OK.  Geez.  Like I'm high-maintenance or something. (Says the girl who routinely wakes her husband up at 3AM for a glass of water.)

But anyway. We all went, I asked Mike for nothing, and we all had a blast.  After Mr. Important was done  with his week-long meeting, he joined us for playtime.  And boy, that aquarium sure is somethin'.

Of course, you are more interested in the outfit. Black and navy.  Together.  Like you mean it. 

I kinda loved it.  It felt....sophisticated?  No, that's not quite the word I want.  It felt cool, but in a French-girl kinda way.  Gamine!  That's it.  I felt positively gamine.  Hence the attempt at fancy eyeliner.

And Mamas, I'm wearing Stylemint's new skinny jeans.  They came out a while ago, but didn't look like much online.  The online pics make them look almost baggy at the ankles.  So I ignored them.  HOWEVER...they are only $60, so in the interest of "research" I caved.  And am so glad I did.  I've barely taken them off since.  

Anyway, I've been warming up to the whole navy-and-black thing since last fall when Emerson Frye styled their fab navy peacoat with black skinnies (see it here on Pinterest).  I think the key is to go all-in.  I like the pop of white to make the black/navy color distinction clear.  (Gray, I think, would also work.)

I wore this outfit several times last week, including on our playdate with Mike.  It's one of the few outfits that went from day-to-night effortlessly, without high heels.  Bonus.  

(I'm also patting myself on the back because the navy sweater was an Ann Taylor sale rack steal for $4!!  And the white shirt is a old work standby that hasn't been touched in a looong time.  Love making use of old clothes.)

What do you think, Mamas?  Is navy and black in your future?  And who else LOOOOVES Baltimore??  We're planning a trip back in December to see the Polar Express in 4D (you feel wind, rain, etc.)  Wanna join?

xo,

S

Reader Question: A Post-Partum Mom Needs a Cute Camping Outfit

Reader Question:

Dear M&S,
I have a fashion dilemma. My husband, who is turning 30 on May 5, wants to have a birthday weekend camp out. The plan is to get a big group camping site and invite 50 or so of our closest friends out to set up tents, roast weenies and drink beer. 

Now I've camped, a lot; but what I haven't done is camped and been a hostess (much less camped and fixed my hair or worn much more than a bikini and shorts). Also, did I mention that at the time of the party I will be 6 months postpartum and probably not in a bikini wearing state of mind? Also, many of the guests will be coming in from out of town-- some of whom I haven't seen since our wedding, including my photographer friend who has promised to come, camera in hand. 

What I really need are some ideas for a cute, put together yet cool and unfussy looking outfit (*ahem* that I can nurse in). I know it might seem like a tall order, but I'm sure you two can handle it because you ladies are geniuses!

Thanks so much for your wonderful blog and keep up the good work!

Sincerely,
Jen

 

Answer:

Jen, thanks for writing in!  Your little shindig sounds like a blast.  And while a bikini and cut-offs are perfect for this kind of thing...at 6 months post-partum...wow.  That is tough. Tell your photographer friend to brush up on her photoshop skills.

But...you do have options.  The key is pulling something together that is comfortable, practical, hides the pooch, yet makes you feel (and look) like a young, fun, hip mama who is up for camping at 6 months post-partum!  Rock on, Chick.  (And BTW?  It's called Glamping.  Glam Camping - get it?  I did not make that up.  It's a thing. I swear.)

My strategy?  To distract from the pooch with legs and/or shoulders. But do it in a completely casual, nonchalant way.  Like..."Hell yeah, I'm out camping.  Yeah, the babe's only 6 months. Yeah, I'm showing some leg...and/or my seriously great rack. I know, I know - you all wanna start having babies now cause I'm just makin' this look eeee-zeee."  

My first thought?  Cut-offs.  Pair 'em with flops or sandals if it's hot, or rainboots if the weather turns.  This outfit would be perfection:

(photo credit: Piperlime, 360 Sweater's Lital Short Sleeve Sweater)

 

Here's how I'd do it post-partum:

• Beat-up cut-offs?  Check.  (Heck, these could even be your old maternity jeans.)
• Black Nursing Shaping Cami?  Yup.
• Lightweight, pooch-hiding sweater?  Check.
• A cool bracelet or two?  Perfect.

I'd pair this outfit with my favorite Reef flip-flops, but since you are camping, you could even pair this with a sportier sandal, if so inclined.  These Keens aren't bad:

Fall Mom Uniform: Flares + Crop Tops (Seriously Perfect For Nursing)

IknowIknowIknowIknow.  I know some of you are like, "first bunny ears and now crop tops?? Is S pregnant or has she just lost her mind??"  

And I know many of you have fuzzy memories of baby tees that showed off your flat lil' belly when you pranced around all teenagery-young and cute in your low-waisted jeans. 

I KNOW.  That's not what I'm talkin' about.  Promise.  (And I'm not pregnant.)

So.  Crop tops.  Now, in 2011.  First of all, they aren't tight.  And some of them, by our 80's-child definition, aren't even that cropped (Back when I was young, we walked uphill to school BOTH WAYS and knew how to CROP a shirt...)

So really, what we're talking about is basically a shirt that is rather boxy and swingy and hits somewhere between the hips and the bellybutton.  (Hourglass shapes, run screaming now.)  Kinda like this:

GET THIS:   This shape of top does a decent job of hiding the pooch!  Also, because it's so boxy and swingy and short-ish....when layered over a nursing cami or other nursing-accessible shirt (we call 'em v-neck tees in these here parts) it's perfect for nursing moms.  Just lift and nurse, people.  No belly exposure required.

AND....you can find these babies everywhere, including budget-friendly places like Target & Forever21.  You with me?  

Let me show you this mom-i-form, three different ways:

 

Reader Question: Styling Cropped Cargo Pants Into Fall?

 

Reader Question:

How would you style cropped cargo pants into fall?  I've been wearing the heck out of a pair of olive cropped cargo pants  this summer. They were from Hot Mama in the spring, and no pics available anymore on their site, but they look sort of like Joie's Generette Pant (pictured).

 

Over the summer, these pants have been a staple of my "momiform," work mainly with a black or a green J crew tank top and some black flat sandals with little leather flowers to girlie up this otherwise somewhat tough look. 

 

Here in Minneapolis there's a chill in the air already, and a girl needs a bit more coverage for the morning coffee/playground/grocery stroll.

 

My favorite shoe for fall - the lace up combat-ish boot - comes off as too literal with the army green cargoes. Sneaks with socks seem a bit dowdy, and there is too much fabric at the legs to tuck into my favorite knee high motorcycle boots without looking like a member of a WW2 German motorbike brigade.

 

But, these pants are comfortable, washable, and crazy flattering. How would you style them to get another couple months of wear?

 

- Abby in Minneapolis

Answer:

Abby - great question!  This is a tricky styling situation!  As you mentioned, these pants are too wide for tucking into boots....and the weather is too cold to go without socks.  (Which I mention only because these pants would look adorable with ballet flats, oxfords or loafers sans socks.  Of course.) 

So.  You want to wear these pants, into the Fall, with warm footwear options.  Gotcha.

Now, I don't have a pair of pants exactly like these, but for this tricky styling situation, I didn't want to rely on a Polyvore collage.  So I "spoofed" your pants by rolling up a slouchy pair of straight-leg khakis.  The color obviously, is different, but I think the overall effect is the same.  Here's what worked for me:

Mom-Drobe Inspiration: Long, Linen Pants (For Hiding Veins and Stretch Marks While Staying Cool)

Now you know I love my shorts.  Especially my denim cut-offs (and here's how I styled them last summer).  However, I realize that not all of you are shorts devotees.  And from time-to-time we receive comments or emails asking for warm-weather options that cover up post-baby stretch marks or varicose veins.  Maxi skirts are one good option, but another?  Super comfy linen pants. 

Linen pants often feel like sweatpants (and get softer after each washing - use the delicate cycle, lay flat to dry), but unlike sweatpants they have great drape and are very breathable.

And drape is good for your bum. (I'll just leave the "breathable" comment alone...)

Even better, I found a couple great pics from Shopbop and Calypso to use as inspiration...

Linen Pants + Cropped Top

I'm loving this look from Shopbop.  The model is wearing Juicy Couture linen pants and a Vince sweater (now sold out).

I love the cropped, boxy sweater layered over the soft linen pant - so comfy chic.  Perfect for a cooler summer night, strolling the beach.

Ok - using this pic as inspiration, we can re-create this look (linen pant + cropped top) a couple of different ways.  Cropped oversized sweaters work (short or long sleeve), as do cropped swingy tanks for hot weather.  Just layer your cropped tops over another tank.  Please.

Here's what I came up with:

Wearing Flares With Flats

   Flares are incredibly flattering.  Worn with a pair of sky-high wedges, your legs go for days.  Legs for days.  What's not to like?

But flares with flats can be tricky - especially for the petite.  (Hi. That's me.)  Even M has admitted to feeling a tad on the dumpy side when wearing flares with flats.  (NOTE - I've never seen M looking remotely dumpy.  Not ever.  It's just a feeling she mentioned.  Got it? Not looking....but feeling.  The last thing I want is to inadvertently call my newly-pregnant BFF dumpy.  OMG.  Stop.  Talking. Now.)  Anywho.

So what is the problem, exactly?  Part of it is just getting used to a new silhouette (we're all pretty entrenched in skinnies) but part of it is just the sad truth:  Flares look best with heels.

But I refuse to be discouraged.   I'm a pretty firm flat-wearer these days, and also am in love with my flares.  So I was determined to make it work.

Now, after much trial & error involving several pairs of flares, duct-taped hems, and many, many types of flat shoes, here's what's workin' for me:

Wanting That Which I Cannot Have: Halston Heritage

I've been compulsively obsessing dreaming about this dress.  For...months now.  And I'm tempted, people.  TEMPTED.  However....there's this little problem of need vs. want vs. budget.  Normally I can creatively figure a way around these types of problems, but the darn thing is $895.  And totally unpractical for this mom's lifestyle.  The PPW (price-per-wear) calculation is just not good.

Still.  Gorgeous, no?  It gives me heart palpitations.  I want to wear it and twirl around and feel like the most glamorous girl in the world.

Now before I get readers throwing things and accusing me of deviating from our mom-friendly niche...let's try to translate this little bit of eye candy into something that less insane moms would actually wear.

(me being the more insane type of mom)

Mom Uniform Inspiration: Styling Bright Denim

Winter, I'm done with you.  I want Spring.  I want bright flowers peeking from the ground, I want sunny skies and 70+ temps.  I want bare arms.  I want color.

Chances are, I'm stuck with several more weeks of cold (while Denver is having a warm spell now, March always breaks my heart)...so in lieu of warm winds and swapping my snowboots for sandals, I'm really feeling brights. Specifically brightly colored denim.  (Specifically the pair of coral red Gap skinnies M found on the clearance rack for under $20.  But I won't.  I promised.  Avoiding "twinsies!!" is becoming harder and harder for us.)

So if you'd like to add a little pop of color, keep reading.  I found a few gorgeous pics for inspiration, and as always, we play around with making them oh-so-mom-friendly.

Bright Denim + Dark Neutrals

I love Vanessa Jackman's pic from London's Fashion Week.  While black and yellow can be fraught with peril (what goes 'buzz buzz'?), Shu Pei (pictured) pulls it off perfectly.

Duck Boot Styling

   While 2010 Fall runways were awash in high-heeled duck boots...even the regular, good 'ol LL Bean-style duck boots are having a moment.  (Ummm...or the cheaper iterations, like my Land's End duck boots).  And since the snow just keeps on comin', these boots have certainly come in handy.  And it doesn't hurt that I kinda love 'em.  They have a rugged feel without being too mannish. Tomboyish, perhaps?  (And you know I'm a sucker for anything that gives me yet another way to wear my favorite, cover-everything-bad, post-partum sweater).

Whatever it is, I'm in.

I've been styling these babies with dresses, khakis, skinnies, straight legs....AND I found some really great inspiration pics from around the web.  Read on, mamas!  I think you'll wanna get on board...

(wearing: Theory ruffle tunic, sweater leggings bought several years ago, Lands' End Canvas socks, Lands' End Duck Boots)