Ain't No Mom Jeans

My Summer Mom-Uniform Edit

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. 

Wearing All Black in the Spring

 

Beth emailed a while back, wondering about all-black outfits.  She wrote:

I love to wear black. I know that may not be the "in" thing to do- but it works for me. Black, a rich midnight blue, dove or heather gray- those are colors I work well with. The problem is that those then look so drab for spring. Any thoughts?

Yup.  See, I'm with you, Beth.  While color is huge right now, I tend to be a more minimalist, neutral kind of gal at heart. From growing up in the 90's, perhaps?  Which also explains my oversized white t-shirt obsession.  But black is pretty fabulous - there's no reason you can't rock all black all year.

Confession: I Hate Thrifting. (But I'm Trying To Change My Ways)

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.  

TMRDNL: A High-End Designer For Moms? (And At Crazy-Affordable Prices)

Ok Mamas - it's my last shopping enabling post of the year.  But I must warn you:  This one will be especially hard to resist. 

Have you heard of TMRDNL?  It's the line designed by Tamar Daniel, an Israeli- British-American fashion designer who happens to live not far from me.  I had the opportunity to meet with her and see her line...and oh, my.  We're talking ah-mazing stuff.  Like...machine washable, scrunch down into a suitcase and still look amazing stuff. 

 

Tamar's design philosophy is one that us Mamas will relate to.  A mom herself, Tamar describes her collection as a "call to arms for dynamic real women, whose days are full of many facets, and whose outfits need to transition from boardroom to playgroup to date night and back again as seamlessly as they do. A versatile mix of easy, thoughtful pieces, the collection is truly a wardrobe for living."

Sing it, Sister.

 

But here's the bad news:  Tamar is moving on.  It turns out that designing an entire line is a ton of work (no kidding). And Tamar has something new and exciting in mind.  Personally, I'm heartbroken.  With gorgeousness like this...

...TMRDNL will be missed.   

But here's the silver lining, Mamas.  Tamar still has a few pieces in stock.  And they are taking up precious room in her storeroom.  You know where I'm going with this, right?  She'd like some help cleaning things away for the new year.  So pieces that typically retail for...oh...let's just say that they typically retail for prices that I cannot afford...are currently available in the $25 - $125 range.

Seriously.

Even better, Tamar is generously offering Ain't No Mom Jeans readers an additional 20% off with the code ANMJ.

Now...what to buy?

Well.  My most-worn piece to-date is the Intrigue Jacket, pictured above. It's machine-washable, nursing-friendly, and insanely comfortable.  The sleeves are made of a soft knit, so you have full range of motion for picking up the little ones - it feels like a comfy sweater.  Mine is a size larger than I typically go for, so it can be easily layered (even over another sweater, like above).  But when I wear it alone, the drapiness is such that it never looks too big!  This piece is seriously amazing.  It is currently retailing on Tamar's website for $99, and also comes in a longer (trench) version for $125.  The trench makes a gorgeous dress, especially for work.  (Easy to pump in, I'll bet.)  

Ready to see more? Ok...

Statement Necklace Inspiration From An Adorable Pregnant Mama (Plus a Stella & Dot Sample Sale Just for ANMJ Readers)

Mamas, after our statement necklace round-up, a few of you commented/emailed that you found statement necklaces tough to pull off. You weren't sure when to throw them on (only with fancy dresses?  T-shirts? What?), or how to get the necklines right.  

I get it.  As someone whose style veers to the minimalist, statement necklaces can seem like...a whole lotta necklace.  So I turned to one of my BFFs, Becky McBride, who happens to be a stylist for Stella & Dot.  Helping women figure out how to wear statement necklaces is part of her job...and Beck often wears them herself.  Like...every. day.  (Just about, anyway.)

Anyway, Mamas, it gets better:  It just so happens that Stella & Dot is coming out with a new line in ONE MONTH.  And Beck is selling her gently used sample pieces at 50% off...to us.  Keep reading for some adorable statement necklace (maternity!!) style inspiration...and some crazy-awesome deals.  Instructions for purchasing are below.

Reader Q | What To Wear To a Thomas-Themed Birthday Party? (For Both Mama and the Birthday Girl)

 Mamas, we're taking a short break from our Fall Trends series.  Instead, we'll be focusing this week on reader questions.  (The break may have something to do with the reader question pile up....or the fat lip Pax gave me on Thursday.  I'll never tell.)

Reader Question:

Hello amazing and amazing.. yes, I know your names are Shana and Molly, but since I stumbled upon (or leapt on) your blog about six months ago you guys have been amazing and amazing in my books.

So enough gushing ... trust me I am capable of way more when it comes to you guys but I've got a bit of a fashion dilemma. My little monkey, girl monkey mind you, is turning two in a few weeks. Her birthday will be Thomas themed and at an indoor playground. Thomas theme means no uber feminine stuff for mama or baby and indoor playground means play friendly clothes and no shoes so there goes my fall uniform of boots with leggings/jeans. So I don't want to look like I am trying too hard but I also don't want to look like I was on my way to the park and popped in here instead. I know our outfits are not the most important things about birthdays but pictures are forever RIGHT? If you could suggest outfits for us (yes us) then I'd be so grateful, I'd even fedex you some Thomas cookies ... all the way from Canada. Really.

If you guys don't have time for my silliness that's cool, but don't get too bummed when you don't get Thomas cookies in the mail :-) 

Just kidding, much love to you guys for hosting such an awesome blog,

Sarah

 

Answer:

Sarah, I LOVE that your daughter wants a train-themed birthday!!  As a fellow tomboy, I had so much fun picking out some adorable (yet rough-and-tumble) outfits for her.  Happy birthday to your little one!   Here are three outfits for both you and her....

 

Make a Wish...

Indoor playgrounds tend to be hot.  So you want to dress for the activity, but also look pretty for pictures.   Pair a flowing, feminine top with denim for an easy (yet gorgeous) look for you...and for your daughter?  I'm totally drooling over Zara's shorts for little girls.  So train-conductor-chic, no?  Best of all?  The tee says, "Make a Wish" which is perfect for a little birthday girl. 

Zara Glossy Top With Ribbon Waist, $50 | Zara Star Shirt, $10 |  Zara Ribbed Tights, $10 | Zara Bermuda Shorts With Braces, $30

 

1 Piece, 3 Easy Ways For Mamas: The Bandage Mini

Now before you start rolling your eyes, I do realize that a short, tight mini skirt doesn't, at first blush, sound like something you'd throw on while kiddo-wrangling.  I get that.  But, if you recall Em's wise words in How to Rock Skirts With a Toddler Underfoot:

Short skirts can work...but watch the flowiness.  The shorter the skirt, the easier the wind flips it up...or the kiddos will want to hide in it.

With a bandage mini, there is no flowiness.  Literally ZERO.  And they are miraculously flattering on multiple body types:  Wear 'em high to show off curves, or low around your hips with a voluminous blouse to hide a pooch.  Also?  They can be had for cheap.  For reals cheap.  I have two.  My big splurge (Target) was $14.  But my Forever 21 number?  $7, Mamas.  Seriously. 

I think the keys to wearing these skirts while playing with the kiddos are:

• Keep it casual (you only paid, like, $10 for the thing)
• Wear swimsuit bottoms underneath for major playtime

If you've been following my instagram feed (@shanachristine) you've already seen my pink Target mini at the Bryn Mawr farmers market.  Here are three other ways I've been wearing it:

1. As A Beach Cover-Up....When You Want Something Outfit-y

 (wearing: Target skirt - similar, Gap factory top, J.Crew bikini, Reef flip-flops)

Whether you are running errands before/after beach-going, or headed out to a pool party with a confusing dress code, bandage skirts are pretty awesome as a swimsuit cover-up.  Pair with a top in a similar hue, and it feels almost like a dress.

And if the skirt gets wet at the beach?  It's cheap. Nobody cares.

Summer Style Rules For Moms - Part 2

 This article is the second in a multi-part series based on "rules" I've applied again and again when doing style consultations / closet clean-outs with moms....but updated for summer.  See our Part 1 of our Summer Style Rules For Moms series here....

Mamas, I loved your comments on Part 1 of our Summer Style Rules series.  But just to clear up some confusion:  I don't actually wear denim skinny jeans all summer.  I was just showing the different shoe/bag combos against a standard "momiform"...and was too cold that day for shorts. 

Now feel free to give me grief about wearing a sweatshirt in the pic above.  IknowIknow.  But unless it's 90 degrees, this Mama is cold.  (Exception:  When pregnant.  A little clue for future use.)

(But we still haven't decided on #3 or not.  So you may never get to use the clue.  Not sure why I feel the need to Spell Out My Childbearing Intentions here...perhaps because my husband and my mother read this blog?  Sigh.  I can hear your thoughts, "Who cares, S?" Ok, moving on....)

SUMMER STYLE RULES.  FOR MOMS. YES.  Here we go with the next two rules...

RULE TWO:  Stylish Sunglasses = Stylish Mama

Wearing a pair of stylin' sunnies?  You look cool.  Period.  We've talked about the power of It-Girl Sunnies before...and it really is amazing.  It-Girl sunglasses can make even a pair of mom-jeans look...uh...ironic. (not really)

But the message here?  Get yourself some crazy-awesome sunnies.  And by crazy-awesome, we mean quality, Mamas. All the way.  Aaaannd, of course, a full dose of style.

Our advice will be no surprise to longtime readers -  you know where we stand on the quality-vs-quantity debate, and we've urged Mamas to consider cool sunglasses as an accessory-of-choice before.

But let me also add this to the mix:

Big 'ol sunnies with polarized lenses prevent you from squinting in the sun.

Me...not squinting.

(wearing, on S: J.Crew sweatshirt - similar here, Abercrombie & Fitch Classic Straight Destroyed denim, Salt Hathaway sunnies, Essie Turqs & Caicos Nail Polish on toes)

That's big, isn't it?  I mean...no squinting has to equal no wrinkles, amiright?  How else do we get wrinkles besides sun damage or squinting? (Don't tell me...gravity, shmavity.)

The downside, of course, is that polarized lenses are expensive.  But we managed to round up eight fairly affordable pairs of oh-so-cool sunnies (all with polarized lenses), that will take any momiform up a few style notches...while preventing wrinkles (and, you know...saving your vision, blahblahblah):

5 Maternity Bottoms That All Legs Will Crave (Pregnant or Not...)

Mamas, have I shown you my favorite trousers?  They are perfectly slouchy, menswear inspired, and oh-so-comfy.

Know what else?  They are maternity pants.

(wearing: Preggo me - Isabella Oliver Garbo pants and ruched cami, DVF jacket, Chan Luu scarf...regular me - Isabella Oliver Hepburn pants, Stylemint tee, hub's watch, necklace from Nordstroms and Nine West booties)

Ooooh, yeah.  

The Garbo trousers have been, by far, my very favorite maternity pants.  I wore them through two pregnancies, post-partum, and continue to wear them.

I mean seriously.  I know that carefully chosen maternity dresses & tops can go the distance, but pants?  Isn't that crazy?

(oh wait.  I'm still wearing my maternity jeans as shorts.  Maybe not so crazy.)

However, in my internet travels, I've come across more and more maternity bottoms that I think could easily be worn loooong after a baby is due.  Here are my 5 favs:

Found! Racerback/Convertible Nursing Bra

I have a serious problem with most nursing lingerie.  Particularly since I've been wearing it for about 4-1/2 years.  And, aside from the beautiful options S. has made it her quest to find, this stuff is ugly, and not all that functional in a non-puritan's wardrobe of drapey, bosom-baring and otherwise skimpy in some way, tops. 

I mean, why do most nursing bras cover you to your collar bones?  Is a little jiggle not okay once you're a mama?  Is showing cleavage, even if it is lactation-induced, a no-no?  (BOOOO! from the Hub's peanut gallery.)  And why is it so difficult to find a nursing bra that can be worn with (gasp!) tanks and racerbacks?  I mean, these are--ahem--assets, purchased not with cash, but (literally) with blood, sweat and tears, so I think we mamas have earned a right to work it for all it's worth while we've got it, which is why I was THRILLED when I gift card power-shopped the Motherhood Maternity section of a Babies-R-Us a few weeks ago and found this cheapy little gem, which, for some crazy reason, is not even advertised as a convertible nursing bra.