Mamas, this article was inspired by a question I received from Martha. She wrote:
I recently discovered your blog and I am loving the inspiration to step up my mom style a bit, and ideas for putting more personality into my basics. I'm realizing, though, that I have a weird gap in my wardrobe. I have plenty of casual mom clothes (jeans, basic tees and sweaters, comfy shoes). My work wardrobe for a casual but conservative engineering office is jeans, cords, or cotton pants, "boring sweaters", and flats or conservative boots. And I love the rare opportunity to rock a cute dress and strappy heels. But for some strange reason, even before I had kids, I've struggled with what to wear for a dressy-casual night out, like to a restaurant or parties with other "grown ups".
It's true! Dressing way up is easy: dress, shoes, clutch, done. Wearing yoga pants is easy. But nailing the dressy-casual vibe in an effortless way is tough. It's easy to go overboard and end up with something that feels too fussy, too "done". Or, on the other side (like at a business casual office) you end up wearing all solid-color basics. Snore.
In the past, I've done both. Neither is fun, neither feel like "me". But there are a few pieces that I find myself reaching for time-and-time again, whenever I'm in the dressy-casual zone, be it work or Play* related. Keep reading to see both the list, and how I'm mixing up my own pieces.
(Play = Big Girl playtime and involves cocktails, play = kiddo play and involves dirt)
Stylemint Nicholls Blazer | Mango Lace Tee | Ann Taylor Floral Blouse | M Missoni Skirt | Topshop Check Trousers | Steve Madden Instantt Ankle Booties | Calvin Klein Pumps
Keep reading for a full explanation of the list, as well as some example pics of how I've been mixing pieces like these...



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