Ain't No Mom Jeans

Pair These Seven Pieces With Boring Basics To Nail That Pesky "Dressy-Casual" Look

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...

Holiday Style: Wear Red and Green(ish)

My recently purchased red heels are opening up whole new worlds for me, Mamas.  They are just so bright, so festive.  And I've been especially loving them with green...I mean, uh, greenish.

(wearing:  Levis 535 denim leggings $35, J.Crew Cashmere sweater bought on eBay for $40, Aerosoles Tapestry Pump on sale for $50, red sunnies from Madewell or similar here for $48)

Even when my hair isn't cooperating.

I mean, OK.  Donning red heels and lips is hardly the Fashion Surprise of the Century.  And you could, in all honesty, swap out my greenish sweater for virtually any other color and it would be fine.  But because I'm invoking a hint of red&green...this outfit felt so much more Holiday Fun! 

The key, I think, is to change up the shade of green. Go with turquoise-green, olive green, moss green, army green, deep pine green...anything but a true, bright Christmas green.

And since no idea is truly original...I was able to find some amazing examples of other fashiony types doing the red + greenish thing:

Holiday Style: Add Drama With a Maxi Skirt

I mean really.  With a big, swooshy skirt and a glittery bag, how can you go wrong?

 

(wearing:  Ann Taylor skirt - similar at Urban for $40, Ann Taylor cropped sweater - try this slightly sheer, cropped sweater sweatshirt by Betsey Johnson on sale for $27, J.Crew glitter bag - similar) 

 

But here's the genius part of the maxi-skirt-in-winter:  You can wear juuuust about anything underneath.  Including fleece-lined tights.  Or, say...winter running tights.  Or heck - even fleece skinny sweatpants!  As long as they tuck nicely into tall boots...no one will be the wiser.  (Unless, of course, your little one likes to play hide-and-go-seek in your skirt.  Then there's a chance that someone will awkwardly learn your secret.  There are always risks, Mamas!)

And most of these swooshy skirts look fabulous with a cozy sweater.  Curvy gals, look for a fitted sweater, or something that belts.  Poochy mamas can try a boxy cropped sweater (like above) or something slim through the hips but loose on the pooch.  Like this one:

(wearing: Patterson Kincaid Tiered Maxi Dress which rocks at pooch hiding - here's another tiered one currently on sale for $152, an ancient Esprit sweater vest - while this one is similar, I'd probably try something like this)

 

This outfit isn't quite as dressy...but neither are all holiday festivities.  I wore this exact outfit to a Mother's Tea at Raines' school.  He had requested that I show up looking "like a princess."  Sigh.  How is princess culture so pervasive???

But anyway, this is actually a maxi dress, not a skirt.  I just layered the dress over a turtleneck and added a cozy vest.  And yes - I'm rocking some major warmie legs underneath.  I just have to beware of bears.

xo,

S

Holiday Style: Sex Up a Day Dress

I told Mike (hubs) the title of this article.  His eyes lit up and he was all, "do something sexy, Babe!"  So I did this:

 

Sigh.  Why didn't I just do a pouty duckface? (bangs head on desk) This blog is humbling.  Like a beginning ballet class for adults.

Anyway...let's chat about sexing up a day dress!!  All you need (besides the dress) is a random assortment of:

1.  Something glittery or shiny (necklaces, bracelets, etc.)

2.  Something furry

3.  Sexy tights

4.  High Heels

5.  A belt

6.  A little party clutch 

7.  Big-girl makeup (lipstick, smokey eyes, whatever)

Pick and choose two or three (or four) from the list above, and BAM.  It's party-time.  

This (admittedly haphazard) approach works shockingly well with a wide variety of day dresses.  Wanna see?  Here's how we're taking a few day dresses into our night-time rotation....

Day:  

  J.Crew tunic - similar at Gap, J.Crew striped tissue turtleneck, leggings, Dolce Vita Java booties now on sale for $75!

Night 1:  

J.Crew tunic - similar at Gap, J.Crew skinny belt, Plush fleece-lined tights (so warm!), Nina glitter pumps now on sale for $55, arm party of Stella and Dot 1 and 2, as well as this and this similar bracelets from LOFT, vintage bag - similar at Target!

Night 2:

J.Crew tunic - similar at Gap, Wolford tights - similar, Nine West Booties - similar, Etsy earrings, vintage bag - or check out this gorgeousness, Lindsay Bloom cocktail ring

 

 

Ready for another example?  Next up is that James Perse sweatshirt dress that we first talked about here.  Yes...a sweatshirt dress.   Totally my speed.

*A note about the bubble necklace below.  There are a ton of low-cost iterations (including ebay, where I purchased mine)...but these pieces are everywhere - it's now an over-saturated market.  Expect to walk into any holiday party and see several.  I'm now on the hunt for a new statement necklace.  Anyone else interested in my finds?

 

Day:

James Perse Sweatshirt dress, boyfriend cardigan c/o Goddis Knits, Plush fleece-lined tights, Gray Desert boots c/o Clarks, Gap men's scarf

Night 1:

 James Perse Sweatshirt dress, J.Crew glitter bag (similar) and bubble necklace (here's a cheaper version for $29), Plush fleece-lined tights, Nine West Booties - similar, Lindsay Bloom gold bangles, discontinued Stella and Dot earrings - here's similar

Night 2: 

James Perse Sweatshirt dress, Wolford tights - similar, vintage bag - or check out this gorgeousness, Nine West Booties - similar, Etsy earrings

 

Lastly, I asked Camille from Life in Modification to weigh in.  To see how she'd take a day dress into night.  Cam went a vintage-y / understated route, and the resulting look is quite pretty.  It's amazing to see how a faux-fur collar adds so much sophistication and romance - very Grace Kelly, no?  Love the midi length, also.

Day: 

 

eShakti dress (fyi, it was customizable), AE cardi, Hush Puppies moto boots - similar, Target tights 

 

Night:

eShakti dress, Old Navy coat - similar, Target tights, Steve Madden pumps - similar

Thanks, Cam!  Ok Mamas - thoughts?  You like?

xo,

S

 

 

 

 

Holiday Style: Try A Monochrome Palette (Especially in White...)

There's something about white that just feels so...fancy.  And it's totally unexpected during the holiday season.  I've been feeling all chic snow-princess in my all-white ensembles against a a vast sea of little black dresses, sleek black coats, and dark denim.  It's fun.  

Fall Trend: Ankle Booties (And How To Wear Them)

Mamas!  The easiest way to give your old standbys a modern spin?  Yup - the ankle bootie.  These guys aren't new...in fact, two years ago, a very pregnant me wrote an article called The Short Boot Dilemma...where I tried to figure out how the heck to wear the various short boots that were popping up.

Well.  Two years later, I'm happy to say that I've figured it out.  Feel free to applaud.  Two years in the making, baby.  TWO.

Ok.  Here's what's working for me:

Wear Now and Into Fall: The Chiffon Maxi Skirt, 3 Ways

 

Mamas, it feels like I have spent the last 4+ years wearing nothing but jeans and cut-offs.  Which, you know, is kinda my thing.  But in the days leading up to my sister's wedding, as I (repeatedly) got all gussied up, I realized something:  I like pretty.  

But in the case of a chiffon maxi skirt, 'pretty' doesn't translate very well to messy art projects or playground time, or even walking if steps are involved.  Sorry honey - Mum can't hold your hand, she has too much skirt.  Good luck with those stairs, though!

But you know what, Mamas?  Some days...I just don't care.  Some days I don't want to lug around diapers, I don't want to wear flat shoes, and some days I just want to put on a pretty skirt. 

Obviously these days will require either a nanny, a husband, or children who calmly watch movies while their crazy mother swans around in chiffon. 

Luckily for me, my I NEED PRETTY DAY fell on a Saturday.  And Mike humors loves me.  So out we went - the four of us (Mike carried the diapers). We just walked around, got some ice cream, had a beer.  And you know what?  It really wasn't bad.  I was still able to be involved and have fun.

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 | Minor Details from Everyday Mom Style

Mom Street Style comes today from Meagan (aka "the  headless housewife" LOL--more on that later) at Everyday Mom Style.  Everyday Mom Style is a recent addition to the mom style blogging world and a great one at that.  In her endearing, plainspoken "About Me" section, Meagan writes:

"My wardrobe must be reasonably priced, comfortable and age appropriate. . . I’m just a 40 year old mother of two kids who wants to look and feel great. . .  I live in a suburb of Seattle, where style is pretty laid back. My clothes are not expensive, they come from Nordstroms, Anthropologie, J Crew, Target, TJ Maxx, Kohls, H & M."

Mom Street Style - Julia’s Non-Maternity Wear

After three pregnancies spanning several years and all four seasons, I don’t even want to start thinking about what I’ve spent on items that fit for roughly three months a go.  As a new-mom-to-be in 2007, I was a total rookie, but ANMJ reader Julia, who’s glowingly prego with her first, is taking a more pragmatic (and fabulous!) approach to her maternity wardrobe. . .