Ain't No Mom Jeans

Shop Your Closet: Update Your Skinny Jean Uniform With Long Socks

Shop Your Closet is a weekly series that is intended to help moms make the most out of what they already own.  These styling tips aren't always groundbreaking, but with the sleeplessness and general chaos of life, they (hopefully) serve as helpful reminders for our less-inspired days.

(wearing: ancient Gap sweater layered over J.Crew cashmere v-neck for extra warmth, Levis skinnies, Frye boots, Salt sunnies, and Lands' End Canvas socks)

This has been my old standby mom-uniform since R was born...almost four years ago now.  And, uh, I actually bought this ancient sweater while pregnant with R.  So yeah - well worn.

Needless to say, this outfit gets tired.  I still put it on because it's warm, comfy, and stylish enough thanks to the cool boots and skinnies, but wow.  I'm bored.

So I added socks.  Tall socks peeking out of boots is a fast and easy update if you are getting tired of your skinnies.  Socks with stripes lend a sporty vibe, cable knit socks go cozy-chic, and socks with a bright pop of color always look cool.

(wearing: on R - Joe's jeans, Gap checked button-down, Splendid hoodie, consigned tee, 77 kids hat)

Because your socks are going over top of your jeans, layering them over tighter-fitting jeans works best.  Or try leggings - this look was made for leggings.  

xo,

S

ps.  You can find all Shop Your Closet articles in our newly created category, Style - Shop Your Closet.

 

 

Give Away | Shabby Apple's Gorgeous Lace Hollywood Hills Dress

*****UPDATE:  Giveaway Closed!  Congrats to Janice!!*****

*******************

Mamas, I went on a date.  A real one.  Where a babysitter comes to the house, the kids are excited to see her, and Mike and I walk out the door without a backwards glance - OR the baby.  I'm in high heels and he's wearing a jacket.  Like adults.  Like real parents.  It was fabulous.

I had been dreaming of this date all week.  I had just received Shappy Apple's Hollywood Hills dress in the mail (OMGOMGOMG so gorgeous!!)....and promptly rushed out to buy some Spanx.

A side note:  My husband was oddly excited to hear I was going to wear Spanx.  All was revealed later, when I realized that all he heard was something that sounded vaguely like "spanking"....and was then horribly disappointed to realize that I meant these:

They rocked, BTW. And sooo comfortable.

Anyway, the night of the date was freezing.  Like 20 degrees, it's probably going to snow, freezing.  And no matter how cute an outfit, I don't really sacrifice comfort for style.  At least not in 20 degree weather.  But I also wasn't going to pass up on this dress.  So I got a little creative - swapped booties for stilettos, busted out a sparkly little belt....

(wearing: Shabby Apple Hollywood Hills dress c/o Shabby Apple, J.Crew sweater and belt, Hanes run-resistant sheer tights c/o Hanes, Nine West booties, vintage clutch)

Eclectic, I realize.  But I was warm, and felt like myself, which is really the important thing.  

But never fear, Mamas.  Two martinis in (two!  TWO!!) and I was shedding clothing like a crazy-woman.

The dress got its time to shine.

Here I am, waiting for a glass of champagne to wrap up the most perfect evening.  I'm sure my mother is dying over the fact that I'm revealing what I drank (how un-ladylike of me!!  scandalous!!) but I haven't been able to stomach more than a glass or two of white wine since getting pregnant with Raines.  Which means that I've been drinking only white wine for almost 5 YEARS NOW.  And suddenly, seemingly overnight, I can do martinis again. 

It was a big night, Mamas.  A big night indeed.  Martinis, high heels, a gorgeous lace dress and lipstick.  I haven't felt this glamorous in quite a long, long time.

So.  As our final giveaway in this Season of Giving, we've teamed up with the very fabulous folks at Shabby Apple to offer up a lace Hollywood Hills dress to one of our lucky readers.  

That would be one of you, Mamas.  

So if you are in need of a little glamour in your life, and want it in the form of a shockingly comfortable lace dress that feels both demure and wildly sexy....do any of the following and leave us a comment, telling us how you've entered:

1.  Like Shabby Apple on Facebook

2.  Share this post on Facebook 

Good luck, Mamas!!  I hope you are all enjoying this special (and crazy) time of the year.  Amazing that it's almost over.  I need to get going on the cookie baking.

(And guess who is having a baby, uh...Monday?  Talk about one heck of an amazing Christmas gift.  Lucky M.)

xoxo

S

Worth The Splurge (Maternity): Isabella Oliver's Grecian Tunic

Have you seen Isabella Oliver's Grecian tunic top?  It retails for $129, and is, in my humble opinion, worth every penny.  And then some.  

I had my eye on this tunic for quite some time, and purchased it the second I found out I was pregnant with #2.  I'm so glad I did.  This tunic was my go-to piece for my first, second, and third trimesters.  It looks amazing dressed up (I wore an exact replica of the pictured outfit many times)...and is so comfortable (and washable) that it quickly became an everyday favorite. 

The low v-neck and large swingy sleeves are flattering to a large pregnant bust and forgive a multitude of upper arm sins.  And the tunic is cut longer in the front, ensuring that your belly is covered...even if yours is an epic size.  (And mine was.)

While the empire-waist left me looking a bit pregnant post-partum, this tunic was still a much more stylish option for those first few weeks when you have tons of visitors, and no one is surprised by your post-partum pooch.  You can also nurse easily in it.

Styling possibilities are endless...but here were my favorite ways to wear it:

Reader Question: Comfy, Cute, No-Denim Outfits For a Reader Going Through IVF

Reader Question:

I have a confession to make… I’m not a mom, I’m not even pregnant but I am completely obsessed with your blog.
 
I stumbled across your site about a year and a half ago when my husband and I first decided we were going to have a baby. Being a self-proclaimed jean snob and fashionista – and proud of it - the thought of dressing a new, round, body had me completely stressed out. (I know, “I’m creating life” blah blah blah) Needless to say your blog saved me and helped me to see that I don’t have to wear some of the atrocious maternity wear some of my pregnant friends are donning.
 
Anyway, the real reason I’m writing is to ask you a favor, and I’ll warn you up front it’s not something you would normally write about. As I said in my confession, I’m not a mom nor am I pregnant – despite two years of trying and thousands of dollars spent. My husband and I have decided to do IVF and even though we no longer have to do the inner-muscular injections or mix our own meds, I’m pretty nervous. Our IVF nurse said the two weeks towards the end of the procedure will leave me with heavy ovaries (no working out), messy panties (in lieu of the injections they now use suppositories and pads – yay, she said sarcastically), out of control hormones, a sensitive tummy and probably no denim for a couple of weeks which…about put me over the edge.
 
I woke up in the middle of the night with a flash back to an article you posted awhile ago about post-delivery attire, specifically Aerie, pad friendly panties but when I went back into the archives I couldn’t track it down. Would you please post something regarding clothing/panties that would be comfortable on a bloated, cranky, sensitive tummy?
 
I soon hope to be joining your every-growing cult of fabulous fashionista mommies but right now I have to get past two weeks of hormonal hell.
 
xoxo
Julia

Answer:

Julia, you will certainly be in our thoughts.  IVF is such a long road...and on top of everything else, no denim???  While this is arguably the least of your worries, it's also the part we can easily help with.  And we are so delighted to help. 

First things first:  the post-partum panties you are looking for can be found here.  And if you missed yesterday's article on loungewear, be sure to check it out.

Since you are self-proclaimed jean snob and fashionista (hello, we should be friends)...I've found a couple of drool-worthy looks that will allow for granny-panties, disguise a poochy stomach, and no denim required!!

Translating Your Styleboard to Mom-Uniform Possibilities: Amanda's Example

 One of the comments we received on our Determining Your Personal Style article was from reader Amanda.  She wrote:

"I started this today but got a little stuck. The pictures speak, but they say so many different things. Sometimes "that's beautiful," "she's beautiful," or "wow, that look would really work for next week's baby shower / wedding / playgroup / family function." I think I should be focusing on the whole look, pictures where I can truly say "that's ME," or "that could be me." Worried this might land me in the same rut I've been in for years though ... help!"

Once you've chosen your favorite pictures, translating them can be tricky.  Amanda was kind enough to send over her quick-n-dirty styleboard, and it's gorgeous.  It's also a good example of what complicated creatures we are.  Unlike the old Sesame Street, "one of these things is not like the other..." we are not trying to eliminate the outliers.  Our personal styles are often made up of seemingly disparate ideas.  Putting it all together is what makes personal style, well...personal.

Sooo...using Amanda's style board as an example, I've created three possible mom-uniforms.  Here's her styleboard: 

Perfect Fall Transition Piece: Vests (How to Wear Them Now, and Later)

While I'm am SO ready for Fall, Denver, clearly, is not.  The constant 80 degree temperatures are starting to drive me crazy.  Although, being 8 months pregnant might have something to do with it.  But while I'm dreaming of cozy sweaters, tall boots, scarves, and cute little gloves, my reality is still flip-flops and tank tops.   

However, I've been eyeing up a new momdrobe necessity, something along the lines of a more interesting sweater:  the sweater vest.

While the term sweater vest conjures up images of school-boys in argyle, the modern sweater vest is a cool and cozy way to add a bit of warmth (and style) to summer's basics as we ease into Fall.  And once Winter hits in full force, vests can easily be layered for maximum warmth.

So here's how I'd wear it now...and later:

How to Transition Summer Dresses into Fall, aka Google Search: Date Night Outfit, San Francisco

 “The coldest winter I ever spent,” Mark Twain once quipped, “was a summer in San Francisco,” and indeed these over-quoted words rang true for the bazillionth time in history on my recent jaunt to San Francisco (sans babes, thank you, Mimi & Papa!) from Denver’s 90 degree + heat.  In SF, Locust trees outside the Powell St. BART stop were starting to turn, the temperature was in the 50s and fall sweaters and boots were in full effect, reminding me that alas, fall is on its way.  Fast forward to the Summer/Fall 2010 transitional season dressing challenge!

Holiday Styling Tips For Moms: Dressy Shorts

Dressy shorts are the cornerstone of my new favorite holiday look for moms.  They manage to convey the feeling of a little cocktail dress, but can be paired (as shown) with a warm, cozy sweater and sleek tights.  I can also bend down and pick up the little man, sit on the floor, or do other various mom maneuvers without worrying about accidental exposure.

So the basic formula is:  shorts + cozy sweater + opaque tights + great shoes.

Proportion is key here.  I think flat front short-shorts are the easiest to dress up.  They are akin to a sexy little mini.  However, if you don't want to show so much leg, a longer version of shorts are fine, but watch the volume:  longer shorts tend to get wider.  You'll want to offset the wideness with a fitted sweater.

Mom Street Style - October 2009 Mom

Setting the scene:  My dear friend Amber, who is not yet a mom, has just finished reading my article, The Uninspired, The Unflattering, The Trends of Fall 2009.

Amber: Seriously?  You said no to over-the-knee boots?

Me: Well, I said they weren't PRACTICAL.

Amber:  Whatever.  They are fabulous.  FABULOUS.  And I know you want them.

Me:  [sigh]  Ok, mayb-

Amber: Seriously?  Like moms can't be HOT?  Moms can TOTALLY be hot.  I know lots of hot moms.  You're hot - you could wear them!

Me: Ummmm...thanks? But you are right, moms CAN be hot, but I just said they weren't practi--

Amber: Let your moms be hot!  Tell your moms they have a RIGHT to be hot!

Me: Ok, Ok, Ok.  I know. I KNOW. [weakly] I just said they weren't practical....for all moms...some moms may not like them....

Amber:  [silence]

Amber:  I'm wearing mine tonight.  You will LOVE them and be jealous.

And she did.  And I was.  They are fabulous.  AND...to make matters worse, a few weeks after this conversation I ran into hot-mom Amy, pictured above, wearing......[drumroll].....over-the-knee boots.  And a rather practical pair, actually.  

What We're Reading This Week: Sweatsuit Alternatives Part 2 on Rookie Moms

So my final installment of Sweatsuit Alternatives debuted today on Rookie Moms.  I focused on an easy, Audrey Hepburn inspired look for the final sweatsuit alternative. 

NOTE:  I love the comments from Rookie Mom readers on this look - they are completely right!  If you are a very busty gal, skip the turtleneck and instead try a black cowl-neck top.  It will give the same classic Audrey vibe, but will be so much more flattering for those well endowed.

I so enjoyed being a guest author on Rookie Moms.  I loved reading all of the responses from Rookie Mom readers, and over the last three weeks I have managed to become completely addicted to Rookie Mom's website!  I am now inspired to attempt to make my son's Halloween costume (CRAFTY I AM NOT).  We'll see.  I'll post pics when it's done.  It may end up being part of a "What Not To Wear" segment.  Poor kid.

A huge thank you to Rookie Moms!

xo,

S