Mom Fashion
I have a bit of a confession..Somewhere between reading Goodnight Moon (for the 5,293rd time) and The Little House Series, I try to find a bit of time for fashion magazines.
Now, don't let me mislead you. You would never know when you see me that I'm a fan of InStyle or Lucky. After all, I am a mom, a stay-at-home mom, who sometimes chokes on my coffee when I see the price of the clothing such magazines often feature. I won't be spending more than $30 on a pair of pants until my kiddos don't think a tissue and my pant legs are one and the same.
So, what's a mom to do who likes fashion but doesn't have the budget or the time to keep up with the trends? Here's what works for me:
1. I keep it simple by mostly wearing jeans. I think most moms look best in a mid-cut bootleg jean. A dark wash is a safe bet. I currently have three pairs in my closet though one pair is a bit tight, ahem, in the thighs. (I blame all that muscle I'm building from running.) Good jeans work for pretty much anything, even getting dressed up for date night or mom's night out. A simple jean skirt made dressing easy through the summer even when the temperatures around here soared (you know, way back in June).
2. If you read anything about fashion, you've probably seen different references to how a jacket can pull an outfit together and make you look, well, fashionable. It's true. Even a tee and jeans look somewhat classy when worn with a cute jacket. I have two mid-weight jackets that cost me less than $30 each last spring. (Of course, once those frigid Kansas City days set in, all bets are off and I'm breaking out my puffy jacket.) Any jacket that flatters you and does not look like something your child could wear is probably a good choice.
3. I've also found that not all tees are created equal. Sure, I have a few sentimental tees from different events I've participated in the past few years. Still, I pretty much only wear those type of shirts for painting, yard work and maybe as pajamas. There is such a variety of tees out there to suit any budget that are so much more flattering than the typical baggy one you got the last time you volunteered or ran a race. Find a style that works for you and then buy it in all the colors that flatter you. No one will notice, I promise. I frequently rotate the same three t-shirts and change it up by wearing a tank under my shirt or layering a hoodie or cardigan over it. It's a great way to stretch your dollars and make choosing what to wear a snap.
4. As for shoes, if I can't run in them, I save them for date night. If you've ever cared for a toddler or preschooler, I don't need to explain this one to you. Moms of older children, maybe you can offer some hope about occasionally getting to wear less practical shoes as my children get older? Please! Now, wearing shoes that I can run in doesn't mean I wear my running shoes. Rather, I have boots for the cooler months and sandals and flip-flops for warm weather. My boots have chunky low heels and my sandals are mostly wedges. I'm learning that quality over quantity is a good policy when it comes to shoes. That said, a price tag doesn't always determine what is well made and what isn't. Target is one of my favorite shoe sources and I'm rarely disappointed.
5. Finally, I've learned that “perfect” doesn't usually happen, but settling for good is just fine. Sure, I'd love to find a pair of jeans that make my stomach look as flat as it was before I had my three children. However, I wouldn't actually have any jeans in my closet if I held out until I found those jeans. The same can be said for any type of clothing. I try to be realistic when I shop. After all, I'm a busy mom who has very little time for shopping. If it isn't in one of the few stores I actually regularly visit (read Target, Old Navy, Kohl's, and even Savers) then I probably don't own it.
Well, that's probably more than my two cents' worth and I didn't even mention accessories. (Stay away from cheesy diaper bags!) Now, you tell me, what are your tips for looking your best within both your budget and your schedule. Please don't say anything about a little black dress. This mama whose shirt is frequently covered in the nasal discharge of three precious kiddos can't handle it!