Where Mamas Should Be Shopping
PANTS: Madewell // TOP: Madewell // SANDALS: Zara (old, similar HERE and HERE) // BAG: Cult Gaia (dupe HERE) // SUNNIES: Loft
When you become a mom, you rewrite the ways you go about many things in your life. How you live, how you eat, how you dress, just to name a few. I remember dreading the idea of having to dress "like a mom" when I got pregnant. I guess at the time I thought that meant ill-fitting bootcut jeans, some kind of pilled top and matching cardigan, and a pair of beat up ballet flats. Well, A) boo on me for being so judgey based on a tired cliché, and B) mom style is a real thing and it's actually pretty awesome.
What is mom style? Mom style necessitates clothing that's functional, comfortable, and somewhat modest. Breastfeeding moms need button-fronts, or any top that can be easily moved down or to the side for quick nursing access. We go from pre-school to play dates to errands to grabbing dinner all in one day, so our outfits must stand up to long, busy schedules and constant movement. We don't want to show the world when we bend over to scoop up our littles, so we value lower hemlines and higher waist lines.
It's no wonder moms wear yoga pants and workout clothes so often; it's just easy, comfortable, and dependable. But we can't exist in lululemon 100% of the time. We need clothing that A) meets our fashionable-yet-functional criteria, B) is versatile enough to be mixed and matched and worth spending our precious shopping money on, and C) pretty enough to make us feel cute and confident!
Why Madewell (and no, this isn't sponsored...I wish LOL!): I've become quite the Madewell fan since becoming a mom because their clothing does all of the above. Their pieces from a year or two ago still blend with their current inventory. Their aesthetic is consistent as is their fit. I see a lifestyle when I see their clothing; I see moms who buy intentionally and intelligently to objectively fit their busy lives and to subjectively satisfy their need for cute clothes.
The following pieces are all A+ in my book for any mom to add to her summer wardrobe. From new nursing moms who need to shop with their breastfeeding logistics in mind, to the busy mom who likes the look and fit of a high-waisted pant, there's something for EVERY mom in this edit. My shopping bag is full of these pieces that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits all summer long.
MOM STYLE TIPS: High-waisted; flattering on the booty and won't show your undies when you bend over. Stripes leave the rest of the outfit easy to style -- wear with a simple tee and sandals.
MOM STYLE TIPS: One-and-done easy dressing. Button front gives easy access for nursing mamas. Dress up/dress down versatility: wear sandals or espadrille sneakers during the day and stacked heel sandals for a night out. Comes in rust red and olive green.
MOM STYLE TIPS: Great length (no flashing!). Button front gives easy access for nursing mamas. Open back shows a little skin to balance an otherwise modest silhouette. Easy to dress up or down.
MOM STYLE TIPS: Ruffled hem and sleeves elevate this classic white button-up blouse you can wear with all your go-to bottoms: jeans, shorts, colorful pants. Buttons give easy access for nursing mamas.
MOM STYLE TIPS: Wrap silhouette gives easy access to nursing mamas. Shorter length matches well with high waisted jeans, bottoms, and skirts.
MOM STYLE TIPS: A colorful top meant to be worn with blue or white denim. A great throw-on-and-go option. Mix up with a long necklace or earrings. Lightweight for hot days spent playing outside.
MOM STYLE TIPS: Tie-front blouses go perfectly with higher waisted pants and shorts. You can tie your own but this one takes out the guess work. The strawberry print is a cute update for this classic piece you can wear year after year.
MOM STYLE TIPS: Great length for on-the-go mamas. Thicker straps let you wear a regular bra instead of a strapless. Meant to be styled casually with street sneakers or sandals.
MOM STYLE TIPS: Every mom NEEDS a t-shirt dress to feel cute and comfy in at the same time. The length makes running around and bending over an afterthought. The gray color goes with both black, white, and neutral tans. Packs well. A great grab-and-go option.
MOM STYLE TIPS: Cropped length goes with flat and heeled sandals alike. Higher waist friendly to bending over a lot. Great balance of structure and stretch for jeans that feel comfortable and hold you in while holding their shape. Can be worn year-round..
MOM STYLE TIPS: Colorful summer shoes add interest to your warm weather basics. Slide these on with the cropped flare jeans and a tee or button up. Also would look great with a t-shirt dress. Solids and neutrals look awesome with a little pop of color or print.
MOM STYLE TIPS: A sandal you can wear as part of a dressy or casual ensemble. Comes in blush pink, marigold yellow, and beige tan. Padded for extra comfort. Adds a feminine touch to athleisure staples like a t-shirt dress or distressed denim shorts.
MOM STYLE TIPS: A heeled sandal you can comfortably walk in is essential for summertime. The lower chunky heel makes long bouts of standing or walking no problem. The warm tan leather is the perfect neutral to go with navy and black and everything in between. You want a shoe like this to dress up denim, add height to a long maxi dress, or to elevate sun dresses.
MOM STYLE TIPS: Another summertime shoe staple. A neutral lace-up sandal goes with shorts, skirts, and sun dresses. These add a slight boho vibe to your girly dresses and look right at home with denim cut-offs and a tee-shirt. Their versatility makes them a great shoe to pack for any summertime vacation.
This post is near and dear to the heart because it marries my mom life with my professional life as a wardrobe stylist. I hope you find this helpful when shopping for pieces to add to your closet. And you don't have to be a mama to find the value in these pieces either! These are all wise choices for women who want versatility and functionality in a fashionable closet.
xxBrooke