Help me dress like a Bethesda mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's simple. For winter, you'll need at least one pair of dark blue skinny jeans and one "modern" fit tailored to the ankle. At least one pair of tall boots (but preferably three pairs in black, cognac, and grey) and one pair of black ankle boots. Pair with white or subtly patterned button down shirts and cashmere sweaters on top. Dress up with a Ralph Lauren blazer. Flats (Tory Burch or Cole Haan) for fall and spring. Jack Roger sandals , Tory Burrch, and Lily Pulitzer for summer.

Tory Burch? Jack Rogers? Freaking Lily? Why?!

Yeah doesn't seem like the moms gravitate to high end brands. A nice puffer is moncler. I had a north face in high school almost 15 years ago! If moms truly wear these kinds of brands I don't think you have much to worry about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's simple. For winter, you'll need at least one pair of dark blue skinny jeans and one "modern" fit tailored to the ankle. At least one pair of tall boots (but preferably three pairs in black, cognac, and grey) and one pair of black ankle boots. Pair with white or subtly patterned button down shirts and cashmere sweaters on top. Dress up with a Ralph Lauren blazer. Flats (Tory Burch or Cole Haan) for fall and spring. Jack Roger sandals , Tory Burrch, and Lily Pulitzer for summer.

Tory Burch? Jack Rogers? Freaking Lily? Why?!

Yeah doesn't seem like the moms gravitate to high end brands. A nice puffer is moncler. I had a north face in high school almost 15 years ago! If moms truly wear these kinds of brands I don't think you have much to worry about.

Those are the brands. Many Bethesda moms are busy paying for the vacation, the 2nd home, the 3rd home, private school, the 2 lux cars and they just don't spend that much for true upper designer clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's simple. For winter, you'll need at least one pair of dark blue skinny jeans and one "modern" fit tailored to the ankle. At least one pair of tall boots (but preferably three pairs in black, cognac, and grey) and one pair of black ankle boots. Pair with white or subtly patterned button down shirts and cashmere sweaters on top. Dress up with a Ralph Lauren blazer. Flats (Tory Burch or Cole Haan) for fall and spring. Jack Roger sandals , Tory Burrch, and Lily Pulitzer for summer.

Tory Burch? Jack Rogers? Freaking Lily? Why?!

Yeah doesn't seem like the moms gravitate to high end brands. A nice puffer is moncler. I had a north face in high school almost 15 years ago! If moms truly wear these kinds of brands I don't think you have much to worry about.

Those brands aren't high end. They're just ugly.

[Anonymous]

OP How old are you? 20s, 30s 40s? Not too many people want to dress like their moms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's simple. For winter, you'll need at least one pair of dark blue skinny jeans and one "modern" fit tailored to the ankle. At least one pair of tall boots (but preferably three pairs in black, cognac, and grey) and one pair of black ankle boots. Pair with white or subtly patterned button down shirts and cashmere sweaters on top. Dress up with a Ralph Lauren blazer. Flats (Tory Burch or Cole Haan) for fall and spring. Jack Roger sandals , Tory Burrch, and Lily Pulitzer for summer.

Tory Burch? Jack Rogers? Freaking Lily? Why?!

Are you being serious right now? This is what Bethesda moms (women 35-55) wear. Are you really going to tell me you haven't noticed this?? Now whether you think these brands are attractive or not is a different matter. But OP wanted people to give her the names of popular brands so she could fit in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's simple. For winter, you'll need at least one pair of dark blue skinny jeans and one "modern" fit tailored to the ankle. At least one pair of tall boots (but preferably three pairs in black, cognac, and grey) and one pair of black ankle boots. Pair with white or subtly patterned button down shirts and cashmere sweaters on top. Dress up with a Ralph Lauren blazer. Flats (Tory Burch or Cole Haan) for fall and spring. Jack Roger sandals , Tory Burrch, and Lily Pulitzer for summer.

Tory Burch? Jack Rogers? Freaking Lily? Why?!

Yeah doesn't seem like the moms gravitate to high end brands. A nice puffer is moncler. I had a north face in high school almost 15 years ago! If moms truly wear these kinds of brands I don't think you have much to worry about.

Those are the brands. Many Bethesda moms are busy paying for the vacation, the 2nd home, the 3rd home, private school, the 2 lux cars and they just don't spend that much for true upper designer clothes.

Yep. They want to look like a slightly Southern, casual version of preppy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's simple. For winter, you'll need at least one pair of dark blue skinny jeans and one "modern" fit tailored to the ankle. At least one pair of tall boots (but preferably three pairs in black, cognac, and grey) and one pair of black ankle boots. Pair with white or subtly patterned button down shirts and cashmere sweaters on top. Dress up with a Ralph Lauren blazer. Flats (Tory Burch or Cole Haan) for fall and spring. Jack Roger sandals , Tory Burrch, and Lily Pulitzer for summer.

Tory Burch? Jack Rogers? Freaking Lily? Why?!

Yeah doesn't seem like the moms gravitate to high end brands. A nice puffer is moncler. I had a north face in high school almost 15 years ago! If moms truly wear these kinds of brands I don't think you have much to worry about.

Those are the brands. Many Bethesda moms are busy paying for the vacation, the 2nd home, the 3rd home, private school, the 2 lux cars and they just don't spend that much for true upper designer clothes.

There is some truth to this. We have a second home, travel quite a bit, kids in college, etc. I don't pay much attention to brands but tend to mid tier brands like the first post. No Chanel or Louis Vuitton here. Exception is ski wear where we do have Bogner, Kjus, etc.

I don't get the button down shirt thing though. I rarely see people wearing those. They are unflattering on many women.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it has to be North Face, sorry.

I don't understand why everyone feels the need to wear skiing/mountaineering coats on weekends. Your regular wool coats work on Saturday too. Are you going to ascend K2 between the run to safeway and picking up the kids at soccer?

Why I wear my ski jacket (or down full length coat) when I am not skiing:
It is warmer than any of my wool coats (I have three of those, too).
It has pockets that zip, so I can have lip balm, tissues, gloves, earband, house keys, phone, etc., where I need them and can skip a purse.
It is wind-proof.
It is water-proof for those drizzly, sleet days we have.
It is washable.
I am a jeans and parka girl, not a wool coat and slacks girl.

I'm a PP who suggested a nice tailored coat. Thank you for explaining this! I had no idea about the pockets...

[Anonymous]

Get Patagonia instead of NF, much more flattering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get Patagonia instead of NF, much more flattering.

+1. Or one of those Ibex wool-filled ski jackets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I live close to downtown Bethesda after living for many years in Paris and other European cities. Americans in general have a very casual sense of style, and Bethesda is no exception.

Fashion sense starts with knowing what cut of clothes will fit you, and what colors will enhance your skin tone. It also has everything to do with healthy skin and looking bright and cheerful. Real fashion is also not about fitting in against all odds, but expressing your personality through your clothes. Be well-dressed with a hint of originality. If you buy the common denominator, you will look common.

So the most important things have nothing to do with following trends. Figure out what shape you have. Show off one nice part of your body (legs with shorter skirts or leggings, waist with cinched clothing and coats, etc) and dress for the weather. You will appear to be fashionable if the clothes fit you well!

Brands are important because usually expensive and better made clothes last much longer and have more flair, so it makes sense to invest. But you don't need clothes with logos to look fashionable to others, quite the opposite.

Personally, on a middle class budget, I have found nice pieces from Anthropologie, Boden and J Crew (from most original to most conservative). Be careful with Anthro, they carry several brands that don't have the same sizing or quality. I don't like puffy coats and prefer wool duffels, but again, chose what makes you happy! For winter, a slim elegant ankle boot will go with everything. Mine are from Mephisto.

I think this is great advice. The only thing I would add is that you can mix expensive (top of the line brands) with inexpensive but stylish clothes like H&M. I went in there one day to buy my tweens and young nieces some items and fell in love with it. You can buy nice pieces and mix them with your expensive coats, shoes, boots, etc. I even like their costume jewelry and have gotten lots of compliments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's simple. For winter, you'll need at least one pair of dark blue skinny jeans and one "modern" fit tailored to the ankle. At least one pair of tall boots (but preferably three pairs in black, cognac, and grey) and one pair of black ankle boots. Pair with white or subtly patterned button down shirts and cashmere sweaters on top. Dress up with a Ralph Lauren blazer. Flats (Tory Burch or Cole Haan) for fall and spring. Jack Roger sandals , Tory Burrch, and Lily Pulitzer for summer.

Tory Burch? Jack Rogers? Freaking Lily? Why?!

Yeah doesn't seem like the moms gravitate to high end brands. A nice puffer is moncler. I had a north face in high school almost 15 years ago! If moms truly wear these kinds of brands I don't think you have much to worry about.

Those are the brands. Many Bethesda moms are busy paying for the vacation, the 2nd home, the 3rd home, private school, the 2 lux cars and they just don't spend that much for true upper designer clothes.

There is some truth to this. We have a second home, travel quite a bit, kids in college, etc. I don't pay much attention to brands but tend to mid tier brands like the first post. No Chanel or Louis Vuitton here. Exception is ski wear where we do have Bogner, Kjus, etc.

I don't get the button down shirt thing though. I rarely see people wearing those. They are unflattering on many women.

Under a sweater or a blazer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a lot of different coats for different occasions. But I do have a puffer from jcrew and I love it. That's what I wear to go out and play with my kids in the snow.

BTW, for all of you making fun of OP, if you guys are such individuals with your own unique style, then who are all of those look alike moms?

I don't know. But I am a poor TH dweller in NOVA. I guess that's why I don't know!

I don't hate the puffer but I think it tends to look weird in 45 degree weather. Also I like when I see people mix it up with bright colors and jackets/ vests that are puffy- its supposed to be fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's simple. For winter, you'll need at least one pair of dark blue skinny jeans and one "modern" fit tailored to the ankle. At least one pair of tall boots (but preferably three pairs in black, cognac, and grey) and one pair of black ankle boots. Pair with white or subtly patterned button down shirts and cashmere sweaters on top. Dress up with a Ralph Lauren blazer. Flats (Tory Burch or Cole Haan) for fall and spring. Jack Roger sandals , Tory Burrch, and Lily Pulitzer for summer.

Tory Burch? Jack Rogers? Freaking Lily? Why?!

Yeah doesn't seem like the moms gravitate to high end brands. A nice puffer is moncler. I had a north face in high school almost 15 years ago! If moms truly wear these kinds of brands I don't think you have much to worry about.

Those are the brands. Many Bethesda moms are busy paying for the vacation, the 2nd home, the 3rd home, private school, the 2 lux cars and they just don't spend that much for true upper designer clothes.

There is some truth to this. We have a second home, travel quite a bit, kids in college, etc. I don't pay much attention to brands but tend to mid tier brands like the first post. No Chanel or Louis Vuitton here. Exception is ski wear where we do have Bogner, Kjus, etc.

I don't get the button down shirt thing though. I rarely see people wearing those. They are unflattering on many women.

Under a sweater or a blazer.

Don't wear button downs unless you're very thin with no boobs.
Also LOL @ the woman who categorized "Bethesda moms" up to age 55. 55!?!?!? We're talking about mothers of young kids here.

[Anonymous]

Not too many 20-young 30 something couples can afford to buy in Bethesda. It's usually people on their second house.