Moms of young kids, how do you dress nicely?

[Anonymous]

Kick up the t-shirt a notch. It makes a big difference. So instead of a simple plain t with a crew neck, go for a v-neck or another flattering neckline with some detailing--a faux wrap front, a ruffle--whatever you like & looks good on you.

This:


Over this:

[Anonymous]

Suggestions on where to look for nicer knit tops. Most of the ones I've seen lately are tissue tees which aren't flattering for me and my muffin top...

[Anonymous]

I have a love/hate relationship with the store, but I have found soem great stuff in LOFT's current spring casual line. In regard to kicking up the basic T-shirt, I have both of the below and live in them on the weekends:

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=32051&N=1200005&categoryId=204&pCategoryId=3359&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_204&Nty=1&No=45&loc=TN&defaultColor=Milk White&defaultSizeType=Regular

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=33315&N=1200005&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=204&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_204&Nty=1&No=60&loc=TN&defaultColor=Frost Grey&defaultSizeType=Regular

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kick up the t-shirt a notch. It makes a big difference. So instead of a simple plain t with a crew neck, go for a v-neck or another flattering neckline with some detailing--a faux wrap front, a ruffle--whatever you like & looks good on you.

This:


Over this:

see, i think #2 is far more stylish (albeit basic) and youthful. #1 looks like a nursing shirt and screams "mom!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That and I invest in a pair of Keen's every year - they are soooo comfy!

I love Keens too, but I'm pretty sure they're not stylish. What's the verdict?

Keens are definitely something I associate with the un-put-together mom. They do have some styles that are more like ballet flats or Mary janes and those are better but still kind of clunky and childish looking. No judgment--I have 2 pairs of keens. But sadly I fall more in the un-put-together category. The put-together mom is usually wearing sleeker ballet flats, riding boots, or maybe some kind of flat sandals.

PP here - I wear the 'Saint Bart's' which are more of a slip on rather than the Newport. I do consider them rather casual but they aren't hideous, and they are easy to slip on/off while holding my wiley 15-month-old. I did pick up some mary jane style merrell's which have been a staple this spring so far too.

I also think of what we mean by 'put together'. I think you can look put together without being high maintenance. We are an outdoors family with very young boys so I am not trolling around the mall or sitting back and watching the kids play at the playground. I am climbing the slide with them, chasing them around, playing in the sandbox, taking them for walks to get ice cream - none of which could be easily done without destroying flats or riding boots or gladiator sandals. So for those activities, being 'put together' to me means not wearing my crappiest sweats with a t-shirt or college sweatshirt and old sneakers. I am wearing well-fitting, casual but comfortable and wash-and-wear clothes with shoes that don't scuff or hold dirt.

I don't aim to look like I walked out of Good Housekeeping, nor do I want to. I don't iron unless I ABSOLUTELY have to. I wear nice clothes to the office, and easily washable clothes at home since I have to wash them every time I wear them. In fact, my clothes literally double as napkins, kleenex, and hand towels. I love the days when I think I look nice, then I look down and my 15 mo has rubbed his nose on my black pants...arrrggg!

[Anonymous]

Mary Jane Merrells??? And you are giving fashion advice? HORRORS.

-Unput-together mom

[Anonymous]

-keep your hair well cut and cover greys (you can do this at home too if cost of going to salon is prohibitive). invest in hair products for your hair (even target sells good ones now that you used to only be able to buy in salons. i personally think shine serum is the best thing invented for my hair).

-skin - consider using a skin brightener as part of your make-up routine (highlighter). it does wonders for a tired face. exfoliate a few times a week.

-make certain your nails are done (you can do this at home. learn how to apply a quick polish to the toes - it takes 30 mins max after the kids are asleep)

-shoes of choice - cute pumas or ballet flats. so many cute, simple sandals out there that you can walk and play around in with kids. mark off two hours to spend at a DSW one day and you are set for the summer.

-clothes - invest in a very flattering pair on jeans (again, not saying you have to buy expensive denim. gap even has good choices now and there is always a coupon floating around). add a few floaty skirts that you can find anywhere now (old navy, etc). please, no capris!

-tops - tunics, t-shirts that are cut to the body in nice, vibrant colors

it really is not that difficult and does not require lots of time and $. the key is to focus on the basics and make sure they fit well and are in flattering colors. the hair and nails are basic and make you look polished.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mary Jane Merrells??? And you are giving fashion advice? HORRORS.

-Unput-together mom

They aren't Jimmy Choo, but they are cute and functional. Work-appropriate? No. Playground/casual? Yes. I get lots of compliments. I am very, very active - chasing kids around, taking them for walks, etc. - you can't do all that in a ballet flat. I wear ballet flats and cute shoes at work, but they aren't made for true activity.

Signed,
Put together but not cookie cutter mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mary Jane Merrells??? And you are giving fashion advice? HORRORS.

-Unput-together mom

So, post sine examples of cute comfy shoes for outdoor play that aren't sneakers. Like a PP mentioned, flats aren't always appropriate for a trip to the park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mary Jane Merrells??? And you are giving fashion advice? HORRORS.

-Unput-together mom

Hopefully this person is kidding?

I too shop at Title 9 and REI for my "nice" clothes. I too climb the playground equipment with my child. I don't work outside the home. Maybe I don't look "put together" by some people's standards, but I am comfortable and people don't gasp in horror when they see that I'm wearing Keens or Chacos. (Or maybe they just do it behind my back).

[Anonymous]

ya, they do...but only at the keens.

[Anonymous]

7:44 here... lol, thanks for the confirmation.

[Anonymous]

I think that some Merrels are better looking than most Keens.

As for what looks "nice" on the playground, well, it depends on your perspective. There are some moms I see at the playground who wear heels--they look nice, but they are totally inappropriate.

Try Garnet Hill and JCrew for some cute, casual looks. As with any other situation, you want clean, WELL-FITTED, clothing, so scuffs, good hair (this is a major pitfall for DC moms), and light makeup (concealer and lipgloss).

[Anonymous]

I love my Keens and don't really care what others think. I had foot surgery several years ago and they are one of the few comfortable shoes I can wear. They do have some cuter styles that are not super "clunky" looking. (I love my SnowRover and purple Kaley boots!) For me, comfort wins out over what others consider "cute."

[Anonymous]

I'm the un-put together mommy, who wants to look better, but my 4 year old jeans are so comfortable, and I really am going to loose that 10 pounds this year!
I'm actually being serious. And the yellow shirt would look hideous on me - I don't have the neckline for it (big shoulders, small boobs, ugly neck).
My husband prefers me without makeup, I hate nail polish, and no, I do not need to "cover up my gray". I like it, and hair dye strips hair, making it more fragile.
Signed,
Forever un-put together mommy