For moms who pride themselves on looking good

[Anonymous]

What are your go to outfits? Interested in hearing from SAHMs, in particular. I have yet to get the chic but comfortable thing down as a new SAHM (kids are not baby age). Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Depends on what I'm doing, but I would say my basic staples are the following:

- nice looking dark jeans -- wide leg and skinny
- J. Crew cords
- several pairs of ballet flats
- longer sweaters
- short sleeve sweater w/ long sleeve t-shirt underneath
- tall boots with wedge heel
- black yoga pants worn with longer sweater and ballet flats
- lots of sundresses in the summer months

I wouldn't say I'm a dressed up SAHM, but I try to put on make-up and look presentable/somewhat fashionable when I am out and about. I do it for myself because it makes ME feel good.

I highly recommend www.spendalla.com, a personal shopper who also happens to be a mom in Arlington. Her emails with must-haves for each season have been very helpful as I add to my wardrobe.

[Anonymous]

On the ballet flat thing to the previous poster, I like them, but I don't have thin legs. I am tall and relatively slim but not the leggy type. . . do they still work?

[Anonymous]

I'm not the PP, I am tall and not leggy either, and I wear ballet flats frequently and I think they look good. (I hope!) I think they still work as long as your pants are cut correctly (long enough, probably boot cut or wider leg), the flats will look great.

[Anonymous]

Ballet flats are for everyone, but I am a different poster! That is what i think. Of course, a heel is ALWAYS more flattering on the leg, but it is impractical for SAHM.

I always wear dark jeans and if it has to be a sweater, it is always cashmere. Lands End make very affordable beautiful cashmere. I wear either flats or wedge boots, and one major piece of jewelry, either necklace or earring. Makeup is a must.

I am also a fan of layering with a nice fitted jacket over even the simplest of tees.

[Anonymous]

big fan of JCREW cashmere this year. They ran a good sale almost all the time on the crewneck/fitted style.

[Anonymous]

winter and ballet flats-- what do you do for socks?

[Anonymous]

Original PP re: flats. Flats definitely work for everybody and I do not wear socks. I am never outside very long on cold days, just car to school/errands, so it hasn't been an issue.

And ITA with PP who said a piece of major jewelry -- long necklace or something chunky is good. I rarely wear earrings. Target has great, inexpensive jewelry for everyday wear.

[Anonymous]

re: ballet flats and socks. I think that a thin pair of trouser socks works fine with flare jeans (you can't see the socks so much anyway). But, with skinny jeans, I skip the socks.

[Anonymous]

Also jeans or cords with a cute tailored jacket, like a velvet or cord blazer or a military styled wool. Throw it over a long-sleeved t-shirt to go out of the house and you look totally put together and it hides any stains from baby on the tee! I just read a book (fiction) in which a character said something like "a cute tailored jacket elevates an outfit above ordinary every time."

I am also more of a boots girl that a ballet flats girl in the winter although I love ballet flats. I personally think everyone should have (at a minimum) two good pairs of boots for pants, one brown and one black. Zip or pull them on over any type of sock (even white athletics) and out you go!

So basically, you schlump around the house in jeans, comfy siocks and a tee then yank on boots and a cute blazer and out you go.

In summer I am all about the easy shift dress and strappy sandals. A little linen blazer or cotton cardi helps for polish.