Juggling a job, a house, and a family takes its toll on today's moms, often placing them in a veritable fashion rut, if not an actual crevass! So how does a chic mom climb out of that deep chasm and get back on board the fashion express?
First, decide which of the four basic styles best fits your personality and lifestyle. Are you preppy, athletic, sexy, or more of a beachy type? Next, follow these guidelines to get ready for summer and free the fashionista hiding under those old blue jeans and baggy t-shirt!
Preppy mama
This look incorporates tailored lines with classic style and fit. The traditional button-down oxford is back for this summer, with a twist! Check out Vineyard Vines' new Sconset tops: a solid-color oxford with turn-back cuffs in a bright accent pattern. Or how about an oxford with ruffles or a tuxedo collar? This year's popular colors are pastel solids and pinstripes. Top any of these blouses with a short tailored jacket or a traditional blazer for a dressier look.
Ralph Lauren's polo shirts and tailored slacks, Bermuda shorts, and capris are always a good choice, and colors like khaki or tan are easy to pair with any blouse. White slacks and shorts are another great choice, as they just scream "summer!"
Other staples for your preppy wardrobe include cricket sweaters, madras or khaki skirts, seersucker or linen tea dresses, tennis skirts, and simple halter dresses. For accessories, choose small simple handbags, leather or ribbon belts, silk scarves, and classic sunglasses. Preps wear tasteful jewelry with genuine stones and silver, gold, or platinum nothing too flashy. Preppy shoes include loafers, leather pumps, simple sandals, dock shoes, and top-shelf sneakers.
Preppy should say "ivy league" and "old money." Understated yet sophisticated. Preps wear natural fabrics like cotton, silk, cashmere, linen, and wool. They generally eschew polyester! Although preppy clothes are often more expensive than other styles, they are usually well made and will last for years. As an added bonus, this type of clothing rarely goes out of style. The best places to shop for preppy fashion, in addition to the ones already mentioned, are J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor, Lacoste, L. L. Bean, Land's End, and Vicomte Arthur. Most of these retailers have online catalogs and stores.
When purchasing preppy clothes online or from a catalog, be precise with your measurements in order to avoid returns. Since most of these items are tailored, there isn't much room for guesswork.
Athletic mama
To achieve an athletic look, think "sporty preppy." This type of clothing should be no-nonsense, but it doesn't have to be boring. It should be comfortable and allow for easy movement. Clothing you could wear while playing golf, cycling, power walking, or performing yoga or pilates. Fabrics should be breathable in order to wick away perspiration.
Popular athletic looks for this summer include drawstring pants and shorts, cargo capris, short-sleeve hoodies,running shorts, Bermuda shorts, skorts, and camis in fun colors and prints. Another trendy look will be a plaid vest over a short-sleeve polo shirt, perfect for the golf course.
Athleta.com has a wonderful selection of cap-sleeve and sleeveless polos, shrugs, hoodies, and tees and tanks in a wide assortment of colors and patterns. For a simple, yet elegant black cocktail dress, check out their "pack everyday dress" or their "honey dress."
Another great online store is sportsunlimitedinc.com. Their tees, jackets, tanks, compression shorts, swimsuits, pants, and hoodies would all be nice additions to your sporty wardrobe.
Shoes to match your athletic clothing include Crocs, sports sandals, hiking boots, sneakers, and simple slip-ons.
Accessories should be simple and streamlined, and never cumbersome. When it comes to jewelry, athletic moms are minimalists. They either wear small items that don't get in the way, or they wear no jewelry at all. Fancy handbags are often traded for totes that can hold a water bottle or a change of clothes.
Other than the sites mentioned, athletic clothing and shoes can be purchased at Sketchers, Gander Mountain, Athletic Attic, Keen's, and Puma, all online.
Be careful with sizes. Many athletic items are made of stretch fabrics like Lycra, and are somewhat forgiving, but always keep in mind your purpose for the clothing. For example, loose-fitting shorts might be fine for golfing, but not for cycling.
Sexy mama
How does a mother exude her sexuality without coming across as slutty? Easy! Just choose clothing that accentuates your femininity and your soft, romantic side. Think peasant tops, lace, poet blouses, frilly babydoll shirts, and long, flowing skirts.
Victoria's Secret has a nice selection of ruffled tops, lacy tanks, and frilly halter tops in a wide variety of colors. Floral camis and Boho blouses will be hot items this summer, along with print tops with spaghetti straps. Form-fitting silk georgette shirts in small prints and soft solids are also a good choice.
Drawstring pants, boot-cut jeans, wide-leg crop pants, and palazzo pants will be popular, and they can be dressed up or down to fit nearly any occasion. Jeans embellished with embroidery, rhinestones, or studs can add pizzazz to your new sexy wardrobe, too.
Dresses should be very feminine and shape flattering. Crochet trim, smocking, empire waists, fringe, and beads all add a flair of romance and interest. Even a straight-line t-shirt dress can look sexy by adding a jeweled belt to silhouette the waistline and create curves. Slinky fabrics like jersey, satin, and silk will complement your shape.
For sexy shoes, choose espadrilles, open-toed pumps, and flirty, strappy sandals. High heels are classically sexy, too, and you'll definitely need a pair in black to wear with that "little black cocktail dress."
To go with your new sexy wardrobe, purses should be small. Embellishments like stones, jewels, and fringe are all in order.
If you're attempting a sexy look, you can be a little bold when choosing jewelry. Try wearing several bangle bracelets together, dangling chandelier earrings, and necklaces and chokers that complement your neckline.
In addition to Victoria's Secret, you can find sexy clothing at retail stores like Belk's, Dillards, Penny's, and even Walmart. Just look in the junior section! For online shopping, check out dhstyles.com for sexy tops and trousers. If you're a little more daring, peruse greatglam.com. some of their items are over the top, but they also have some styles appropriate for moms. For some awesome, sexy shoes, visit catdancerz.com.
Blousy tops are somewhat forgiving when it comes to sizing, but if you're shopping for form-fitting shirts and dresses, you'll need specific measurements.
Beachy mama
This style is just as the name implies: casual, comfortable apparel like you would wear at the beach. The hot color for this summer is turquoise. Whether you choose clothing in this shade, turquoise-colored handbags or sun hats, or actual turquoise jewelry, be sure to add a few pieces of this gorgeous palette to your beachy wardrobe!
The beachy look runs the gamut from the preppy nautical look to the athletic tank to the sexy camis. Popular colors include white, pastels, and navy blue. Beachy motifs like palms, hibiscus flowers, tropical fish, and seashells often adorn this type of clothing. Cotton is an excellent material for beachwear because it wicks away perspiration and breathes.
This summer's trendy beachwear includes madras shorts and halter tops, crop pants, seersucker slacks and capris, sleeveless polos, and whimsical tanks.
Tommybahama.com has a superb collection of sarong-style dresses, tees, scarf tops, capris, matador pants, tanks, swimsuits, and sandals.
Softsurroundings.com has a great line of lightweight gauze tops and pants, perfect for those hot summer days.
Beachy accessories include floppy hats, vintage sunglasses, and jewelry with starfish, seashells, parrots, fish, or sand dollars. Handbags should be straw totes large enough to carry a book, tanning lotion, and a bottle of water.
Shoes to complete this look are flirty flip-flops, strappy sandals, sneakers, boat shoes, water shoes, and open-toed pumps and wedges.
In addition to online stores, some of the best places to purchase beachwear are located at the beach. Stores like Beach Unlimited, Waves, and surf shops found in coastal cities often have a huge selection of fun, unique apparel. Plenty of other big retail chains include beachy clothing in their spring and summer line. Check out Target, Dillard's, Walmart, Belk's, Gap, and Old Navy online.
Be especially careful about size and fit when purchasing swimsuits online. Most stores do not allow returns or exchanges of bathing suits.