I’m off on an adventure this weekend. Lucky me, I get to spend three days skiing with my best girls. No guys (or kids) allowed! I didn’t buy anything new for the trip, but it is the perfect excuse to create a new mom uniform. If you know me and my friends, we are more chill than glam. Jeans, boots, outer wear, and wide selection of hats are the only necessary items. More time for apres ski- less time worrying about our hair.
My latest installment of {mom uniform} is for a field trip I am chaperoning this afternoon. Coincidentally it is to the same location, that I created the Rainy Day Field Trip uniform three years ago. Second kid in 5th grade and second time going to see the salmon run. This time…lucky for me…it is supposed to be dry and sunny. It is fall in the PNW, so warmth will still be necessary.
The uniform:
1. A pair of cropped flair jeans. Raw hems are my new favorite because it allows me to “hem” for free. (These come in regular and petite.)
2. Black muscle tee. If you follow me on Instagram, you will notice this is a recent purchase from my trip to Nashville. Officially obsessed with Immogeene + Willie.
3. Ultra Light Down Jacket. I don’t own this jacket (yet), but a friend bought one last year and I compliment her every time she wears it. The collar is perfection and some how makes a down jacket look chic. And PS. It is under $60!
I was going to add shoes, but the white sneaks are kind of perfect! I’m digging the muted fall colors and the comfort of this uniform. It would also work for a fall farmer’s market or a Saturday flag football game. Here’s hoping for many sunny fall days!
So if I’m being totally honest, I get super excited when I get to “dress” for something. I’m trying to force myself out of my usual casual gear and into an actual outfit. Recently a friend was wearing the most awesome pair of black leggings that she casually paired with a loose T. She looked amazing. I was shocked when she told me they were a yoga pant. Oh, this was too good to be true. Time for a new mom uniform.
The uniform:
I finally picked up a pair of these amazingly comfortable yoga pants. Unlike most Lululemon leggings the logo is on the high waist band, so no one will know they are yoga pants. {When I say these are the most comfortable pair of yoga pants ever- I do not exaggerate!} Getting creative on how I can wear these everyday, I paired them with a menswear shirt. Wearing the shirt a little oversized (so it provides ample coverage), I cinched it with a leather obi belt. The perfect finishes to this uniform are a round toe pump (or flats), a nude lip, and a simple bar necklace.
While it may be a bit too predictable, I can see that I truly have created a uniform. With a dramatically edited closet, basics become your best friends! Have you ever tried to describe your style? It is hard to put into words. {At least it is for me.} My style….. Casual, cool? Laid-back, rocker? Minimal edge? Finally, after years of loving fashion and shopping, I have slowly discovered the pieces that truly look the best on my body and a style that I love. It is fun to get dressed!
OK! On to the real point of this post, my latest mom uniform. We are officially into the thick of little league baseball season! With four games a week, I feel like I am always in the bleachers. The uniform must be sporty and comfortable, but of course stylish.
Let’s break down the essential pieces to this uniform:
Distressed, mid-rise skinnies
Old Navy Rock Star mid-rise skinny jeans are kind of perfect. They have lots of stretch and the price point is fantastic! Don’t worry… the mid-rise isn’t too high, but kindly covers my middle-aged tummy. Because let’s be honest. Low rise jeans hit in JUST the wrong spot for women who have given birth. {Or at least most of them!}
Feminine, pink raglan sweatshirt
This sweet, Who What Wear pink sweatshirt is great for layering. I would wear it with a long ribbed tank underneath.
Black, lightweight bomber jacket
I am in love with this bomber jacket! {Admittedly, I now own three bomber jackets. There may be a problem brewing.} The sleeves are not lined, so they can easily be pushed up. It is cropped in just the right way and is effortlessly cool.
Gray sneakers
Needing these New Balance sneaks! The color is perfect for NW rainy, spring weather. Simple and retro awesome! And of course, comfortable.
Rose gold aviators
Sadly, my aviators are probably entering their last season. I adore them, but Ray-Ban doesn’t make the size/style anymore. These rose-gold aviators from J.Crew might be the perfect replacement.
PS//
In full disclosure, my usual “game uniform” is skinny jeans, 10 year-old UGG boots, fleece, Patagonia puffy jacket, baseball hat, Patagonia rain shell, running gloves and a waterproof blanket. Living in Seattle in the spring is not glamorous or for the faint of heart. The above uniform is for those few days that sun shines and the temp rises above 60 degrees.
I thought it was about time for a new mom uniform. My husband and I are spending the weekend in the Washington wine country for a little fun. It has been two years since we have done any wine tasting, so it is a total treat.
The anchor of this uniform is a simple, black tank dress { I also loved this dress}. Light weight and flowy, it is great in warm weather. Everything else is just an accessory. How fun is that? I’ve learned that having your hands free is key when wine tasting. A cross-body bag would work, but I am pushing my fashion comfort zone and going for a fanny pack. {Stay with me.} With all that sun, a wide brimmed hat and sunnies are essential. A pair of wrap-around ankle strap sandals show off a fresh pedicure in white. A leather bracelet and a bold feather pendant give interest to a fairly simple outfit. Every uniform needs a pop of color. A bold orange lip in an iridescent sheen finishes off the look.
It’s been awhile since my last Mom Uniform installment. Most likely because once we lose daylight savings time I go into a deep hibernation. If you don’t leave your home, you don’t need a uniform! But there is nothing like the holidays to pull you out of your yoga pants! With just a little over a week until Christmas, I bet you are running around town doing this and that. Why not look put together while doing it?! {This uniform is actually yoga pants in disguise.}
Start with a pair of faux leather leggings that feel more like PJ’s than pants. Pair with a popover shirt that is long enough to cover your toosh -it’s just more flattering. Don’t worry about the weather or doing your hair because a beanie takes care of that. A pink coat makes this uniform. It adds the pop of color and warmth! A soft coral lip and a subtle shimmer on your lids are all the accessories you will need. Finish with a pair of comfy, cool sneakers -so you can run all day long.
Please note: The link for the pink coat is different than the coat pictured. Zara sold out of the coat I chose, but the Vince Camuto is a great alternative!
And the rainy season is upon us here in the Northwest. Lucky me, I am chaperoning an outdoor field trip next week. 70% chance of rain, means a high likelihood our trip is going to be soggy. Even a rainy day field trip deserves a great uniform. This time of year it is all about layers. The temperature is not extremely cold, but the damp can cut right through.
The uniform::
A long ribbed tank and a plaid flannel shirt under a rain shell to guarantee staying dry and warm. Mid-rise skinnies with lots of stretch. Lace-up rain boots. I am seriously coveting these beauties. I appreciate that they are low and would be easy to walk in all day. A colorblock wool hat- a necessity for me! Curly haired girls loathe a rainy day. Throw on a hat and tie your hair into a low knot and no one needs to see a big, frizzy head of hair. A backpack to carry all of the essentials. And finally, a bright lip stain. While the day may be dreary and the clothes neutral-your lips can be cherry red!
This girl is going to concert tomorrow. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I went to a show. Since I am not out partying like a rock star most nights, why not take this chance to dress up a bit? I always love the challenge of finding age appropriate clothes that still maintain just a bit of edge. Girls of a certain age {and yes, I fall into the category} need to be careful. There is an extremely fine line between rocking cool and “trying too hard”.
In an effort to try to wear more skirts and dresses, let’s start with a brown leather skirt. {While the one pictured above is breathtakingly beautiful, REDValentino is not in my budget. I would go with this skirt instead. I love the rough edges and flirty length-which isn’t too short when you are 5’0″!} Pair it with a simple, black silk tank. The accessories add the edge. An awesome pair of black heels, a snake clutch, and over-the-top wing ear cuffs!
I can’t wait to see Katy Perry’s amazing costumes and her sets. OH, and the music too, of course!
I was inspired this week by style blogger, Emily Jackson. She rocked a plaid jacket and leopard shoe boots. While I absolutely love the look, the shoes don’t quite fit my lifestyle. With some diligent searching, and Emily’s genius mixing of prints as inspiration, I was able to create a new mom uniform!
Ok. I die for these shoes. The perfect mix of leopard fab and casual cool! Everything else {plaid top, denim, crossbody bag, and a jeweled necklace} already live in my closet! With one purchase this could be my new uniform.
Auctions, benefits, a night out with your honey. They all call for cocktail attire. This is my Modern Cocktail uniform. I love separates because it allows greater versatility for me. It isn’t often I am running to school pick-up in a LBD, but I could throw on a simple silk top with jeans and not look out of place.
The rules for this uniform are simple. The classic black trouser, with a long hem, is the base for this look. Pair it with a black silk top and sexy black pumps. Yes, that’s right. Black on black on black. Punch it up with glam accessories such as an over the top clutch and bold, layered necklaces. {You might already have all the pieces in your closet.}
Give it try on date night or for your next event. Worried? Don’t! You will love it. Haters be warned because you are too {damn} classy!
PS. The above items are “dream” selections for my closet. I do own black trousers, a silk top, black pumps, and a glittery clutch. Just not these gorgeous pieces. It all still works!
