Style Dilemma: Designer Prints for a SAHM

DesigningMom and I emailed this weekend:

DC Celine:

I recently bought this dress from Target's website.

When it arrived, I was a bit underwhelmed. I think it's OK, I just don't know what to do with it. Since I'm a SAHM*, I feel a bit "out of the loop" when it comes to fashion. Do you feel like giving me some advice?

It has 3/4 sleeves, and now that it's fall, I think maybe I need to wear it with a jacket or a cardigan? Also, I like animal prints, but the whole dress is a (maybe) bit much and the jacket/cardigan will be useful in covering some of it? What about shoes? Boots? Flats? I don't like bare legs in the winter, so I probably want to wear tights...or not? It comes with a little fabric belt. Should I replace it with something more substatial? If so...what? How about jewelry? I have a free-lance interior design client now and will occasionally have some meetings with them in their fabulous house, along with some buying trips to the Washington Design Center, so I need to look somewhat business-casual-chic (is that a category?).

Dear DesigningMom:

first thoughts...more later...

like the animal print.

love the concept of the shirtdress, but yes, they can be underwhelming.


yes, your instinct on a "more substantial" belt is a good one. big 80s style wide belt would work well - or if you can't stomach that, a skinny belt would be fine, too - solid color - as fun or as neutral as you can handle. might sound weird, but think of the print as a sort of neutral.


on jacket - no, don't think you need a jacket or sweater. 3/4 sleeves are 4 season - and the best. i love them. find some plain gold (no chains) bangles - wide ones - or some plain bakelite or lucite bangles - clear or a color - and that should do for accessories. if you are chilly, i'd say a 3/4 sleeve cardi, but you'd need to belt that, too, to withstand the tendency towards boring.


and on shoes - whatever you want - all of those would work, though i'd lean to pumps, and boots (though dear to my heart) would be my last choice.

Dear DC Celine:

This is fun. Love it! How about a camel-colored belt (the lighter color in the print) and then chocolte brown tights and shoes? I love the idea of a bunch of bangles. If only I had some.


Dear DesigningMom:
 
i'd actually go with something not in the print - a black patent, or even a yellow or green.** camel would blend, and you want it to pop. yes, you could do brown tights and shoes - monochrome legs/feet = length/height. for the bangles, hit a claire's. or a thrift store. and i'd say go for wide ones, big chunky things instead of little clanky ones. something bout those and the leopard rings "jersey" to me. or you could do that to be cheeky...in which case, go as high as you dare with shoes. wedges would be a good option, too, as they just are.



it is fun. i'd say use your design aesthetic...think about how you'd accessorize a room, and you're probably good.

I happened to see DesigningMom at her daughter's birthday party Sunday, and she gave me an update. She's excited about the idea of a boldly colored belt. Now, if she could just find the time to get one (more online shopping, dear?). The thing is, she has a great sense of style. She's the one I always admire for being together, and her home? Well, she and I apparently have the same taste. I pretty much want her kitchen. And dining room...and...

*Stay at Home Mom

**Alright, folks. Apparently the way to go here is pushing the Jersey envelope. Exhaustive web search and the only wide bold colors I could find in belts were black patent, gold or red. Black is mildly predictable, but fine. Gold - well, that fits into the camel category - would work, but would blend too much. And red, well, I'm always a fan of red, but you'd just have to have fun with it. In that case, maybe finding a sweet little cardigan (emphasis on the word "sweet") would be in order, to temper the tendency to get your nails airbrushed and tease your hair. Belt sources (having posting issues, sorry!) are JC Penny & Kohl's. Yup.

Style Dilemma: Chicago on Foot

We're taking The Bean on her first plane ride Saturday. BabySis lives out there (with new baby!) and H has a conference. The Bean and I are going to play corporate family.

So once we got all the logistics settled (hotel room with two rooms for sleeping through the night, very nice friend teaching us to install and uninstall carseat, travel potty...the joys!), now we're down to the Very Important Stuff.

What to pack.

Granted, I have to figure out her wardrobe, too, but she's lucky enough to have inherited some adorable stuff from dear friends. A relative no brainer.

But Mama? That's another story.

Weekends now I usually live in jeans and cargos, a totally What-Not-to-Wear target. Ambush Makeover's waiting around the corner for me. My work wardrobe isn't particularly child-tourism friendly.

And lord knows what the weather will be on The Lake in April. Monday they had snow.

So off to ponder the packing...

Learn Style: Urban Chic Fashion Seminar

What: Fashion for Moms on the Go

When: 27 March 2009, 9:30-10:30am

Where: Urban Chic Bethesda, 7126 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda MD

Why: Kid-friendly way to update your look

Gratitude

This time last year, I was feeling a little "eh."

My tummy wasn't comfortable. I wasn't in pain, but I'd woken up about 4:30 in the morning just not feeling right. I decided to work from home. I spent the morning sending "Adam will be taking over this project" emails, so I could spend the rest of the week just supporting my colleagues as they took over my projects.

Over the morning, I called the doctor, my mom, and girlfriends who'd had kids. Finally the nurse told me to go in. Waiting for H to come home, I took a walk around the block - it was 90 degrees and the perfect Washington summer day - grey and muggy. It was probably the slowest anyone's ever walked that block.

H was convinced the hospital would send us back home with a false alarm.

Nope, The Bean had begun her approach.

We didn't know her yet, then, not like we do now, anyway, but like in everything else she does, she arrived on her own time and schedule. We just happened to be there.

She's the most beautiful, wonderful thing that's ever happened to me - to us. I'm sleep deprived, exhausted, cranky a good bit of the time, and overwhelmed. But when I come home every day, and no one else matters to her but me, it's all worth it. When I see her stand at her playstation thingy and play, "talking" all the while, it's all worth it. When I see her sleeping sweetly,...well, you get the picture.

My life shifted from classically stylish to "accessible" tops and skirts (my dream right now is to wear a dress again), and I barely have time to wash my hair (another dream: to blowdry my hair). No more will I give the poor mommies on "What Not to Wear" and "Ambush Makeover" a look for wearing whatever's on hand. The Bean just takes my focus in a different place. Doesn't mean I can't be stylish a good bit of the time. I try.

In the meantime, I want to thank the IR for all the wonderful, kind thoughts and words. Even now, as I get ready for her party, somehow the comments you write touch me - the idea that people out there - some whom I've met in person, some not - show genuine care for someone over the Internet is simply amazing. I re-read the comments on The Bean's arrival the other day. Naturally, gushes of tears (they come pretty easily nowadays) - they're at the edge right now, even.

So thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Pics courtesty of my cellphone. Whatever would I do without it? I'd never capture any of these moments...though now, just a month later than the last of these was taken, she won't sit still long enough for me to snap a pic - she wants to make calls with Mommy's phone...

from top to bottom: November 07 - I was so tiny then; December 07 - I laugh all the time; March 08 - I'm not telling...whatever it is, I'm not telling (and my first vintage - a sweater someone hand knit for my mommy); March 08 - Protestant Easter in my bonnet and bunny coat; April 08 - Out to lunch with Mommy & Daddy when the paparazzi strike - no autographs, please!; June 08 - a little morning pensiveness

Speaking of Not Smelling...

wardrobe update for the workday?

The sweater I pulled this morning? I keep forgetting to put it in the drycleaning bag. It doesn't smell, but it does have a teensy bit of dried Bean Food on the shoulder - banana, probably, as that's her favorite (behind Cheerios, of course, but they don't smear quite as nicely).

I suppose this means I'm Officially a Mom.

Style Dilemma: "Style Me," She Says

31204ever has a weeks-old baby boy, and after hanging out extra long with Mommy, he finally arrived (on his on time), and he's now quite vocal, this child. She pleads:

One of these days The Boy is going to stop screaming long enough for us to get to the mall and buy Mommy some new clothes. I haven't bought anything but maternity since last June (except one pair of shoes) and it's about to kill me.

So given that I've got five more months of warm-to-hot weather maternity leave ahead of me, what pieces should I buy that don't scream "I spend all day cleaning up poo and spitup while a little one wails inconsolably in my ear?"

I have a few pairs of capris that I'm hoping I can fit into still, as well as a few pairs of bermuda-length shorts (are those still in at all?). Plus the usual array of t-shirts and tops.

Would like a few tops but mostly focusing on the bottoms. Don't want to spend a ton of money, either. You know where I shop: Ann Taylor Loft, Target, Old Navy, Gap, NY&Co.

Any ideas?

Dear 31204ever:

Yup, absolutely. First thing: get thee to Target. It's one-stop shopping, and you won't feel guilty about buying something that you might wear for 2 months because your body's changing.

Second thing: buy a pair of cargo pants. Unfortunately, the fabulous pair I found at The Gap last summer aren't there anymore (Murphy's out to get us), but there's a decent pair at Target - choice of colors. I love my Army green version - goes with everything - but you might want to cheer yourself with a fun tangerine pair. Or if you're up for it, try online at one of the outdoor stores - you'll get a really functional pair - lots of pockets for binkies, bottles, and your cell phone.

#3: I'm not a huge personal fan of capris, though they're cool and functional. But that's just me. As an alternative, I'd steer towards skirts. They're breezy, can be dressed up or down, and you certainly won't project "I just changed a poopy diaper." A-line, denim, or, if you're feeling flirty, try a ruffly one. Isaac's eyelet skirt looks dressy, but would be cool, and with a simple top, you'l be the chicest mommy on the block. Pair with a super easy t-shirt - my favorite last summer (much to H's chagrin, apparently) was a pretty cap sleeved scoop necked version. Look for details or unique colors like the Mossimo "grenadine" one here (and at $8.99, hello!) or the Go International pleated tank (pleats are ever so flattering) to make them non-boring.

These won't work? Give me more, and I'll keep looking!

Desperately Seeking Style

Talk about ruts. Yes, it's partially Bean-induced, but man, am I draggin' in the style department. The last decent bit of style I flaunted was my Iisli sweater dress at H's reunion. That was at Thanksgiving. Work wear has been scrounging. What does fit - all three pieces - is in desperate need of drycleaning or Febreeze, and somehow, when I put it together, let's see, how did H put it? I wish I could remember (Bean Brain)...it wasn't as bad as "you look like a mom," which is what he said the day we were headed to a friend's one-year-old birthday party (off came the top I had on, and the jeans, and on went the nicely worn jeans and a boob-hugging printed T - underdressed? maybe. Hip? Yes. Mom? Only if you look really hard to see the binky peeking out of my pocket.)

You see, the problem is mostly that the perfectly respectable and occasionally stylish clothes left in my closet after my Big Purge no longer fit. I've been wary about saying it, because I don't want anyone to hate me. The problem is that, between one-handed eating and breastfeeding (it's true, it does work), I've lost all of the Bean Weight and more. My pants are literally hanging off of me.

I went shopping and bought one pair, which I wear to death. And finally went online at Banana (yes, yes, mass production) to snag a couple of staples on sale. (It helps to know you can count on a particular store's or designer's cuts when shopping online.) Which I found. And they arrived. And two of the four pieces fit - one pair of black slacks and one grey pinstriped pencil skirt. Happy they're in my closet now, but bummed that the brown striped slacks and the pretty white cuffed shirt didn't fit (in between sizes - ugh).

So I had to (sorry Mom!) resort to Mom Clothes. Literally. My Mommy was down on Sunday and left me with a couple of pieces that don't fit her. Monday, the concept wasn't terrible, if conservative. The brown plaid cuffed trousers and a (I'm burying my head in style shame) pale pink ribbed turtleneck. I wish I could say I was channeling Sharon Stone in her stylish days, but alas!, I think I just looked like your average government worker. I didn't even through in a great pair of shoes to help out. Didn't have the energy.

Fortunately, today's a little better. I drug out (is drug the right conjugation?) the black trousers that do fit and topped it with the black version of the mildly offending pink turtleneck. Can't go wrong with black on black, right? We're not in NYC, but hey - whatever works. I made myself feel a little better with a vintage headband (thanks, MIL, for the groovy color!) and my Will-Never-Ever-Throw-Them-Away-Even-Though-They-Have-Square-Toes-and-Stacked-Heels red patent pumps.

Style found.

The lesson? Less is more (read: monochrome). Then add a splash of color. Oila! Funny Face channeled for 2007.

And yes, I have realized the teensiest bit of irony in the fact that I've 1) referenced Sharon and her Gap turtleneck, 2) I've referenced Audrey, used in Gap ads, and 3) I'm actually wearing a Gap turtleneck. Puns and references oh, so not intended.

Baby Fashion - The Real Hot Issue?

I don't think so...but a couple of observations...

1. I'm already tired of pink.
2. BlueSuitGirl, you rock. The Bean loves her Ralph Lauren tennis dress. She looks adorable in it. Totally Babyprep.
3. Fashion is not the highlight of people's days - at least the people I see now. That means other moms and old people. That's who's out in the days when we go on our walks.

And so that you don't have to listen to a continual diatribe on Baby and Mom Style, tell me what your hot style issues are right now...what's pressing? What are you wondering about and pondering for the upcoming fall season? What're you wearing to the beaches? To the barbecues? To the rooftop happy hours?

Tell me, and I will write. At least in between feedings, diapers, and naps (hers and mine).