What? You thought I’d talk about how grateful I am to have the two best kids on the planet, a partner who loves me almost as much as he loves Taylor Swift, and healthy, strong body that just ran me a half-marathon, and the best friend- and family- conglomerate I could ask for?
I’m not really that sappy, guys. But I am very into clothes, and super thankful that current trends are allowing me to be totally on trend, even while I am ready to bare my breasts at a moment’s notice. The current fashion meme is really working for those in the motherhood set. I mean, mom jeans are in right now. Of course, they look terrible on everybody, but here are some actual mama-friendly trends I’m thanking the stars for this year.
1. Leggings.
Lindsey, I’m really sorry for all the curses I muttered your way back when you were debuting what the rest of us at the time knew to be stretch pans and calling them leggings. And wearing them as pants. Leggings still aren’t pants. But they are comfortable, forgiving, flattering on almost everyone,* and the grow or shrink with you, saving you mad gobs of cash and a healthy dose of sanity as compared to jeans. I've fully embraced classic black, but I’m also nuts over patterned ones right now, including the awesome sauce ones I sported across the finish line on Sunday.
2. Dolman-Style Tops & Tunics
It’s still pretty obvious that Westley used to live inside my tummy. You know - I’ve got a little Westley-shaped pooch. I am so, so glad that the shirts that are in style right now skim right over it, my muffin top and my saddle bags. Does this sound like I’m insecure about my body? I’m not really, and if you’re game to flaunt it all, I salute and support you. But for when I’d rather keep it all to myself, the tunic is amazing. Those Dolman sleeves – really flattering! And a casual vibe that I dig. Finally, the volume of these types of shirts makes it a breeze to breastfeed; if I layer a long tank underneath I’m pretty covered up, even without a nursing cape.
3. All Pleather Everything
Including the leggings I’m sporting as I write this. Let me count the ways:
1. No animals were harmed in the making of this product! I have complete confidence that we’ll look back on this period of deliberately-faux fashion and think a lot of the pieces read pretty tacky, but I’m loving the non-violent impulse and the democratic nature of it: I remember when leather jackets were SO HOT in fifth grade, but mad expensive. Now, everyone can afford to get in on the fake leather trend! (I’m personally not as into the fake fur thing, but same goes).
2. They’re a little edgy but super easy to wear – basically the same leggings + tunic uniform as every day, but a little cuter, and depending on your shoes, date night-worthy, because PLEATHER.*
3. They’re actually super, ridiculously comfy. Mine were $8 on sale from Target and I’m tempted to go get more because they’re so soft!
4. They’re wipeable! I’m serious. Westley never met an outfit of mine he didn’t want to spit up all over, and maybe have a diaper leak on, just for good measure. Well, now my bottom half is just wipe and go!
5. I feel like Batman.
*UPDATE: Bret just got home, and said, in his snarkiest voice, “Nice pants.” WHATEVER. A): His snarkiest isn't really that snarky; B): He's not really known for his fashion sense; and C): I’m Batman.
4. TOMS, Chucks and kicks in general
Toms and (especially white) Converse All Stars are still so hot right now. I met another mom recently and we were wearing basically the same outfit, right down to our taupe Toms. It's pretty much the Park Slope Uniform. But I can’t get enough of these things. It’s true that the classics offer little support for your foot, but they don’t blister at all, are super comfy for walks less than a full day, and are versatile for pretty much any casual outfit. Best of all, you can magically slip them on while wearing a baby and carrying 75 pounds of gear. Look Ma, no hands! I wear these Toms sneaks, these Toms Classics, and my pre-laced All-Stars (as pictured, but navy), and that’s how I get out the door only ten minutes behind schedule.
5. Ponchos & Shawls
Man, these things are the best. They’re like WEARING BLANKETS. Once, when Bret and I were just starting to hang out, we were driving in San Francisco and a dude wearing a plaid blanket – probably a Pendleton – draped over his shoulders walked across the street. “Nice blanket, dude,” I muttered, and Bret laughed. I looked at him and thought – This guy thinks I’m funny. I should probably keep him around. But also, it turns out Blanket Dude was totally prescient, like Lindsey with the leggings. Blankets are in! This is nice because I’m always cold. And if you’re nursing, it’s like wearing an on-trend warm cozy nursing cape! The one I’m wearing cost less than $10 from Pay/Half, and I get compliments on it everywhere I go. Can’t recommend enough.
6. Cute Coats
Coats are a godsend. Know what I’ve already done twice since the weather turned chilly? Thrown my coat on over my pajamas, and once, over my sports bra. Not in a sexy way. In the opposite of a sexy way. In a, man, that was a lot of spit up and we’re already late…guess I’ll just take off my shirt and throw on my coat, kind of way. A coat really takes the pressure off. You only need to worry about your bottom half, and obviously a pair of patterned leggings takes care of that! An army green coat is part of the required Park Slope uniform. I have this one. Outfit: Elevated.
7. Duck Shoes
When I moved to the East Coast and saw duck shoes for the first time, it was love at first sight. I thought they were so cool! My Pennsylvania born-and-bred step-sister thought I was crazy, and gently discouraged me from adding them to my new wardrobe for school. “They’re duck shoes!” she said, pretty sure that was summing up the argument against. Well, my waterproof shoe loving heart be still, because I just got an email describing them as the “it” shoes of the season! They're duck shoes! Lindsey, Blanket Dude, and I are Anna Wintouring all over these fashion predictions! I have these ones from LL Bean, which I love because they’re taller than your average bear, but don’t have a lot of bulk like some of snow boots out now. They serve as my rain and snow boots, which I think is clutch. I switch back and forth between bright red and black-and-white-checked laces. And yeah, I think I’m hot sh*t. Watch out if I’m also wearing my pleather pants.
8. Model Off Duty
Me.
Don’t know what #modeloffduty is? It’s basically looking like you #wokeuplikethis, and yes, the hashtags are important. I just read a whole article geared toward 20-somethings about how they should be smudging their makeup for a more “undone” look. Girl, let me show you undone. If someone from an older generation looks askance at your melting eyeliner, tell them, as snootily as you can, that you’re #modeloffduty. Your unwashed, grown out – sorry, “dry shampooed,” “ombre”- hair are key components of his look. See exhibit A, above. I know, crazy pic, but hear me out: I took this picture as a joke, heading back to California from Miami n August. I went pretty much from "da club" to the airport, stopping to pump on the way, and thought last night's makeup, dirty hair, and the airport background really summed up the trend. Really, all of the hyper-relaxed, deliberately casual components of this list play into the model off duty theme. And while it’s definitely working for the walk-of-shame crowd, it’s working for the walk-to-the-playground crowd, too. Wait! Wait for it. Waaaiiit for it. Mama on duty. #mamaonduty (Please, no one really use that. Ever).
9. Braids
Thanks, Elsa, for making sure braids made into everyone’s hair routines like it’s 1985. Seriously though, they’re so pretty, and I think they flatter almost all women’s faces. More importantly, they are easy to do and take approximately one billionth the amount of time a blow out or artful waves do, but still look a little put together. See also: Top knots.
Ready for a visual?
Hot damn that baby's a cute accessory. Pictured here: Braids, tunic, shawl, pleather pants and Toms. I'm a more is more kinda gal.
I was inspired to write this post for a couple of reasons. First, I'm working with a couple people to put together some nursing capsule wardrobes that don't totally suck. Being postpartum is tough, dressing-yourself-wise, and if you're nursing, you add another layer of logistics to the situation. And logic + baby brain = disaster. But second, I've also thought to myself how much more friendly current trends are for my poochy, milky self than things were even five years ago with Lou, and, well, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I'd share. That includes super-awkward pics of myself sporting, like, All of the Trends. Something for you to be thankful for! Also, I'm realizing right now that I forgot a biggy: Button-down shirts, especially chambray and flannels, are so in right now, really versatile, and nursing-friendly.
Thanks so much for checking in. I'm truly grateful for you, dear reader. Thanks for playing along and see you next week!