So why should we care about what we wear?
Your style announces to the world who you are and what you are like. It can command respect and can help us retain our own personalities when we don the “mommy” title. It also teaches our children, especially our daughters, how to dress (or in some cases how not to dress). We need the subtle respect fashion can give us. This definitely does not mean you must be in heels at the grocery store, or grab every trend that marches through the stores every season. But there are a few fashion mistakes that seem to be exclusive to Moms everywhere. These are the mistakes that have others looking at us with cringes or pity.
How can you avoid such mom induced fashion disasters? It’s easy once you know what they are.
Mom Jeans The dreaded and most popular Mom mistake. These are the jeans that rise so high up on your midsection they are almost to the chest and the legs taper down at the ankles making your hips look far too wide. Avoid at all possible cost! They do not hide the pouch many moms have develop due to pregnancy, and the proportions will make you look heavier than you are. Instead, go with a mid-rise straight leg jean, preferably in a dark wash. Mid-rise will help hold in the pouch (unlike low-rise jeans) and the straight leg will keep your bottom half look in proportion to your body. A dark wash will help you look thinner.Sweats and PJs in Public We’ve all done it. We need something from the store, we’re still in our sweats but who cares? We run to the store, grab up milk and diapers, and hurry home. I’m not entirely convinced there’s anything wrong with this. However, the moms who are in sweats everywhere they go? That’s different. If you are constantly in pajamas and sweats when you take your kids out to dinner, school events, and extracurricular activities you are probably making this mom fashion mistake. Yes, it is a comfortable way to move about your day, but the message you’re sending is a sad one. Trade the sweats for jeans (not mom jeans!) and a cute shirt. This way you can stay comfy and command a little more respect.
Club Wear The polar opposite of wearing sweats everywhere is ultra-low cut tops with super short shorts. Outfits that can only be deemed appropriate at the club are not for everyday wear. Revealing clothes worn during a parent teacher conference or during fun time at the park will illicit absolutely no respect from the adults in your life. Not to mention the absolute mortification you will be putting your children through on a daily basis. No one’s asking to drape yourself in a smock and live like a nun, but there is a balance between overly revealing clothing and Amish wear. Find the balance so you can look and feel good.
Age Inappropriate For Moms, finding age appropriate clothing can be harder than it sounds. Between the Moms that are desperately trying to look youthful by buying from the Juniors’ department despite being well over the hill to young Moms who have given up completely on dressing up in anyway, finding the balance can be tough. If you’re an older mom trying to look younger, dressing in teen clothing only makes a woman look older.
Socks with Sandals This may be more of a Dad faux pas than a Mom one. Still the mistake remains very stereotypical of parents. If it’s warm enough to wear sandals, ditch the socks. If it’s too cold for sandals sans socks, go with light tennis shoe. Socks with sandals always looks weird.
Fashion for moms does not have to be staunch and conservative, but it should be appropriate for all the daily activities we do. Don’t lose your style in the parenting grind. Have fun with it, and let yourself benefit from looking and feeling good again.
