The dreaded "mom style"

And how to avoid it

I recently posted an ‘ask me anything’ on Instagram, and got a lot of questions like ‘How do I avoid mom style?’ This really hit me. Clearly the worst thing you can do is look like a “mom”. So let’s talk about how to get dressed as a mom, without looking like one. And yes, for reference, I am also a mom!

Fashion summed up and put on a T-shirt.

Feeling good in your clothes

More important than what you wear is how your clothes make you feel. Sometimes we do put our kids and everything else first. But if you look good, you feel good and then you have confidence, and that’s what shines. Pay attention to how the clothes you consistently reach for make you feel. If it’s anything other than ‘cool’ or ‘great’, rethink your choice.

So what can consistently make us feel “good”?

Great denim

These are jeans that I’ve found do in fact look good on everybody (all available in a wide range of sizes)

High rise and hold you in with the right amount of stretch

These from the Gap - great if you are very tall (get the tall) and also available in petite. If you are short, know thyself. Buy petite jeans.

These from Frame amazing fit and a ton of washes (code ABBY15)

I’ve been reaching for these super high waisted from Pistola (code ABBY15). Also wearing this LOF top (size m, code ABBYARAD10) and MiuMiu flats

Last notes on denim:

1. The best way to make sure your jeans look good for as long as possible, is to dry clean them. Sorry and please don’t come for me.

2. The best jeans are the jeans that fit. If your jeans don’t fit, but you keep them in your closet for that day in the future, it creates visual clutter and makes getting dressed harder. If you can’t part with them, put them in the garage.

Jewelry

There is no ‘armor’ quite like jewelry. It’s an instant outfit upgrade, and it always fits.

Jewelry styling inspo via @kathleenpost

I encourage you to raid your own jewelry box, and see how what you have can be styled in different ways. Sometimes it’s just a fresh pairing that can make an old piece feel new again.

My go-tos:

Stacked up! My best friend makes these earrings and I love them beyond The Fete earrings (code ABBY-15) Necklaces from Adina Reyter, vintage bracelets & ring, and pearl bracelet from a hotel gift shop!

Huggies - I’m wearing these from Ring concierge. Studs and mini hoop via Body Electric

A great mom outfit: the denim sandwich. These Frame Jeans, Frank and Eileen shirt, Jennifer Fisher Hoops, heart necklace from AB, bracelet from Luv AJ, vintage Bottega.

Dorsey necklace, earrings from Roseark, and obsessed with this lip stain from Amazon

Sometimes you just need some new sparkle and I feel that deeply. I’m currently eyeing these from Heaven Mayhem, this ring from Jennifer Fisher, and these Dorsey earrings which I pulled for a client and then fell for myself!

Whether you’re a mom or not, we never want to look like we’ve given up, and sometimes it’s hard to find the bandwidth. But you know what they say… You should always leave the house ready to see your ex, your crush, or your enemy. Now let that sink in, and go put on some jewelry!

xo

Abby