Mom on the go: flop-proof outfit #1
July 23rd, 2008The demanding lifestyle of a stay-at-home-mother (SAHM) requires casual, comfortable and practical outfits. Fortunately there is a formula the superhuman SAHM can follow for appropriate and stylish dressing. All it takes is the right pieces.
The no-nonsense SAHM often has a preference for pants (casual skirts and dresses are an equally casual and comfortable ensemble choice and I’ll touch on those possibilities in a future blog entry). Cropped pants therefore take center stage for the flop-proof SAHM Summer look. Match them with a sweet top, fab flats, a great handbag, one statement accessory and Bob’s your uncle. Start ticking off the list:
- The best bra: Remember to refit annually or when your weight has changed significantly. The majority of women are still in the incorrect bra size.
- Cropped pants: Choose clamdiggers or walk shorts in denim, cotton or a cotton blend. Please wear them at a flattering length (somewhere between the top of the knee and the widest part of the calf) .
- Casual top: Move away from T-shirts and step it up with casual tops instead. Make sure they are long enough. The right length keeps you covered and creates a contemporary edge.
- Cropped cardigan: It’s often chilly in the morning, later at night, or in the air-conditioning. Adding a cropped cardi keeps the silhouette structured yet unfussy. It’s also easy to fold up and pop into a tote.
- Fab flats: casual ballet flats, thong sandals, strappy comfort sandals, gladiators, slip-on sneakers, espadrilles or low wedges will do the trick. Stay away from anything too clumpy. There’s nothing stopping you from wearing a bit of a heel if you can run around in them. I draw the line at flip flops. This is not a good look unless you’re by the pool, at the beach or lounging at home.
- Handbag: Keep it healthy and make the size and shape work for you. A flat tote is the obvious choice, but if you need both hands free to attend to little ones, a sling bag is the solution.
- Accessories: If you wear specs, sort them out first because they are your most important accessory. If you wear a watch, that’s next. Go for something with personality. Choose between statement necklaces or earrings but don’t wear both at the same time.
For more inspiration, check out the YLF forum. Stylish SAHM’s like Dani, Becky, Julie and Shannon post their daily outfits. They have their fab Mummy style down.
Share your secrets stylish SAHM’s. I’d love to hear suggestions on how to improve this formula.
Don’t be discouraged if these styles aren’t to your taste. Just apply the formula to your own fashion persona, colour preferences and body type.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:15 am
I’m not a SAHM, but I love cropped cardigans and am dying to know where that one is from so I can go snatch one up?
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:50 am
I am also not a SAHM ( I’m a grad student), but I’ve been wearing this formula quite a lot this summer. In fact, I wore it yesterday (will post it tonight on the forum). Can’t wait to see the other future formulas, seems that they can easily apply to my lifestyle as well.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:24 am
Thanks, Angie. I wouldn’t be anywhere close to stylish if it weren’t for your blog and all your helpful insight! Thank you for sharing your energy and talents with us on a daily basis!
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:39 am
i am a sahm and i love this look - actually, it’s almost my look!
i’d like to know where the cardi and clam diggers are from! 
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:56 am
I am a SAHM…Thank you for your post!! I think dressing for my job is really hard to do. In the business world I found it very easy to do…But after being in maternity clothes for soo long then into casual clothes I have had to start building my casual chic wardrobe from scratch and it’s a daunting task. Love the look…would love to see some fall post for SAHM attire!!
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:01 am
These were fabulous tips! I couldn’t agree more with the accessories point — they really do make all the difference, even on a casual day.
I’ll definitely take this into consideration after this baby pops out.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:03 am
I am a working mom, but this is perfect for my weekends. Thanks Angie
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:18 am
I’m a sahm with adult children who volunteers alot. My outfit this summer has been similar to the one Angie posted except for the top. Inspired by Shiny and Tanya’s outfits, I’ve been layering a fitted cotton shirt with lycra (sleeve length varies: sleeveless, cap, elbow, 3/4) over a longer tank or cami and buttoning the buttons at the waist to give definition. The tank/cami peeks out below the shirt. Usually a string of colorful beads completes the look. It has gotten lots of compliments and works so well going in and out of air conditoning. For me a cardi is too warm (hot flashes).
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:23 am
Tanya and Nafisa, you’re right. This is a formula that anyone sporting a casual look can adapt. I sport it too and I don’t stay at home, and I’m not a mother.
The items were taken from polyvore.com. I’m unable to relay who the suppliers are unfortunately. You could take a look yourself and see if you can find them. But the look is easy to duplicate. Clamdiggers are everywhere and J Crew had a superb assortment this season.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:46 am
Angie, I love they way you give us a list to “check off”. In our busy lifestyles, you are able to cut through all the clutter and get right to the point. I look forward to your articles and have learned soooooooo much from you! Keep up the good work!
P.S. I tell everyone I know about your website.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:00 am
Angie - thank you for this article and the advice. It is hard to be a stylish SAHM, but with the help of your website it is getting easier for me. This is the type of outfit I try to wear on a daily basis and is completely comfortable and easy to wear with 2 kids. Thanks!
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:56 am
I’m a working mom of teens who happens to work from home, and this is my basic summer formula (when i’m not wearing skirts or dresses). It works!
The great thing about the top and cropped cardi is that the top flows nice and easy over any mommy tummy you may still have left, while the cardi helps cinch in and define a waist.
I like that you show this without any jewelry: I remember when my kids were young, they’d grab at any earrings or necklace. This outfit has enough interest, you can easily get away without any earrings and necklace.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I’m trying to move away from t-shirts, but I just keep coming back to them. They just seem to work best on my large-busted rectangle figure. Sigh…
And I do like my flip-flops, but I’ve upgraded this year to a nice pair of leather Borns and a cute silver leather pair from Banana Republic. It’s a start, right?
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Yay, this makes me feel good, as I’m a SAHM and I dress pretty much like this. Glad to know I’m doing it right.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I am a big fan of this formula too! I’ve been using it this summer and it works great, except I often wear a canvas jacket instead of the cardi. I’m sold and will continue sporting this look after going back to work - it’s so practical, unfussy and stylish.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Angie, this is a great formula and my go to outfit. Thanks for the blog entry. I wouldn’t be anywhere near stylish if it weren’t for your blog and helpful insight! Thank you for sharing your talents and energy with us!
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Sorry for the double comment, my computer went haywire
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I’m a working mom but this is my weekend wear (minus the cardi because it’s so hot here). I also incorporate belts. I don’t have a watch yet so I either do earrings or a necklace.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I am not a SAHM either but this is a good formula to follow on weekends. My biggest bad habit when dressing casually is that I often don’t think about accessories like scarves or jewelry if I’m not going to work or someplace dressy.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Thanks for speaking right to us SAHMs! Any ideas of great stylish yet supportive shoes for us? I can’t wear ballerina flats; I need more support. I want to break out of Dansko clogs but I’m afraid Taryn Rose is out of my budget.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Ditto on what Jennifer said! The shoes are a huge issue!
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
It’s a pleasure. Good point Shiny and a nice adaptation Joy!
Thank you Niecey, you’ve made my day.
Jo-Lynne, you CAN do better than T-shirts. I promise! Start a thread on the YLF forum and we’ll help you out. Like the way you upgraded from flip-flops. Heavenly news. You have made a great start.
Jennifer and Marlene, think past clumpy Danskos (there’s the odd sweet style though). There are many options. Try brands like Ecco, Born, Softt, Think!, Beautiful, Naturalizer, Aerosoles, Munro, Clarks and Natural Comfort. Get yourself supportive inserts too. I understand foot needs. These challenges can be solved. I find it very interesting that as Ms. fussy feet, I find Danskos uncomfortable.
As for Taryn Rose, her shoes are a major disappointment. I’ve tried virtually every style and they leave little to be desired. You are not missing out.
July 24th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Angie, this is great, but for those of us on the other side of the world we need something for the opposite season. It’s freezing down under at the moment! Okay, so freezing for us is top of 14°C! But still… Can you please try a wintery version of the above? Cheers!
July 27th, 2008 at 5:32 am
i really like your blog! you give good tips for any type of woman of any type of size and shape. the outfit you collected together is great for a SAHM!
July 31st, 2008 at 7:38 am
[…] first flop-proof formula for Moms on the go went down well. Practical cropped pants took centre stage, which is often the preference for the […]