Mom on the go: flop-proof outfit #2
July 31st, 2008The 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 busy stay-at-home-mother (SAHM). The second look is about the casual skirt. I expect this outfit to resonate less than the first one because skirts and dresses are generally less popular than pants.
The formula is similar to outfit #1. Here are the new elements:
- Knee length skirt: A-line shapes work well because they allow freedom of movement. Keep the length at the knee and stick to casual cotton fabrications, cotton blends, poly blends and denim. Remember the skirt rule: don’t buy a skirt unless you have a top to pair it with.
- Casual top: The advice to move away from basic T-shirts still applies, but with the skirt ensemble it is important to make sure the tops are short enough. The right length and fit of the top is key.
- Denim jacket: A fitted, cropped denim jacket is a fab addition to a non-denim casual skirt ensemble.
The rest of the formula is identical, but I will repeat it here for convenience:
- The best bra: Remember to refit annually or when your weight has changed significantly.
- 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. You know I draw the line at flip flops unless you’re in the appropriate setting.
- 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.
Skirts are a cool option in hot weather and a great way to mix up your look. A-line skirt silhouettes are particularly good for pear shaped body types and often more flattering than walk shorts.
Above: non-denim skirt ensemble.
Below: denim skirt ensemble.
Remember the casual skirt formula when you’re stuck in a cropped-pants-rut. It makes a nice change. You might have orphan skirts lurking in your closet, so haul them out and give them a chance.
July 31st, 2008 at 7:59 am
Love both of those outfits! I especially like that denim skirt–where is it from? I’m still in pursuit of the perfect denim skirt.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:02 am
Love love love both of those outfits! I just wore my denim skirt on Tuesday…with a top and a sweater shrug. Keep the “mom” posts coming, Angie. Very helpful.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:04 am
Angie, YAY another formula. It’s funny you posted about this today because this is exactly what I’m planning on wearing tomorrow (we’re supposed to be in the mid 90s tomorrow)! It was on tap for today, but it’s raining and I just don’t like to do skirts in the rain
I think this outfit sounds perfect for me!
Do you have any idea where that cropped cardigan is from in the second outfit? I’ve been looking for something like that.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:06 am
Thank you for posting these “Mom” outfits, Angie! I’m looking forward to getting out of maternity wear in a few months and re-vamping my wardrobe with these as a template.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:08 am
Ooh, I really like this series of flop-proof outfits Angie! I am not a SAHM, but this works perfectly for my casual (grad student) life style.
I love both outfits, as a general ideas and as specific outfits. I sport something along these lines occasionally, but not as often as I do the clamdigger version.
I always wore both cotton and denim skits with cardigans, it never occurred to me to pair tje cotton skirt with a cropped denim jacket, which I do own. I think I am going to reproduce both of our outfits fairly closely, particularly the first one, I own a very similar skirt, just with cobalt not yellow flowers.
Thanks for the inspiration, and I hope you will do more in these flop-proof outfit series, especially a few later for autumn/winter weather. I really like having a formula to follow!
July 31st, 2008 at 8:15 am
Wow, two more super formulas! It’s getting better and better. Thanks a lot Angie!
July 31st, 2008 at 8:28 am
Angie,
Where is the full cotton skirt from? I must have that one…
July 31st, 2008 at 8:47 am
Love, love, love the post. . . . I agree with the other - keep the mom outfit posts coming!!! I echo Lissie - I just love that yellow skirt as well. Really like the pop of color with the shoes. You’re a genius
July 31st, 2008 at 8:57 am
Please please let us know where that floral skirt is from. I have a fitted short sleeved trench jacket that begs that skirt. I would air-travel in this outfit.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:01 am
I would love to copy both skirt outfits! I love skirts and dresses and find them more flattering for me than cropped pants!
LOVE that denim skirt! Where oh where did you find it?
Thank you for your blog!
July 31st, 2008 at 9:10 am
I am loving these formulas! I’m not a SAHM, but I’m certainly busy and my office is smart casual. These outfits can really take me from day to casual evening. I have been slow jumping on the cropped pants bandwagon (besides a couple pairs of walk shorts) but I do have some great skirts.
I love the denim jacket! I have basic Gap denim one and a more military style black one, but I love the fitted bottom on this one. I have a denim pencil skirt that I often feel is too sexy, but items like the ones shown will really go great with it and balance the look!
July 31st, 2008 at 9:11 am
You should just let us know where everything is from, because I’m dying to know where that cropped cami is from in the second picture! I don’t like cropped things usually, but something about that one is calling to me…
And I’m not a mom on the go, just a lazy single person, and you’ve basically just laid out my standard work outfit!
July 31st, 2008 at 9:21 am
I’m another one who loves that first outfit and wants to know about the print skirt. Straight skirts, I don’t tend to wear anymore in the interests of mobility - I want to stride, step over the dog, and be able to climb into the cab of a high-up vehicle like my friend’s panel truck.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:21 am
What a pleasant surprise ladies! Thank you for appreciating the flop-proof skirt look ( Mum-on-the-go or not). I generally have a hard time convincing women to wear skirts and dresses and it’s; such a lovely option. Always cooler are often more flattering.
Meredith, I’ve seen you sport the look with a similar yellow skirt. You are SUCH as stylish SAHM. There are actually loads of straight pencil skirts around. The only problem is their length if you’re NOT petite. You are, so head straight to J Crew and Ann Taylor.
Katie, Dani, Rosie, Julia and Tanya, it brings me great joy that you wear this look. I’ve seen Tanya and Julia sport it, now it’s your turn to post pics and inspire people first hand.
I’ve got a dark Diesel denim jacket. Had it for 8 years. It was a little boxy around the waist so I had it altered a few years ago. It was worth every penny because it’s perfect for this look. It’s great quality because it’s a premium denim brand. I do not ever intend giving this item up because it works beautifully over dresses too. Love this look.
Check out where the items are from on polyvore. I tried to re-search for the items but they aren’t coming up. Good luck! I’ve run out of time.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:24 am
Great picks, as always!
July 31st, 2008 at 9:32 am
Thank you, thank you and again thank you for showing a complete outfit! I thought I was getting so smart reading my daily YLF tip but getting the double blast of reading why put these items together and SEEING is incredibly helpful.
This morning, I tried on two short cardis, two pairs of shoes, two belts and finally walked out the door resigned with what I had on. I didn’t change out of the white jeans but know that the one pair I own violates my YLF knowledge (they’re baggy in the behind but I haven’t made time to find an alteration shop.) I’m at work, dressed but only because I was running late, not because it’s a great outfit. ugh.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:18 am
I am finding these formula posts very helpful–and very much appreciate this post, as a frequent skirt-wearer. What I really need to do is go through my collection of tops and blouses and get rid of everything that is too short, faded, or otherwise doesn’t fit properly. Too-short tops are my #1 problem. They seem to always be what I end up with when I get dressed in a hurry in the morning.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:41 am
Thank you again, Angie!! What a great post. I love the SAHM outfits, keep them coming please! I am trying to revamp my wardrobe from frumpy to stylish and I find the casual without being frumpy hard to accomplish. You make it soo easy with these great formulas, thank you thank you!!
July 31st, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Thank you, Angie, for your attention to SAHMs and others with casual needs. I’m looking forward to adding more casual skirts to my wardrobe. I remember hearing a recommendation to wear bike-type shorts underneath to prevent accidental “flashes” and chafing. Any ideas where one would get something like that?
July 31st, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I found the skirt on Polyvore, and it’s from Forever21. It doesn’t seem to be on their website, so it’s possible the item is no longer available, but there are other floral skirts on the site that might work:
http://www.forever21.com/categ.....p;Page=all
July 31st, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Wait, I did find it. It’s available in other colors as well as the yellow:
http://www.forever21.com/produ.....;Page=all#
Love the second outfit Angie!
July 31st, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Love this formula!!! I’m wearing a similar skirt outfit today, but not as colorful. LLBean dark denim A-line skirt with black cardi, and black fitted shirt over it as a jacket and black stacked strappy sandals. I feel put together, cool in humidity, and still able to walk quickly or atep over the dog.
Where is the denim cropped jacket to be found?! (don’t know how to access Polyvore) I’ve been searching for one and have only found a traditional jean jacket that seems too boxy. Angie, is the traditional style of jacket the type that you had altered?
July 31st, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Boy do I LOVE both of these outfits Angie!!! Thanks so much for you advice!
July 31st, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Love both outfits!
July 31st, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Joy…I love that denim jacket too… perfect for a pretty pear, I’m thinking. Go to polyvore.com. You can search the pictures. I tried, but I never found it. Good luck!
July 31st, 2008 at 2:10 pm
The jacket is from Wet Seal, but I searched the site and couldn’t find it, so it’s possible it’s no longer available.
July 31st, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I love the SAHM formulas, Angie! It certainly is easy to get in a rut as a SAHM when you only have a few minutes to pull together an outfit for the day (often with “help” from a toddler) but these suggestions really keep it interesting. I love the total outfits, too. Nice work and thank you!
July 31st, 2008 at 4:08 pm
My pleasure ladies.
Thank you, Ana! That’s helped me out loads. I can see you sport the second outfit.
Rotten luck the items aren’t available anymore. That’s how polyvore operates. Oh well. Just means something better is in the pipeline.
I’m glad this formula was recognized as an a casual way to dress in general. I use it too.
Joy, it brings me joy that you are wearing skirt and feel put together. I’m trying to visualize the cardi UNDER the shirt. Did you meant the other way around? Love to hear more about this look.
My denim jacket is a cropped traditional style WITH stretch. It was a little boxy and I had the whole thing altered, because I loved the fabric, length and colour.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Thanks for sharing these great ideas with us. Personally, I find a light-weight colorful cotton knee-length skirt the most comfortable and flattering option in warm weather - much better for me than cropped pants. I also have a wonderful dark denim skirt from Boden that works with many different tops. Angie, I really enjoy your blog. Perhaps I missed something, but what was the inspiration for the flop-proof outfits for moms on the go? Seems that these would work well for any woman on-the-go.
July 31st, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Well, I”m late to the game but I have been a skirt person for the past three summers and this summer I became a dress person. As I was reading I was thinking, “denim pencil skirt” then I scrolled down and there she was!
My defaco mom outfit (ie my second job on weekends and evenings) is either a denim pencil skirt or one of these straight cargo type skirts I got for cheap at NY and Co. I also have some cotton A-line-ish skirts from Ann Taylor Loft.
Here in the midwest we do not need a jacket in summer unless we will be in an office or movie theater. And those of us of a certain age/stage really don’t need it! (LOL).
I had to break down and buy one pair of non workout shorts just to have on hand for certain situation, but boy do they look cruddy. My adidas work out shorts actually look better! (Totally recommend adidas for you hourglass gals out there. Great fit!)
Shari
Shari
July 31st, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Thanks for all the IdEAS… This is the area I have a real problem with…Got the Black tie…Business…Bus. Casual but it all falls apart at the at home depot, runnung to the drycleaner and Fred Myer. We all need to get support from each other that we really need to watch what we put on when we walk out that door and it’s not that hard! JUST THINK!
Michelle
July 31st, 2008 at 8:06 pm
LOL! Angie I meant cami instead of cardi under the shirt. And the cami was really the top half of a black Express tank dress and the dress bottom acted as slip for the skirt. I’m afraid I get overly creative with my limited wardrobe.
I don’t feel I can wear the dress on it’s own until I get a short black halfslip to wear under it, although I’ve considered wearing the lacy black longer half slip I have and let a couple of inches of black lace hang out under the dress. I’ve got to try to post pictures!
July 31st, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Great outfits, Angie! Often times I like the outfits but don’t see myself actually wearing any of them. These are perfect. Thanks for putting these together!
July 31st, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Another brilliant post, thanks Angie
I am inspired to wear more skirts, need to find a denim pencil skirt!
August 1st, 2008 at 5:53 am
I love this! Very cute. I agree that the denim jacket or cropped cardigan work great with top and skirt. And the top length is KEY. Hard to find shorter tops nowadays, though. I’ve been buying petite, and I’m 5′5″
August 1st, 2008 at 9:08 am
I look bad in flats. I always have.
I am 5′10″ and whether slim or heavier (ahem, as I am now in my mid 50’s), they seem to make me look fat.
Ideas on this? I’ve been feeling my shoes are dating me a bit since I won’t go down to flats…
August 1st, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Great Angie!! Thank you for thinking about moms and the uniform they need - it has to be practical, comfy and easy to wear… and possibly most important, QUICK to put together as there is never enough time and rarely any uninterrupted time. How fun to think the look can be attractive and fashionable too!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:40 am
Angie-You are the best! I teach middle school and both of these outfits would be perfect for me to wear to work. I have always loved skirts, but right now I am sick of the tops I have to wear with them. You have inspired me to step it up. The pics help alot. I don’t know why I really never considered trying to copy outfits I see that I like since I have done that for years when decorating my house. Keep up the good work!
August 9th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I love this post. So useful.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:12 am
[…] was surprised and delighted that the second flop-proof formula for Moms on the go went down as well as the first. I never expected casual skirts to be a hit. The third and final […]
September 18th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Do you recommend a pencil-skirt style in denim instead of an A-line? I’m definitely a pear, and when I try on those flouncy A-line cotton skirts I always feel like they make me look more bottom-heavy. Am I missing something?