Mom on the go: flop-proof outfit #3
August 13th, 2008I 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 look in this series is about the casual dress. I expect this outfit to resonate less than the first two because dresses are often thought of as fussy and impractical.
Here are the new elements:
- Casual dress: You’re after a casual A-line day dress that finishes at the knee. Machine washable knits that hang dry are the easiest to maintain (polyester or poly blends). Woven cotton, cotton blends and linens are lovely but require ironing and are therefore more effort. By all means wear rayon and silk blends if you’re prepared to take laundry to the cleaners.
- Camisole: Add a cami for coverage if the neckline is too low. It can also act as an interesting colour vehicle.
The rest of the formula is identical, but I’ll reiterate 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.
Breezy dresses are great for hot weather. They are one item of clothing to think about in the morning (separates are two or more). A-line dresses are particularly good on pear shaped body types and a must on curvier gals. Would you sport this casual look?
You don’t need to be a stay-at-home-Mum to apply these dressing formulas. They’ll work for any casual setting. I singled out “Moms on the go” because I receive a huge volume of requests for this niche of lifestyle dressing. Remember not to get too hung up on the specific items I’ve posted if they’re not to your taste. Apply the formula according to your fashion persona and Bob’s your uncle.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:24 am
I’ve been loving the day dress this summer, either with gladiators for the weekend or with a cardigan or jacket and heels for work- it’s been very easy to transition that look from the office to a night out. I love the yellow dress in the picture- where is that from??
August 13th, 2008 at 8:27 am
o.k…the problem i have with dresses is that they don’t so well when at the park with the kids and climbing up the play structure. they also don’t work well when you have to run through parking lots to make sure that your son doesn’t get hit by a car. they are fab when out on a date with hubby, though.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:30 am
These are perfect for running errands, casual lunch, etc.
I would wear these as an alternative to walking short or skirt outfits, especially as there are fewer pieces to think about. Love the color combos of both outfits.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:32 am
I love this look and have learned to wear daydresses for almost every “mom” activity I have! I haven’t had a problem wearing dresses to the park. As long as the dress is flowy enough to run in and climb stairs, and as long as it is at least knee length so it doesn’t fly up too short, then it works perfect for me. I even find that dresses are a lot cooler on a hot summer day and prefer a dress over shorts on particularly warm days. My only problem with dresses is that I find that other moms think I’m trying too hard when I wear them and make comments about how uncomfortable I must feel. Now that the summer is almost over, some of my mom friends are starting to come around and have bought a day dress or two themselves!
August 13th, 2008 at 8:39 am
I second what Lori says about the playground, but I definitely would use this outfit in a weekend casual setting when my husband is with us and HE can chase our toddler up the play structures. I bought a dress that needs IRONING, though. ARGH.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Another great post in the series Angie! I wear this look as well, in addition to the first two. All of them work for my casual ( grad-student life style).
Ma favorite dress shapes for this look are wrap and shirt dresses. As for the material, I like both wovens ( cotton) and knits, though I tend to wear knits more often. However, for some reason I can not get myself to wear polyester or it’s blends, I seriously dislike how it feels on my skin. But I am big fan of rayon, it’s much softer; and I have found that I can get away with hand wash for knit rayon dresses.
I found dresses very col and comfy when temperatures go up. Love the look!
August 13th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Brilliant selection! Dresses can be worn in practically all settings in which you take your child with the exception of the playground…museums, art class, carpool, shopping, etc. Moms need to get past the idea that a tee and shorts (or jeans) are the uniform of mommyhood….There is no uniform!
August 13th, 2008 at 9:02 am
I agree with Vanessa. When I was a stay at home mom, I was able to wear casual dresses to the playground with no problem. I felt much less restricted in a dress than in shorts and a shirt, and maintaining modesty was not an issue. It was also easier to swat away errant bugs who made their way north…
August 13th, 2008 at 9:06 am
I am not a mom, but I am a college student! I can’t stand people who wear sweats to class and so dresses are my sweatsuit alternative! Simple, easy and comfy!
I adore the second outfit!! Please please please, let me know where I can find that black dress! I already have a white denim jacket and a funky coloured cardi, with my manly sexy watch, but there is nothing like that amazing dress!
PS I adore this blog!
August 13th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Love it, as always. I’m not a mom but I love dresses because they are so cool in the summer, polished, and especially EASY!
August 13th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Love this outfit. I love wearing dresses. My issue with them, though, is the slip. I prefer to buy lined dresses so I don’t have to wear a separate slip. An inexpensive source for a cotton slip would be welcome too.
And I hope I don’t need to remind anyone… a lightweight dress without a slip is just tacky.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Great post! I also have made a concerted effort to wear more dresses and skirts this summer- and I discovered that I like it!
August 13th, 2008 at 11:00 am
love this option! dresses definitely are simple and something i love to wear as much as i can!
my only problem is that i love to mix and match with my outfits, and with a dress, there aren’t as many options. i know you can add flare with a cardi/jacket or the accessories, but still, it’s basically the same look. i guess sometimes i just don’t want simple
August 13th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I have tried this look and can’t find the magic formula to match jacket/cardi length and the waistline of the dress. Should the jacket end above the dress waistline? At it? below it?
How does one avoid having two waistlines with this look? I am self concious enough with one waistline, thank you
August 13th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Please keep these coming for fall — they’re great.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I love dresses but the fact that they often have sleeves nowadays makes dresses harder to layer. I remember a few years back when all dresses were sleeveless and they were easy to slip underneath shrunken blazers and cardigans, though I didn’t like how I’d be screwed in case I ever have to take the outer layer off (I consider upper arms a problem area on me).
Now there are all different lengths and shape of sleeves, which I love because I can finally wear dresses in spring/summer, but the sleeves are problematic under outer layers. Short puffed sleeves or flutter sleeves bulge out strangely under anything. Even little cap sleeves can look weird under another layer. So when I buy a dress with sleeves, I know I most likely have to wear it on its own, unless I use a pashmina which would be REALLY fussy… This makes dresses with sleeves less versatile but at the same time I love the fact that I can wear them without another layer… Oh the confusion…
August 13th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Thanks for the validation frock wearing lasses!
For the record, I’m wearing a cotton-rich, fitted STRAIGHT, knee-length sheath polka dot dress with cami, cropped cardi and ballet flats. I will run errands, work, attend to house guests and walk our Yorkies in this outfit today. I am a very fast walker and a practical person who likes to be comfortable just like you. I do not feel restricted or fussy at all. I feel great and appropriately dressed to go about my day.
Lori, my two cents is that you are not used to wearing skirts and dresses. You have been wearing jeans, walk shorts and clamdiggers everyday for years! A habit change is in order IF you want to start wearing frocks and skirts. I do not see many SAHM’s wear skirts and dresses in the US. As a SAHM, you are therefore not surrounded by “frock and skirt wearing role models”. This might cause you to feel over dressed as Vanessa has suggested.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I’m not a mom either, but love dresses. They are effortlessly chic and I do not see them as being over dressed pieces. I will be sporting dresses when I’m a mommy for sure! So comfy!
August 13th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Lori,
I can appreciate your comment about dresses not being the best for child chasing. It reminded me of my school days when we wore cut off jeans or shorts under our short dresses “just in case”. Probably not as practical once you hit adulthood.
I like the idea of being able to wear a skirt and blouse or “breeze” dress with some type of cover instead of the usual pants concept. Woven cotten dresses, especially can make you feel more feminine and they are usually cooler, which is also a plus.
I am with sa63, I like the second combination the best. Partial due to the dress material and design, but also the addition of the colorful carrigan.
I showed these ideas to my 22 year old daughter and I think even she is begining to change her mind on the need to be sewn into jeans 24-7.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Angie, great post again! I’ve recently converted to wearing day dresses but I’m very particular about the dress (which is why I’ve only found a couple that work for me this summer). I’m able to chase my boys around and do everything I need to do with the exception of getting down on the floor to play. I find they’re much more comfortable on hot days and I’ll be adding to my collection next year.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Another winning mom on the go template! There’s no excuse to look frumpy now. Thanks, Angie!
August 13th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I love, love, love, love the green bag in the first pic. I actually love the whole outfit, but I am in the market for a new bag and that is what I’m looking for. Please share details (store or brand or something)! I live in a very rural area with not much selection nearby so I don’t have the option of finding all sorts of fabulous items in a one-day shopping spree.
Thanks!
August 13th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I would love to sport a casual dress, if I could find one that works for me. It seems that the few dresses that do work for me are on the “dressy” side. I’d love a simple cotton dress like the blue shirt dress that Dani posted with her yellow cardi. To me, anything more than that is “too dressed up”.
August 13th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Love the looks…sure looks better that the stupid khaki shorts I’ve been wearing. Thanks
August 13th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Lulu, your layering answer for a sleeved dress is a denim jacket - no bulging.
I hear you, Swirl. Cropped and FITTED cardigans are best over dresses. Button a few buttons under the bust and you are set. Don’t worry too much about competing waistlines. Jackets need to be short and tailored too. It’s when these layering pieces are too long or boxy that proportions look odd with a frock.
Hope you find the right shirt dress, Nicole. You look great in a frock.
August 13th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I’m not a Mom, but these outfits totally work! Maybe you can do a series on dates 1-3 for us single ladies!
Thanks Angie!
August 14th, 2008 at 12:58 am
A different Anne here - but I agree with the first one! Do please keep these up for other seasons Angie!
I love dresses, and a sundress with a denim jacket is a favourite summer outfit of mine. Most dresses of mine are not convenient for me to wear in the daytime at the moment, as I am feeding a baby, although I have managed it with a v neck crossover dress! Hopefully dresses will still be in fashion in a year’s time
August 14th, 2008 at 5:47 am
I love the yellow dress… could you tell us where it’s from?
August 14th, 2008 at 7:36 am
Fantastic outfits!
August 14th, 2008 at 8:20 am
I second the request to know where the black dress in the second picture comes from. I love it.
I know Angie’s not a huge fan of maxi dresses, but a simple, unlined knit one is a good option, especially if you want to play with your kids (or in my case, the dogs) on the floor. They tend to keep me from embarrassment better than knee-length dresses.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:11 am
I love this feature! Please do more in the series - can you give us some “busy mom on the go” looks for fall? I am considering some fall purchases and wonder what looks you love for us moms in the new season. Thanks!
August 14th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Another great flop-proof outfit post! I get lots more mileage out of my dresses than my jeans because I work full time in an office so I can only wear jeans on weekends, but I can wear dresses any day. The idea of using a cami for extra coverage under a dress, possibly in a contrasting color is new to me. I tend to automatically avoid very low necked styles because I didn’t think they could be as versatile as more moderate necklines, but next time I go dress-shopping I will keep the cami idea in mind–it may open up more possibilities.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
The black dress in the second option has crisscross straps. How do you wear a cami with it? I have a crisscross dress from Banana and found it a bit low cut, but don’t have a cami to go with it. I have a convertible bra, but that doesn’t work if I want to cover up some cleavage.
August 15th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Love all the looks! I’m not a mom, but these are great for any busy girl.
Could you tell us where the yellow dress is from? I want to say Banana Republic.
August 15th, 2008 at 8:39 am
I second Eva–I would have major bra issues with the black dress, lovely though it is.
I finally managed to buy a day dress for myself, though. Here it is :
http://www.salaamclothing.com/.....pdress.htm
I love this company! Their patterns are fab.
August 16th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I wish I could pull that off, but those outfits (that are ADORABLE, for sure) look so dressy/fussy to me. For my lifestyle, that is. But I do love them. That’s exactly what I need for the bridesmaid lunch I’m attending in Oct though. I love that yellow dress.
August 16th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
i have been an avid dress wearer since being a poor (by choice) produce stocker at an organic grocery store in san francisco. the used clothing store sold clothes by the pound and i could get more dresses per pound than jeans. i became creative at altering housewife dresses from the 40’s-60’s amd then discovered the vermont country store (http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=828) for the sake of modesty — camisoles, petti pants (slip/shorts gals!), slips in cotton and thermal materials for winter.
good luck and look great!
August 17th, 2008 at 9:02 am
I hear you musings of a housewife. Your reaction is like many others. It’s all about a habit change and once you’re in the swing of wearing comfy casual frocks daily, there’s no looking back (especially when it’s really hot). It’s so much better than jeans, a basic T-shirt and flip flops no matter how you look at it.
August 20th, 2008 at 9:37 am
I know quite a few have asked, but where is the clothing shown from?
If you are going to continue on with the series, which I have enjoyed, please only use fashions where the store name can be provided. I love the yellow dress, but I’d rather know if exists if I can’t find it in stores.
Thanks
August 21st, 2008 at 3:40 pm
AP, I appreciate your frustration. The clothes come from an online tool site called “polyvore.com”.
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/home?id=200056
This site selects clothing and accessories from all over the world to use as reference points for illustrative purposes. The outfits accompanying the formulas that I create for you using polyvore are therefore for illustrative purposes only. I have decided to carry on using polyvore.com to visually aid my formula and cheat sheet blog posts. This way of presenting an outfit idea is more effective than a bunch of models sporting loads of different items that don’t really match.
It’s not ideal that I can’t provide a link to where the items come from and I’m sorry I can’t improve that side of things. But polyvore is an excellent visual tool and so far the reactions to the virtual outfit displays have been positive. I hope you find them useful.