Monday, February 11, 2013

Modern Mama Style

Let's face it; the stereotypes surrounding motherhood fashion are just that most of the time, stereotypes.


I do not own "mom jeans", I don't live in sweatpants, and my hair isn't thrown up in a messy bun at all times. 

Of course, there are days when this is the case; Bubba woke up crying 3 times during the night or I don't feel good. In that case, yes, bring on the sweatpants, glasses, and old t-shirt. 

But just because I'm a mom doesn't mean I need to look like one. I'm still a wannabe fashionista at heart and I don't find any reason to compromise my desires just because of a title. 

T-shirt: Some old sorority shirt, $10
Pants: Gap, $19-sale
Bracelet: Olivia Accessories, $11
Scarf: Target, $15
I will say, it's important to wear clothes that make it easy to chase that little booger around or climb in and out of the backseat. If you're still nursing like I am, it's necessary to have access to the girls if need be. And of course, I may have to trade my champagne taste for more items on a beer budget. 

But this doesn't mean it can't be done! I've become a pro at bargain hunting at here's how you can too!

Dress: Old Navy, $7-clearance
Belt: Charlotte Russe, $4
Necklace: Charlotte Russe, $9
Bracelet: Olivia Accessories, $11
Watch: Marc Jacobs, $100-sale

1. Check out the sale and clearance racks before looking at the rest of the store. Even if an item seems "out of season", you can pair it with leggings, a cardigan, or the right shoes and make it weather appropriate. 

2. Know what stores have coupons. Express is my favorite store in the whole wide world but if we are being honest, I think they are overpriced. I only buy things there when they have the coupons like Spend $50 get $15 off or spend $250 and get $60 off etc. 

3. Buy items that can be mixed and matched with other items. Most of the tops and pants in my closet are solid colors that can be worn with everything. Patterned items are fun, but they are less practical. Spend majority of your budget on staple items and throw a few patterned things in here and there. 

4. Spend most of your budget on things you can wear everyday. Sure, that pair of Jimmy Choo's or that Dolce and Gabbana suit are super cute, but can you wear those to the park or karate class? It's okay to spend a little more on things you really want, but make sure they aren't going to sit in your closet and collect dust. 

5. Biggest mistake I've made: cutting my hair short because I thought it would be easier to take care of. Truthfully, my long hair was way easier. I could braid it, wear it in a ponytail, throw it in a bun, clip it half back, etc. Short hair HAS to be done everyday, otherwise I look like a hot mess. So really think before you chop your hair off because it's easier...

6. Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize! A simple scarf, bracelet, or statement necklace can totally change the feel of an outfit. I've found this is the easiest way to dress an outfit up or down. And most of the time, these items are all found on clearance or sale! 


I'd be happy to answer any personal questions you may have as well. I make fun of my husband because whenever we go shopping, his one item adds up to be the same price of my 5 items. I have perfected the art of bargain hunting and still maintain my style. 

Top: Express, $14-sale
Pants: Express, $34-sale
Scarf: Target, $15
Boots: Marshalls, $24
Watch: Marc Jacobs, $100-sale

Are you a modern mama? Tell me your secrets too! 


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14 comments:

  1. Loving the picture in the yougurt shop! Y'all are just adorable!

    xoxo

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  2. Oh lord...I regret cutting my hair ):

    I thought it would be easier too and now I hate it. I look like a hott mess 6 out of 7 days a week! I want my hair to grow so I can do things with it again!!!bahhhhh

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  3. Hahaha, I think a mistake that every mom (including me) makes is getting short hair because they think it'll be easier. I have done this so many times and every time I think, "Janna, did you not learn anything from the last time you chopped off your hair?! Now you'll have to go a year without cutting it so your hair can be halfway down your back...again." I swear, I'm a glutton for punishment.

    By the way, I love your style! I also wait for things to go on sale. I can't justify spending $50 on a pair of AE jeans or $100 on a shirt when I can get two for the price of one when they go on sale.

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  4. I absolutely love love love this post! I can totally relate to it! It's crazy because I can easily spend $20 or more on shorts or a shirt for Colton, but when it comes to buying for myself I just can't! I always shop the clearance section! I love the Target here because I feel like their clearance selection is sooo much bigger than the one back home... actually alot of of the stores here are like that (one of the few things I LOVE about this place lol). One of my best girlfriends from back home one time wanted me to go with her to the Goodwill to look for some old pieces of furniture to redo so I tagged along and actually found a brand new old navy peacoat for literally $4. So I like to every once in a while check out the thrift stores. I love me some bargain shopping,you can NEVER go wrong!

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  5. Love all of your outfits, so cute!

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  6. Great post! I like to consider myself a pro-bargain shopper as well. Marshall's/TJMaxx/consignment shops + me = Best friends!

    Also, I totally agree about long hair being easier! Pony tails are the best and totally convertable!

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  7. The whole Mom clothes thing is definitely a myth. I mean, when I was little...the kind of stuff my Mom wore was pretty Mom-ish, but now she's 42 and she looks great! And the moms I know who are close to my age have awesome clothing style! I definitely agree about long hair being easier. I've always had short hair, and I probably always will, because I'm just a short hair girl, but there's no such thing as ponytails and braids if you don't want to do anything with your hair. My hair is curly, too, so with short and curly hair, I end up washing it every day, because once I sleep on it, it's major bed head!

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  8. Love this post...shopping after all is my sport of choice

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  9. I have always loved your style! When you post pictures of yourself, you are always so put together and cute clothes. I love fashion and dressing well but I struggle because of my weight/size sometimes. But, I do love Target and Old Navy for cute/fashionable clothes.

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  10. Do you have suggestions of other ways to accessorize besides scarves and necklaces? Sorry, I just have an issue with things around my neck - scarves, turtlenecks, ect.

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  11. I love this post!!
    Ugh. I mean, we all have those days where a messy bun will just HAVE to do but overall, it's completely important to dress properly still. Kids or not, look decent. Take care of YOURSELF.

    I did a "loving your mom body" mini series a while back and totally talked about thrift shopping/hitting up clearance racks. (you can read more here if you want: http://www.mythreebittles.com/2012/03/loving-your-mom-body-part-3.html )

    I'm a big "On sale" shopper. I don't pay full price for much of anything. I just can't bring myself to do it when I know it'll be on sale next time I'm in the said store.

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  12. I need to remember this! Sometimes I catch myself letting it all go

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  13. this is fabulous advice and you look rockin mama! Love that mint top from Express! I agree about the longer hair! but yours is really cute.

    Tiffany

    www.littlegems3.blogspot.com

    stopping by from mommy moments

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  14. Congrats! This post was viewed the most at my Mommy Moments Linky Part so you will be featured this coming Monday:)

    http://the-life-of-faith.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

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