How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

I am not a mom but I agree that people shouldn't look like they rolled out of bed daily but a new mom/just had baby mom really needs to worry about being dolled up? Seriously!

It’s possible for stylish moms to stylishly blend fashion and functionality. No, really.

Good moms are known for being kind, nurturing and patient. But fashionable? Not so much. Some days, just getting out of the house with matching socks can seem like an accomplishment.

But a little planning and attention to details can go a long way in preparing you for the stylish, adult world.

Here are some of my fashion tips for looking good — or, at least, presentable.

— Limit gym clothes to the gym. Sure, sporting sweats and a T-shirt is comfortable, but it’s also frumpy and screams mom. If you must, trade the T-shirt for something form-fitting with a lower neckline and couple it with a zip-up jacket. Save the XL “2004 Walk Against Alzheimer’s” T-shirt for when you have a headache and aren’t in the mood for you-know-what.

— Lose the baseball cap. While Faith Hill looks sexy strutting around with her three daughters in a ball cap, most of us don’t. Your greasy hair isn’t really that noticeable, especially from a distance. And if you’re really concerned about your mangy mane, try a ponytail with a headband or big sunglasses.

— Accessorize. Spruce up outfits with scarves, belts and jewelry. (Wedding bands and diamond stud earrings you got for high-school graduation don’t count.) Don’t leave the house without cute earrings, even if it means no time for mascara.

Accessories are cheap and interchangeable. And they always fit.

— Avoid high-maintenance clothes. That silk blouse looks great fresh from the dry cleaner, but goes downhill fast. And who has time to iron? Rather than banish wrinkly clothes to the Siberia of your closet, buy stuff that looks good after multiple wearings.

— Ditch the mom jeans. If your jeans cover your belly button, call a sitter and get to the store. Quick. Because, let’s face it: If Jessica Simpson looks bad in mom jeans, so will the rest of us.

— Go for some heel. Nothing says frumpy like a dirty pair of sneakers or banged-up Aerosoles. A little heel dresses up any outfit and adds confidence to your step.

— Mimic good style. Grab a People magazine when the kids are asleep and take some fashion tips from the celebs. Even if you can’t dress like the stars, at least you’ll know not to wear the peasant skirt that’s in your closet.

— Invest in a few good pieces. We all wish the sales clerks at Nordstrom knew us by name, but who has the budget? Instead, spend a little extra on clothes you wear a lot — jeans, slacks and jackets — and go cheap on the trendy stuff, which won’t last many fashion cycles anyway. Be cautious about buying too much at Target and Walmart and don’t pooh-pooh places like JCPenney and even Sears, which have decent-quality clothes and great sales.

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

i might be the only one that feels this way... but i could care less if someone walks out of the house looking like they just rolled out of bed...

i just dont see why anyone else would care... not to mention write an article about it...

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

oh i could care less about it but its a part of a stigma if i wear gym clothing outside of the gym or the house in general my husband says crap about it and i am no fashionista! you should hear him and his buddies blab about wives in sweat pants when they come home from work - to me its like what the hell i should look like a 50's wife dolled up with warm dinner on table?

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

They never have articles on how MEN should dress better. Such b.s.

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

I'll be honest, after I had my son, I really made an effort to make sure that every day I was showered, hair and make-up was done, and I was dressed. Granted, I wasn't exactly dressed to the nines, but I tried to look neat and not frumpy.

Even though I was sleep-deprived and trying to lose the baby weight, it really made me feel a lot better about myself when I did this. I also felt a lot better leaving the house when I felt like I looked "normal".

Message edited 1/25/2011 12:22:03 PM.

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

Message edited 1/25/2011 6:19:08 PM.

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

Okay, this writer clearly never had a young child of their own or did so long ago that he/she forgot things. Or has extremely limited contact with dC.

Wear earrings?!? Are you kidding me? When DS was little I would have lost one or both earlobes.

Heels? Must be a joke. Going to the grocery store or the park and chasing after a toddler hell bent on self-destruction does not warrent heels.

And the Mom jeans, not attractive, I agree, but I got tired of showing people my crack everytime I played on the floor with DS.

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

They make it sound like it's so simple. Sorry but with my 4 month old twins I consider it a good day when I can actually fit a shower in. And yes, lots of days are spent in pajamas.

ETA: I do make sure I look better on the rare occasions that I do leave the house. But a lot of my days are spent just staying home.

Message edited 1/25/2011 12:27:51 PM.

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

I'll probably get flamed to h#ll for saying this, but after 5 years of parenthood, I've found the biggest way to avoid looking frumpy is to lose the baby weight as fast as possible.

When you have the excess weight, that's when you start relying on the sweats and the mom jeans and the giant t-shirts. To hide everything.

If you're thin, everything looks better than you, even if it's not expensive or new. A fitted t-shirt and yoga pants or jeans look great if you're at a good weight and in decent shape.

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

I am out of the house 3 hours before my DD wakes up in the morning so no excuses LOL

hair done, dressed well.

I bought all new clothes so I wouldnt fall into wearing sweatpants every day

I had to stop wearing make up a while ago due to skin issues so that is just for the weekends.

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

Before I became a step Mom to two I'd say, oh cmon you have time. But now, I understand. It's hard.

I never understood why it annoys people how others dress.

It doesn't effect me, so why should I care?

I do however think a MOm should be able to be free at least once a month to dress up to make herself feel better.

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

at my baby shower, one woman told me that no matter what, i should always shower, dress, and have a face of makeup on before my husband gets home. or, he would most likely leave me.

karma must be a you-know-what, bc her husband ended up leaving her! (and this woman was dressed to the nines 100% of the time!)

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

With both my children on maternity leave, I was always dressed everyday. I was able to take a shower everyday too. With my 2nd it was harder because he was just more needier but I DID get it done.

I personally don't want to look frumpy for myself first and my dh. I don't see why I would need to as putting on a nice pair of jeans and shirt is just as easy as putting on a t-shirt and sweats.

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

Some of this I agree with, like baseball caps.

Other things are just not realistic for me. My DS is 3 and I still can't wear jewelry without worrying about him yanking it off me.

He also often tries running away from me in stores, parking lots, wherever. There is no way I could catch up with him wearing heels.

He has stained almost every shirt I own in at least one spot. I accept that as a temporary badge of motherhood since I would rather he feel comfortable sitting on my lap and hugging me than worrying about my shirt. I'll spend money on lots of new clothes once he stops ruining them. For now, I do damage control.

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

Re: How to avoid dressing like a frumpy mom Newsday Article

I don't have kids. I think this article is...ugh... but I think it's probably well intentioned. I think after I have my DC I am going to make a point of showering, getting dressed etc as much as I can.

Right now I'm not a mom but I work from home. FH comes home to find me in PJ's and a hoodie. Just last night I promised him when we're married he won't find me like that every day. He said "That's ok, pajamas are snuggly....but please don't wear a housecoat"