How to Rock the Mom Uniform

People who don’t know me must think I work-out every day. And while I’d like to say it is because of my rock-hard abs or toned triceps, that is unfortunately not the case.  However,  my wardrobe suggests otherwise, and I’m okay with that.  You see, I work from home as an event planner and a small business owner, and since 75% of the time I don’t leave the house other than a trip to the grocery store or the library, I don’t really see any reason to wear anything that is less than uber-comfortable.

Now, I’m not saying I don’t ever get dressed up. I do, and I enjoy it on occasion. But on your average day, I’m sporting spandex, and I’m not apologizing for any misleadings.   

Yes, I’m totally aware that there have been complete shows dedicated to getting people out of their athletic clothing…..I spent half of my twenties recording “What Not to Wear” along with the rest of you.  But maybe they just weren’t doing it right!?  I mean, have you seen the Athleta catalog or walked through a Lululemon store? Today’s athleisure is a far cry from the jogging pants from the 80’s, or even the “bunny suits” from the 90’s.  In fact, according to the CEO of Levi’s, the rise of athleisure could soon replace jeans! Whaa? That’s right, today’s consumers are buying two pairs of leggings for every pair of jeans they aren’t buying.

With stats like that, I’m thinking that I’m not the only one who loves a little leisure wear. But just because you want to be comfortable doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or spend top dollar.

Below are my favorite everyday pieces.  Wear any combination of these and you’ll be rocking the Mommy uniform in or out of the gym:

1. There’s only one pair of leggings you’ll ever need: Zella “Live In Leggings”. The name says it all. Seriously. Not only do you want to live in them, thanks to the fact that they are reversible, you can. You can work out in them or wear them with boots and tunics, making them extremely versatile thanks to their non-shiny nature.  Zella is Nordstrom’s house brand so you can only find them there, but they go on sale quite a bit, and you can often snag them at a Nordstrom Rack.  But even full-price, they’ll only set you back about $50 versus Lululemon’s Wunder Unders at twice the price. And rumor has it that the old product manager at Lulu developed the Zella line at Nordstrom’s. Hint: If you really want to be comfy, try the high-waist leggings they make. I die….
2. The days I don’t have to wear a “real” bra are good days. Are you with me? But sports bras can be a little too “sporty” if you know what I mean. Fortunately, there is this awesome in-between phenomenon called a bralette. Not to be confused with a bracelet, which my husband assumed was a typo of mine when sneaking a peak at my Cozi wish list. A bralette is sort of a hybrid between a traditional bra and a sports bra featuring strappy backs, bright colors, and dainty details like lace, making it not only acceptable but en vogue to show your straps.  A few years back, these babies could only be found at high-end boutiques, but now you can find them at places like TJ Maxx, Jane.com, and even Target for $10 or less. If you don’t already have one, you are doing the girls a disservice. Just sayin’.  

3. Another essential is a lightweight, flowy shirt that doesn’t cling and is long enough to cover your bottom. This is key here people. Repeat after me: Leggings are not pants. Leggings are not pants! There are so many cute variations of tops out there today featuring twists, open backs, exposed shoulders, and mesh panels, that you will look like a style maven sporting one of these all while feeling like you’re still wearing your jammies.     

   

4. For an extra layer of warmth (and cuteness,) add a vest on top for cooler temps. Whether you choose fleece or the quilted variety, you’ll look pulled together and will be ultra-cozy…..plus, think of the pockets!!  My all-time favorite vest is the Excursion vest from J. Crew.

You can often find these on the J. Crew factory site or in the outlet stores, and they go on sale pretty regularly too.  Another favorite, thanks to its fuzzy softness but feminine fit, is the Los Gatos vest by Patagonia. In fact, who am I kidding, you need one of each! Sorry, hubbies!

5. Gone are the days of the white sneaker, my friends.  Tennis shoes have gone to the dark side, and I don’t see this changing anytime soon. I love how dark sneakers make your feet sort of disappear, which is way more than I can say for white or bright ones. Plus, black has the tendency to dress anything up….even tennies! Get on trend with these by Nike and New Balance, and you’ll be super comfy and dressed to impress!                                                     

6. Swap out your puny plastic ponytail holder for one of those fun elastic hair ties, and you’ll make the classic ponytail look effortless and chic like our celebrity friends do.

You can get them at any of the local boutiques, but I also spotted them at Walgreens the other day for crazy cheap. I’m loving these tie-dye ones I found on Etsy, which is another great place to score them for a great price!

7. Lastly, elevate your style with a scarf. It will not only dress up anything you are wearing and make you look totally put-together, but it’s a great camouflage for the coffee drip or baby spit-up that will inevitably happen to everything we wear. Nicole Richie, watch out! You’re not going to be the only stylish mama out there for long!