Classic Comfort Mom-Friendly Outfits For Early Spring

Fashion

Feb 18

Please don’t consider this post my official foray into fashion blogging, but this blog really is a space intended to document real life and probably the most real thing about me is my role as a mom and homemaker. My days are mostly spent at home caring for and schooling our girls, peppered with the occasional outing to the library or grocery store. While some may consider that kind of life boring, I love being a mom, running our home, and making sure everyone’s needs are met. I count it a real blessing that I can do it and take my job seriously.

While I love the comfort of home and consider myself a true homebody, one thing I rarely ever do is stay in my pajamas or sweats. Ever. I truly don’t mean this as a judgement on any other moms if that’s your jam, but I personally just feel that I cannot function productively if I have not gotten ready for the day. Of course this looks a little bit different every day and some days are more relaxed than others, but even if I intend to be home for the day, I get dressed, comb my hair, and put on some (very basic) makeup.

This process takes me maybe only 10-15 minutes each morning and that’s because I have adopted the idea of a uniform. A few years ago, I took the time to work through The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees after going through the inevitable identity shakeup that comes with becoming a mother and it was so helpful in guiding me towards the type of clothes that help me feel my best with the least amount of effort (because what mom really has much time to give to this?). I discovered that I really favor a classic and fairly modest style and over the years I have been able to zone in on what that looks like for me. My husband also gifted me a color analysis from Created Colorful for my birthday a few years ago and a recent conversation with ChatGPT about Kibbe body types was also insightful in this regard. All this to say that dressing to feel my best is generally pretty straightforward these days and even when I’m just around the house or only running simple errands with my girls in tow, I like to feel like I’m putting my best foot forward.

I recently added a few new pieces to my wardrobe that are great for that transition from late winter into early spring and felt inspired to put together a few outfit ideas that use only a handful of items from my closet. These pieces have proven to be so versatile and make living that mom life pretty comfortable and easy. I thought I’d share a few things I’ve learned here in case you’re looking for some classic comfort mom style inspiration these days too.

Going to the Library or a Mom Group

I pretty well wear jeans every day — they are my version of sweatpants. When I look for jeans, I look for mid-rise styles because they help keep everything tucked in and covered, but don’t cause that unpleasant bulge in the mid-section that can happen with high-rise styles. Shirts and sweaters can still be tucked into a mid-rise too. Versatility is the name of the game! I tend to favor a mid-tone wash in jeans because I find they can easily be dressed up or down, but a nice dark wash would probably be a useful addition to my wardrobe at some point. I personally prefer a straight cut or vintage tapered cut over skinny or barrel styles, but thats a matter of preference. In my opinion, a few good pairs of jeans make a wonderful foundation for many outfits.

Running Errands, Grocery Shopping or Making Appointments

Over the past couple of years, I’ve discovered that being selective with just a couple of versatile structured pieces can go a long way in making an outfit feel pulled together. These more structured pieces can be dressed up or down. These key pieces for me have been statement coats and a comfy pair of trousers. I recently picked up this short trench coat in a warm brown and have been able to wear it with nearly every outfit. Paired with a scarf, it still works on those chilly late winter days, but just as easily transitions into the spring if you tie the belt behind the back and wear it open.

Let’s also chat about shoes. I always prefer to keep my outfits quite simple — usually some combination of pants with a tank top and sweater — but the shoes are where I like to bring some interest. I love a comfortable low-heeled boot for running errands, but any dressed up version of a flat can also look really chic without sacrificing comfort. A staple pair of black loafers are a must for me, as are some pretty ballet flats. A white pair of sneakers are also a given for any mom.

Going to Church or Weekend Family Outings

I tend to keep jewellery really simple. I always wear the same rings and necklace and only change out my earrings with each day. That being said, I only choose styles that are timeless and understated. You cannot go wrong with a simple hoop and a staple pair of pearls. If you haven’t picked up on it yet, my uniform is essentially based around the foundation of pants, a layering piece, a sweater or cardigan, and simple jewellery. Then I like to play with my shoes depending on what my day holds, throw in a structured bag, and often make it interesting with a statement coat. For my makeup, I keep it very simple and natural, but if I do want to dress up, I will add a more bold lipstick or some defining eyeshadow. That’s it. This combination gives me freedom to mix and match, but also gives me a really clear direction each morning, helping me to get ready in a flash without much additional mental energy.

Days At Home, Homeschooling, or Taking the Kids Out for a Walk

My final hack for a pulled together look while keeping it practical as a mom: a structured tote. I’ve been using this tote bag (similar here) from the Coach Outlet for a solid year and a half because it looks so clean and pulled together, but fits all the things. I use zippered pouches within it to keep things corralled together, like a couple diapers and wipes for my youngest, snacks, and simple activities (sticky notes, pens, stickers, etc) for waiting rooms. I also have a small crossbody purse tucked inside that holds all my cards, cash, and keys so that I can easily pull it out and just use that if I’m running in somewhere quickly. It has been a great practical system while still maintaining a classic style.

Extracurricular Activities and Solo Errands

Resources for Finding Your Personal Style

The last thing I’ll say is that I know not everyone is drawn to a classic style. Oh, how I sometimes wish I could just throw on a flowy bohemian style dress and call it a day, but that has just never felt like me. We all have our own preferencecs and tastes that are informed by more than just what we personally like. I have explored the idea of personal style over the past handful of years and these are some of the ways I did that. I recommend exploring all of these over time if this is something that interests you too:

Read The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees and actually walk through the exercise it outlines in the book. It takes some time and doesn’t happen over night, but over time it can really help you zone in on what you like vs. what is just on trend. This process can be very empowering!
Explore the idea of color analysis to see what colors compliment your natural features. This concept has become really popular in recent years and there are many different ways you can pursue it, including in person services, online services, or even just by reading more about it yourself. I used an online service from Created Colorful and what I learned has helped me in the shopping process as I select pieces that will stand the test of time.
Explore the concept of the Kibbe Body Type system. It’s a pretty complex system that can be hard to zone in on by yourself, so what I did was uploaded a (faceless) selfie to ChatGPT and asked for help to identify my Kibbe Body Type. While I don’t love AI, this approach did allow me to engage in a conversation that brought clarity about particular styles, patterns, cuts, and materials that best compliment my frame and structure. Many of the suggestions were observations I had already subconsciously made over time, but it gave a few new specific ideas of what to look for while shopping and it has been a wonderful resource. I even uploaded specific items from online stores and asked if they would work with my body type and color palette and ChatGPT helped talk me through the pros and cons of specific items. It was a great learning resource.

I hope this post has been a fun one to read. I know it’s not my usual type of content and again, I have no plan of transitioning into fashion blogging (haha!), but it has been something on my mind lately and I thought it may be fun to share.