last week I posted our first fashion idea from Shana from Ain’t No mommy Jeans. It seemed that y’all loved it. Today we have allowed her to go on an anti-sweatsuit rant and supply you with another alternative. Without additionally ado…
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Up there in the cool-mom creed, ideal next to “Thou shalt not wear mommy jeans” is another commandment: “Thou shalt not wear sweatpants in public”. This lesser known commandment went through a period of disregard (primarily due to the popularity of the Juicy sweatsuit) but is now experiencing a revival. While I will admit to strolling out for morning coffee clad in the de rigueur Juicy sweatsuit several YEARS ago it is now time to step on. It’s over, people.
For those of you still in denial, let me reference the exact moment that the Juicy tracksuit died: April 30, 2004, at the release of the indicate girls movie. I watched, in horror, as Mrs. George, her fake boobs securely zipped into a hot pink Juicy tracksuit claimed, “I’m not like a regular mom, I’m a cool mom.” God forbid we start following her definition of cool. next we’ll all be asking, “What’s the 4-1-1 girls?”
The lure of the sweatsuit (whether it’s of the Juicy variety, Adidas, Target, or some other lesser known brand) is that it is comfy and easy. but the problem with actually wearing sweats outside, out into the real world, where not everyone has kids or are sympathetic to those of us that do….being clad in a sweatsuit is a little like admitting defeat. It’s the cause of embarrassed glances your way, of pitying looks – “she just can’t keep it together”. Which I would actually be ok with, some mornings, if those pitying looks actually translated into HELP. but they don’t. It seems that the a lot more desperate our appearance, the a lot more people avoid making eye contact, lest they somehow catch what we’re carrying: The mommy who has let Herself Go Disease.
Ironically, slick on a little lipstick, make an attempt to look cute, and people will jump up and carry your groceries, hold open doors and give you big smiles ”“ even while your kid is doing the limp-yet-screaming thing in the middle of the intersection.
So the goal, then, is to come up with some no-fail outfits that look cute but are insanely easy ”“ easy enough for those mornings when the sweatpants are calling. errands with a little one are hard enough. You want all the help you can get. here is an alternative:
Hoodie + Scarf
Never underestimate the power of a good scarf, cherie. If there was one thing I learned during my first visit to Paris, it was this: stop over-thinking the scarf. find a scarf you love (a lightweight one will be a lot more versatile), and throw it on with everything. It need not even match. So for for errand day, zip on your favorite jeans, a hoodie, and wind your scarf haphazardly around your neck. One can Google how to tie a scarf, but it isn’t necessary. just wind it around anyway that you like it, tie once, or not. Whatever. I like to finish off the look with cute ballet flats.
My current pics for great scarves are…
Gap’s lightweight floral Scarf
Uzbek Alive’s Ultramarine Ikat Silk Scarf
Yarnz’s Scalloped lace Scarf
My all-time favorite hoodie…Alternative Apparel’s Eco-Heather Hoodie (Unisex)
Pictured on Shana (above) are J brand 10” ankle jeans in dark wash, American Apperal gray hoodie, her own scarf, and J. crew ballet flats. visualized on the babe are Nano plaid pants and a daily Tea short sleeve hoodie.
Shana Draugelis is a contributor for Ain’t No mommy Jeans, a mommy fashion and lifestyle blog dedicated to all that is cool about motherhood. She’ll be inspiring us with one a lot more sweatsuit alternative next week!
