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DEL.ICIO.USA busy mom’s guide to spring fashion
I’ll save you some time and give you a quickie look at what’s in for the next season.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Spring will get here eventually and as a service to our time-starved mothers I am offering up a quickie guide to what’s in for spring. These trends were reported in the March issue of Lucky magazine, which is all about shopping and style. (Surprisingly, I subscribe to this magazine. Although, you wouldn’t know it if you saw me at preschool.)
Lucky says these shoes will be in:
High wooden heels —I’m not sure if they would comfortable to work in, but maybe for church or date night.
T-strap heels — A little more functional for your average mom busy lugging around a toddler or bag or groceries.
Woven wedges — Also a little more secure for a mom moving quickly.
Satin platform — If you do get out of the house to some place fancy.
Mary jane flats —- This is what I’ll be wearing. I think they’re cute and functional.
Peep toe slingbacks — Look sharp at work or church.
Metallic sandals — Not sure I could pull them off, but you could.
Some styles of clothes to look out for, according to Lucky magazine:
Ballet-inspired looks “combine romantic shapes with lingerie-style flourishes.”
Painterly — large brush strokes on fabric in bright colors.
Bohemian floral — loose, sheer and flowy.
Schoolboy - crisp seersucker, button-down shirts, knit vests, stripes and checks.
Safari —Not really the “Out of Africa” safari look. It seems more Middle Eastern — desert shades, chunky jewelry, unfinished hems.
They have bunches of photos in the magazine but not on the Web site. Here is a photo gallery of similar styles.
Lucky does have a city shopping guide to Atlanta. Here are some of their suggestions by neighborhood.
I’m sure most mothers aren’t going to go out and buy a whole new trendy wardrobe but if you added one or two of these items, you might feel updated.
What will you be wearing this spring and summer? Do any of these styles appeal to you? Do you try to update seasonally or even yearly? What pieces do you like to add — maybe handbags, shoes or jewelry? Do you update make-up or stay with your tried but true?
Permalink | Comments (28) | Post your comment | Categories: General Frustrations of Motherhood
Comments
By Beth
April 10, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this
Good for you for trying to get moms out of the “I just don’t have time for myself” BS. I am tired of seeing potentially stunning mothers donning sweatpants, their husbands t-shirts and grimy hair to the grocery store.
By Beth
April 10, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this
Good for you for trying to get moms out of the “I just don’t have time for myself” BS. I am tired of seeing potentially stunning mothers donning sweatpants, their husbands t-shirts and grimy hair to the grocery store.
By Cornelius
April 10, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Women are so beautiful - please encourage them more to pay attention to fashion. What we should mention are things never to worn in public, as so many mothers do: - Scrunchies worn every day of the week (some even have a color collection or scrunchies that match their husbands football team) - Bombed out sweat pants with stains/pet fur - Going out with no make-up, a pimple showing with perhaps some chin hair (please, slap on some war paint and buy some tweezers!) - Tight bombed out sweat pants showing the lines from your Granny Panties - Clean your engagement ring as its incredibly dull and crud covered - Wearing open toed shoes and not having the decency to apply a good coat of nail polish; or, when the big toe gets chipped, you just slap some more over it as if nobody will notice! - Buy pants with a normal waist band; no more comfy, stretchy waist bands to accommodate the expanding girth - No more Super Cuts $19.95 hair cuts. Don’t chop all your hair off and justify it by saying “well, its easier this way as a Mom”. Ladies know that when your hair looks good, you feel good! Invest in a good hair salon and let your beauty come forth!
By Cornelius
April 10, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
Women are so beautiful - please encourage them more to pay attention to fashion. What we should mention are things never to worn in public, as so many mothers do: - Scrunchies worn every day of the week (some even have a color collection or scrunchies that match their husbands football team) - Bombed out sweat pants with stains/pet fur - Going out with no make-up, a pimple showing with perhaps some chin hair (please, slap on some war paint and buy some tweezers!) - Tight bombed out sweat pants showing the lines from your Granny Panties - Clean your engagement ring as its incredibly dull and crud covered - Wearing open toed shoes and not having the decency to apply a good coat of nail polish; or, when the big toe gets chipped, you just slap some more over it as if nobody will notice! - Buy pants with a normal waist band; no more comfy, stretchy waist bands to accommodate the expanding girth - No more Super Cuts $19.95 hair cuts. Don’t chop all your hair off and justify it by saying “well, its easier this way as a Mom”. Ladies know that when your hair looks good, you feel good! Invest in a good hair salon and let your beauty come forth!
By WarEagle 87
April 10, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
I went to Hanes.com and got Buy 2 get one free tshirts in spring colors to go with my jeans & shorts. Does that count? :)
By JJ
April 10, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
I’m not about fashion and wearing what everyone else is wearing. I wear what’s comfortable and I do look nice when I leave the house. I work in an office where jeans are the norm. I wear nice shirts, and shoes, mostly sandals this time of year. I keep my hair neat, but I don’t wear alot of makeup. I hate make up…….However, I do love Bare Minerals make up. It’s expensive, but it is so light, especially for the summer.
Shoes, I wear what looks good on my feet. I love to show off my feet and wear sandals. I get pedicures every two weeks (the one thing I do for me)…..
By e
April 10, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
Cornelius please add more I love your comment! What else should we do? I want to do better myself and I have a new job but not much money to spend on clothing. My daughter always looks fab but me, well if I am matching that’s good!
By e
April 10, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
I also think that women have to show our children how to care for themselves by caring for ourselves. You women out there know that you are beautiful and you should flaunt what God gave ya!!!
By Grant
April 10, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
I disagree with naked toe nails. If you can’t get/ give yourself nice pedicure than naked toes are better than chipped ones. Just make sure to keep them trimmed and clean.
I think its more important to wear clothes that fit properly, hair that’s under control and good working deodorant this time of year. But I try to do as I tell my son, a day that you don’t get dirty is a day wasted.
By JJ
April 10, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
Next week, let’s tackle men’s dressing issues.
By jct
April 10, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
There is a difference between being fashionable and a slave to fashion.
I realized when my son turned 14 that the sweat pants and old t-shirt were making my look old. I threw them all way.
I could not afford a new wardrobe but what I did do is I waited to the end of season sales. I bought two nice fitting pairs of jeans (cost $25) and 5 tops (cost $35). I two pairs of those trendy sneakers ($18 plus arch supports) and that’s it for casual clothes.
I feel better and look better. I am stylish but not overly trendy.
I do like to buy a small item each year like a scarf or earrings to update outfits. This gives a lift to older outfits. I find consignment shops are the best to find the updater pieces. Everything comes back in to fashion.
For work I have two color schemes, one is cooler colors and the other is warmer colors. I try to continue to buy in those color schemes so that jackets, pants, skirts can be interchanged with different blouses. This way I have less clothes but more choices for outfits.
I think toes can be unpainted if you have a pedicure and nails are nicely shaped. Many of us just don’t pay enough attention to our feet. You can complete a home pedicure in 20 minutes. You deserve it.
By JJ
April 10, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
Ah yes, pedicures. I LOVE them. That’s how I pamper myself, twice a month. That’s about the ONLY thing I do for me!!! I have pretty feet and want to show them off. I love to wear strappy sandals, or flip flops……
By Cornelius
April 10, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
Women have adorable feet… so small and graceful. Remember, if you have “hammer toes” where that little pinky toe is just disgustingly messed up or even turned due to years of wearing high heels, do not wear open toed shoes. No opened toed shoes if you have hammer toe! Being “comfy” is also having respect for youself. If your toes are funky and twisted looking, never wear open toed shoes! Ladies, if you have that bunion or large skin growth around your heal, do not wear flip flops - have the salon file that stuff off!
By nurse&mother
April 10, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Don’t cha love how men like to comment on how women should look? (generally speaking).
I try to look my best. I never wear sweats unless I’m working out. I try to wash & curl my hair often. I tend to have a classic dress style. I usually avoid most fads.
I don’t think that it is my business to tell other women what they should wear, how often they should get a pedicure or where to get their hair cut!
I am a very clean cut woman, but I have never worn polish on my toes until last summer. I did my own pedicures, but never used polish. I don’t think that just because I am female that I should wear polish. That is a personal choice.
I’m with JJ. Let’s discuss men’s fashion next!
By Angie
April 10, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
I think Cornelius is a troll. I go out of the house looking nice for work, church, etc. but I’ll be $#$#^$& if I’m putting on make-up to go to Wa-Mart on a Saturday morning!
By nurse&mother
April 10, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
I’m willing to bet Cornelius has nose hair and ear hair that is wild and unruly. Or maybe he is one of those men that weighs about 250-275 with a beer belly that loves to critique women. Does that make you feel more like a man, Cornelius, to be so judgemental of another’s appearance? It has been my experience that when someone is overly critical of another, they are merely hiding their own insecurities.
Personally, Cornelius, it is none of my business how overweight you are or if you have ear hair.
By Cornelius
April 10, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
Perms should have long ago been outlawed, but yet you still see them - mostly far outside 285 and in the state of Maine. Multiple rings should never be worn on the same hand. Inexpensive earrings go a long way in improving your facial balance and can help emphasize or hide certain features. If you’re over 35, invest in one of those lit-up magnifying mirrors and invest in one pair of good tweezers because the hairs are coming, no doubt! Nobody over 40 should die their hair platinum blonde (it’s no longer the 80’s, baby!) but rather a more subtle color is the most complementary. NEVER ALLOW YOUR ROOTS TO BE SEEN IN PUBLIC! Go down to CVS and get a $12 bottle of Clairol and fix that stuff up (your hair will all be one color without highlights, but at least roots will not be seen in public). When you look good darling, you feel good….
By JJ
April 10, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
**Nurse&& You need to get yourself a pedicure. It is a very relaxing experience. Once you go, you will be hooked.
My mom doesn’t understand why I pay for pedicures, when I can do it myself. Well, I cannot cut my nails, as I can’t see them without my reading glasses, and hunching over, and killing my back (nice mental image huh?). So I like getting pedicures. You can take your own polish if you like. That’s what I usually do.
PLUS they massage your lower legs and feet before they apply the polish. OH MY…..I’d pay for that alone.
Go ahead!!! I’ll make the appointment.
By Becky
April 10, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
JJ, you are so right about the pedicures..Cornelius is also correct on what he says, if you feel good about yourself, you look good..I don’t always wear makeup, but that doesn’t mean that I always look frumpy when I go out of the house either..
By nurse&mother
April 10, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
JJ, I have had pedicures before, but I am worried about picking up a fungus. My hairdresser (very nice salon) does not do pedicures. I don’t trust the fly by night nail salons. Also, I live 20 minutes from the Tennessee line, so I don’t have so much to choose from (as far as reputable salons that will do pedicures).
The places that I’ve seen reuse buffers and files! yikes! I once tried to bring in my own files and utensils and they refused to use them. Yet they got out ones that had been used on thers!! I should have left, but I stayed. I have been lucky so far about not getting a fungus that I don’t want to press my luck.
By Theresa
April 10, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Hey nurse and mother — I also love, love pedicures — started getting them when we lived in New york city — In new york, eveyone has their own little plastic box of toe utensils — sometimes the nail place kept them for you and sometimes you did — I’m sure you could find online a pedicure set that you could just take with you into the places and tell them you want them to use that set — also just watch to make sure they clean out the basin that you soak your feet in —
we can definitely do men’s fashion — maybe a two fold thing — what do they wear we don’t want them too and then I’ll also look for some men’s trends that realistic — I’ll work on this!
By JJ
April 11, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
I’ve been getting pedicures for about 10 years now, and I have never picked up a fungus. However, I have been going to the same place for 5 years now.
Also, as an added bonus, they speak English!!!
By frumpy
April 11, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Hate to say it but I have become frumpy…. No two ways about it.
The biggest reasons are time and money. It is easy to tell someone to “take time for yourself” but in real life it is not so easy, raising a child, husband or SO, full time job, long traffic comutes (at least 1 1/2 house each way) and taking care of our elderly parents, when are we to find time for ourselves? Tried getting some help around the house, but that became drama.
Then there is the money, I love getting mani-pedi, but with a tip it gets up to $40 or $50. A good hair cut $75 -$100 every six weeks, maybe I just don’t make as much as everyone else here but that is a lot of money, expecially when gas is over $3 a gallon and food is going up.
I’d like the time and resources to doll myself up before leaving the house, but I just can’t figure out how to manage it without taking away from other things which seem more important than if I am frumpy
By Theresa
April 11, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Hey Frumpy — I understand what you’re saying — I generally don’t wear make-up because as soon as i get up it’s time to take care of three children — and I’m not giving up sleep to put on make-up — As for the clothes, when you’re taking care of kids all day you don’t want to dress too nicely because they’ll get dirt or food or bodily excretions on you — I think maybe it’s about finding a balance — I have bought a few new things so sometimes I look better - I get pedicures like every four months so for a little while my feet look better and I’m not breaking the bank — On a side note I would like to endorse the pediegg thing that you see on tV it’s supposed to be a safer way to cut off the dead skin on your feet — it’s $9 at Walgreens and it really does work — Life can be overwhelming and women do get lost in the shuffle and I think you have to try to do a few things for yourself!!
By momtoAlex&Max
April 11, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
Frumpy: don’t give up. You did not mention how small your children are, but I amazed (AMAZED!) at how much easier they became once my youngest turned 5. Maybe easier is not the right word, but self sufficient. I have more time now than I have had in 10 years, and I do work and volunteer (although not full time). I get my mani/pedis on the weekends and my husband respects that I must have a couple of hours off to myself.
Maybe there are other things that can be let go off. To me, on weekends, it is “scrounge” time for meals, I don’t do dishes (I pay for that one one Mondays), and I don’t do laundry or clean. It’s me time and family time.
By frumpy
April 14, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Thereasa & MomtoAlex&Max
Thanks for the support. My daughter is in her teens, and in some ways things are a whole lot easier than they were when she was younger, she just got moved over a little to make room for taking care of my parents and their house.
Cornelius I have the hated hammer toes, two on each foot. A give from my childhood for having to wear too small of shoes. Guess I should never left my feet see the light of day.
By Star
April 14, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
I have learned that you can do quick makeovers if you want to. There is not rally an excuse if you wish to wear make up and say that you don’t have time. your first stop should be to one of those make up counters in the mall. Have them shoe you how to put on makeup.Tel them I have about 15 min to get it all together they will have suggestions. Next watch the TV show WHAT NO TO WEAR. That show will tell you what is the trend and what and how you need to wear clothes.Your next step is to copy those things in stores that you can afford to shop in. I do agree that everybody doesn’t have 5000.00 to spend on clothes. I like to get my hair washed every week, that is my me time. I had to give on the pedicures . Gas is killing me something had to give.
By motherjanegoose
April 15, 2008 7:12 AM | Link to this
Quick tip… I have been going to Rich’s Nails right by Chuckie Cheese ( I am thinking mamas know this) at the Mall of Ga and can get a regual mani/pedi for $28 plus tip. Eyebrows are $7. They are clean ( sterile) and this is a mother daughter trip for us. If you go on Tuesday, it is 10% off. While there, swing by Ross and check out the designer clothes in the front few racks…treat youself to a new outfit for less than $50! OR you can pop into DSW (shoes) or Plato’s closet ( resale).