MOMIFROM CAPSULE ESSENTIALS
- Kat Rector
- Jun 15, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 1
Before having kids, I wondered why moms always looked so frazzled and often seemed to just give up on trying to look nice. Then I had kids! I remember when my first born was a few months old and I walked past the mirror and stopped in shock. When was the last time I showered or brushed my hair? Why did I think this oversized tee shirt and sweatpants was okay to go to the store in? Ooh yeah, I am exhausted, drowning in laundry, I don’t know what day it is, and I just want to take a nap. It took me a while to figure out the mom wardrobe, and I tried and failed for a while. I figured that once I stopped breastfeeding everything would go back to normal. Nope! Not only had my body changed, but I realized that as a mom I need clothes that were functional and comfortable and that was not my pre-kids wardrobe.
Your clothes and how you present yourself have a big impact on your mental state. If you dress in a way that makes you feel confident and put together, you’ll likely be in a better mood and have a pep in your step for the day. To me, clothes are a form of self-care and a way to invest in feeling your best. You’ll notice this list is comprised of moderately priced items for your reference, but if you are going to splurge, do it on the essentials that you will wear every day. When I graduated from high school, my mom bought me a pair of Jbrand jeans for maybe $150 (a lot for us at the time). Those jeans have lasted me 10 years and are my go to jeans for any and every occasion and that is well worth $150 dollars. I see clothes as an investment. If you buy cheap clothes, they probably won’t fit you the way they should, or last as long as more expensive pieces so you’ll spend more money to replace them in the long run.
Below is my list of wardrobe essentials that every mom needs. These will make up your year round momiform and create a fool proof look that you can toss on in minutes and always look put together.
STEPPED UP TEES
These tee shirts are not what you find at target (sorry target, I love you), but a slightly stepped up version that will be the foundation for your daily momiform. These tee shirts look like they are tailored to you and they pull you in at all the right places while smoothing you out. The Express double layer tees and their body contour collection are the holy grail of basic tees. They are incredibly soft, highly durable, and fit every body type like tailor made clothes. Best part? Express has flash sales where these go as low as $15!
DRESSES
The two types of dresses every mom needs are the shirt dress, and t-shirt dress. These will work for you in every single season and will never go out of style. They are crazy comfortable and practical no matter what mom life throws at you. A few of my favorites right now are the J. Crew T-shirt dress, the L.L. Bean Signature Shirt Dress, and the Untuckit NancyDress.
BLACK LEGGINGS
Yes, yes I am sure you already have at least 10 pairs of black leggings. But if you haven’t invested in the ultimate essential of women’s clothing now is the time. I remember when I bought my first pair of lululemon leggings after being a college kid who couldn’t imagine spending $100 on a single item of clothing. Then, my life was changed. It only took a couple months before I realized it wasn’t worth keeping any other pairs. A few months later I tried a pair of Alo leggings and I will never go back to discount activewear again. If you haven’t already made the investment, you should start with Lulu Align 25” or the Alo Airbrush leggings. They are the ultimate momiform staples and I own two in each pair (well, two if you only count black)..
JEANS
Jeans, Jeans, Jeans. Everyone has a different style, but if you are investing in a pair or two that will work with everything and always be in style, then I recommend investing in a straight cut. Your jeans should be ultra-comfortable and fit like a glove. If your denim doesn’t hug you in all the right places and give you a little lift, you need to get yourself a new pair. Don’t know why your jeans aren’t flattering you? This video goes over every aspect of choosing the perfect fit and style for you.
MIDI SKIRTS
To say I love a good midi skirt is an understatement. They are the perfect practical length that gives you the freedom to bed down and jump around with no fear of a wardrobe malfunction. There are so many styles, but I love a good slip skirt, stretchy pencil skirt, and a pleated a line to give variety. Skirts are the ultimate way to stay comfy and elevate a basic tee and sneaker, but can also be easily dressed up which makes them the perfect day to night staple. If you don’t love midi skirts, you probably just haven’t found the right cut or shape for you. For the most flattering look on any body type, a midi skirt should hit right at your waist and just below the knee to give you the best shape and added length. This momiform essential is a bonus for working moms who need to go to the office, or are busy dashing around town for meetings.
SNEAKERS
Everyone has a favorite sneaker, but when you want to look put together and be able to chase a toddler or lead a marching band you need two timeless essentials for your momiform. First is a pair of black sneakers, a high quality pair that supports you and will go with any outfit. My go to sneakers are my APL Techloom Breeze. They are worth every penny and you won’t go back to any other athletic sneaker once you’ve tried these.
The second sneaker every mom needs is a low rise white street sneaker, think Chuck Taylors, but stepped up a little. I’ve had my Tommy Hilfiger Lou’s for years and they are so comfortable and easy to clean (an essential in a white sneaker), but I was heart broken to find they don’t make them anymore. After much browsing, the OluKai Pehuea Li and Vince Gabi sneakers are the next purchases on my list.
HEELS
A closet staple for every season is the beige bootie. It works in all weather and with every outfit, but as a mom it’s a comfy and stable heel that you can chase kids in. A must for booties is that they are comfortable, so try on a few pairs and see what is best for you, I swear by anything Gianni Bini, this brand without a doubt the comfiest brand of heels with the cutest selection. If you prefer a more classic heel, you cant go wrong with wedges or a classic pump, now again comfort and fit are what will make these your superwoman shoes.
JEWELRY
Studs and small hoops. No matter what style you like, you should invest in a high quality pair that you can wear on the daily without having to swap them out. I love my pearl studs, and while they were a splurge I feel they give an elevated and timeless touch to the most basic outfit.
You should also have a small gold chain necklace that pairs with every outfit and can be easily layered or stand on its own for an effortless look. Remember the focus here is about momiform essentials, so think about something that can be worn on the daily and isn’t long or heavy enough to get in the way.
UNDERGARMENTS
Nothing says elegant like a too tight bra that you’re bulging out of or panty lines, don’t even get me started on seeing striped underwear through your clothes. We’ve all been there and learned the hard way, but if you buy intentionally then you will be able to grab what you need without second guessing what underwear will work or what bra goes best with that shirt. If you’re like me, you probably haven’t gotten a bra fitting in… well, too many years, so that is step one. Every woman should have a go to everyday nude t-shirt bra, a strapless, and a pair of sticky boobs. As far as underwear goes, get yourself some nude seamless undies in whatever style you prefer.
I cannot wait for you to master your Momifrom and let me know how you style these basics and make them your own. The beauty of these items is that they are the building blocks for every season and they will never go out of style. When shopping for these items I recommend you invest and take time to find the pieces that flatter your body, not the body you want, but the body you have. Fit and material are what will help you look put together on the laziest days, so be picky! You should love the way you look and feel in ALL your clothes.
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