By Ruthie Prasil
As a stay at home mom, I am often feeling…blah. I get stuck wearing my yoga pants for more hours than it could possibly take to complete a yoga practice. My gross sweatshirts and tees see more of me than my hairbrush and once I feel like I’m stuck in that ‘stay at home mom’ hole, it’s hard to crawl out!
A tiny bit of effort is all it takes. There are days when the thought of actually getting ready to head to the grocery store is just too much so yoga pants and a tee shirt it is. Again. But believe me, it only seems like a lot of effort! When you look good, you feel good. And we all want to feel good. Effort is a small price to pay for a rocking attitude.
The key to feeling good but still being comfortable enough to run around, make lunches, do laundry and change diapers is finding a key piece and being able to add/take away elements to match what you’re doing during the day. (You probably don’t want to be wearing wedge sandals when doing laundry…and that dangly necklace might get in the way of that pasta primavera you’re making for dinner.)
Enter: The Romper
Paired with easy and subtle accessories, the romper can take you places! Like…the bank. And the grocery store. But it can also take you to parent-teacher conferences and dinners out with your mate. It’s cute and comfortable (it’s like wearing pajamas!) but looks incredibly polished and totally fashion when done right. The romper pictured is Free People, but you can find one anywhere – Gap, Target, Forever 21, Nordstrom, you name it.
1. Hair. I have long hair and my momiform (that’s uniform…for a mom) tends to be topped off with a messy bun most days. That’s totally okay, but make it a little more finished by adding a thin headband. My favorites:
– This skinny bead headband from Nordstrom.
– This leather tie back piece from Urban Outfitters.
– This gold leaf head wrap from Claire’s.
2. Cardigan. If you are like me, sometimes you feel naked when you’re wearing shorts and a tank. Even though the romper is all one piece and you’re most definitely covered, sometimes you’ll feel a little more comfortable with a little something on your shoulders. And, let’s face it, walking into that freezing room in Costco can RUIN a freshly shaved pair of legs. For Spring and Summer, go for a light and airy option. Something you won’t get too hot in and is easy to throw in your car or your bag. Check these:
– This sheer kimono sleeved cardi from Nordstrom.
– This chiffon top from Anthropologie.
– This mesh cropped cardi from Garnet Hill.
3. Shoes. If there’s one thing I firmly believe, it’s that shoes can make or break a look! Don’t go through all of this effort (but, I mean, remember it’s not as much effort as you think!) and then throw on a dingy pair of flip flops. Cute shoes can also be comfortable, so find something simple, cute, and comfy to pair with your romper. Like these:
– Ankle strap sandals from Rachel Zoe.
– Wedge cutouts from Sam Edelman.
– Scalloped ballet flats from Chole.
4. Accessories. Last-minute, throw on a necklace or a stack of bracelets to add that last “totally polished, but not trying too hard” element to your look. For everyday, I always think it’s best to do something understated. Nothing too crazy or big or loud. Sweet and subtle is the name of the game here. Perfect choices:
– Vintage lace necklace from That Old Blue House.
– Gold falling leaves necklace from Lisa Leonard.
– Constellation necklace from E. Ria Designs.
