Cute mom Outfits

[Amiens]

So I am ready to update my wardrobe. I would like to add pattern to my closet, and I am afraid. I don't think I have any patterns in my closet, I am too chicken. I take that back I have some button up shirts that have thin vertical stripes. Is there anything wrong with sticking with solids?

I wear a lot of cotton knits. I have a good collection of long sleeved cotton knit shirts, and sweaters for fall. (Last year I bought an outfit that Vishenka posted on here for us moms). I have cords, jeans, khakis. I just want to expand my top collection beyond knits.

Thanks

[Tenacious_D]

I bought a couple of new work outfits that also look good with a pair of nice jeans. I got some items from the Limited (surprising because it was the last store I tried):

I have this collared shirt in 3 colors (white, pink and berry stripe):
http://www.thelimited.com/detail/ruf...-shirt/4522013

and I match them with the argyle vests they have:
http://www.thelimited.com/detail/aut...e-vest/5505818

I have been matching the berry stripe with the berry argyle top and it seems to work quite well. I also like that I can wear a skirt with these outfits with tall boots to give all sorts of new looks. I hope this helps...from someone who is not a fashionista!

[BonBon]

Good question. Interesting that you mention your wardrobe is all solids except a few tiny stripes. It never occured to me that I am the same way. I'm in rut, too!

[Vishenka69]

(Last year I bought an outfit that Vishenka posted on here for us moms).

Thanks, I'm glad my advice came useful.

Here are some current year options:

I really like the idea of a sweater jacket, it's more informal and comfortable than a tailored jacket but also more modern than just a mom-cardigan. I'd pair it with something very bright underneath and jeans.
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/Wome...~~~~/18172.jsp

Also chunky necklaces are back and you can always spice up a solid colored top with a necklace in complementing shade.
http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/pro...zeType=Regular

I also wouldn't completely rule out solids. Solids can be a lot of fun, in big bold bright colors. I really love all shades of orange for the fall.
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/...isProduct=true

Anthropologie is a very good source for funky, colorful pieces.
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/...isProduct=true

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/...isProduct=true

And don't forget that you can always add pattern with shoes and a bag.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3037627/...bo=6007720&P=1

http://www.smartbargains.com/go.sb?p...1.cat-316.prod.

And a few more ideas from Nordstrom,
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3041581/...bo=6007564&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3064489/...bo=6007564&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3054040/...bo=6007564&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3055713/...bo=6007564&P=5

[SoonerTexan]

Dang--will you take me shopping?

[HouseofWool]

Dang--will you take me shopping?

I just wish I could afford to go shopping with Julie. Target is about top of the budget for me right now.

[Pollyanna]

I just wish I could afford to go shopping with Julie. Target is about top of the budget for me right now.

Target actually has a fair amount of cute outfits!

[Vishenka69]

I tried to find something I could recommend from Target but I'm just not a big fan of their clothes. Sorry. I did try to limit all my suggestions above to the sale section of the sites.

Here are some more under $100 and many under $50 suggestions.

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse...d=1&pid=691157

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse...d=1&pid=670903

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse...d=1&pid=673798

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse...d=1&pid=670856

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...tegoryID=43724

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...tegoryID=18545

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...tegoryID=18545

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...tegoryID=34062

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/produc...tegoryID=34062

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/cate...h.do?cid=50524

[SuzySunshine]

Julie, I'm totally going shopping with you for my post training wardrobe!

[Vishenka69]

Thanks. I'm glad prego hormones haven't totally killed my style. Although all the suggestions above are what I consider safe choices for a suburban mom of an average size. I try to go for flattering and structural cuts as we tend to need more support in 30s and 40s. That's also why I believe in getting things on sale at higher end places vs just going to Target. Lower end clothing just doesn't have the same construction and doesn't hold up as well over time.

[Phoebe]

Just an FYI:

I saw an ad for a sale on Old Navy striped shirts.

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=7526

[Amiens]

Thank you. This gave me some ideas. I am really loving having color, like right now I am wearing an orange long sleeved tissue shirt from J.Crew that you recommended. I get A LOT of compliments on it. I am glad to see having solids is not necessarily a bad thing.

The Old Navy Ts were cute, but I have the hardest time wearing horizontal stripes. I am well endowed, and when I wear horizontal stripes, it's like they just plastered a sign on my boobs that says "HELLO!"