5 Fall Fashion Hacks for Moms on the Go

The kickoff to fall means a farewell to the lazy days of summer and hello to crazy days that have us moms running around nonstop from the morning alarm to the moment we crash at night.

While we sacrifice our freedom and sanity to keep our family schedule running smoothly, most of us refuse to sacrifice our style. Yet, putting together an envy-inducing, yet exceedingly comfortable, look can take more minutes that we have in the morning. Thankfully, with a few tips from local stylemakers, you can find a look that takes you from work to PTO to that rare night of vodka-soaked debauchery with your fellow moms faster than it takes your kid to find his shoes.

Embrace the dress. There’s a reason the wrap dress has been a mainstay since Diane von Furstenberg introduced it in 1974 – it’s comfortable, a cinch to throw on and flattering on just about every mom body. It’s the style I rely on for work (well, the faux version – nearly 40 and the wrap still trips me up), especially since having kids shifted my weight in all sorts of fun places, like the glob above my tailbone.

For, Andria Powell, owner of Circa Boutique in Belleville and Edwardsville and mom to two (with one on the way!), every mom should have a few grab-and-go dresses in her closet. Plus, with flower patterns, stripes and all-over designs reigning supreme this autumn, you have a variety of looks to choose from.

“I usually have a dress on when I’m at the boutique,” Powell said. “I look dressy, but I can climb up on the ladder and change a lightbulb or spend the day unpacking boxes and still feel comfortable. It’s important for me to carry pieces that are easy to wear – simple designs, wrap dresses and knitwear that look classy, but make you feel you can move around and do things.”

Mix and match great staple pieces. “A great pair of jeans, a basic tee, a cargo jacket, blanket scarf, and some booties – it’s our go-to fall outfit,” said Stacy Hayden, mom to two who runs the local online boutique CS Gems with fellow mom Carrie Andreas.

“A blanket scarf can add a nice, put together look to the simplest tee and jeans combo.   Fold a blanket scarf in half to create a triangle.  Then put the point of the triangle in front and crisscross the two ends in back and pull forward.”

She also recommended pairing a plaid scarf with a striped layering tee for some eye-catching, on-trend pattern mixing.

Show off a little skin. You’ve still got it, mom, so flaunt it! For CS Gems, off-the-shoulder and cold shoulder tops which draw attention to strong, gorgeous shoulders were some of their most popular items of the summer and continue to be a big draw for autumn.

Remarked Hayden, “These styles show just the right amount of skin while still maintaining a classy look. Women are becoming more and more comfortable with the exposed shoulder tops – and we love seeing women over 50 still rocking these styles!”

Adjust to your favorite trends. The boho look is still hot, from handmade accents to drapey cuts, but few of us can still pull off the Coachella-required uniform of bare midriffs and high-waisted cut-offs in our thirties (and if you can, God bless you. I’d love the name of your Pilates instructor – or plastic surgeon). But there’s no reason you can’t embrace the style and morph it into your own look.

Noted Powell, “I always suggest that moms choose one or two trends or details that offer a carefree look, but pair them with more ‘adult’ pieces like a great pair of jeans or leggings, such as a flowy, open jacket with fringe or a layering piece with lace or hand-crochet, which are both huge for this fall.”

Another bonus to the boho look – the messy buns and roll-out-of-bed waves are perfect for moms on the go. Powell noted a simple hair accessory, like a bohemian-inspired clip or funky bobby pin, lets moms truly embrace the trend.

Accentuate the positive. Nothing makes a simple tee shirt and jeans look catwalk-worthy like an eye-catching pair of shoes, whether it’s a flower-print flat or a bootie in a rich-shaded suede, along with a great piece of jewelry that captures your personality.

CS Gems focuses on vintage jewelry for those with eclectic, classic taste and hand-made statement necklaces ideal for those who go bold. Powell crafts her own line of custom Mellow Mountain jewelry, featuring everything from filigree details to hammered details to delicate stones for those who lean toward boho. For a small investment, you can pull together a look in seconds.

While nothing beats the coziness of yoga pants and t-shirts or jeans and hoodies, you can still get similar comfort while reflecting your personal style. With a few basic pieces, a couple of grab-and-go dresses and statement jewelry, every minute of the day can feel like the runway, even if we’re stuck vacuuming it first.

Photo courtesy of CS Gems