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Finding the Best Mom Clothes

If you’re reading this, you are probably looking for everything related to mom clothes. Whether you are a mother yourself, or you have a mom in your life, this post is the ultimate guide for mom clothes.

Before kids, clothes shopping used to be so much fun. I would spend the day scouring secondhand racks for clothes. I’d pick out stuff for work, weekend, vacation and loungewear. And would repeat the process every 2-3 months. I enjoyed trying on my new clothes and wearing them out. I was stylish and it was fun.

Then I had a baby.

These days I roll out of bed, throw on a pair of leggings, or if I’m really dressing up, blue jeans.  My uniform is carefully chosen based on comfort and if I happen to be leaving the house that day. When I return home, I change straight into sweats. Can you relate? This past year I have been more intentional about finding clothing that works for this motherhood lifestyle, without sacrificing the style part. As a mom, it is super important to put yourself first every once in a while! Choosing clothes and outfits that makes us feel confident is a small way to do that. This post will guide you through everything you need to help ease the burden of shopping for “mom life”.

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Mom’s Clothing Characteristics: The Must Haves

Regardless of your mom style, there are some basic characteristics to consider when purchasing new pieces. From absolute must haves to things that will just make your feel good & make life easier (uhhh… pockets?!). While these characteristics will vary from person to person, here are a few considerations to keep in mind when determining must haves:

• Is it durable? Clothes must withstand the test of motherhood. From toddler days of playing on the ground for hours at a time, to all the activities you juggle with a pre-teen. Nothing is worse than your shirt unravelling at the seams after one wash. When I purchase something that will be worn several times a week (or month), I shop sustainable brands because the pieces will last longer. That is a must for me.
• Is it comfortable? This is a given for nearly every woman. If it’s not comfortable, you likely won’t wear it. I always read the reviews before buying to gauge comfort if I cannot try it on. If there’s the slightest hint that something won’t be comfortable, don’t buy it.
• Is it versatile? I implemented a casual capsule wardrobe for this reason. Having versatile pieces will also get rid of the decision fatigue that often happens when planning outfits and getting dressed. With a capsule, I ALWAYS have something to wear.
• Is it low maintenance? As a mom, there is zero time to run back and forth to the dry cleaners and let’s be honest, “hand wash only” is a complete joke! Basically, high maintenance pieces go unworn and are a waste of money. I shop only washer and dryer friendly items.
• Is it practical? Most mom clothes are relatively modest. Nothing too flashy or revealing. I like to know my outfit is not too revealing if I end up under the table at a restaurant picking up my toddler’s toy he dropped or doing an impromptu diaper change in the back of the SUV.

Additional things to consider for mom clothes:

• Affordable – Maintaining your budget is super important!
• Cute – We all want to feel and look our best if we can. No matter what the day holds.
• Easy to wear – If it has to be adjusted with every movement, odds are you will not wear the item a lot.
• Sustainable – Shopping sustainable means you will likely shop less often (yay for saving precious time!) to replace an item. My sustainable jeans last way longer than any other jean I have. Though, if you don’t wear an item (like jeans) as often, the brand may not matter as much.

 

How to Choose the Best Mom Clothes for You

Unsure of exactly what clothing you may need for motherhood? Ask yourself these questions

How old are my kids?

What activities will I be doing most often?

What are my must haves?

Naturally we need to consider our children when deciding what mom clothes to buy. Newborns, toddlers, kids, pre-teens, and teenagers will all require you to have different types of clothing. Toddlers are very active, while teenagers may just want to “chill” all day. Next, consider what you have to have from your clothing. For example, do you always need to have a pocket available? What about comfort? Know what you need before you shop for new items. When you think of where to shop, consider budget. Don’t forget about cost per wear when deciding on what to buy. If you know you will be wearing a white tee 2 or more times per week, the cost per wear will be very low and you can likely afford to spend more on it. Often paying a higher price for sustainable clothing means the item will last longer.

 

Mom Clothes: Basic Pieces

As a busy mom, I find myself grabbing the same pieces on a regular basis. When I reference these items, I am talking about simple pieces. Plain color, no embellishments, no frills, and nothing super trendy. These are everyday basics that can be worn over and over again. I stick to a neutral color palette; white, gray, navy, and black, for almost all of these pieces. Sticking with neutrals allows you to get dressed quickly since everything will coordinate together. Below are some of PPF fan favorites that are not your typical loungewear mom wear.

Black Shorts  //  Jeans  //  Utility Jacket  //  White Tee  //  Brown Slides  //  Black Dress  //  Mom Shorts  //  Belt Bag  //  White Sneaker

 

T-Shirt 

A good t-shirt should be at the top of every Mom’s wardrobe list. Check out this post where I cover one of my favorite tees and the background behind the cost of a quality t-shirt. Before kids, I could have cared less about sustainable clothing. I would buy from the cheapest stores without thinking twice about the impact behind my purchase or how long the item would last. Now that I am a mom, I want my clothing to last as long as possible and I love when I can shop brands that have a greater impact in the world!

Sweater

Living in Ohio, I have come to appreciate a versatile pullover sweater. Even if I lived in a warmer climate, I would own at least one. Pullover sweaters are truly a three-season’s clothing item. In the fall & winter, they can be worn with joggers, leggings, or jeans. In the Spring, they can be layered over dresses to create a faux-skirt look.

Sweatshirt

Crew neck or hoodie, this is essential for busy moms. I personally prefer crew necks over hoodies because a hoodie feels like it is pulling you back and creates tension on the shoulder, which is the last thing you want! I also LOVE a half zip pullover, like this one from Pact (another sustainable brand). Half-zips are a bit more elevated compared to a basic pullover.

Jeans

Skinny or Mom style? Both, IMO. However, I recently got into the “mom jean” trend and know that they are in fact comfortable, flattering, and stylish (bonus if you struggle to get on board with trends). If you think nothing can replace skinny jeans, you’re right. But you need to try this style to see for yourself why they are so good! This post has 30 different pairs from various brands.

Leggings

You don’t need me to tell you why every woman needs a good pair of leggings. This pair from Target is my personal favorite. A basic black pair will be your new bestie and will provide you with so many outfit possibilities. Unlike jeans, leggings obviously grow with you when you have a little extra bloat or just need extra room to move during the day. Mommy outfit favorite!

Joggers

Much like leggings, these are a great alternative to sweatpants and are on of the best bottoms when considering mom clothes. I cannot tell you how often I wear joggers, a basic tee, and denim jacket. It is effortlessly chic on days you have very little time to look presentable.

Shorts

When the weather heats up, you want to be sure you have a great selection of shorts to choose from.

Comfortable Dress

While a dress may not be an everyday item for busy moms, they are needed for several occasions. Lunch dates, family dinner, happy hour with friends, shopping dates, family photos, and more! Some of the dresses I am loving is this tiered dress, this flowy floral dress,  and this best seller that is so comfortable!

Undergarments for Mom Clothes

While these are basics for everybody, as a mom you might have very specific requirements when it comes to bras & undies. Durable and comfortable are at the top of every mom’s undie list. As a mom, we are on the hunt for undies that are comfortable with zero VPL (that’s visible panty line) and that stay put. Things like that can be an impossible feat.

Sneakers

A clean white pair of sneakers is the one shoe you can wear with EVERYTHING. From jeans to dresses. This is a shoe you want to have in your closet!

READ NEXT: Best Shoes with Straight Jeans!

Sandals that go with Mom Clothes

If there are two sandals I had to choose for my mommy wardrobe, it would be a pair of slip on crocs and a pair of brown sandals. The Crocs are perfect for busy days running errands, transporting kids where they need to go, and going to the park. The brown slides, although pricey, can be worn to dress up any outfit. You will wear these so much, the cost per wear will be pennies!

Boots for Mom Clothes

There will be an entire blog post soon about boots. For me, personally, I wear chelsea boots, snow boots, and ankle booties the most often. Chelsea boots are great for Spring, ankle boots for fall, and snow boots for the extra cold days.

Pajamas

So many options when it comes to PJs. What kind of set do you prefer? I prefer long sleeves and shorts. It is hard to recommend a specific PJ when there are so many combinations and I truly believe it all boils down to personal preference! Amazon has a ton of great sets for a reasonable price!

Jackets for Mom Clothes

Three basics here: denim, utility, and leather (or faux leather). I featured the denim and utility jacket in the Spring 2022 casual capsule. These are two jackets that get the most wear in my wardrobe. I cannot recommend investing in quality jackets enough. They go with EVERYTHING! This post covers a few of my favorite utility jacket outfits.

Best Retailers for Moms Clothes

Amazon

Short on time and have a tight budget? Amazon is the place to shop. Especially perfect for dresses and accessories that may not be worn as often!

Target Mom Clothes

If you find a mom who doesn’t like shopping at Target, I would LOVE to meet her and hear why. LOL, but really. Whether you shop in store or on the app, there is just something about it that is so satisfying. For me, it’s being able to buy diapers, makeup, a shower curtain, and new sandals in one place. It doesn’t hurt that Ulta and Starbuck are associated with Target now!

Nordstrom Rack

Our one stop shop for designer looks for less. I always seem to stumble upon a discounted designer item I NEED (aka want because the price is too good!)

Sustainable: Everlane & Able

If sustainability and durability are high priority for you, check out Everlane. Able is another favorite of mine. Able strives to empower the women who make and wear their clothing. Their clothes are super cute and very high quality, my favorite denim jacket is Able!.

Secondhand Mom Clothes

Get some inspo from Pinterest and head out to your favorite consignment shop to get your mom clothes. This is my favorite way to shop designer labels at a fraction of the price! Also check out Poshmark for gently used name brand items – also a great place for toddler clothes!

 

Events Moms Shop for Clothes

Have a particular event that you just cannot figure out how to dress for? Let’s be honest, you don’t have the time to even think about what to wear. Our children are priority, after all and that is amazing

When it comes to special event clothing as a mom, there are two things that are top priority: comfort and versatility.

Here is a graphic of common occasions that call for outfits we don’t typically wear daily. There are many more, subscribe to our emails so you never miss a post on outfit inspo! Here are some top posts you might like:

• Figure Flattering Swimwear
• Work Wardrobe: Business Casual Capsule
• Weekend Looks
• Holiday Pajamas for the Fam
• Date Night with a Leather Jacket
• Church Outfits for Busy Moms
• Amusement Park
• Mom and Me Clothing

Prepping for Mom Clothes

Need a boost to get your closet organized and have an effective wardrobe? Check out this post for a step-by-step guide on decluttering your closet. Drop the kids off and Grandma & Grandpa’s for the weekend and knock it out! After getting rid of my excess clothes (and implemented a capsule wardrobe), I get dressed so much quicker and have gotten so much time back into my day!