I've been a stay-at-home mom for almost 9 years now (geez, I'm getting old). It's true, the wardrobe necessities of a stay-at-home-mom and a working mom are quite different. Gone are the days of wearing pumps and pencil skirts on a daily basis for me, but does that give a stay-at-home-mom reason to resort to sweats and tennis shoes daily? NO WAY!!! Us stay-at-home-mommas have plenty of reason to look cute and put together too...ourselves! I know I look and feel so much better if I take the extra time to try to put myself together in something I like and am comfortable in. I really think with just a little effort, a lot of self confidence can be built. Do I get all dressed up every single day? No. But most days I try.
There are certain items in my wardrobe that I use more than others. I've been asked many times what my must-have items would be if I could only fit a few into my budget so I thought I'd share my fall must-have wardrobe pieces for the stay-at-home-mom...in no particular order...
1. The Riding Boot
I can't tell you how many days in the fall and winter I wear a pair of riding boots. I have owned many pairs over the years and have found paying a little extra for quality is the way to go (leather is great). I also think a good fit makes all the difference. I have smaller legs so I try to find some with a smaller circumference opening. Many sites offer wide-calf options now for those who find that helpful too, which is great! I own both brown, black, heeled, wedge heeled, flat, over the knee...I really do like my boots. =) You have to find what works best for you! If I was to only pick one pair though, I'd buy a really great flat cognac/medium brown boot. It seems to be the most versatile kind in many wardrobes and can be mixed and matched with so much. Us mommas are on our feet a lot so finding a cute, yet comfortable shoe is important! One word of advice to help your boots last longer...treat them with a weather protector before you wear them. It will help them look good so much longer! Here are a few options I like:
MIz Mooz "Kelsey"
Piperlime
(30% off right now)
.jpg)
There are certain items in my wardrobe that I use more than others. I've been asked many times what my must-have items would be if I could only fit a few into my budget so I thought I'd share my fall must-have wardrobe pieces for the stay-at-home-mom...in no particular order...
1. The Riding Boot
I can't tell you how many days in the fall and winter I wear a pair of riding boots. I have owned many pairs over the years and have found paying a little extra for quality is the way to go (leather is great). I also think a good fit makes all the difference. I have smaller legs so I try to find some with a smaller circumference opening. Many sites offer wide-calf options now for those who find that helpful too, which is great! I own both brown, black, heeled, wedge heeled, flat, over the knee...I really do like my boots. =) You have to find what works best for you! If I was to only pick one pair though, I'd buy a really great flat cognac/medium brown boot. It seems to be the most versatile kind in many wardrobes and can be mixed and matched with so much. Us mommas are on our feet a lot so finding a cute, yet comfortable shoe is important! One word of advice to help your boots last longer...treat them with a weather protector before you wear them. It will help them look good so much longer! Here are a few options I like:
MIz Mooz "Kelsey"
Piperlime
(30% off right now)
(I bought this pair for fall and LOVE them! They are the perfect medium brown color. I took them in my regular Miz Mooz size, 8 1/2.
This boot comes in 5 different colors...I happen to love them in Dark Grey leather too!
.jpg)
Other boot trends I love this fall: Wedge boots!
2. The Bold Necklace
The most inexpensive way to freshen up an outfit, or even change the look of an item, is to add a bold statement necklace. I happen to be a necklace "collector" (sounds nicer than hoarder) and feel naked if I don't have one around my neck pretty much every day. While I do wear daintier pieces here and there, I love a great, bold statement piece. While some stay-at-home moms may be at a point in their lives where a necklace isn't practical (baby likes to pull anything and everything and may break a necklace) a bold necklace is the accessory to help you feel put together and fresh. Here are a few of my fall favorites:
I am dying over this necklace...a fall must-have in my book!
Other jewelry trends I love this fall: Stacking bracelets!
3. The "Holds Everything" Purse
As all moms know (stay-at-home and working moms) a purse that holds everything you will need while you're out with your kiddos is a necessity! As my kids have gotten older, I've been able to downsize a little so I don't necessarily need the most gigantic purse they sell anymore like I used to. I like to be somewhere in the middle when it comes to the size of the handbag I carry. Not too big, but not too small. For the fall and winter months I like to carry either a darker, bold color or a more neutral colored handbag, which is what I've been on the search for the past few weeks actually. I also think paying a little more for a nicer, more well made handbag isn't a bad idea. Like boots, handbags seem to last longer and look nice longer if you pay a little more more for them. Do I always buy the most expensive bags? No, not at all. Sometimes I just love the way a purse looks and if it's not made of leather, so be it. I just buy it knowing it will be have to be replaced eventually, probably sooner than later. Here are some great hand bag options for the stay-at-home mom this fall that might work for you:
I love the hobo style of this purse...this is one of my top contenders right now!
This is my DREAM purse this fall...WAY over my budget and never gonna happen, but if I could find a similar purse to this I'd be a happy camper. The pleating is so cool! It's absolutely gorgeous!
This bag comes in 5 fab fall colors. I love the Hobo style on this one too...one strap is easy to use!
Other handbag trends I love this fall: printed and textured hand bags...like this one!
4. The Everyday Coat
The first thing that comes to mind as I'm walking out the door to go anywhere is "Does everyone have a coat on??" That being said, I sometimes forget to grab one for myself! Anyone else do this? Obviously I need one too! Up until a few years ago I owned about 3 coats at any given time. A brown one, a black one and a heavy puffer jacket for the snow. That one was usually black or brown too. Pretty boring, I know. Now I see coats as not only a necessity, but an accessory! They complete an outfit, especially if you live somewhere that gets pretty cold in the winter, like I do now! While it's good to have a variety of coats (trench, denim, ski, etc) probably the most important is the everyday coat that you can throw on daily to keep you warm. A coat that is not too bulky so you can easily move and keep up with the kids but one that is still warm and cozy is a must. One big thing to decide before investing in a good everyday coat is to decide what length you want to get...hip and thigh length are the most popular lengths and the most widely sold. I personally like a thigh length coat because it covers more and keeps you warmer. Another thing to decide is whether or not it's important to you to have a hood on your coat. I personally don't need a hood as I usually use an umbrella anyways so this is not a deal breaker for me. Price points for a good coat are all over the board...you can find a good coat at any price I think. Here are some great everyday coat options for the stay at home mom:
This is very cute in white too! I like that it has a detachable hood.
This is another item way out of my budget but oh my goodness, it's gorgeous! Maybe it'll still be around for 3rd sale cuts? =)
Other everyday coat trends I love this fall: Patterned Trench Coats!
5. The iPhone Case
We as say-at-home moms (working moms too!) are always depending on our phones to keep in touch with people, keep our schedules in order and to check Instagram, Facebook, etc...I don't know about you but my life is on my phone! Might as well have a cute case on that little accessory! I'm in the market for a new case myself as my current one is on it's last leg (dropped one too many times). Here are a few fun cases I'm eyeing to possibly update my phone with:
This one is perfect for the holidays...a little glitz and glam in the palm of your hand!
Leopard print is always classic in the fall!
So those are my top 5 categories of stay-at-home-mom must haves for this fall. Do you own any of these items? Like them? Dislike them?
Chime in!
Love your picks,they are right on.
ReplyDeleteI own the Gap parka in the greyisch color and really love it.I will be layering it with my jcrew excursion vest in herringbone.
ina-wonderland.blogspot.com
Thanks! Glad to hear the coat is as great in real life as it looks online! I bet it's so versatile!
DeleteAs a fellow SAHM, I love this post. I see so many beautiful clothes on style blogs and in the stores I love (Anthro, J Crew) but a lot of them don't fit my lifestyle. I really love my riding boots and wedge booties for winter. One thing I would add to the must-haves is a blazer....they can make you look put together in an instant.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I agree, a blazer is a great closet staple too! I own one but have to confess I haven't worn it as much as I thought I would, however, it's a great piece to have!
DeleteWhere do you get the leather conditioner/treatment for your boots and do you still use it on boots that are older? I've been thinking that I need to put something on my old, old boots that I love to keep them looking good.
ReplyDeleteI actually got a leather conditioner from a local shoe store...I used it on my boots before I wore them and then plan to use it again this winter. Hopefully it'll make them look brand new! =) Good luck!
DeleteGreat post and many great reviews. Love the riding boots. I'm on the short side so I always seem to want something with a bit of heel so that I can pretend that I'm tall. I may have to rethink the riding boot trend as it would be very practical to have as an option when running around on weekends with my 3 year-old.
ReplyDeleteThanks Melissa! I do love a great pair of wedge boots too!
DeleteLove your blog and your reviews, this post is certainly close to me since I'm also a SAHM. I def agree about the purse, riding boots and coat. One more thing I'd have add would be a great, fitting pair of jeans. I think it can do wonders for a lot of us and a great staple to throw on in the morning when we're rushing out the door. A great pair of jean, sweater and coat and off we go.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you Joelle...a great pair of jeans can make ALL the difference!!! =)
DeleteLove those riding boots! Have been trying to find the perfect pair for myself these past weeks. Love Enzo Angiolini and will check those out!
ReplyDeleteI adore the Enzo boots but they were just a tad too big in the circumference for me. Had they been smaller I would have grabbed them up in a heartbeat! Hope they work for you!
DeleteSPot on...I collect riding boots and also believe in spending the extra money on good pairs...currently have the Frye Melissa lace ups on my list. I prefer very high end bags, but I just ordered a Longchamp Le Pliage large shoulder tote bc they came recommended as a great SAHM everyday bag/travel tote.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading! I'll have to check out that bag...I'm always on the lookout for a great handbag!
DeleteI ordered mine from magnums.net - they're an authorized retailer (tons of fakes out there), and they're offering $10 off and free monogram via embossing or embroidery til 10/31. They only go on sale 2x a year for 20% off, so not a bad deal. I think the medium size may work for you - and they have a gorgeous burgundy hue (I got the taupe/olive hue). Love that it's waterproof!
DeleteThese are great must haves! I think they are must haves for everyone :)
ReplyDeletewww.daisyraeboutique.com
www.kacieskloset.blogspot.com