Style Season
The holiday season is upon us, which means … holiday parties. If the thought of getting ready for a holiday bash sends shivers down your spine (Spanx? Panyhose? Something clean??? Argh!!), we’re here to help. Pregnant-about-to-pop-mama? We found you a gorgeous formal dress. Postpartum and nursing mamas? Get ready for your most stylish season ever. And busy mamas with little crazies underfoot? We have the perfect holiday uniform for you!
Maternity: Reservations for Two
Instead of worrying about a new holiday dress, just invest in some punched-up accessories you’ll be wearing long after the baby arrives! Throw on your easiest maternity dress, add deep wine booties, a sparkly, oversized clutch (it’ll look perfectly in-proportion with a belly) and a fabulous statement necklace. Finish off your look with some lipstick in a decidedly festive shade.
- Maternity Dress, $30; 2) Filomenia Booties, $140; 3) Clutch, $61; 4) Noir Weave necklace, $36; 5) Bite Beauty Lipstick, $24
Maternity: Formal Event
With the holidays fast approaching and a new baby on the way, the last thing a mama-to-be should have to splurge on is a formal dress that will, in all likelihood, be worn exactly once. Enter a genius new concept: Maternitywear rental companies. Marcelle, owner of RentMaternityWear.com says, “Our evening wear rentals have really taken off!” And for good reason: even formal (read: expensive) dresses can be rented for $49 per week. Marcelle’s favorite (and mine)? European brand 9 Fashion’s TessaDress. Marcelle loves that this dress is both crazy-flattering on pregnancy curves and comfortable to wear. I can’t believe the high-end draping.
Postpartum: Dinner Party
There is nothing more magical than a new baby during the holiday season. Show your little one off—and yourself too, with this foolproof new-mama outfit! Leather-detailed leggings will earn you major cool points at any party. Pair with a long, pooch-hiding sweater, and glam it up with big, gorgeous earrings (the baby’s too little to start grabbing them yet!). Tuck your snuggly wee one into a festive silk sling, and slip on some low wedges that let you babywear in comfort (and style) all night!
- Wool Dress, $80; 2) Kirna Zaberte for Target Leather Leggings, $15; 3) Chandelier Earrings, $25; 4) Silk Baby Sling, $198; 5) Wedges, $76
Postpartum: Holiday Party
Even a post-partum mama can party … as long as she’s home by 10, right? Finding a dress that comfortably hides the pooch and is traffic-stopping gorgeous is more than half the battle. Look for a swingy trapeze dress to hide the pooch, and add Spanx, if desired. (Spanx will actually support the weakened belly and feel sooo gooood.) Just be sure the dress is short enough—trapeze dresses that hit below the knee can look dowdy.
Get the Look: 1) Sequins Dress, $80; 2) Snakeskin Clutch, $70; 3) Pumps, $200
MORE: Bus Stop Style for You
Nursing: Dinner With Friends ... and Baby
If you are bringing a nursing baby to a party, you’re going to need something comfortable, something that disguises spit-up well (just in case) and something that still looks festive! Try slipping a cardigan on with a pair of this-season's embellished denim. Look for a pair with a dark, subtle pattern or fabrics that dress up easily (like brocade, lace, velvet or waxed denim). The scarf can double as a chic nursing shawl, and can help hide the spit-up, if necessary.
Get the Look: 1) Cardigan, $70; 2) Flocked Mid-Rise Jeans, $240; 3) Mia Shoes, $59; 4) Satchel, $196; 5) Scarf, $50
Nursing: A Festive Fete With Baby in Tow
If you and your nursing babe will be attending an event that requires you to get all gussied up, look no further than an LBND (little black nursing dress). This dress is strategically ruched over the pooch, and has the most discreet nursing closures—no one will guess that this dress was made for nursing! And keep your LBND holiday-appropriate with comfy-but-cute low wedges and a glitzy bracelet. (A crazy-cute baby carrier never hurts either.)
Get the Look: 1) Isabella Oliver for similar dresses</a>; 2) Multicolor bracelet, $135; 3) Baby carrier, $189; 4) Black wedges, $160
Moms With Young Kids: What to Wear to a Gift Exchange
This is a tough one. It feels like a holiday party, but is also filled with overexcited kids, sticky fingers and runny noses … some of which you are responsible for. In this case, keep things simple by sticking to your daily mom uniform. But, make it slightly more glam with a monochromatic palette. Pair richly colored denim with a top in the same color family (you don’t want them to match exactly). Add a pair of slightly higher heels and a cocktail ring. You’ll be surprised how small changes can make such a big difference.
Get the Look: 1) Wine jeans, $80 ; 2) Cardigan, $55 3) Wedges, $89; 4) Stone ring, $35
Moms With Young Kids: A Family-Friendly Office Party
The best all-around dress for moms with young kids? The sheath. It flatters any body type (it can even disguise a small pooch), and it allows enough movement to pick up toddlers or carry around babies. Yet, the cut is such that you won’t be mistaken for a human tent by your kids. Spice up your sheath by finding one with interesting details, or accessorize a basic sheath with rockstar shoes and bling. Or … just do both, you party animal, you.
Get the Look: 1) Side-tie knit dress, $50; 2) Leopard wedges, $109; 3) Rhinestone bracelet, $11; 4) Sparkle cuff, $32
Moms of Teens: Chaperoning a School Dance
You’ve volunteered to chaperone the school dance. Good for you! Here’s two rules to keep your kid’s embarrassment to a minimum: First, don’t show up in anything sexy. This means no cleavage and no miniskirts, no matter how good your "assets" are. Second, wear fabulous shoes. This will earn you some respect, without upsetting the balance. Your best bet is a conservative pencil skirt and a flattering, pretty blouse. Add some gorgeous heels, and swap your mom-bag for a cool clutch.
Get the look: 1) Pleated crepe blouse, available at Ann Taylor this winter; 2) Pencil skirt, $130; 3) Leather clutch, $298; 4) Metallic heels, $215
Empty Nest: Meeting the Significant Other
Your little sweet pea, the light of your life, the owner of your heart has now found a new love. You invite the new “friend” over for dinner. You want to come across as friendly, welcoming … but not too welcoming. The new boo needs to understand exactly how lucky they are to be dating your angel. Hit the right note with some flattering, dark-wash denim and a pretty, silky blouse. Accessorize with gorgeous earrings and a chic belt. Cover your toes with a pair of smoking loafers. Perfection achieved. Now … let the real judgment begin.
Get the look: 1) Bootcut jeans, $190; 2) Pindot blouse, $98; 3) Enameled belt, $45; 4) Purple quartz earrings, $195; 5) Zebra slippers, $18
