Thanks Laura. I laughed as I read your post because the outfits you described are exactly what I have been turning to everyday as a SAHM. THe only thing I would add is how easy it is to change things up with accessories. I find a belt or cool necklace, etc. can change an outfit from okay to wow. Belts over my cardigans is my go-to recently.

Excellent post, Laura. I could really use your and Angie’s advice. I usually don’t have a problem dressing up for work, that’s easy and fun. Weekends are another story completely. I have such a hard time looking casual that I frequently overdress, and ocasionally even underdress, all in my effort to look effortlessly casual. It’s hard work, I tell you. I will give the formula a shot to see if I can salvage my weekend look. Thank you!!!!

I m also a working mom of 2 young son, I think this is Awesome post, Thanks, Laura!

What a great post Laura! I am not a mom, but have similar wardrobe needs. This type of outfit is by far something I wear most of the time. I basically lived this whole fall/winter season in skinny jeans tucked into boots with layered tops. It is indeed flop proof.

Laura-You are an excellent writer, and I love the outfits you’ve put together! I especially love the color in the summer ensemble!

Laura, great job! Your style is really lovely and you’ve offered great advice here and on the forum. Thank you. I particularly love your pointer on adding a piece of denim to make it more casual. I intend to get another denim jacket for this very reason. Another way I’ve found to get similar results and still feel fashionable is with some great, versatile, fashionable footwear. I’ve invested most of my budget since joining YLF in this area. Boots are versatile and practical and tough, even the pretty ones. (I confess I bought the Merrells you originally found.) Converse help me not feel over-dressed when the playground seems to be over-run by moms in yoga pants and worse. Some ballet flats work, but many are too delicate for my life. Sandals have loads of range and opportunities. How about a mom-on-the-go shoe post?

I love jackets as an alternative to sweaters, but haven’t used them as much in the winter because of the coat problem.

My coat doesn’t fit well over a jacket that has any structure. Does it really work to get one large enough to layer over a jacket? It seems like it would be very bulky, and the coat awkwardly large.

Is it too fussy to carry a jacket with you and switch top layers when you get indoors – or am I just worrying to much about it? I need my big warm winter coat!

Such fun pictures, great job composing them. No improvements necessary.

I work from home and homeschool our four children, so its been a voyage for me to dress things up to be more smart casual.

The long cardigan is a go-to item for me in the Dallas fall-winter. It polishes up the mommy image and can be worn over button-downs, camisoles, etc.

In the summer time I definitely wear strappy sandals with lighter weight bottoms (denims and trousers) and the coolest tops I can find.

Great post! I’m not a mom-on-the-go, but I have that first graphic tee, and this gives me an idea of how to wear it. Thanks!

Love Laura’s input! And how great to hear back from a skeptic that the formulas are foolproof.

Great to hear from all of my fellow stylish moms and fellow stylish YLF friends! I am so glad the post is helpful, thank you all. It is most humbling to try to be Angie for a day! She did an amazing job helping me put this post together.

These formulas absolutely work for anyone, not just moms, as Tanya has shown time & time again on the forum. Lots of us wear casual or smart casual most days of the week.

Danja, my third post will cover casual wear, which should help you with your weekend wear too. (The next post, #2, will cover dresses & skirts).

Thanks Meredith, I love cool colors (blue is my favorite) so that second outfit was really fun to put together.

Jillian, great idea about a post on shoes. I will file that idea away. Every day, I choose my outfits starting with footwear – you absolutely need good, solid footwear options as a mom. Glad you like the Merrells. Mine are on my feet today!

Carissa, I had no idea that you also had 4 children and homeschooled them! It’s so much fun to hear from all the moms out there. We all face similar challenges. The long cardi is indeed a fab choice. And Sarah, as Carissa says, a cardi over that first graphic tee is also a comfy option, and one I wear often.

Sal, skeptical though I was, the formulas do work like magic

As a busy Mompreneur, I love the fashion advice. Even though I work from home and want to dress casually, I do want to feel “dressed” when I walk into the home office. These tips will allow me to stay comfortable and yet feel like I’m ready to take on the day. I’d also be ready to run out to lunch if a friend called last minute. I look forward to your next post.

Definitely a great post! I am trying to improve my style, and for the first time wore the graphic tee + jacket combo out with friends the other night. I felt put together, which is something I haven’t felt in a long time!!

Laura- spot on!!!!!! great post, and definitely what I do too, but sometimes on my lazy days (I am a WAHM and writer too), I opt for no jacket or cardi, just tees or shirts layered together, with a scarf!

Thankyou Laura. Great article. I love the outfits you have put together here. I wonder if these are floop proof for a Grandma too. I suppose the key would be to make sure that the pieces are not to cutesy. I love the simple cute of the jacket above. I would like it better in a different fabric with no glitz though.
This has been very helpful.

Great post, Laura, I’m really looking forward to this series! As often as I do find Angie’s advice to spot on, I’m always slightly concerned that because she works in the industry and has been into fashion for so long, that her standards of what works for her or clients who can afford to hire her just may be out of my reach. I don’t have much time to participate in the forums, sadly, so while I’m not a mom, I’m really glad to hear from ‘regular’ folks directly on the blog. Thanks for sharing your space, Angie!

I have to say, reading your post made me rethink my go to outfit of baggie jeans and warm, bulky sweater. You are spot on when you mentioned that a simple scarf or girly T simply makes you feel better! Thanks for making think about “mommy comfort wear” a little more stylishly!

Great post, Laura!! My youngest (of 3) is finally old enough now (15 months) that I don’t have to carry around food and other things that make the diaper bag seem like a suitcase. So, I’m finally am able to start dressing “smarter” and be a little more stylish. I love accessorizing with scarves and purses (or more totes because I still have diapers to carry around). It’s an easy way to show off a little color AND keep my neck warm. I will definitely try some of the tips here and let you know how they go over. Can’t wait to hear more from you!!!

Laura, thank you for a wonderfully helpful article. I especially love the colors and ideas for using graphic tees. My go-to casual look is a button-up shirt (preferrably 3/4 sleeve) over a cami or tank, buttoned at the waist and usually belted. I may add beads or scarf. In hot weather I even keep this look with a sleeveless button-up shirt and clamdiggers. I have long walking shorts (hit at knee) but was always reaching for the clam diggers instead last summer. For those of you who haven’t tried them, you may be pleasantly surprised at how great they look.
Chris, I wear a rather boxy simple brown leather Pendelton jacket (pre weightloss piece) over my denim or twill or cord short jackets for warmth and am comfortable. I pop the under jacket collar over the leather collar.

I’m no mom, but these clothes are super cute! The colors are refreshing. Makes me think it won’t always be cold in Chicago

Laura, what a great blog post! You did an excellent job and I love your outfits. I have decided next year I am going to build up my blazer wardrobe. I would love a few more sweater blazers. They seem a tad more casual to me (and I worry less about them if I can pop them in the wash) but hopefully still accomplish the same end effect. Now, to find the elusive affordable (banana smear-able) white jeans for the spring!

Laura, what a well written and informative piece. I find it especially helpful, because I tend to focus so much on what I should wear to work and probably not enough about what I wear the rest of the time.

Are the pieces in the photos, ones you actually own? Or are they similar to something you wear?

I think climate, as well as activity for the day, has a huge factor in how I dress–especially on my own time. I usually decide what shoes will be necessary for my day, then decide what works well around it. I found myself wearing a lot more skirts this winter, because my boots were a no brainer.

I didn’t enjoy the jeans tucked into boots as much as the others have this past season. I’m not sure why–I will have to give that some thought because it’s definitely a look I love.

Anyway, great article, Laura—you are always stylish (and a wonderful writer!)

Excellent post, Laura! I think it is funny to call it “mom on the go,” when the advise is applicable to so many women in addition to moms on the go. This is basically my weekend wear, although I am often slightly more casual with urban sneakers instead of flats or boots as they are more comfortable when I am on the go.

What are your thoughts on graphic T’s when the design is off to one side as oppose to centered? Does it still work with the cardi, vest or jacket when you don’t see as much of the graphics?

The outfits you created are wonderful. I only wish I was half this stylish back when my kids were younger.

You’re right, Eva, these outfits are applicable to loads of women. Stay tuned for post #3, when I’ll cover the slightly more casual look you’re wearing on the weekends. As for where the design should be on the T, the look is best when the design peeks through whatever top layer you’re wearing – with a vest, you might get away with an off-center design because it’s more likely to show.

Nicole, I own a couple of items in the second outfit (the T and cardi) so for sure I’ll be wearing that exact outfit this spring! The first outfit is similar to one I wear.

Dani, I am still hunting for those elusive, affordable white jeans along with you!

Joy, I love the description of your go-to outfit.

San, I agree about the jacket being too shiny. In real life, I might opt for something more toned-down. Still, I love that peachy color!

Sue, I know what you mean about wanting to feel “dressed” even when you’re working from home. As Angie always says, if you look good, you feel better!

I’m I the only one who shudders at the thought of white bottoms being a mom to young ones?

I’m loving the idea of a graphic tee with a vest. It would be an ideal nursing outfit because when you lift the tee to nurse, the vest will keep your sides and back covered. Brillant! Now I need to find these items and purchase them.

I would also love a post on shoes. I always have a baby in arms so shoes need to be comfy and stable.

Encore! Encore!

Fabulous post, Laura! Thanks for increasing YLF’s style quotient with your wonderful writing talent.

I’m flattered that my formulas stood up to the “Laura-on-the-go” test. I’ve spent time with you and you certainly do go, go, go! But you’re always polished, always put-together and ever so stylish. A superb inspiration for us all

Laura,

Terrific post! I have learned so much from Angie’s mom-on-the-go posts and they have really helped me transform my wardrobe into easy, functional pieces that are still stylish. Sadly, I didn’t get the skinnies with jeans look to work for me this past winter but hopefully next year! I also would love to add some more casual fall jackets/blazers to my wardrobe – I did get a cord one last fall and I think a velvet one would be an excellent addition. I do agree with the poster above that a jacket underneath a coat does is hard to do (at least for me). I do have a pair of white jeans that I can’t wait to test out this summer – and as for the smashed banana, as long as I’m not wearing dry clean only items, laundry never scares me!

I enjoyed your post Laura! Thanks for the inspiration. I love the cream purse in the first photo and I now want another graphic tee! Looking forward to your next 3 posts.

Thank you everyone for the kind comments. You are what makes YLF an amazing and special place that’s unlike anything on the Internet.

I am so honored that Angie gave me the opportunity to try something new here at her wonderful YLF. It takes me back to my early career days as a reporter, except with the instant gratification of hearing from everyone right away!

Greg worked hard to make those Polyvore illustrations look great. You can click on any item and it will take you to a link that tells you what the item is, how much it costs and where you can buy it.

Angie, thank you, you are the real inspiration here, to us all!

Laura: I’m so thrilled to see a fellow Chicagoan posting about fashion. Have you noticed many of the fashion bloggers just aren’t from the Windy City? Or am I missing something?

Love the outfit ideas. I usually do a dark wide-legged jean with my tall boots underneath, and a long-sleeved sweater topped with a belted long cardigan that has elbow-length sleeves. Or, I’ll do a cowl-neck sweater dress, dark tights, boots and the same cardigan over top.

So….tell us the truth. What do you wear on your Starbucks runs when it’s bitterly cold?

Thank you so much for this post! I just had my second child (my oldest is 2 1/2) and have been feeling a bit lost about what to wear now that I will be staying home. Very inspiring! Thanks again

Excellent write-up and beautiful illustrations! I love your color combos very much. I’ve been using Angie’s formula since it came out but mostly I was wearing a woven blouse underneath. Graphic T is a great idea to make the outfit more casual. With a lot of them out there now, I’ll pick up more for sure. I’m looking forward to more of your posts Laura.

Just wanted to wrap up a few comments today, in case anyone is still reading here!

Trish, I wear my hooded puffer on all bitterly cold Starbucks runs, and you wouldn’t believe how incredibly useful Doc Martens are in the snow. Granted they are not for being outside for long stretches of time in cold weather, but the traction in snow and ice is the best of any boot I own (I guess because they are built for England’s cold and wet weather). I tuck my Mia skinnies into the Docs, and on top, one of my go-tos this winter has been an Aqua sweater dress (they run short, so it’s more like a tunic) from Bloomie’s, layered over a turtleneck. I am cozy and happy while getting that much-needed caffeine fix!

Georgia, I was in your position not long ago and know that it takes some time to get your feet back on the ground after a second child. You’ll look fab staying home if you follow Angie’s formulas. And yes Julia, I too am loving the wide availability of graphic Ts this season. In fact I am thinking of picking up a retro “Police” concert t-shirt to add to my collection. I love graphic Ts especially when they have some special meaning to the wearer!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Laura for this great post. I know how time consuming these posts are and after the YLF gathering posts, they are my favorites! I can’t wait to read the next installments.

thank you for your post i love the looks and will be testing a few myself. although i’m not a mum on the go…that shouldn’t matter

I would never pair the Starbucks coffee with the WHITE PANTS?!!! I’m too clumsy to pull that off!!!

[...] true confession: Until I road-tested Angie’s flop-proof outfits for “mom on the go,” (outfit 1, outfit 2, and [...]