Unfrumped - I actually don't find gear the most comfortable thing for me, even physically. Running shoes tightly done up to help prevent ankle issues, sports bra, body con lycra pants and top (I don't like sweating in loose cotton tees and they are more likely to show my mommy belly when doing yoga etc) - these are what I need to work out, but not my preferred comfort clothes for chasing kids, although of course they do function for that. Social pressure aside, I would honestly rather be in cons, cotton shorts or rolled up jeans, even a casual light summer skirt with comfy-for-me sandals. One year my dressier "office" sandals (still a comfort brand) actually turned out more comfy and practical than my supposed casual ones, whose leather straps stretched out causing my ankle to wobble in the playground sand etc. I also have poison eye for the brown suede Birkenstock soles and can't wear anything between my toes, so my "comfy" sandals may look dressier to some of the local moms, but are truly best for me. So yes my gym gear is quite separate from my preferred weekend / park looks

Thistle, you have my sympathy! Gosh, when I was a SAHM frequenting the park the very last thing I thought about was what to wear. I had enough trouble remaining food-, dribble- and vomit-free without having to worry about whether I was stylish or not. I was most certainly not stylish at that time. If I was wearing something clean it was a miracle. Maybe that's why I never made any friends at the park. LOL!

My sister has a youngish child and I think my sister may be one of those mothers you might feel unstylish next to. I certainly do even now! I don't think I have ever seen my sister not looking amazing. And yet she has zero interest in fashion and style, doesn't read fashion magazines or blogs, and is unable to explain how she always looks so stylish. She is simply a naturally stylish person with an amazing eye. No idea how she kept herself looking so stylish when her child was an ultra-messy under-five.

It was noticing that my sister always wears stylish BUT FLAT/LOW-HEELED WALKABLE shoes so never ends up ruining her outfit by changing into scruffy unstylish workout trainers to go to the park or for a 6-mile walk that made me realise that I need to devote considerable effort to finding comfortable shoes I can walk many many miles in, but that also look cool or stylish or at least won't ruin the look of whatever outfit I am wearing. It is exciting that there are so many potentially comfortable flat or lowish-heeled shoes currently in fashion and available.

Do you need to be in "gear" to walk? I would say you can come up with a few stylish options that do not involve lululemon or whatever. I think Goldenpig and Rita (Modgrl) have quite good capsules for these activities. I would go take a look.

Like some other folks have posted, gear for me is black Lycra bottoms (shorts, Capri, and long lengths), and bright tops- either tanks with built in bra support, or a sports bra under a t- shirt ( usually a race handout). Then there is sport specific gear, but I won't go there. Running shoes are worn strictly for running, and nothing else!

I walk with DH, and we have trails in the woods, so it is usually light weight hiking boots (I like Merrell) and jeans, or chino shorts, and a light long sleeved T. For cooler weather I try for a great sweater rather than a fleece, and sometimes a scarf. When I brought my kids to the park ( they are 21 and 23 now) it was jeans, and t's and comfy sandals or sneakers (like cons or ke ds, but not gear).

To combine walking and park visits, I would think that cute, not sloppy, gear should be fine. Others have mentioned Athleta, and I agree. They have a range of sizes, and a good selection ranging from gear to hybrid gear/casual clothes. My daughter wears a lot of their dresses and skirts in the summer, and looks very cute for chasing after little kids, IMO.

If you don't want to wear gear, jeans, a cute tee and comfortable shoes would be perfect. There are lots of cute casual shoes out there that are as comfy as tennis shoes for walking.
Here are some examples:
http://vip.zappos.com/clarks-haley-skimmer-navy
http://www.amazon.com/Womens-P.....qid=136768
http://www.zappos.com/ahnu-crissy-dark-gray
I wear that sort of thing a lot in the summer when we're combining a walk with a stop at one of the really casual eateries along our local walking trail.

Hope this helps!

I'm with you Thistle, I wear gear to walk in. Unless you change your routine and make a separate trip to the park (which would no doubt dismay DD), I don't see how you can wear fashion on these jaunts. Maybe a new pair of workout clams and two or three flattering exercise tops would make you feel smarter. Hmmm, I need to take my own advice because my clams are starting to look faded and my tops are showing their age, lol!

Hm, wonder where you are that people dress up at the park. I always feed overdressed b/c I'm often coming there in my work clothes and everyone else (both moms and dads) are in sweats and flip flops. I actually bought a Zella jacket and pants to fit in with the yoga pants moms, even though I don't do yoga!

You might want to take a look at the Zella line, they make plus size as well. A jacket and capri pant combo would be really cute:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ze.....ontextualc

Otherwise I tend to wear a T shirt or casual top, and shorts or jeans, and Cons to the park. I also find that if I wear a T shirt with a print, I feel a little more dressed up than if I wear all solids. I post a lot of MOTG outfits, like here was the latest T shirt/shorts/Cons one:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ypermatchy

But I wouldn't worry about what you wear so much, as long as you're comfortable and having fun with little Thistle!