Rainy day inspiration

I love rainy days. Maybe it's because we've only experienced a handful of them in the past five months. Or maybe I just like a reason to wear trench coats. When they look as good as these, wouldn't you agree?

Click to view details or purchase:
Plaid trench 130.95  || Cape Trench 89.95  ||  Reptile print 118 

Equestrian rainboot 98  ||  Herringbone 59.99  ||  Metallic rainboot 175

Look 1:
A glen plaid trench pairs perfectly with an equestrian inspired rain boot. Can you believe those boots are rain boots? So cute!

Look 2:
Cape + trench = two styles that will never go out. Wear with another classic fabric, herringbone, and you have a timeless rainy day look.

Look 3:
Make a splash on a cloudy day. A reptile print raincoat and metallic wedge rain boot guarantees that you won't blend in with the rest of the trench coat crowd.

Building a closet

Every season, people ask me what they need to buy. But sometimes, 'what to buy' is not as important as working with what you already own. Having the basics in your closet make it easy to layer the season's trend or add an accessory to change up the look. Here are a few of my essentials for any wardrobe:

Click to view or buy: 
Trench 388 || Blazer 73.50 || Striped tee 39.50 || Black dress 168 || Skinny jeans 98 || Flats 195

PS - Your votes would be much appreciated!

By Best Mom Fashion Blog

Gray days

Someone told me that she wears bright colors when she's tired to brighten her face and (hopefully) detract from the circles under her eyes.  So today, I looked for a bright color in my closet and the best I could come up with was a gray tee.  It worked with the cloudy morning.  I have a problem wearing bright colors on gray days.

I was also wearing a blazer with the sleeves rolled, and while it's different than your average suit-y jacket, you can't see the details in my horrible self-portraits, so it came off.  And I actually wore flats all day but threw on heels for an afternoon meeting.  They stayed on through the commute home because sometimes, a girl's be gotta taller than an eight-yr-old.

The soft, slouchy tee with blazer and stretchy skinny pants are so comfortable, I think I'll wear this for the rest of the week.  I might change up the accessories....but probably not.

Make it work for you:

• Wear ballet flats, like these ultra sweet gray wool maryjanes, instead of heels
• Throw on a bright coral floral scarf (say that three times fast!) or a long gold/coral bead necklace
• Add a cardigan - I'd take this fair isle one
• Wear tall brown boots like these gorgeous over-the-knee-I've-had-them-forever pair. (Yes, you can wear brown and black together.  And you can wear black and navy together.  Do it.) 

In the trenches

The trench coat is a classic closet staple.  Lucky for you, Target's Deal of the Day is the Mossimo Black: Long Trench Coat.  Normally $49.99, you can get it today only for $20.  Free shipping and 7 different colors, what have you got to lose?

Now, when it finally arrives, make sure it fits properly or it will look like it's worth less than the shipping you didn't pay for.  Here are some tips:

• Shoulders should hit at the edge of your shoulders and arm holes should be relatively snug.
• Overall fit of the coat should be close to the body.  This is especially true if you are petite or it will look like the coat has swallowed you.  If it hugs just a little too tight when buttoned, just leave it slightly opened and tie the belt in the back.  This will emphasize your waist and the vertical line of the open jacket will give a slimming effect.
• The double-breast will emphasize a large chest, so if that's not the look you're going for, opt for a single breasted jacket.
• The hem should hit at the top of your knee or higher if you're short.

Another tip: you don't have to actually loop the belt through the buckle.  You can simply tie it in a knot around your waist.  You can also switch out belts and use one of your own.  A brown or camel belt adds a modern twist to the black or gray trench.

Wear the trench with skinny pants, or a skirt or dress (it's ok if the hem peeks out).  Add boots, flats or heels and a bright scarf and a rainy day is now a little bit chic-er.

Here are a few more options.  Click the image to see on retailer's site:

More Merona...

An ode to the LBD

Oh, little black dress, how do I love thee?  Let me count the ways...

Charolette Russe $34.50

I love you with a string of pearls

NY & Co $24.95

I love you with a little wrap

Banana Republic $98

I love you with my 5-inch heels

Vince Camuto $98

 I love you with a little cap

Calvin Klein $128

Every one needs a basic black dress in their wardrobe.  If you opt for a sleeveless sheath dress (like the one above), you can wear it year round a million different ways:  with a scarf or wrap and nude heels (to make your legs look like they go on forever) in the spring; with sandals in the summer; with a black turtleneck and brown suede boots in the fall;  and with a chunky sweater, knit tights and tall riding boots in the winter.  Accessory changes will keep the dress looking fresh every season.  Invest in one great dress, or buy a dozen different styles.  Black will always be the new black.

What to wear now & later: tunics

Tunics are great to have in your wardrobe for their limitless styling possibilities.  Wear them in the summer as a dress, a bathing suit cover up, or with shorts and espadrilles.  Wear them now with shorts and a scarf and wedges, then transition into fall with a quick change of jeans or leggings and clogs or boots. For the short sleeve tunics, throw on a chunky knit cardigan or blazer. You could also layer a long-sleeve tee or turtleneck under the lightweight printed versions.  So much wear out of such an easy piece.

More Tucker...

What to wear now & later: scarves

School is in session, football season has begun, the Halloween decorations are on display at Target, fall fashion season has supposedly arrived....so why is it still 90 degrees outside?  And more importantly, what's a stylish mom to wear right now?

Answer: scarves.  Wrap a lightweight scarf around your neck with a plain tank top or v-neck tee back with shorts and gladiator sandals.  So easy.  When the weather finally cools, you can wear that scarf draped around a trench coat or cardigan or pair it back with a long sleeve tee.

The scarves listed below are all under $20 and add instant chic to a basic jeans and tee look.  For those of you who lack skills in the scarf-wrapping department, you can pick up a basic circle scarf (also called infinity scarf) where the work is already done for you - just throw it on like you would a necklace.

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