The Momiform

25th January 2008

posted in Mom Rants, SAHM stuff, Mom Fashion |

I pride myself on being fashionable. I mean, I’ve dedicated at least three categories on this blog to fashion. At work, I would get a tingly feeling inside when someone complemented my outfits. I remember clearly (ok, it was only a week ago) on my last day when my coworker said, “we are now losing one of the office’s fashion icons.” (Ah, how memory gets enhanced over time.)

For me, keeping up with the fashion at work was easy. I could get away with three-inch-heeled boots one day and flats and leggings the next. At work, I could be creative, inventive and forward with my outfits. Of course, having a toddler or being pregnant does mess with fashion-forwardness at times (I will never be able to live with the fact that I wore pink Uggs to work one day. UGH.), but most times, I felt confident that I looked the part of sophisticated, savvy PR professional. Just ask the Mary Kay lady.

However, now that I’m in the throes of SAHM-land, I’m feeling like a fashion flunkie. I can’t find my groove. Last week, I showed up to pre-pre school in my sweaty yoga clothes. Yesterday, I donned hanging pearl earrings, wide-leg jeans and platform boots. I can’t get it straight. Look too dressy and people whisper “why is she wearing that to class?” Don’t wash my hair before I see my school acquaintances, and I feel the need to overcompensate with statements like “oh Junior was a nightmare this morning.”

Actually, everyone overcompensates for unwashed hair, I’m finding. (Beauty tip: unwashed hair actually looks better on most people than freshly-blown. Good for me, bad for my husband.) I’m not totally innocent in petty banter, I’ll admit. I remember guffawing inwardly (and to my friend) when I saw one of those super well-dressed moms show up to school in come-hither black patent high-heeled boots. I mean, they were fabulous boots, but do they belong in Temple at 10 am on a Tuesday?

I’m not sure, but what I do know is that I have now found my source for fashion salvation as an SAHM: Lululemon. More commonly known as the yuppie moms’ uniform.

I had discovered the brand a few months ago when I picked up a pair of flared yoga pants on heavy discount. But I assumed that these pants were meant to be worn only with sneakers to and from the gym. Embarassed to go outside the confines of a treadmill in them, I’ve stored my Lululemon pants at the bottom of my drawer for the chance to actually break a sweat in them.

But while attending playgroup this week, I spotted another mom wearing the special horseshoe symbol and immediately thought, wait! I can wear wick-away fabric and look fashionable again. I figured out how I could get my fashion mojo back.

The symbol that can set you free.

I immediately staked out my plan. I had a slot of time yesterday where I could escape to mommy nirvana: the new Lululemon store in Lincoln Park. I couldn’t hide my excitement when I opened the door and entered 2500 square feet of sweatpant heaven.

The colors! The feel of the swishy nylon-like material between my hands! The sale prices! I was overwhelmed with glee. Of course, because it was 2 in the afternoon on a Thursday, no more than seven Lululemon-clad princesses offered their expertise and service.

“I wear my technical fabric way more than the cotton ones.”

“That sweatshirt even looks great with your jeans.”

I don’t know if they were just trying to appease my over-dressed appearance (I was still wearing the dangling pearl earrings when I ventured to the store), but I kept asking for sizes and they obliged. Of course after trying on the sale items, none of which looked good on me, I settled for some wide-leg brown pants and an off-white sweatshirt. (Because off-white goes great with toddler.) It was way more money than I wanted to spend, but no one said looking great comes cheaply.

I put them on this morning and felt whole again. Until I saw a mom in soccer class this morning wearing the exact same thing. I may look fashionable, but no one said I would look original. At least there’s safety in numbers.

Originality is overrated. And expensive.

Tag: Lululemon, mom fashion

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Cross-posted on Chicago Moms Blog

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1 On January 25th, 2008, Shelli said:

lol. so funny.

where can I get some???

2 On January 25th, 2008, Alex Elliot said:

That was a really well written post! Personally I feel like a dirt bag all the time. I usually wear jeans and v-neck t-shirts. I jazz things up in the winter and wear long sleeve v-neck t-shirts and the occasional sweater! I just ran to the mall this morning because I need something to wear to a funeral this week. I didn’t think my jeans and a black t-shirt would be ok! Actually now that I think about it, my workout clothes are more stylish that my every day clothes. Pretty pathetic!

3 On January 25th, 2008, Shari Schmidt said:

Tag you’re it! Here’s a fun meme for you. Please tell everyone 7 random things about yourself. Then, tag 7 new people. I just posted mine tonight.

Enjoy!

4 On January 25th, 2008, Emily said:

Dude, it won’t matter what you are wearing when you are as thin as you are! How tall are you, too? Geez oh peez! I have to admit that I wear jeans or jogging pants daily. I have found a nice compromise of jeans and tops that aren’t too dressy, but not too frumpy. I try not to be frumpy, but we all have those days–especially when it is 10 degrees outside and you really don’t plan on leaving at all.

5 On January 26th, 2008, Christy said:

I love my Lulus! Actually I have yet to met a person who doesn’t love them, or wear them on a regular basis. They aren’t just for SAHMs either. Here you see them everywhere, especially on campus, even on occasion in the office.

I have to say I find it pretty amazing that one tiny little Vancouver company has taken off so incredibly! My friend who used to live in California would come home to visit, and joke that she knew when she landed in Canada because all of a sudden she was in a sea of Lulu at the airport

6 On January 26th, 2008, Jill said:

When I moved to Toronto a year ago I had no idea what Lululemon’s were. Hah, did I get a quick education. Up here it feels like there isn’t a person in Toronto (man or woman) that doesn’t own them. And why not, they are comfy, look good and versatile (many people wear them out at night). It was just my bday and my husband gave me a gift card to Lulu. I’m going to go this week and have some fun. Enjoy the new “corporate” casual.

7 On January 28th, 2008, Scout's Honor said:

Ah here in Seattle’s Eastside, it seems the North Face vest, Seven jeans, and “Life is Good” wear is what the SAHMs wear. It’s the high school girls that have never seen the inside of a Yoga studio that wear that $100 horseshoe hoodie. Since I just have 12 and under children, I haven’t had the pleasure yet of buying Lulumon. There’s a girl on my daughter’s swim team that has SEVEN of those $100 hoodies. Sigh.

8 On February 8th, 2008, Karla said:

I must admit, I am a lululemon addict. Love love love their clothes. I’m still trying to get used to their new straight leg groove pants (prefer the boot cut) but that, um, doesn’t stop me from wearing them almost every day of my life, you know, because they are reversible and all.

9 On August 5th, 2008, methiscanada said: