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This is a compensated post from BlogHer and JCPenney.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman with small children must be in want of an easy-care, easy-wear wardrobe. What is NOT true is that this wardrobe needs to be frumpy and boring and so very five years ago.
But updating your closet when you're a mom -- particularly a pregnant mom -- can be a daunting task. You're simultaneously conscious that your buget is shrinking as fast as your belly is growing. This, my friend, is a time for essentials and accessories.
JCPenney generously provided eight bloggers from the Oklahoma City area with $300 to shop for fall; each blogger was asked to think about her current wardrobe and how it was working for her, and to identify things she wanted to change. Shana is a stay-home mom of two supercute little girls; she is expecting a third in December (sex unknown, but I think it's a boy). Shana was looking for ways to make her Mom Wardrobe a little more hip and cool without compromising practicality and comfort.
JCPenney had exactly what we needed.
Shana is not the type to roll out of bed and do the school run in her pajamas, but she is all about comfort. We looked for great cardigans that she could pair with yoga pants for a pulled-together look that is also baby-friendly. We also looked for pieces that were not necessarily maternity, because those will have a longer shelf life (Shana can wear them after the baby is born).
We loved the St. John's Bay cardigan pictured here because it's such a nice alternative to the oversized sweatshirt; the hoodie shape makes it casual and practical, but the cable knit (and the fact that it's a SWEATER people not a sweatshirt) gives it a little bit of a grown-up edge. This is a piece that Shana can wear now and later; she can layer it over tanks and tees and turtlenecks for the whole winter.
JCPenney has some great maternity cardigans, too, if you're looking for something more specifically for mamas; this one wasn't really Shana's style, but it's very pretty (and oh-so-soft!).
Another thing that moms -- especially expectant moms -- often overlook is accessories. Shana choose some great basic wardrobing pieces (maternity tees and a nice variety of cardigans) and then we culled the accessories for pieces that would make even the most practical and mundane outfit a little more exciting. Shana tried on I don't know how many cool necklaces -- JCPenney had a huge selection, in a nice range of lengths and sizes and colors -- and finally settled on this superfunky wooden piece.
Shana's necklace is not available on line, but JCPenney does have a great selection of reasonably priced statement necklaces. If you're pregnant, the trick is to steer clear of long pieces that will get caught around your belly or wind up lassoing a breast; instead, look for short, choker-length pieces, or slightly longer pieces that will emphasize your pregnant cleavage.
Finally, we decided that Shana needed a really fantastic bag, to take her everyday mom look up a notch. Because she's expecting a baby (seriously you all it's a boy) she needs a bad that can function as a diaper tote, but because this is her third, she's not really interested in carrying anything that LOOKS like a diaper bag. We found a nice alternative in this patent computer tote; the inside is just the right size and shape for everything the baby will need (diapers, wipes, extra clothes, snacks), and the cool storage compartments for cell phone and wallet mean that Shana's things won't fall to the bottom of the bag and disappear. But because this is a work tote, not a diaper bag, it looks grown-up and chic, which is not something I can say for most diaper totes.
This bag is no longer available online, but you can get the same look with some of the other computer totes available at JCPenney. I really like this red one, and I think it would make a superchic diaper tote. We also saw some great patent totes, which are everywhere this fall and would be perfect for a
