Your Fashion Style is Classic

You like what's stood the test of time...
Simple, well styled clothes that don't scream trendy.

You stay updated and modern, but your clothes stay in style for a while.

You wouldn't be caught in animal prints, fake fur, or super bright colors.

What's Your Fashion Style?

Okay, even if you're not a big fan of memes (i.e., Lisa) perhaps some of you will better understand why I was tempted to take this quiz from Girls Only - Blogthings, if I told you how I happen to think - especially if you are over the age of 40 and/or a mom - fashion sucks and I haven't a clue what I'm wearing this fall!

First, it's in. Then it's out. Although it would look better, with a chunky belt.

And viola, leggings are hip...again?

On my ten-year-old daughter, perhaps - but, then again, I don't believe my child-rearing hips should be wearing a mini-skirt, either.

Or, can I?

Silicon Valley Moms Blog recently conducted a poll and asked readers for their fall fashion questions and - although, I am sorry I missed out on all the fashion fun - Alix was able to hit all of my fashion headaches...right on the head:

It is infinitely difficult to merge fashion with child-rearing clothes. Here are my ideal criteria for this fashion black hole.

Moms NEED:

1) Sweaters that don't pill or get stretched out from holding children all day. That rules out wool and cotton, so a cotton-silk blend might work here.

2) Sets of tops that coordinate so you can strip down in a hot park and put something back on when it gets cooler. This might be specific to California's micro-climates.

3) Tops that are fitted, but not too clingy and don't have boob-baring necklines when you bend over for the 100th time to pick your child up at the park.

4) No white, ever.

5) Something with clean, modern lines that fits better than Banana Republic.

6) Fabrics and cuts that are machine-washable and that last and last, since, let's face it, when you get a good outfit going you want to wear it again and again just to skip the whole, "what shirt should I wear with these pants" thing each day.

7) Finally, style that doesn't scream "too style-ey" at the park but wouldn't call you out as a dumpy mom if you get the chance to go to dinner after putting the kids to bed.

Can a clothing manufacturer PLEASE read these criteria and get us some better child-rearing clothes!?

OMG - not to mention a hearty...HELL YES!...to #6 - but, is anybody really listening?

SVMoms Blog and a parents club visited Nordstroms for a fall fashion trend seminar and posted their results, today.

SVMoms Blog's editor, Tekla Nee, and BlogHers' very own resident mommyblogger, Mary Tsao, even got a bitchin' makeover - Mary writes:

[img_assist|fid=1620|thumb=1|alt=mtsaogetsamakeover]
Last night was a lot of fun! Although I must say that my husband thought my makeover was a bit much. He prefers me a little less made up! But it was fun to try a new look.

I'm happy that denim skirts are "back" because in my wardrobe, they never left. I liked that the personal shopper (Forgot her name, but she was great! Very high energy and obviously knew her stuff.) showed us clothes from casual to dressy. There was something for everybody and every occasion.

Fun night. Thanks for the invite!

Sounds like something I wish my local Nordstroms - or any women's fashion store, for that matter - would consider and I would certainly look into attending.

Maybe even buy myself one of their top fall fashion picks for moms:

CORDUROY, VELVET AND WASHABLE SUEDE JACKETS

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Mom friendly fall fabrics include corduroy, twill, and washable suede. Structured Jackets are great for hiding figure flaws and can be dressed up/down depending on the shirt underneath.

Velvet Jackets are also a fall trend fabric.

Tekla favored this Garnet Nine West Velvet Jacket on the left.

Looking at the velvet jacket brought to mind a picture my mother took of me, when I was ten and the same age as my second oldest daughter, wearing one of my favorite outfits - a purple velvet skirt, matching vest and brown boots, similar to the ones my co-editor (Tricia) blogged about.

But, I do believe ElleBelle's response to...ahem...old fashion styles making a comeback (like, the 80's and wearing leggings in high school) sums it up perfectly, for me:

Here is the only fashion rule you need to remember: If you wore it the first time it was popular, you can't wear it again.

Over 35? Forget the leggings.

"Skinny Jeans"? If you ever had to get horizontal on the bed, suck in your stomach and grab the zipper pull with pliers so you could shimmy into your Calvin Klein’s or Gloria Vanderbilt’s.

Consider this your hall pass.

Hats off to Nordstroms for conducting the seminar, kudos to all who participated and epecially to Silicon Valley Moms Blog - thanks for asking!

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Contributing Editor Elizabeth Thompson also writes for the eZine, The Imperfect Parent.