No. 139: The Momiform is Here. Your Foolproof Style Guide for Late Spring/Early Summer

Four Capsules for Four Mom Modes.

Spring is one of my favorite seasons to get dressed for. I love shedding the Winter layers and a part of me comes alive reaching for my white denim and my pastel linen. So far this May, I’ve already attended a birthday party, a baby shower and a Mother’s Day tea and we’re only a couple days into the month. It can feel like so much is required of our wardrobes, but having “uniforms” of sorts takes all the guess work out of it.

I mentioned loving getting dressed in Spring, but when it comes to Summer that’s a whole different story. For many of the years we’ve lived on the surface of the sun (Dallas June-September) I have been uncomfortable in my own skin, covered in varicose veins all over my legs, multiple pregnancies and thus multiple postpartum bodies. I don’t love tank tops and shorts so I’m always looking for creative ways to feel—and in this order of priority—myself, comfortable, and put together. If I can feel cool and chic on top of that, phenomenal. But those are the priorities. This is why I’ve pulled a Momiform guide together for years, it’s my own way of setting my self up for success so I’m not wearing the same sweatsuit or giant t-shirt and baggy jeans for five months straight. If you find yourself craving a guide, the Momiform guide is always made with you in mind. First things first, though:

Make a Mood Board to Serve as Your North Star

I’ve done this work for you, but maybe you have a completely different style to me. You might have a very feminine style, you could be drawn to quirkier clothing or very minimal clothing. You can do your homework between saved images on social media and Pinterest and pull together a mood board for yourself. Pay attention to whatever draws your attention and do your best to resist the urge to keep yourself in a box. You might just surprise yourself.

Try On Outfits Inspired by Your Moodboards and Photograph the Winners

If you really want to do some work to serve your future self, go through the items in your wardrobe to put together outfits to replicate the looks. You might find that the outfit that looked great on the woman in the photo doesn’t feel quite right on you or you might notice you don’t feel comfortable in the outfit you were just positive would be your go-to for the season. When you find a combination that feels great, snap a photo of it. Create a folder in your phone set aside for outfits you know meets all your priorities so you don’t have to play that game where you go to get dressed with three minutes to spare and nothing fits/looks right/goes together.

This seems extreme and of course we don’t need photos of the outfits we reach for a gazillion times, but after reading this newsletter you may come away with some different combinations to try and I promise you’ll be grateful you did this all at once.

Pay Attention to Gaps in Your Wardrobe

Once you’ve put some outfits together, pay close attention to the things you find yourself reaching for. You likely have far more than you realized on hand already, but there might be obvious absences. I urge you not to rush out and buy a whole new wardrobe, but maybe make a list of wishlist items to save for. White denim that fits just right, long denim shorts, a dress you can throw on for everything, a reliable button-down shirt. When it’s time to purchase something, be sure to ask yourself just how many outfits you can make with this new piece. Transforming your closet from a completely neutral palette to a bright, color-filled wardrobe might not happen overnight, but when you do add those pieces in remember to choose wisely.

Consider Clothing Rental Options

I just need to quickly mention that options like Nuuly and Rent the Runway exist to add new pieces to your wardrobe at a much gentler price point. I don’t partake for a few different reasons (although I’ve tried both and they’re wonderful!) but this might be a wonderful option for you in this season.

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The Errand Edit.

You may have a day you' typically reserve for errands and this will carry you through. If your schedule looks something like, “library, grocery store, class party at school, farmers market” and you know you’ll be a person interacting with other people with your kids in tow, this is for you. Of course, if you won’t have kids in tow or don’t have children at all, it’s still for you. The goal: nothing fussy, easy to get in and out of, a true showing of the Momiform essential MVP lineup.

shop my selections for this board here.

Outfit Formulas:

All White Base. White skirt, shorts, overalls, jeans or trousers paired with a white tank, tee, button-down or sweater. Add a color or another neutral in the form of a shoe, overshirt, hat or jacket and your fool proof outfit is complete.

Oversized Button Down + Oversized Trouser. I like to add structure to this by simply rolling up a sleeve and undoing a few buttons.

Easy Pant + Tee + Lightweight topper. A cropped lightweight cardigan and tee or light sweater paired with your favorite wide leg trousers or jeans adds interest with layering while still being simple and cozy.

The Athliesure Mood.

this is the board for when you’re lugging chairs and water bottles to the sidelines, if y9ou’re headed to a coffee date or meeting right after the gym or off to the park with a goal of getting your steps in between swing pushes and playing playground security. If you’re in the south, it will be hotter than hades and borderline sticky, but if you’re anywhere on the coast you may get the luxury of needing a sweater.

shop my selections for this board here.

Outfit Formulas:

White or Black Tank or Tee + Barrel Jeans + Flip-Flops. Optional Addition: A Sweater Over the Shoulders. This is the most “put together” of the formulas and it’s up to you if you feel you need a hat.

Long Sleeve Tee or Knit Layered Over a Tank + Short Bottom. Boxers, a tennis skirt, trouser shorts, longer denim shorts—the world is your oyster here. You can also swap these tops for a rugby polo if you’re feeling festive.

Tone on Tone Leggings + Knit or Tee. Something about the coordinating tones and matching sets make the whole outfit feel much more intentional than an old college tee and leggings from two babies ago that make you feel uncomfortable, even if they look great.

The Mom’s Day/Night Out Edit.

Sometimes, you leave the house without a diaper bag, you know? Girls Night, Date Night, a night on vacation where you want to show off tanned shoulders. This is the fun one.

shop my selections for this board here.

Outfit Formulas:

A Fun Top + A Great Trouser. You cannot go wrong with this combination. Sure, you can also pair a great top with denim, but the shape is important. Wide leg tends to work best for the desired effect.

A Dress + Impactful Accessories. Decide your color palette ahead of time—three colors for the entire look is the cleanest way to go about it, but don’t be afraid to commit to a true color moment.

Dress Shirt + Skirt. This is such a cool look. It pairs perfectly with a great flat or sandal, but don’t underestimate how fancy a loose, oversized dress shirt can look when paired with heels.

Blazer + Tee + Shorts. I like to keep this look simple and clean, personally. Neutrals work beautifully here.

The WFH Momiform.

Just because some of us are welcoming Summer doesn’t mean all moms are settling into Summer break themselves. Whether your days will be full of camp drop offs and coffee shop wifi or Zoom meetings and nap time work calls, the outfit should be the least of your worries.

shop my selections for this board here.

Outfit Formulas:

I want to say this and have you hear me loud and clear: Anything Goes on this one.

If you feel best in “real clothes,” you have options that feel like pajamas but look anything but. Great trousers with an oversized button down, a vest top or knit paired with your favorite jeans, a matching linen set, a dress that you can throw on and feel equal parts cozy and beautiful.

If you won’t have any Zoom meetings and work equally in “real clothes” and sweatpants, never overlook a great matching sweat set with mini hoop earrings and a simple necklace.

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Oshiomogho also insisted that I recommended this very versatile, casual and affordable outfit to wear for every occasion:

Andre 3000 at the Met Gala this week

A week into my body reset, I discovered what I now consider to be a beloved friend. This paleo ice cream has four ingredients, is sweetened with honey and is truly delicious. I’ve only tried the Chocolate and Strawberry flavors so far but my local Sprouts has enough flavors to keep me taste testing for a long time.

John Piper’s podcast episode, “God Will Heal Me Completely — But When?” answers the question many people ignore with the grace and gospel accuracy episode necessary for the topic.

If you’re looking to add some new linen pieces to your wardrobe, the Everlane linen Sale is very good. The Linen Way High Drape Pant, the Essential Linen Shirt and the Linen Cargo Curve Pant are a perfect start.

This 18 Fun Water Play Activities With Kids article by Days With Grey serves as the best inspiration every Summer. Our Water Table is still one of the best investments we’ve ever made, but we also put old plastic storage bins, funnels, spoons and strainers to work equally.

This is back into Mommy Warbucks territory, but many of you asked about a special piece of jewelry over the past few months so I’m sharing this Ring Concierge board here. I truly don’t know how long the Sale will go on for but if you’re looking to invest in a special piece as a Mother’s Day gift to yourself or someone you love, there might not be a better time than this 30% off Sale.

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I’ll be back on Sunday with a love letter for Mother’s Day. I’d love to know if you’re inspired or triggered by the meals I’m focusing on during this month’s reset. It’ll help me know how to best frame the Sunday letters. More outfit focused? A Meal Plan I’m actually following? A hypothetical Meal Plan specifically for y’all? You can comment or send a direct message to let me know. I’ll save my sentimental thoughts for later this weekend so for now I truly hope you find this letter helpful and delightful.

As always, clothing truly doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. Buying new “stuff” from “Stuff Mart” won’t solve anything that matter for eternity. But feeling your best when you get dressed each day is a wonderful gift and combing through thousands of images and pieces on the internet to make sense of it all is something I’ll always be grateful to do if it ends up making even one person feel more capable of feeling their best. Even better if it helps someone feel even more like themselves again.

Have a beautiful weekend, friends.

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