The below video also shows you how various shoes look with my longest pair of mom jeans and what shoes NOT to wear!

5 Shoes to Wear with Mom Jeans

There are five different options that I rotate among and I’ll show you how to style each.

1 – Loafers

I wear loafers with my mom jeans most often. But to be fair, I wear loafers with all of my jeans most often! I love the polished look and comfortable fit of loafers, and I find that they look great with all styles of pants, including mom jeans.

My favorite loafers are the Loraine style by Sam Edelman. They look very similar to the ever classic Gucci loafers, and they break in with wear to become incredibly comfortable.

If a traditional loafer feels too polished or pulled together, try the slide version of the Sam Edelman loafers. The slide version is more casual and laid back, but still looks polished.

2 – Sneakers

The next pair of shoes I wear with mom jeans most often are sneakers. However (and hear me out on this), they MUST be cute, fashion sneakers. We are not talking about your running shoes here. My favorite white sneakers are Vejas (I have two styles). They’re a low profile, flat sneaker without lift. I have three different styles of Vejas, and I think I like the Veja Recife style best if I had to choose. If you don’t like the look of velcro though, go for the Esplar or Campos styles. They are similar to eachother but the Esplar is just slightly less chunky on the bottom.

You could also wear a platform sneaker, but I find that a low profile sneaker feels the most flattering and age appropriate (I’m nearing 40, and I’m not super into the big white chunky sneaker look that the younger kids are into!).

A long puffer coat looks great with these straight leg jeans, and I also really love the look of sneakers with a cropped black leather jacket too.

3 – Heels

Heels are probably simplest thing to pair with mom jeans! Since mom jeans are not typically cropped, I find that they’re usually the perfect length for heels (never too short). I love that heels elongate my legs and dress these, otherwise casual, jeans up a tad. You can wear both open toed sandals like these Kia Block heels from Sam Edelman and traditional block heel pump like my favorite Zala heels with these jeans.

4 – Booties

Next up, booties. I find that ankle booties like these Calabria Steve Madden booties are a great way to dress up a mom jean for a more polished look. I’ve also found that a slightly pointy toe looks better than a really round toe. This may be preference. I don’t recommend pairing mom jeans with knee high boots since the jeans wouldn’t fit well inside of the boot shaft.

5 – Ballet Flats

I can’t believe this, but I don’t actually own ballet flats anymore, and that’s not good considering how popular they are these days! I love the look of a slimmer fit mom jean with ballet flats, so I may just need to invest! Also, I don’t think I’d like ballet flats with the Abercrombie pair of jeans above since they’re long, so I’d likely buy a pair of straight leg jeans like this Liza Ultra High Rise Straight pair. They’re slightly cropped at the ankle bone and tapered throughout the leg, which would look great with ballet flats like these from Rothy’s.

What are mom jeans?

When you google “mom jeans”, you’ll see a TON of different styles pop up. But in general, mom jeans are high waisted jeans that are fitted in the waist and bum and looser down the leg. If you think back to the early 90’s, mom jeans are what you’d see Kelly Kapowski wearing in the high school halls of Saved by the Bell. They aren’t quite baggy (those are usually called Boyfriend jeans), but they’re looser fitting than skinny jeans, and have a very traditional shape that tapers down the leg. They can be dressed up or down.

While I’m focusing on mom jeans in this post, if you want more ideas of jeans to wear that are NOT skinny jeans, be sure to check out this post where I share 5 jean styles that aren’t skinny jeans. 

My all time favorite style of mom jeans is the Abercrombie Ultra High Rise 90s Straight Jean. They’re high waisted, which makes them easy to pair with crop tops without my belly showing. (I feel like so many of the tops on the market right now are cropped short and that’s not the look I’m going for at this point in life!)

What Shoes Pair Best with Mom Jeans In Winter?

Since it’s currently winter when I’m sharing this post, all of the shoes above apply! In the summer, I’ll still wear loafers and fashion sneakers and will also wear them with slide sandals once it warms up. But, once the the Southern humidity kicks in, then I’ll trade my mom jeans for my favorite denim shorts.

• Loafers – Pair them with socks if you’re cold!
• Sneakers
• Booties – This is probably the easiest way to wear them in the winter for warmth purposes.
• Ballet flats

What Shoes Look Best With Black Mom Jeans?

Now comes the question of black jeans. What should you wear with them? While black mom jeans aren’t quite as common as the traditional blue jeans, they’re still amazing. They’re the perfect wash for the colder months, and they can also be a great dressy option. I find that I prefer to dress black jeans up rather than wear them with more relaxed outfits, but there’s no wrong way to wear them. You can easily pair black jeans with all of the shoes from above. But I prefer a black shoe with black jeans to create a more streamlined, polished look.

Black booties

The key to this look is to make sure the shaft of the booties is tall enough that you don’t see your leg. If your jeans are already long, then this won’t be an issue. If you’re wearing cropped mom jeans, this is when you’ll want to wear a skinny ankle bootie that fits into the pant. Ideally, you’ll also want a very slim fitting bootie so that your ankle doesn’t look super wide!

Any color ballet flats

I’d prefer to wear a cropped pair of mom jeans with ballet flats for a super chic (almost European) look. I’m eyeing this pair of Rothy’s ballet flats.

Sneakers

This goes without saying! Just a pair of cute fashion sneakers.

Clogs

I LOVE clogs for colder weather, and I find they look great with a slightly cropped jean. These aren’t technically “true” mom jeans (who makes the rules?) but they aren’t skinny or flare jeans so I’m including them here.

• Black heels or pumps – This is probably the simplest way to wear black mom jeans. The pair I’m wearing below is also from Abercrombie and has a fun leather moment on the bottom. My black heeled sandals are the Kia Block from Sam Edelman.

I hope this post helps you feel confident when you’re wearing mom jeans!

If it feels strange at first, that’s normal. I was so used to skinny jeans for so long that I needed a few people to affirm that mom jeans did indeed look good on me before I felt totally confident. I feel like that’s a pretty normal experience for anything that’s different than your norm: a new haircut or hair part, a new makeup look, etc. Figuring out your personal style is always a little bit of a challenge. But I hope these shoe recommendations give you a good starting point for styling your mom jeans outfits.

I always appreciate when you shop for items using the links within my blog posts! These affiliate links earn a commission which helps keep this blog running. Thank you for supporting my blog!!

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The post 5 Shoes to Wear with Mom Jeans (from an actual mom) appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

From what I’ve learned, most schools ask teachers to dress professionally, but what does that really mean anyway? Professional dress can mean formal in a corporate setting, or it can just mean that you you should look polished and put together. From what I’ve gathered, it’s the latter for teachers.

This depends on where you teach, but for the most part, black or white jeans are considered appropriate (and one of my friends mentioned that there’s an unspoken rule at her school where they wear blue jeans on Fridays). So when I was putting this post together, I focused on outfits that felt polished, neat, and conservative while still being cute and feminine.

That’s how I try to dress in my own life, actually. I’d say that my wardrobe is about 80% teacher-approved. I hope this post inspires your fall wardrobe to help rock some cute teacher outfits in the classroom this year! And while some items are splurges, they are items that will last me for years since they are timeless pieces, like denim and classic striped dresses. But I also included some Amazon and Walmart finds so you can create cute and affordable teacher outfits. And many of these will also work for business casual work outfits!

8 Cute Teacher Outfits that are Polished & Comfortable

1. Black Jeans and a White Blouse

One of the simplest outfits I put together was this white blouse paired with black jeans. The style of the jeans here is key because the little kick flare allows for any type of shoe. The most natural shoe option is a loafer since it’s a perfect shoe for a work setting, but you could easily pair these with a pair of fashion sneakers like Vejas for a more casual look.

My top is an old Walmart find, but the shape is classic and an it’s easy to find similar options. (I linked a handful of others below). The black jeans I’m wearing are a bit of a splurge, but worth every penny for the comfort and quality. They run true to size. You can also find a very similar style of kick flare jeans at J.Crew factory. My brown lugsole loafers are by Madewell. They’re expensive but will hold up for years. I’ve always found the quality of my Madewell items to be really good.

2. White Jeans and a Sleeveless Blouse

The next simple outfit I put together was with my favorite straight leg white jeans. I own white jeans from Madewell in three different styles (see them all in this white jeans review), but the straight leg fit is my favorite, by far. They look and feel more laid back than my white skinny jeans or kick flare crop pair. You can easily style straight leg white jeans with loafers, sneakers, or flats like I’ve shown below. And like the black jeans above, white jeans are a versatile option for all types of tops and blouses.

The pink sleeveless smocked top below is an Amazon find! The quality shocked me, and I’ve worn (and washed) it multiple times this past summer.

My flats were a steal I got from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. The tan color I have is mostly sold out now, but they do come in other colors.

3. Collared Shirt Dress

When thinking through teacher outfit ideas, this green sleeveless shirt dress came to mind very first since it’s a great option when it’s still hot but you want fall vibes. This would be a great option to wear on the first day since most schools start in August when it’s still sweltering. I truly LOVE everything about it from the collar to the rounded drop of the skirt, and the fact that it has pockets is an added bonus. While you may get a little chilly in this dress on its own, you could easily layer a denim jacket on top or bring a cardigan to throw on over your shoulders. This dress comes in 10 other fun colors and fits true to size. I styled it below with Madewell lugsole loafers, but you could also wear sneakers.

4. Colored jeans and a solid blouse

Next on the list are my favorite taupe colored AG Jeans paired with a simple white blouse. The jeans themselves are a GREAT teacher-approved option because the coloring is so similar to khaki. When I first ordered them, I didn’t expect to wear them as often as I have. You can style them with mules like I have below, sneakers, or even heeled sandals.

The white top I’m wearing below is from Banana Republic Factory and has such a unique shape! Unfortunately it’s from last season, so the sizing is limited. However, you can achieve the same look with any white blouse. My suede shoes are mule slides and they are SO versatile and comfortable. And they don’t annoyingly smack the ground like most mules or flip flops do. They run true to size.

5. Striped Tee and Blue Jeans

I wanted to throw in a couple casual teacher outfits since I know some schools do casual Fridays. This rainbow striped tee from Amazon is one of my favorite tops and just makes me smile. I love the bright colors and the simple fit, especially paired with blue jeans. It comes in other colorways though, if these colors aren’t your thing. I also own the green striped one.

My jeans are by MOTHER, which are worth the splurge. They’re stretchy but don’t look loose or slouchy by the end of the day, They are expensive, but you could get away with only owning 1 pair of blue jeans if it were these. They run true to size and I have a size 25. I styled this outfit with Veja velcro sneakers since it’s definitely a casual look.

6. Striped T-Shirt Dress

Another one of my go-tos for a polished yet feminine look is this striped knit stripe shirt dress. The knit material makes it the perfect option for an air conditioned classroom because it’s cozy! I wear an XS in this and it fits perfectly. Since it’s on the more expensive side, I also found a more affordable alternative.

My suede mules run true to size and go with almost every outfit.

7. Black Blouse and White Jeans

This outfit is pretty similar to the the first and second outfit I shared in this post, but I wanted to show another way to style things you likely already own. The black top I’m wearing below is from Tuckernuck, and it’s seriously a great investment. You can tell in the last photo, but the sleeves are a different material than the rest of the top, and the buttons add a nice polished detail.

My jeans are the straight leg style from Madewell and I LOVE them. The creamy white shade is less stark than the white skinny jeans from Madewell, which makes them perfect to wear year round. They run true to size. You could wear mules, flats, pumps, you name it, with this outfit, but I love how it looks paired with these white Veja sneakers.

8. Tuckernuck Shirtdress

This chambray shirtdress from Tuckernuck has been one of the most worn dresses in my closet! The linen material is lightweight and breathable, but the long sleeves make it a perfect option for an air conditioned classroom or office. I LOVE the ruffled hem and collar detail.

You could dress this up a tad with loafers or flats, but you can also get away with wearing Veja sneakers with it. While this light blue color is almost sold out, they made this style in a few colors and materials that are even more appropriate for the fall. You will love how feminine and polished you feel in this dress.

I know that Tuckernuck is pricey, but thankfully GAP has a great alternative for a great price!

I hope these outfits give you a little inspiration for things you already own, or a few things to add to your wishlist! I’ll continue to update this post throughout the fall as well.

Happy back-to-school season!

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So, to help me (and hopefully help you!), I’ve put together a series of of blog posts with my wardrobe essentials, including this spring outfit must-haves post. I also have these other posts to help you with your wardrobe:

• dresses
• tops
• jeans
• shoes
• undergarments
• winter wardrobe staples,
• pregnancy wardrobe essentials.

My hope is that these posts help you be intentional with your clothing purchases so you don’t end up with trendy pieces you wear just a few times (been there!) and also gives you the freedom to get rid of things you don’t love (my rule is “if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no.”)

Okay, back to the spring wardrobe essentials! I find that in the spring and summer months, there are a few staples I wear almost daily. For example, I want the BEST pair of denim shorts possible each year, since it seems I wear them 5 out of 7 days a week, so it’s worth taking the time to find a pair or two I love, and investing if necessary.

Here’s hoping this post helps your spring wardrobe as well as mine. Let’s dive in.

Build A Better Wardrobe: 5 Spring Must-Haves

First, let’s talk denim shorts.

Denim shorts

If I’m not in running clothes or a sundress, I’m wearing denim shorts. They’re one of the most worn items in my closet during the spring months because they go.with.everything. Here’s the thing, as a mom who’s now in her late 30’s, modest AND flattering denim shorts are hard to come by. But lucky for you, I’ve done most of the work already ;).

When styling denim shorts, there are no rules. I pair them with t-shirts, blouses, tank tops, sandals, sneakers, sweatshirts, you name it. You can wear them with ANYTHING, just like regular jeans in the colder months.

I have a very favorite pair of denim shorts:

AGOLDE Parker Long Organic Cotton Denim Shorts

This pair of denim shorts is my favorite for a few reasons. They’re stiffer, more traditional feeling shorts that stretch over time, like your favorite pair of old jeans. I love that they’re a true denim, which gets better with time. They have almost zero stretch, but they loosen out throughout the day with wear, and if you don’t wash or dry them often, they become super comfortable and baggy (in a good way). If you plan to wash and dry them after every wear, you’ll want to go up one size.

These shorts have somewhat of have a cult following because the length is SO good for us mid-thirty year olds. I’ve had Agolde shorts in the past that were FAR too short for my comfort so I ended up selling them on Poshmark. But I was THRILLED to find this longer version last year!

These shorts meet all of the same requirements as the first pair except for one:

• Not too short
• Not too tight
• High waisted
• They DO have button-fly, but I don’t hate it on this pair since it doesn’t buckle or stick out like other button-fly shorts.

The main difference between these shorts and the Madewell denim shorts I’ve ordered over the years (the shorts I own from Madewell are now unavailable, so I’m not including them in this post!) is the lack of stretch, and a little more of a structured style. If you don’t dry them each time that you wash, they stretch significantly like real denim does, but they don’t have any spandex-y stretch feeling. They’re a pricer pair at $138, but like I said, I don’t mind spending on something I wear so often.

For sizing reference, I wear my normal size 25 in these.

I first ordered a size 26, and they did fit, but since I’ve worn AGOLDE before, I know how much they loosen with a few wears in between washes. Stick with your true size if you don’t plan to wash them each wear, or go up one size if you like to wash frequently.

Grab them from ShopBop for Prime shipping and returns, or get them from Revolve (free two day shipping), or Bloomingdales.

Sandals

I have an entire post dedicated to spring/summer sandals. These are a staple for spring and summer since they’ll likely be the shoe you wear most often.

I like to have a few different options for different outfits. Grab a flat slide sandal that’s easy to throw on and a pair of heeled sandals for dates, dinners, church, or any other dressy occasion. From there, different colors and styles are fun to add to your wardrobe, but not essential.

See my favorite picks here.

Day dresses

The key for a day dress is that it’s easy to wear during a NORMAL day. This means you should be able to wear it with casual sandals or even sneakers, and you need to feel comfortable. Ask yourself, “will I be comfortable in the grocery store, carpool line, doctors office, or playing in the yard?” if so, you’ve got a great dress. Of course nicer dresses have their place (and your day dress can EASILY be dressed up for a night, extra points if so) but make sure your day dresses are something you can wear without much thought.

I got two great dresses this spring that I can wear all day (I tried) and also dress up for evenings.

Amazon Striped Maxi Dress

This maxi is under $40 and SUCH a great find. It has pockets, if you can believe it. The smocked bodice makes the sizing super forgiving, and I’m wearing a size small.

Tuckernuck Chambray Callahan Shirt Dress

This linen-y shirt dress is also a great summer option because of how lightweight is is. I will say, it’s very thin, so plan to wear a skirt slip of some kind with it. I love the polished look of the button front and collar, but the relaxed, oversized fit.

Target Linen Mini Dress

This linen blend dress from Target is only $25 and SUCH a great spring and summer staple. It’s lightweight, flattering, and has pockets. 

White sneakers

Another item I wear non-stop all spring is a pair of cute sneakers. I’m not talking about your running shoes. I mean a dedicated pair of sneakers that are cute enough to wear with the dresses above and that feel good on your feet at all times. If you get blisters from your sneakers, THROW THEM OUT! It doesn’t matter how cute they are!

I have two favorites when it comes to white sneakers. The first is a pair of leather Vejas. They’re super comfortable, durable, and cute with literally everything. I have three pair, actually. They run true to your European size.

The second pair of sneakers I love for spring is a new pair from Tory Burch. They’re less everyday, since they’re a little “nicer” and less durable than leather, but MAN are they cute. These are the Tory Burch Seaside Oxford Espadrille. They’re even cuter in person, and I plan to wear them as much as I possibly can with jeans, shorts, and dresses. The platform height makes them a little dressier than Vejas which is a nice option to have.

White jeans

My last spring staple is a pair of white jeans. I have both a cropped kick flare style and a straight leg style, and skinny pair. I find I like the straight leg style a little better.  and non-skinny pair, and I find I wear the non-skinny jeans more often. A few years ago, I ordered 15 pairs of white jeans to find the best ones-read all about that in this post.

I love that white jeans can be worn with dressy tops, but also with casual tees, sneakers, and even sweatshirts. A comfortable pair of white jeans will make a HUGE difference in your spring wardrobe, I promise!

Other staples

Of course there are more than the 5 staples above for a great spring closet, but I do think those 5 are a great place to start. My only other note for spring swaps is your purse or bag! If you carry a dark leather purse (I have a great black leather purse), I like to switch to a lighter color for spring. This is my favorite! When shopping for other spring and summer items, I always add what I find to my wishlist, which you’ll find at the bottom of this post. 

Let me know if there are other staples I should include in the comments!

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Jeans are the most versatile item in my closet for many reasons. They work for every season, they’re durable and stretch throughout the day so they’re comfortable, they’re appropriate for most occasions, and you can wear virtually ANY pair of shoes with them. I have probably a dozen pairs of jeans (distressed, bright colors, etc.), but there are three timeless pairs I grab over and over. So, if you only get three pairs of jeans, these are the ones to prioritize.

Build a Better Wardrobe: 3 Must-Have Jeans

1. Non-Skinny Jeans

While I’ll always love skinny jeans, there is something to be said about the cute mom-jean trend. And it’s been on trend for a few years so you can still get your money’s worth out of a pair. I’m petite, so I wasn’t sure how the looser fitting jeans would look on me, but I LOVE them. Not only are they flattering, they’re so comfortable. AND they look great with shoes that I typically wouldn’t wear with skinny jeans like sneakers! All of my favorite non-skinny jeans are linked in this post, but my current favorites are Abercrombie’s Ultra High Rise Ankle Straight Jeans, Joe’s Blake High Rise Crop, and FRAME Le Pixie Palazzo Jeans. If you get just ONE, I’d get the Abercrombie pair since they’re under $100 and come in tons of colors.

Here are some photos of the Abercrombie jeans.

These come in a few washes, and I actually have them in 4 different colors (some distressed, some not). Since they’re under $100, these are the jeans I always recommend to everyone. In addition, I have the “short” length and I’m 5’1″.

Outfit details

Outfit Details

Outfit Details

The Joe’s Blake pair of jeans is a very fun cropped, looser fitting style.

They’re high-rise, which I love. And they also aren’t over $200 (which is somewhat hard to find from designer jeans these days!). I got my true size. Here are some photos! P.S. they’re on sale right now!

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And the last pair I’ve been loving this season are the FRAME Le Pixie Palazzo Jeans.

The “pixie” style is the short version of FRAME’s basic Palazzo jeans, which are better if you’re taller than 5’5″ I’d say. So if you’re short like I am, go for the Pixie version.

Outfit details

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Shop all three pairs of jeans here!

2. White Jeans

White jeans are another favorite of mine. In fact, I used to only wear them in the spring and summer. But this past year I wore them a good bit in the winter too with sweaters. They also work with fun tops and casual t-shirts. The trick with white jeans is to find a pair that are REALLY flattering. I tried on 15 different pairs (seriously) before landing on the best ones: Madewell (currently on sale!). Read all about why I love them so much in this post.  I also tend to wear sandals, loafers, sneakers or wedges with them.

3. Flattering Skinny Jeans

Like I mentioned earlier, I will always love skinny jeans. While the mom-jean trend is great, skinny jeans are a classic for a reason. They’re the most flattering option with booties, boots, and heels or wedges. My favorite brands of skinny jeans are Good American or Paige! Good American has a bit more stretch (but don’t stretch out). So if you get just one, get those.

Bonus – Jean shorts

I am a HUGE fan of jean shorts for the warmer months and into the fall with sweaters. In fact, I ordered multiple pairs to try this summer and have landed on two favorites: Agolde Parker Long short and the Madewell Relaxed Jean short which is now sold out.

Here are photos of the Agolde Parker Shorts. These are much more rigid than Madewell’s and also stretch nicely throughout the day. When they get too loose, I wash and dry them. I also love that they’re a true denim short.

Outfit details

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Madewell’s shorts are always a hit each summer, and I’ll update this post when they come back in stock!

Do you have a pair of jeans in your closet you swear by?

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The post Build a Better Wardrobe: 3 Must-Have Jeans appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

While you will likely need more than just give tops in your closet, these five basics help create a timeless wardrobe that will make it a bit easier to get dressed every day. So if you’re catching up on the Build a Better Wardrobe series, check out these posts too!

• Must-have jeans
• Must-have dresses
• Must-have shoes
• Must-have undergarments
• Spring wardrobe must-haves
• Winter wardrobe must-haves
• Pregnancy wardrobe must-haves

Okay, let’s talk about tops, shall we?

5 Must-Have Tops for a Timeless Wardrobe

1. White button or blouse

No closet is complete without a classic white button-down or blouse. Not only is this a work wardrobe essential, but it can also be worn with jeans, skirts, shorts, and slacks. A white button-down has been a classic for decades. And also works for every age range. So, invest in a high-quality top that you love. It’ll be worth it. For instance, my favorite button-down for summer is a linen top from Boden. It’s a relaxed fit, so I can wear it with jeans and feel more casual. Then for the fall and winter months, I tend to go for silkier fabrics, like this.

Outfit linked here

But if you aren’t the button-down type, opt for a classic white blouse. In fact, I like a pop-over style.

Outfit linked here

My white blouse picks

2. Flattering everyday tee

My all-time favorite tees are the J. Crew Vintage cotton V-neck T-shirt. They’re so easy to throw on, comfortable, come in every color of the rainbow. And they also wash and dry easily. I also wear them with jeans, shorts, denim shorts, and long pants. They’re always on sale too! V-neck is always my favorite neckline, but choose whatever you feel best in, whether that’s a scoop neck, crew neck or a v like me!

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My everyday tee picks

3. A lightweight sweater

Every classic closet has a lightweight sweater that’s so easy to pair with lots of bottoms. I also have more than one of these. But I get good use out of all of them. I love this Michael Stars sweater. In fact, I wore it all spring because it’s so lightweight.

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My Summer Sweater Picks

4. A fun top for date night

A fun top is another closet essential for a timeless wardrobe. Moreover, I prefer a colorful print. It’s so perfect for a night out. But can also be dressed down with a simple pant. The printed top in the photos below is almost sold out, but you can check to see if it gets restocked here.

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Fun Date Night Top Picks

5. A popover top

A classic popover blouse is one of the easiest things to throw on with jeans or shorts. In fact, I got a red one years ago that I continue to wear all the time. I also love my chambray shirts. The printed top below has also become one of my most worn shirts. The print is shockingly so easy to pair with all of the jeans in my closet!

Outfit linked here

Outfit linked below

My popover top picks

Having these 5 tops in your closet will help you create many timeless outfits. What are your classic top must-haves?

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Since spring is upon us, today I’m sharing five must-have dresses that are timeless and will have you covered for nearly any event that comes up in your calendar. Dresses are a great wardrobe staple because they are a one-piece outfit. Other than shoes and accessories, you don’t have to think about your outfit too much. There are five styles of dresses that are staples in my closet because they keep me covered for basically any event: casual days as a mom, work events, date night, weddings, black tie event, I’m set. And since they are all timeless styles, I invest in quality and then wear them for years.

Let’s jump right in!

Outfit linked here

Outfit linked here

5 Must Have Dresses for a Timeless Flattering Wardrobe

1. A little black dress

The right black dress will work for all occasions – date night, dinner party, wedding. Find one that’s flattering on your body type and that you LOVE. It’s worth buying a few to try on to find what makes you feel amazing. My personal favorite is this bodycon dress with a high neck. It’s so chic and sexy without being too revealing.

Below are a few other fun options for little black dresses. Invest in a good one and you’ll be able to wear it year after year.

Similar dress  + exact champagne clutch + exact red lipstick

2. A fun summer dress

Easy and breezy are best for summer, as long as they’re still flattering! This puff sleeve dress is ideal because of the smocking on the front that gives it shape! Throw on a pair of wedges and it’s perfect for a dinner or fancier lunch date. If you’re only buying one fun summer dress, get something versatile so that you can wear it a few different ways with shoes or accessories. The goal here is something that’s easy and comfortable to wear. (See my favorite neutral sandals here!)

I like to wear dresses for work (even now when I work from home) since I feel put together the rest of the day.  This is the one type of dress that I tend to replace more frequently than the rest since it gets worn the most often.

Outfit linked here

3. A day-to-night casual dress

If you work in an office, you probably already own a few work dresses. I had multiple tailored, suit dresses when I worked in Corporate America. But I also really like shirt dresses for the office because they’re comfortable and can be dressed up with the right shoes or a blazer. Or, if you pick a simpler dress with a collar, it can easily go from day to night as well with a shoe change and perhaps a brighter pop of lipstick.

Outfit details here

4. A day-to-night maxi

I LOVE this blue gingham dress. The key to a great day-to-night dress is truly making sure it’s comfortable enough for the day. One or two spring or summer maxis are great wardrobe staples.

Outfit here

5. A flattering gown for black tie events

Get one you LOVE that you’ll wear over and over again and you won’t have to pay Rent the Runway fees for every nice event. I’ve had a Lulu’s dress for years and always pull it out for black tie events!

Similar gown

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5 Must-Have Undergarments for Women

1. Classic T-Shirt Bra 

My favorite bras of all time are by Third Love. Their sizing is much more detailed than other brands (they have half cup sizes!!), they make lot of styles, they’re comfortable and they have a great return policy. The straps on their bras are the only kind that don’t slide off my shoulders. I have a variety of styles from Third Love, but if you need a classic everyday bra, go for the Classic T-shirt Bra.  I’ve had these bras for years and I still love them just as much as I did when I first tried them (although, really, I probably should replace them more often).

2. Strapless Bra

This is the perfect strapless bra. A really good-fitting strapless bra is an essential in any woman’s closet, so I don’t mind that this one is a little pricey. I recommend having a nude one and a black one, but if you prioritize just one, get one color closest to your skin tone. I haven’t tried Third Love’s strapless bra since I like this one so much, but I DO want to try theirs to compare. A strapless bra also works if you don’t have a racerback bra. (For open back tops or dresses, go for a sticky bra!)

Outfit Details

3. Bralette

I don’t really have the option of going braless, but sometimes I want something more comfortable than an underwire bra or something with more structure. This and this are my go-to’s. If you get a cute lacy one, it can also layer well under some tanks.

4. Undies

I swear by Hanky Panky thongs. They only come in one size so you don’t have to worry about them fitting correctly. (Well mostly. Their high-waisted thongs do NOT work on me.) But, their classic thongs have converted even my thong-hating friends. They’re on the pricey end too, so I always add one pair of each of my Nordstrom orders or into my Trunk Club so I don’t have to buy $100 worth of underwear at once.

But, sometimes a thong just isn’t going to sound appealing. I love these seamless comfortable hipster panties under shorts or dresses where you can’t easily detect a line. Because even the most seamless undies will still show a line if they’re not a thong!

5. No show socks

The best no-show socks I’ve found are actually by Lululemon. They have grippy stripes on the heel so they don’t slip off, and they’ve held up for a good while. I won’t say they last forever, but I get a year’s worth of use out of them I feel like. They are also on the pircey end, but I’m happy I have them when I’m in need of no-shows. I also really like Bombas no-show socks.

I wear these socks with my cute sneakers (not running shoes), or booties that have short shafts.

Outfit details

Pregnancy Undergarments

Okay, what about pregnancy undergarments? I’ve got you covered. You can see more of my pregnancy wardrobe must have here.

Sports Bra 

I ran throughout my entire pregnancy, including the day I went to the hospital! I wore this bra non-stop during pregnancy, and I’ve continued to love it for running now that I’m breastfeeding. It’s cheaper than most sports bra, so I didn’t mind buying a larger size every couple of months and the straps make it great postpartum for breastfeeding.

Nursing Bra

This Spanx nursing bra is AMAZING. I wish I had found it earlier than I did. It also works well during pregnancy since it’s stretchy and will accommodate your growing breasts (very common throughout pregnancy). Third Love also has a nursing bra I want to try!

Maternity undershorts

These maternity shorts are a MUST under dresses!! Shapewear is misleading since I think of Spanx and they’re far more comfortable and forgiving than spanx shorts. They prevent chafing and just made it so much more comfortable to wear dresses, even in the hot humid South. I had a nude pair and a black pair, and sometimes just wore a long shirt with the black pair since they look like biker shorts.

I’m wearing the nude pair under this dress.

I hope this post helps you find a few new undergarment essentials for your wardrobe! They may not be the most fun purchase, but since you wear them every single day, it’s only right that you love them!

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