Motherhood Style
8.5.2019
Being a mom is just about the coolest job around. So of course, your style should be just empowered as you are.
Whether it’s a boss kimono, leather biker jacket, or jumpsuit that goes from day to night, ROW DTLA interviews three stylish moms who do it all and look good doing it. Meet Bess Wyrick, Head of Marketing at ROW DTLA, Carla Santiago, Co-Founder of UNCMMN, and Devon Kisgen, Marketing and Events consultant.
I love design and I love fashion, so being stylish is a way to be creative. It’s an outlet! But when I get dressed in the mornings I really only have one chance at pulling a stellar outfit together, because as soon as Daisy is up, it is all about getting her fed, dressed and out the door to school.
It’s individual, artistic, and non-mass produced. I have a knack for mixing polished pieces with cool, trendy ones.
Yes, I am loving the cozy capes, bright yellows, long spring dresses with bold patterns, and of course, oversized bags! I have so many huge bags from my time in NY; it’s fun to pull them out and use them for work, the gym, or Daisy’s diaper bag. Only problem is I’m always losing my wallet and keys!
I love Blake Lively for her sophisticated boho vibes, and Kate Middleton for her effortless elegance. If I could dress from both of their closets, I would never get to work on time.
Not really… At least not in large department stores. That has been true since I was a kid. I never enjoyed browsing endlessly for items, and then cramming into a small dressing room with a circus mirror to try on clothes. When I shop, I generally have one item in mind that I need and hit smaller boutique stores that are curated for my item. That’s why shopping at ROW DTLA is awesome, because when I need shoes I go see Jay at Bodega. Or if I need a new silk dress, I head to Erica Tanov’s store. And when I need a new purse or accessory, I am at Poketo. Almost all of the retailers here have helped my style since being postpartum. I finally fit into one of those adorable jumpers from Galeria LA last month, and I wore it to one of our broker dinners.
I think it’s changed more as I’ve gotten older. There are lots of cute baby-doll dresses and rompers in my closet from my 20s that I know I’m not going to wear again. I really need to adopt the Marie Kondo method, but I haven’t yet because everything in my closet still sparks joy. My style is hopefully becoming more elegant and chic over time, but I still like pink and some frills.
No, I think the opposite. When you have a newborn and are feeding all day long, I never cared about being covered. I cared more about making sure my baby was eating, bonding, and getting the care she needed. Anyone that came to visit me, I simply told them it’s my home, and if I needed to breastfeed or pump, they could leave if they were uncomfortable. Same went for my style–I wore loose clothes, button-ups, and dresses that gave me easy access for feeding.
Once I became a mom, I realized I was the newest member of a club and other moms gave me high-fives, smilled, and told me I was radiant. It was the non-moms that stared or looked uncomfortable.
I so want to be that mom that is organized enough to plan that out, but I am just not. We will dress in similar colors and hues at times, but it’s really more on accident when that happens. Daisy has a playful and fun-loving attitude, so she loves flowy dresses and walking barefoot. Sometimes I try to match her spirit more than anything.
Turns out you can’t lose 45 lbs by scrolling through instagram and wondering why you don’t look like all the babes and models. It took 10 months to gain, and 13 months to lose, with a few pounds more to go. This is not my normal body, but I am learning to love it in its current iteration. The changes have been all over, from my hips to my chest. I do not fit into most of my pre-baby clothes and don’t expect to, but I do expect to love myself and the shape that I have. Every day is a work in progress of self love and pride.
When it comes to clothes you wear on the daily, what’s most important to you (value, versatility, fashion, etc.)?
Since becoming a mom, I stopped wearing black and almost always reach for color and silk.
Yes! I traded in all my NY blazers for kimonos a few years back. I love to throw printed dusters over a bright top and jeans. Kimonos are usually made from light, airy fabric and come in all sorts of beautiful patterns, colors and details. You can wear absolutely anything you want underneath. If you are looking for an original update, then go for a kimono jacket. It’s something you can incorporate into any kind of outfit.
A silk dress! Hands down, silk is my easy, slip-on go-to style. It’s beautiful, makes me feel good, and the textures and colors are always so vibrant and fun. Plus, Daisy loves to play with the extra fabric. If I could afford the entire resort collection of Shahida Parides, I would. I have several of Erica Tanov’s summer silk dresses from last year that have also been amazing for my transitioning body.
Give yourself some grace! You just gave birth to a human, so allow your body and mind to live happily within its current state. Maternity clothes are fine for months after the baby is born! Be kind to yourself. It’s a challenge. I have to remind myself of that every time I put on an outfit. I tell myself I am a dedicated mom, I am a working mom, and I am doing the best I can at being all those things and still being a wife. So when I realized that my husband thought I was a hero for birthing our baby, I began to let up on the self-doubt and accept my shape.
It is definitely important for me. I’ve loved clothes and fashion since being a little girl. But more importantly, I like to express myself through what I wear, and I feel better and more confident when I look and feel my best.
Confidence is feeling like the best version of yourself. When you are happy with your outfit, you’re confident in how you look, and that confidence allows you to conquer the day.
I would say I’m all over the board and like to switch it up, which keeps it more fun. Lately though, my style has been more classic/chic, yet comfortable. But I also like to mix in some girly styles, too. Like bohemian and prairie dresses… Bring on the lace and ruffles when I’m in the mood!
Sneakers! So glad they are so stylish now, because I was pregnant for the past nine months while also keeping up with two rambunctious girls. It was so nice to wear shoes that were stylish, yet super functional.
Dressing like a mom means being prepared for anything. You gotta have pockets to carry Hatchimals, My Little Ponies, sunglasses, and snacks for the kiddos. It will probably get dirty, so make sure it’s machine washable, too.
Just once. No time for such luxuries while getting the kiddos ready and out the door for school.
Either online, or in those brief moments when I’m by myself.
Umm, yes! I LOVE shopping for clothes. I could shop everyday for myself and the kiddos if I could afford it. LOL.
Absolutely. I spend a lot of time with them now that I mostly work from home, so I count on easy pieces like casual jumpsuits and dresses (one-and-done pieces) that are comfortable and versatile–pieces that can be dressed up or down very easily. They look great with sneakers, but also can be worn out for a date night by throwing on heels and a leather biker jacket.
Not really. Maybe during the day for school pick-up, but I don’t cover up just because I’m a mom.
Never thought I would be that mom, but I actually love it! It is so fun and there are so many great brands making “mommy and me” these days. My husband will not get involved though lol… Just me and the littles.
There are tons of changes to my body, but mostly what impacts you is being pregnant and then being a nursing mom. You can’t wear about 80% of your closet, because it either doesn’t fit when you are pregnant or it isn’t nursing friendly. And I usually breastfeed for over a year, so that’s almost two years of not being able to wear all of your clothes. Very frustrating for a person who loves her closet!
Versatility, style, comfort.
Yes! I love leather biker and denim jackets, birkenstocks (I hated these growing up and in college, but love my rose gold ones now!), cozy cardigans, jumpsuits, and great graphic tees with skirts.
Don’t feel that because you are pregnant or a new mom that you have to forego fashion and style. Some of my favorite outfits were put together, while I was pregnant. These days there are so many great options, so have fun with it!
I love using my style to express my mood. Being stylish is about more for me than it is for others; it’s about being creative.
Putting in my contacts so I can actually see? LOL! Heels make me feel confident because I’m short.
Eclectic.
Gold chains.
Hmm, I pick and choose from various people. There’s no one person I adore.
Yoga pants, and sweater plus sneakers.
Once.
Online, but if I go with kids, I’m prepared for the worst.
With my daughter, yes!
Yes, fewer super high heels.
Not necessarily.
I like matching colors, but not the whole outfit.
I don’t wear two-piece bathing suits that show off my stomach.
Versatility!
I have three cable-knit sweaters I love; you can dress them up and dress them down.
Weekends, it’s yoga pants and a sweater. Weekdays, jeans and cute top plus flashy shoes.
Find clothing that is comfortable and practical, yet nice. Looking nice will make you feel better, and it doesn’t have to take too much time.