You said Mom Jeans?

I used to be very fashion conscious, I paid attention to trends, even as a girl I watched the styles (okay it may have been Brady Bunch, but still I watched) and kept up with my fashion rags (Seventeen, Tiger Beat and in my later years MTV videos).  In the 70's I owned me some leather boots, gauchos, ponchos, I was as stylish as any young girl could be.  In the 80's I was just as stylish, though my mother would strongly disagree. I rocked the mall hair, I wore the brightest biking shorts, had an Izod in every color,  light pink pumps (with socks) and I owned all jeans that were acid washed.  Even in the 90's I wore the turtle necks, plaid skirts and some tights to death.  Before that in college I had my whole grunge flannels, body suits, jean shorts and boots with baggy socks.  Looking back I want to laugh but at the time - I knew what style was, and I had it!

I don't really understand what happened to my stylish ways, but I do have my suspicion and I am pretty sure it started as soon as that little pink line appeared on my pregnancy test.  After my son was born, or more so when I got pregnant I found fashion less enticing and baby gear more exciting.  As my pregnancy abdomen grew (and all of my other parts) my fashion sense left.  Not to put the blame on the baby in my womb, it looked as if my unborn son was not only feeding off my nutrients but he was also taking my style with him too.

My first major faux paux was maternity clothes, I have the pictures to prove it.  It took me a long time to actually start showing, and the style in '99 was not very forgiving to those that were pregnant.  I took it upon myself to just borrowing my mother's clothes to wear, instead of investing in some cute maternity clothes.  Now, not to be mean to my mom but she was a tad bit older and we did NOT dress the same.  I still recall the turquoise dress with flowers all over it that I wore to a party, only to have my sister, her boyfriend AND my husband all claim it was hideous.  I also thought by buying larger sizes I would look better....bad idea, I mean they make maternity clothes for a reason - they fit in the all the right places. 

Staying home with a baby meant I just did not have the time to shop for clothes - I was too busy buying cute outfits for my son.  I also figured, I don't work anymore so what is the point?   I know it's no picnic getting up in the middle of the night, or near impossible to get 3 people out of the house by 8 am, without one still being in their sweats.  I just never thought I would have to decide whether to do my hair or to drink coffee in the mornings.  Who knew that you can shave off 30 minutes by not doing your hair and make up?

Another issue I had, and I am sure I am not alone, was my willingness to leave the house and not shower.  The worst part was I did not even care, I mean who had I become? When my children were babies I could leave the house in baggy sweats, hair in some pony tail (or just under a baseball hat) and barley brush my teeth.  How did me nurturing my children make me lose the ability to stay clean? 

After my son was born I was known to wear baggy jeans, old jeans, maternity jeans - if they were clean I wore them.  These were not stylish jeans....no siree, I was sporting some ugly jeans, and if they completely covered my pre-baby belly - then I would wear them.  My sister actually had to explain the whole "designer" jean thing to me after my daughter was born (that was three long years in old levi's).  She looked me up and down one day and then she sat me down and said, "You are wearing Mom Jeans.....we need to go shopping."

That conversation we had was almost six years ago gave me a wake up call for sure.  My sister saved me, and I am happy to say I sort of have it together on most days.  I have a few select classic outfits and I do keep some "trendy" pieces in my wardrobe.  I am trying to not look like slob as I run my kids to school in the mornings, and most days I can pull it off.  I no longer looked like a fashion reject from 1996, and I have my dignity sporting my own designer jeans....well some days I keep it together. 

The silver lining (if there is one) is that I know am not alone, I know there are more mom's out there just like me.  Just take a quick gander around the park, your next play date or better yet the PTA meeting.  Or look in the  mirror - you know who you are, you may have lost your style too.  Not to worry, if there is hope for me then there is for you too, and trust me no one should be wearing the Mom Jeans. 

Originally posted at SVMoms. Jamie can also be found writing about running a business and raising her two children, but not fashion, at JPD Mom.