Soccer Mom Chic

Soccer Mom Chic is my definition of what comfortable, sophisticated, stylish and REAL LIFE fashion should be.

If you aren't in your early twenties, or don't weigh 100lbs anymore, you know what i'm talking about when I say functional and figure-flattering is key!  You want to look cute, but you want to be comfortable too.  And you want to look your age, not like you walked off the page of InStyle.....because, let's be real: that stuff is out of place in everyday life.

Putting Yellow & bright Turquoise together is one of my favorite Summer looks.   If you're feeling bold, magenta is a nice complement as an accent color.  Love this yellow t maxi dress!

I love the idea of pairing an updated comfy tee with a flowy maxi skirt, trendy jewelry, and sandals.  I adore the Coral-y hot Pink color of this maxi skirt mixed with the bracelet set--- somehow the whole look just works.

This Navy and White floral top (from asos.com, less than $60!!) and pale Yellow cotton capris have such a fresh look when mixed with a few pretty accessories--- Emerald teardrop earrings, a straw clutch, and a floral enamel bracelet.   I think a basic neutral catch-all bucket bag is a Summer must-have too!

How cute are these little embellished "mouse" flats?   It's eclectic accessories like this that can really make the outfit:)   This lightweight silk bird print top is perfect paired with some comfy skinny jeans.

Shorts are a basic summer essential, but it can be SO hard to find ones that fit well without being super short!  These little polka dot shorts from JCrew are my favorite-- the right length with a fun pattern to keep them from being too preppy.   The melon cross-body bag and white sleeveless shirt give it an artsy-bohemian feel that I really dig.

The perfect blazer is such a classic wardrobe staple --- and this bright coral blazer with the rolled cuffs is a youthful, updated version.   It is so cute mixed with black skinny capris and turquoise and gold accents.   And every girl needs a black "birkin" bag!

Maxi dresses are super comfortable, and they can be very figure-friendly too.   A simple belt can add structure and shape to a dress, and a great tote really balance out the proportions of the long skirt.

I am obsessed with this bright Pink bow top!!   I love the babydoll look, and the fact that it's preggers-friendly makes it even cuter ;-)   White skinny jeans make it a little more modern, and the gold gladiator style sandals ground the whole look.

I don't have kids yet (hopefully we will be blessed to grow our family sometime in the near future!), but I've adopted the Soccer Mom Chic as my own personal uniform.   I figure, why not get some advance practice? lol

Fashion magazines should be inspiration for your every-day style---- not copycat material.  Form + Function = Soccer Mom Fashion :-)

Fabulous Summer Finds for $100 or Less

I'm a big believer that things don't have to be expensive in order to be cute.   Even though I was born with disproportionately expensive tastes, I love finding adorable designer look-a-likes almost as much as I love the real thing.  

I regularly wear my favorite designers right next to things like a  $4.99 ring that I bought at H&M.   I guess in my head, the inexpensive item balances out the other when it comes to the overall budget of the whole outfit!   It sounds funny, but if you think about it, mixing the "cheap" with the "chic" does make sense.   Saving money by carefully integrating some more affordable pieces into your wardrobe gives you more money to spend on the rest of your look!  

$100 should be MORE than enough when it comes to a single piece of fashion--- although judging by a lot of high-end price tags, I don't think designers got the memo.   You should be able to strike a balance between style, fashion trends, and quality in the >$100 price range.   Sometimes you have to search beyond Forever21 and H&M, but if you look hard enough, you can find stylish additions for your wardrobe for less than $100.  

Here are some of my favorites for Summer:

Bracelets

1. Black & White Harlequin Bangle, $15 (available at amazon.com)
2. Gold Stud Stretch Bracelet, $59 (available at stelladot.com)
3. Yellow Leather Wrap Bracelet, $59 (available at styleserver.de)
4. Navy and White Enamel Stripe Bangle, $30 (available at jcrew.com)
5. Faux Tortoise-Shell Stretch Bracelet, $4.88 (available at debenhams.com)
6. Anabel's Chunky Pink Acrylic Cuff, $23 (available at fantasyjewelrybox.com)
7. Horseshoe Clap Woven Leather Bracelet, $32 (available at susanb.com)

Dresses

1. Pleated Ivory Strap Dress, $56 (available at romwe.com)
2. Floral Belted Dress, $90 (available at oasis-stores.com)
3. Taupe Ruffle Strap Sun Dress, $56 (available at misselfridge.com)
4. Strapless Blue & White Floral Dress, $40 (available at hm.com)
5. Coral Bandeau Dippy Hem Maxi, $65 (available at misselfridge.com)
6. Bohemian Floral Chiffon Maxi, $43 (available at sheinside.com)
7. Pale Yellow Tuxedo Ruffle Sun Dress, $20 (available at allyfashion.com)
8. Monrow Maxi Tank Dress, $74 (available at farfetch.com)
9. 2 in 1 White & Coral Criss Cross Dress, $35 (available at allyfashion.com)
10. Striped Corset Top Clover Dress, $63 (available at bankfashion.co.uk)

Earrings

1. Khloe's Crystal Blue Pear Earrings, $23 (available at fantasyjewelrybox.com)
2. Alvina Abramova Blue Opal Earrings, $50 (available at maxandchloe.com)
3. Crystal Beaded Gold Hoop Earrings, $38 (available at fantasyjewelrybox.com)
4. Peach Caviar Stud Earrings, $12 (available at modcloth.com)
5. Pink Seedbead Knot Earrings, $9.09 (available at asos.com)
6. Vanessa Mooney Bright Multi Wafer Disc Hoops, $42 (available at stefanibags.com)
7. Moschitto Filigree Resin Earrings
8. Friis & Co Gold Fly Earrings, $23 (available at welikefashion.com)

Tops

1. White Bow-Front Blouse, $24 (available at janenorman.co.uk)
2. Aqua V-back Sun Tank, $46 (available at topshop.com)
3. French Connection Matelot Tank Top, $52 (available at welikefashion.com)
4. Element Kaleidescope Tank, $24 (available at tillys.com)
5. Mustard Yellow Bow-tie Open Back Tank, $44 (available at misselfridge.com)
6. Navy Cotton Button Camisole with Bow, $50 (available at hollisterco.com)
7. Teal Tanager Tank, $49 (available at patagonia.com)
8. Cotton Colorblock Tee, $45 (available at oasis-stores.com)
9. Polka Dot Chiffon Bow-neck Blouse, $21 (available at hm.com)

Necklaces

1. Stella & Dot Turquoise Rope Necklace, $59 (available at stelladot.com)
2. Sakdidet Road Feather Necklace, $49 (available at harveynichols.com)
3. Haberdash House Resin Chain Necklace, $40 (available at hannahzakari.co.uk)
4. Chunky Stone Necklace, $40 (available at talbots.com)
5. Pow Pendant Necklace, $11 (available at asos.com)
6. Miso Nude Acrylic Bead Necklace, $19 (available at republic.co.uk)
7. Green Tessellate Necklace, $85 (available at jcrew.com)
8. Kenneth Jay Lane Red Spike Necklace, $80 (available at charmandchain.com)
9. Brass Little Bird Necklace, $24 (available at peopletree.co.uk)

Shorts

1. 3" Pink Chino Cotton Short, $45 (available at jcrew.com)
2. DVF 1974 Miggy Shorts, $57 (available at boutique1.com)
3. Lipsy Lace Shorts, $57 (available at bankfashion.co.uk)
4. Yellow Chino Cotton Short, $45 (available at jcrew.com)
5. Paul & Joe High Waist Yellow Shorts, $60 (available at boutique1.com)
6. Mini Delicious Apple Shorts, $55 (available at jcrew.com)
7. White Cotton Sateen Bermuda Shorts, $29 (available at mango.com)
8. Green Bungalow Stripe Shorts, $60 (available at jcrew.com)
9. Purple Stretch Twill Short, $50 (available at jcrew.com)

Shoes

1. DVF Lush Rubber Flip Flops, $50 (available at theoutnet.com)
2. DV by Dolce Vita Archer, $69 (available at zappos.com)
3. Nine West "Laffnplay" Wedge Sandals, $89 (available at macys.com)
4. France Leather Link Flat Sandal, $64 (available at asos.com)
5. Nine West Nancita Flip Flop, $45 (available at endless.com)
6. Steve Madden Tampaa Wedge, $90 (available at stevemadden.com)
7. Metallic Trimmed Thong Sandal, $15 (available at forever21.com)
8. Harley Plaited Gold Sandals, $44 (available at topshop.com)
9. Tassle T-Strap Thong Sandal, $13 (available at myhotshoes.com)
10. Seychelles Midas Touch, $95 (available at zappos.com)

Bags

1. Urban Expressions Wood-handled Cloth Bag, $45 (available at dsw.com)
2. Warehouse Straw Shopper, $51 (available at asos.com)
3. Yellow Stripe Beach Shopper, $39 (available at wallisfashion.com)
4. Kelly & Kate Two-Toned Straw Tote, $40 (available at dsw.com)
5. Coral Double-Pocket Clutch, $50 (available at oasis-stores.com)
6. Bird Print Chain Clutch, $23 (available at asos.com)
7. Color Block Cross Body Bag, $25 (available at wallisfashion.com)
8. G. Corazon6 Patent Top Handle Bag, $80 (available at mango.com)
9. Sailor Tote, $20 (available at forever21.com)
10. Hard-Framed Straw Satchel, $40 (available at dsw.com)


The time to get the best selection for Summer is NOW---- so get shopping!