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Back to School Style

Mere moments after the Fourth of July displays were taken down and the star-shaped ice cube trays finally cleared off the shelves, the retailers have been pushing back-to-school items. Nonsense, I muttered under my breath, it’s just barely the beginning of summer. How could I possibly start thinking about school already? Planning the kids’ wardrobe is complicated enough, what with balancing style and launderability; I’m certainly not ready to start thinking about my own sartorial persona for the school year!

And yet we find ourselves in the beginning of August, and while the weather certainly will feel summery for a couple months more, the new school year is fast approaching. (Before Labor Day in our district! How uncivilized.) It’s still a bit early to snap up corduroys, fleece and cable-knit tights, but it’s never too soon to plan your attack. And in the case of mommy clothes, I have to decide who I want to be at the pick-up line!

Cute-But-Not-Trying-Too-Hard Mommy: The balance I search for. Excellent jeans, a dynamite ballet flat, and a darling little jacket over a floaty patterned top. As the weather cools, she’ll switch to a fitted turtleneck tunic and a swingy wool peacoat, with a gorgeous leather boot with just enough heel to make her legs look a mile long. Lovely leather hobo bag holds the occasional diaper and bag of Goldfish without advertising it. Runs errands while the kids are at school, but stops for a cup of coffee with a friend and possibly a buzz through the mall for a quick peek at this week’s new arrivals.

Way-Glamorous-I-Hate-Her Mommy: Decked. High shoes, elegant and possibly dry-clean-only trousers or even a pencil skirt with a great blouse, stylishly cut jacket, to-die-for accessories that take her ensemble to the next level. Trim patent clutch bag is a dead giveaway that she’s not plodding through the supermarket this morning holding onto someone’s hand. Full, flawless makeup (lipstick!) and delightfully frizz-less hair. Far too busy to sign up for mystery reader, the stay-at-homes look wistfully at her as some sort of exotic creature they don’t quite understand.

Cookie-Baking-Adorable Mommy: Preppy to a fault, but classic. Bright colors and simple silhouettes like chinos, a cute tee and a great cable knit in washable fabrics (ok, the occasional cashmere sweater) with chic yet practical shoes say she’s devoted to her brood, but not so overwhelmed that she’s forgotten how to coordinate. Always signs up to bring a (homemade!) snack to the class party and coordinate the teachers’ gifts; makes some mothers feel like they’re not doing enough.

Sporty Mommy: Always shows up in yoga pants, trainers and a track jacket. (Which is not to say a velour track suit!) Minimal makeup, simple ponytail, sunglasses on top of head. Cute yoga bag and color-coordinated iPod on front seat of hybrid. May or may not have just come from the gym, but implies she takes herself as importantly as her kids. Guaranteed to serve organic lunchbox snacks.

Schlumpy Mommy: Races in late for drop-off and pick-up in baggy jeans and a sweatshirt, usually with unlaced sneakers. Never made up, probably wearing her husband’s corporate-logo fleece jacket, she’s crazy like a fox: no one EVER asks her to help out with the fundraiser, book drive or class photo day. Dresses to kill on weekends.

Whomever I choose to be, however, I have to let my children have personalities of their own. For little boys this season, I’m loving the skater/preppy hybrid at crewcuts: untucked button-down shirts with logo tees on top, over dark wash straight denim or five-pocket corduroys. And if I can get my son into them, I also love sweaters: striped, zip-neck, or even a collegiate-looking cardigan. (Can’t hurt his rep with the teachers to have him looking smart, right?) Don’t want to get too stiff, so I will keep the edges a little rumpled (I am NOT ironing shirts for my four-year-old!) and the footwear a bit funky. My son loves tees, though, so I’m always on the hunt for great graphics that don’t advertise superheroes or japanimation.

It’s always easier to shop for girls, since the options are nearly endless. Nonetheless, I can still spend hours searching for just the right things for my little princess. I adore the skinny jean and its cousin the skinny cord with little ballet flats or Mary Janes and a trapeze-y sweater. Bright jewel-toned colors are as in for kids this year as for the mommies. I’m picking up a couple of dazzling print jumpers that she can layer with short sleeves in the beginning of the school year and turtlenecks and sweaters and tights or jeans as the temps cool.

And just in case I can find a sitter for the classroom cocktail party, I’ll be sure to snap up a darling little dress with funky details in a rich deep color and killer platform Mary Janes for myself. There has to be life after bedtime, right?

Now get out there and enjoy the warm sunshine while your schedule is still wide open! You can always shop after the sun sets.

xoxo,

Pretty Mama

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Calling all New York area She She Girls!
(Hey! It's worth making the trip darlings!)

Last Chance Sale!
August 11 – 24

Tracy Reese
641 Hudson Street
(between Hudson & Gansevoort Streets)

212.807.0505

Receive an additional 10% off merchandise
already marked down 40 – 60%

In-store event

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