outerwear – Everyday Mom Style

Hi friends, and happy Friday! For today’s post I decided today to focus on outwear.

Since so many of us are running errands all day- dashing in and out of the car from one shop to the next we might actually never even take our coats off!

That being said, it’s easy to look dated and frumpy in a coat- and it’s also easy to look pulled together, so basically it’s your choice!

How much do you really care? For me- I care, only because I feel better when I feel pulled together. I feel more energized, more spunky (I know, stupid word- but I couldn’t think of anything else to say!) and I just feel polished.

When I’m out running errands dressed in frumpy clothes- I honestly feel like I don’t get as good of service as when I have put a little effort into my look. Call it superficial, but in my opinion, it’s true.

Let’s look at my photos. In my ‘before’ look I am wearing this enormous shapeless coat (which actually is my hubby’s) but I wanted to show you a before picture of a coat that is so large it literally is overwhelming me- making me look far larger than I am. The baggy jeans and Uggs (while incredibly comfortable) are also adding to the frumpy look.

In my ‘after’ shot you’ll notice I replaced the baggy, frumpy jeans for my skinnies. I know, I know, you want to be comfortable. I hear ya! But let me tell you, these skinny jeans are truly the most comfortable pair of jeans I have EVER owned. The brand is Madewell- and I don’t know how they do it- but the cotton is so incredibly soft and stretchy, these jeans feel like yoga pants! I promise.

I’ve also replaced the ugly Uggs with my Frye boots. Again, I hear ya, you’re running errands and on your feet all day and you want to be comfortable. I feel your pain! It is so important for me to be comfortable too! By investing in these more expensive boots, I have made an investment into my foot comfort. These Frye boots are so comfy that I could wear them all day and my feet will not hurt. Plus, they look so much more stylish than the Uggs, don’t you think?

Lastly- my coat. This coat is such an improvement over the one on the right- simply because rather than swallow me up- it emphasizes my shape- while keeping me nice and toasty. The best part? I bought this coat at Target! It’s perfect for me because it covers my butt (which is essential both for keeping warm and for when wearing skinny jeans) and because of the cute belt. A belt on a coat is a must- it helps define your waist and makes you look more polished.

Finally, since this outfit is so devoid of personality (and color) I added this gorgeous bright scarf. It completes the look- and adds a nice focal point for the outfit.

Here are some good examples I pulled from Zappos. All of these coats are cute, but in my opinion, the belted ones are more flattering.

This is the same model as above, but doesn't she look a lot thinner in this belted coat? — This is the same model as above, but doesn’t she look a lot thinner in this belted coat?

Again, same model as above- the belted coat just makes her look thinner.

I’ve been asked a few times to do a post on outerwear- and now that it has turned really cold in Seattle, I figured it’s time!

The important thing about outerwear for me is that since I live in a cold, wet climate- I need a coat that will not only keep me warm, but also keep me dry. This Greta coat from North Face is my favorite!

Look for a coat that fits well- and doesn’t look enormous on you! One with a belt is a great idea- because it emphasizes your waist- reducing bulk. I also like having my butt covered- so the length is important! And lastly, a hood is a must!

It’s cute to pair your coat with something sleek and skinny underneath- and a cute pair of boots always finishes off your look!