mom wearing mother bootcut jeans, minimal sandals, tank and neutral cardigan

Elevated Mom Style: Simple Outfit Formulas I Actually Rewear

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After having my second daughter, my body went through a lot of changes. Between pregnancies, postpartum, hormones, fitness, and weight fluctuations, I completely lost my sense of style for a while.

I went from loving fashion and having fun getting dressed… to dreading it.

At the same time, I also started questioning my shopping habits. I got tired of constantly buying trendy clothes that didn’t actually fit my lifestyle, my body, or this season of life. I didn’t want a closet full of impulse purchases I barely wore before eventually donating.

Somewhere along the way, getting dressed stopped feeling fun and started feeling frustrating.

So instead of trying to reinvent myself overnight, I started simplifying how I get dressed. Rebuilding my elevated mom style has been a process of learning how to put outfits together in a way that feels comfortable, flattering, realistic, and still like me.

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Editing Your Closet, Little By Little

I’ve also been slowly cleaning out my closet and trying to shop more intentionally instead of impulse buying pieces that end up sitting there with the tags still attached. It’s been a process, but I finally feel like I’m building a wardrobe that actually fits my real life.

This reel was one of the first times I talked about simplifying my closet and rebuilding my style after motherhood.

@sweetswithjules

Most closet resets fail because you try to do too much at once. ✅ Step 1 — Take it all out. Every single thing. You need to see what you’re working with. ✅ Step 2 — Donate anything that’s an instant no. Not a maybe. An instant no. Don’t overthink it. ✅ Step 3 — Hang up your favorites first. The ones you reach for every week. Those go front and center. Everything else? Those are your maybes. Hang them in the back or a separate section. If you haven’t worn them in a few months — they go too. The secret to not burning out: don’t try to decide everything at once. Wear pieces you haven’t seen in a while over the next few weeks. You’ll know immediately if it fits right, if you love it, or if it needs to go. Purge a little at a time until you have the perfect closet. No trying on everything in one afternoon. No decision fatigue. Just a slow intentional edit that actually sticks. Reset. Don’t restart. 🌸 Follow me for real resets that don’t require a free weekend. #closetreset #springcleaning #momlife #simpleroutines #resetwithjules

♬ So Fresh, So Clean (Instrumental) – Outkast

Intentional Shopping > Impulse Shopping

I stopped buying things just because they were cute and started focusing on outfit formulas and closet staples I could actually rewear. Pieces that worked for school pickup, errands, travel days, dinner, and everyday life.

I also got more honest with myself while shopping. Just because something is trendy doesn’t mean it works for my body or my lifestyle. And listen… I will not be participating in the giant dad jorts trend 😂 I’m sorry. I can’t do it. The knee-length denim shorts, tube socks, and giant sneakers are just not for me.

At this point in my life, I want outfits that feel comfortable, elevated, flattering, and realistic for being a busy mom.

I’m buying less, choosing better pieces, and trying to create a wardrobe that actually works for me instead of buying things for some imaginary version of my life.

As I figure out my elevated mom style again in this season of life, I wanted to share some of the outfits I genuinely love and actually wear on repeat. I’m far from a stylist, but if this post helps another mom feel a little more confident getting dressed, then it was worth making.

Elevated Mom Style

Everyday Elevated Basics

mom wearing mother bootcut jeans, minimal sandals, tank and neutral cardigan
elevated mom style with mother jeans and neutral cardigan

What I’m Wearing

Why I Love It

This outfit always looks great. The jeans are so flattering and comfortable. I can wear this to travel, run errands, go to the office, and attend appointments. It is a really well-rounded, comfortable look that uses closet staples.

mom wearing black skort and graphic t with elevated sneakers
mom wearing black skort with graphic t, elevated causal style

What I’m Wearing

Why I Love It

I love a simple outfit that looks like you tried harder than you actually did. Throw on a skort + add a graphic T (tuck under your bra for this cropped look), throw on your fancy sneakers and a large tote and sunnies and you are instantly stylish mom.

lululemon trousers + elevated tank equals the perfect elevate mom outfit
lululemon trousers + tank and nice sneakers is super flattering

What I’m Wearing

  • top: Revolve (10)
  • bottom: Lululemon Daydrift High-Rise Straight-Leg Trouser Regular Light Ivory (M)
  • shoes: Vejas (8)
  • bag: LV Odeon PM

Why I Love It

Lululemon really ate when they made these pull-on trousers. I have them in black and white, and they look so great on, flattering and comfortable.

Casual Summer Outfits

shorts + tank + button up mom outfit

What I’m Wearing

Why I Love It

These jean shorts are some of my favorites. They are flattering, non-distressing, and long enough without being too long. The button-up over cami just gives you that extra layer where it feels more styled without being too hot for Vegas.

mom shorts + cowboy boots outfit

What I’m Wearing

Why I Love It

These cut-off shorts are high enough to keep you looking slim, and the curve love is loving on your curves. If you are in the gym hitting legs 3 times a week like I am, you need the extra space in the hips. These lane boots are so cute and comfy, they hit right below my knee and are neutral enough that I can wear them with my skirts, dresses, and shorts. Obsessed. We are in our Ella Langley era at my house.

elevated mom style - skort + knit top and minimal heels
Elevated m

What I’m Wearing

Why I Love It

This linen blend skort instantly looks stylish without the added effort – paired with a cute knit top and minimal heel, and feels polished without trying to hard.

Workout-to-Errands

What I’m Wearing

  • top: Cuts (M)
  • bottom: Lululemon Adapted State High-Rise Jogger Regular Calypso Pink (6)
  • shoes: Vans Ultrarange (8)
  • bag: LV Odeon PM

Why I Love It

I wear this for errands and to the airport. It still looks put together while being comfortable and easy to move around in. I never work out in joggers, but you technically could. 🙂

work from home outfit
comfy sweater
denim jacket
blazer

What I’m Wearing

Why I Love It

Lululemon Align leggings are some of the longest-lasting and most comfortable I have. I have had multiple pairs, and I love the no-line version. You can style them in so many ways. I especially love pairing them with a blazer, so fun.

Travel & Vacation Looks

Mother denim in New Orleans

What I’m Wearing

Why I Love It

When I tried this pair of denim on at Nordstrom, it was love at first sight. They are so comfortable and the most flattering pair of denim I have. I always get compliments on them. I don’t know if it’s the color or the cut, but they are so cute and can be dressed up for date night or more casual, as I have them here.

What I’m Wearing

Why I Love It

Tailored clothes just look better. I am really into the tailored pants/trousers with an elevated sneaker – it keeps it comfy and fun. These pants are so comfy and breathable; they would be perfect for a plane ride too.

What I’m Wearing

Why I Love It

This is a bra-free dress from A&F that fits so well. It has support, from a flattering top with a loose bottom. The back has a smocked detail that adds a little stretch for extra cuteness. I tried this on, and Sadie said I looked like a princess.

What I’m Wearing

Why I Love It

This is my theme park outfit formula. Gold Hinge Skort + tank top, a layer, running shoes, and maybe a hat. It works, it’s cute, and it keeps me comfortable for long days and 20,000 + steps.

Style Should Feel Fun Again

Motherhood changes a lot of things — including how we see ourselves sometimes. And while clothes are obviously not the most important thing in the world, there is something really powerful about putting on an outfit that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and like yourself again.

My goal with getting dressed now isn’t to be a big-time fashion icon. It’s creating simple outfit formulas that make everyday life feel a little more put together without overcomplicating it.

I’m still figuring out my style in this season of life, but these are the outfits I genuinely reach for over and over again because they work for my body, my lifestyle, and the way I actually live day to day.

And that feels a lot better than chasing every trend online.

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