The Cool Mom Summer Uniform

A wardrobe of chic basics + outfit ideas to mix and match them to look polished on the playground

I think I’ve cracked the code on how to get dressed with minimal effort and still look pulled together for camp drop off/pick up, errands, coffee dates, play time etc while it’s hot as hell out. I’m sharing all my research including what to buy and ideas for putting it all together. 

In the mom trenches with my son but hopefully looking cute

Problem: 

In the brief bubble of summer weather we just had in New York, I realized that my wardrobe was seriously lacking. As a busy working mom, I don’t have time and head space to put together cute outfits much less figure out what I need to buy to create them. I appreciate the highly curated outfits ideas from chic women of the Internet, but that’s a little aspirational for when I’m grabbing clothes to throw on in the morning. Not to mention most of those outfits are comprised of separates that cost $$$ and aren’t exactly playground friendly. 

Solution: 

I want reasonably priced basics I can reach for over and over again and mix and match to create cute, appropriate summer outfits. Before I started to buy stuff, I decided to put thought into how it will all work together. So, while I was browsing basics, I cross-referenced with easy-breezy outfits I pinned. I narrowed down to pieces that could be worn lots of ways. The beauty is that the clothes don’t require too much styling — you can pretty much throw them on and go. Basically it comes down to a simple top and bottom combo with bold accessories. Plus, they’re all < $200 items (no Doen or Donni in sight!) that you’d actually wear in normal day-to-day life (there’s a time and a place for that stuff, and it’s not the playground — in my world anyway).

Let’s begin with wardrobe separates that make up the ‘summer mom uniform’, then scroll down for outfit inspiration. 

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The Shopping List

*this notes the items I own or have tried

A note about sources (and shipping)

I don’t know about you, but I am more likely to buy basics from sites that offer free shipping and seamless returns. There is nothing worse than getting to the check out and finding an item has increased by 20%. These sites are on my good list.

• Artizia - free shipping and returns (code via FedEx)

• Sezane - free returns (return label included)

• JCrew - free shipping 

• Shopbop - free shipping/returns (via Amazon Prime)

• Dolce Vita - free shipping

Tops

Cotton tees

• White baby doll t shirt - I don’t think white tees should cost a lot so $18 for real cotton is irresistible.

• Mariner stripes* - I wore one like this all the time last summer, so I just got another one.

• White cropped t shirt* - I’ve been getting cotton tees from Zara for a while. I really like the fit and quality. I have this one too.

• Graphic tees - National Public Radio, Beach Boys, Strawberry Fields Forever, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers* (I love the vintage black and the graphic.)

Blouse-y tops

• Linen blouse* - this linen is soft and comfy, so good for the price.

• Loose-fitting button down

• Cotton voile top - good cotton voile shirts sell out fast so if you find one, snap it up (if you miss out, you can always buy the Doen version)

• Eyelet top

Bottoms

Pants 

• Pedal pushers - and can transition into a workout!

• Linen pants* - they feel like PJs, but the detail on the ankle makes them look polished.

• Drawstring pant - these Luna pants are THE pants of summer. I also love the orange-y red.

• Bubble pant - these are the only items that break the pricing rules, but they are very cool.

• Pajama pant - these are very similar to the Comme Si pants for 1/3 of the price.

Shorts

• Silk/lace shorts* - half the price of the famous Doen Iona shorts, and people have told me they like them just as much if not more. I got them in my regular size and love.

• Boxer shorts

• Athletic shorts* - a surprising favorite, more versatile that you’d think (scroll down if you don’t believe me)

• Denim cutoffs

• Lounge-y shorts* - These are easy breezy, comfy. I got these in chambray and white. Also love the poppy color. I sized down.

• Denim bermuda shorts* - I got these in white denim, and I LOVE them. I sized down.

Last year I got a short PJ set from J. Crew, and I wore the bottoms out and about (I got them in two colors/patterns!). Unfortunately, they didn’t come out with them this year, but this white cotton set could do double duty.

Accessories 

Shoes

• Colorful flip flops - jelly, Havaianas, grosgrain. But a simple nude can be nice too — I have these leather ones in linen and like how they add polish.

• Woven/mesh ballet flat - Woven: natural, black. Mesh: bold colors ballet flat (I love the blue), black sparkly (these are my absolute fav for adding a little contrast to an outfit), caramel/crystal mesh flat.

• Colorful sporty shoe* - I have this same colorway in Gazelles which I wear non-stop — I swear, the pop of shocking color instantly elevates any look. I think I’m going to order the Nike Pacifics too.

• Jellies - a good knockoff of the The Row’s version

• Leather ballet flat

• Belgian loafers

Tote bags

• Raffia tote

• Crochet bag* - I was jealous of my mom’s white one so I got it in black. I use mesh pouches to hold smaller things.

• Striped tote

• Straw bag

• Colorful canvas tote

• Canvas tote

I got this really cute Land’s End canvas tote with a strawberry print (it also had really useful inner pockets) that I’m really loving — unfortunately it sold out in my print, but there are others.

Jewelry 

• Long pendant - very reminiscent of Elsa Peretti but for a lot less

• Red string pendant* - a fun little necklace worn long or as a choker

• Gold heart necklace

• Gold chain* - this is the perfect necklace for layering. I’ve worn it non-stop for months at a time (showers and all), and it’s still in perfect condition.

• Drop diamond earrings

• Rainbow necklace* - it’s colorful and fun and looks fab with a casual tee/shorts look.

• Turquoise necklace - the high-end option and the budget-friendly version. Also good for layering.

• Hoop earrings* - a kid-safe hoop that can’t be ripped from your ear

Hats

• Baseball hat with design - smiley face

• Baseball hat with text - TART*

• Raffia hat

• Canvas sunhat

• Tortoise sunnies

• Red oval sunnies

Outfit Ideas

The Basic Styling Formula 

I think contrast is key to creating looks that are simple but have style. If I had to boil it down, these are the key elements to follow…

• Simple top and bottom balancing out proportion — so big on top, slimmer on bottom or fitted on top, wider on bottom

• Option to tie a sweater or long sleeve shirt around the waist

• An unexpected shoe, like a colorful sneaker or a polished shoe with a casual outfit

• An easy breezy, lightweight tote (also a good way to introduce color)

• Classic jewelry that can be layered with fun pieces  

• Hats that can be thrown in a bag/stroller

• Stylish sunnies you won’t mind losing/breaking 

Sporty chic

Sports short + tee or button down + polished flat

Monochromatic with pop of color

Loose or baby doll tee + loose shorts/pants + colorful shoe (or tote)

Everyday lace

Loose tee + lace short + flip flop, jelly, or ballet flat

Slouchy yet polished

Button down, baby doll, or loose tee + loose short + polished shoe

Mom shorts but make them cute

Loose tee or button down + mom short + polished flat

For more inspo, check out my ‘outfit ideas for real life’ Pinterest board that I’m constantly updating!