Facebookers have spoken: Mama needs some playclothes. And while there’s only so much that can realistically be done with playground style (due to uh, extreme conditions – and I’m not talking about the weather), I thought it would be fun to try and nudge our playground uniform in a fresher direction. (Nudge, rather than trying to start a new thing, like #velvetattheplayground or something. Actually, brocade would be better – it’s so stiff, I’m pretty sure all of the dirt would wipe right off.)
ANYWHO. Assuming that your playground uniform is basically some form of jeans, sweater, flat shoes, done…..we’re nudging. Ready?
Cozy Knits + Military + Quirky Hat
If you don’t have a perfectly drapy, cozy knit, you’d be hard pressed to do better than this Free People turtleneck sweater. Pair your something cozy with some flat military boots for a little edge and a quirky pom-pom hat for fun.
The soundtrack to this picture would be, “UUUUUUNNNNNHHHH!” 6 year old boys are shockingly heavy.
And the soundtrack to THIS picture is Pax going, “MOM! Peetend I TCHOKE YOU.”
There are just so many things, you guys. So many things I never imagined my children would do. #pretendtochoketheirmother #actuallytrytochoketheirmother <– Pax only. (My disclaimer)
wearing:
hat: Topshop (sold out)…but Jonathan Adler’s hat has a similar vibe (more hat picks at the end of the article)
sweater: Free People Turtleneck Sweater (size XS)
jeans: Rag and Bone Stretch Skinny Jeans
boots: old, but Steve Madden’s Troopa boot is similar (a few more boot picks at the end of this article)
Ratty Sweater (you know you have one) + Interesting Cuffs + Faux Fur Scarf
I’m amazed by how much cooler anything looks when you let contrasting cuffs peek out. (And a little faux-fur never hurts either.)
I’m kinda obsessed with these Free People Apline Cuff henleys. They are nice and long, super cozy warm, perfect for nursing, come in a zillion colors, and the cuffs? I dream of these cuffs. Instant outfit upgrade.
Raines challenged me to a fence-climbing contest. Guess who won?
NOT YET LITTLE BOY. NOT YET. (My look of glee? Thinly disguised desperation. It was close.)
wearing:
ratty sweater: old, well-worn Vince…but this Free People Teddy Bear sweater has a similar vibe
henley: Free People Alpine Cuff Henley (size Med)
faux fur scarf: old, but BP’s faux fur infinity scarf is similar
jeans: Rag and Bone Stretch Skinny Jeans
sneaks: regular Converse hightops, but I’m loving these Fancy Hi sneaks by Converse. Same thing, but better.
Just for fun, here are a few other Free People favorites that would be amazing for the playground. (And I couldn’t help but throw in a few more options for military-ish boots, quirky hats, and faux fur scarves).
Enjoy!
S
A huge thank-you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. As always, all product choices, thoughts, and opinions are my own. (Or as Pax would say, “MINE OWN”.) Thank you for supporting the retailers who help support The Mom Edit.
photography credit: by Mike Draugelis
Ha! The bralette totally threw me for a second. Nice one!
What do you use that bralette for? Anyhow, I’m completely intimidated by Free People’s website and catalog but know that chunk & drape are their jam so I’m happy to see you style them here for the real world. Gorgeous and completely wearable picks. Thank you!
ME TOO! Sometimes I wander into their store and am like, “WHA???” It takes some figuring out for sure. Glad I could help! (And the bralette was a joke. Sometimes with me you have to read the fine print.) 🙂
I just showed my husband for holiday inspiration and he said to the second outfit “that’s basically you…”
Thanks Shana, I have been eyeing that turtleneck for awhile,but wondered if it was itchy …..here in freezing Chicago this post is perfect… waiting for cute ways to layer the famous jcrew tissue t-neck. Because I am just that challenged….
Ooooo…this is flipping PERFECT over the JCrew tissue turtleneck.
The choking # is becoming my reality with our 3 yr old boy…he is in to “blowing me mommy up!” What?!?!
I laughed out loud at the bralette. I love these ideas, especially the Hinge brand hat (that you said would look good with red lips). I just got my hair cut A LOT shorter than I thought it would be (my son said, “No offense, Mom, but you kind of look like a boy.”), so a cute hat is necessary for the freezing cold AND to cover up my hair while I wait for it to grow out a tiny bit.
And on a different note, my daughter head butted me twice before I even got out of bed this morning, so it’s not just boys. I’ve been injured by both sexes, whether it’s play or for real. The joys of motherhood, right?
Hey S – what size FP sweater are you wearing?
XS!
I live in Newport Beach, CA – I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that bralette on the playground
Oooh, I love the free people Henley shirts with those fab sleeves. They remind me of when I throw on a pair of arm warmer thingies (like long gloves, but with no fingers) with a plain top. Instant cute!
Also, not sure if you’ve gotten this comment already… but if I view your new website through Firefox most of the time the pictures won’t show up. So I have to switch over to IE to see them.
Firefox? OMG. Remember the old Netscape? Anyway….I’ll look into that issue, thank you! In the meantime, have you tried Chrome? My fav. 🙂
The bralette cracked me up. Dare you to wear that to the playground (though you would rock it if you did)!!
I might have trouble going down the slide…..but it would look awesome on the teeter-totter. #somebodystopme
I wear my bralette all the time, don’t you?
That bralette is super cute but I think it might be too cold for winter. 😉
Bralette is my favorite. I also dare you to wear it, preferably with one of the hats.
Love these looks and ideas. Lace bralette and combat boots? Totes my style.
Hells yeah.
What size are you in the henley?
I’m wearing a medium. The small was OK too, but a leeeetle too tight on my stomach.
What size are you in the Free People turtle neck sweater?
Sorry! Meant to list that (just updated the post). Anyway, it’s an XS.
Yes, I read (and love) the fine print. Lol
Your knitters or would-be knitters can whip up their own cuffs with a pattern called Toast. It’s a tube, easy. Here’s a pair: http://ravel.me/gabby/t3 and the link to the pattern.
Cool!!!
Shana! I love your glasses in these pics! Would you mind sharing the designer and/or style? …off to buy that cuffed henley right now!
They’re Warby Parker….need to look up the style name…..
Thanks so much Shana! We have a Warby Parker shop in Chicago…I’ll have to head there this weekend. My Free People sweater arrived over the weekend, and I’m in love! Thank you for making shopping so easy!