I’m thinking of Wonder Woman…as i often do heroically (i like to think) hustling throughout my day… The tight, shiny blue granny panties (my personal favorite) adorned with stars of excellence, the long luxurious and obviously organic-conditioned hair, the thick gold bracelets (solid, I’m sure) and of course her most defining accessory… the all-ensnaring Lasso of Truth! At many times in my career (not to mention my relationships) I would have loved to have had that lasso thrown around the writer’s and editor’s of countless women’s magazines, exposing the widespread misrepresentations, half-truths and ill advised directions regarding the daily fashion demands of the REAL Wonder Women of this world who juggle daily family, career, and countless demands and expectations. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not my intention to take away anything from the innovators of “art as fashion” that provide us with dazzling eye-candy and the can’t-live-without knowledge as to what country Brangelina’s next baby will come from…but, we all don’t live on Paradise island, and in the midst of all the smoke and mirrors the fashion industry has to offer, i am a realist and i’ve created a “Real-List”. I’m an entrepreneurial mother of 2 with a career and lifestyle that never sleeps. You’re not going to find me in thigh-high stilettos and leather boy shorts with a sheer shirt and vest as suggested in last seasons fashion pages unless I’m moonlighting as a stripper to put my girls thru kindergarden.
“Free time” is a commodity hard to find in a lady’s life these days. Split a mothers day into a pie chart and using a microscope you’ll see the slice called “self-time”. Which is why over the last twenty years as a designer and stylist I’ve made it my mission to make women’s daily fashion realities much easier to swallow. Our cover mom Nicki Taylor was one of my first muses in regards to making multi-functional, easy-to-understand yet stylish fashion. My idea for “effortless-chic” attire came from seeing her extremely fresh and relaxed look and attitude all while keeping up with her twins. Given my understanding and first-hand knowledge that a woman must often be many things at many times I have felt my obligation was and remains to provide women a wardrobe that does the same.
I’ve had my share of celebrity support and press acknowledgement over the year and can hob-knob with the best of them, but believe me, the look that comes from a single mother who’s chosen my “hassle-free-chic-yet-comfortable-design” over Vogue’s “dress-to-impress-your-blind-date-dress” is priceless, and knowing she didn’t have to dip into the mortgage money is definitely “Hotter” than “Haute” in my book!
Feeling good about ourselves is necessary for our survival and it feels good to be up to date with the trends but most are not meant for demanding lifestyles. I’ve taken the trends given to us by the “experts” and sifted through them for the ideas that are truly worthy of a mother’s time, budget, and lifestyle using my mantra: Savvy style finely tuned but never abandoned. Consider this the Cliff’s Notes to savvy fashion just for moms…The “expert’s” short list vs. Carilyn’s Real-List aka Catwalk to Carpool, Spring 2011;
- Hot Pants…Only under my jeans, thank you very much…or when my legs looked like Blake Lively’s then yes..but until that happens again…No.
- Warrior Wear…ok-granted we ARE all Wonder Women but keep the starry gold bustier in the dress-up trunk with the above hot pants…No.
- Patterned pants…uhhh…thank you MC Hammer, We moms are gonna pass…No…patterned hose with a mini-skirt-YES!
- Knee High socks…bedroom YES (a la naughty private school girl), all other areas…No.
- Boyfriend blazers & ripped Jeans…Helllo 1980’s!! Yes, ladies steal it from your man but make sure it’s on the slightly relaxed or “shaped” side. The term “boyfriend” doesn’t always mean over-sized: It also means “masculine” in style, as opposed to a standard woman’s blazer which is usually shorter & more fitted.
- The Jumpsuit- YES! This gets the “glory-hallelujah-praise-the-style-god-of-your-choice” award. Why? Because it takes great skill to be coercing 2 kids to dress themselves, pack 2 lunches, answer the work phone AND make sure MY outfit matches! The less items needed to coordinate with each other the better Mom’s know the importance of “one-piece” dressing! Most of us moms could win awards for our speed-dressing (move over speed-dating, there’s a new game in town!)! Trust me, you need this and so do I!
- Shoulder Pads- Yes! Shoulder pads are at the forefront of couture now but they WILL trickle down into the mainstream. Too many women loved them during the Dynasty decade for them not to return…but beware, choose contoured shoulder pads on garments fitted to a woman’s body. Leave the “oversized” look in the past along with Mork’s rainbow suspenders.
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