I love and adore this post, I want it mainlined into my veins until I become as effortlessly cool as a Brooklyn mom. Truly, THANK YOU for your boots on the ground reporting.
I’m a Brooklyn mom. No trust fund though (sob). Confirming this uniform. Extra points for some Warby Parker sunglasses on top of unwashed hair, dark circles under your eyes because your toddler was up all night teething and you still nurse them back to sleep, and no makeup other than red RMS lip balm.
Bring your doodle to school pickup at P.S. 56 and make friends!
I LOL'ed at this while walking up the C train steps and shifting my Warby Parker sunglasses from on top of my head (washed hair, but wet) to cover the dark circles under my eyes thanks to my sleep regressing toddler 😂
As a former Park Slope mom (now Capitol Hill, DC mom) I miss the Brooklyn aesthetic so much! My neighbor asked me why i was so dressed up the other day (I was literally wearing jeans and a T shirt) and then said, ‘you need to wear leggings like the rest of us’.
On sneakers, lululemon, and a t shirt is the mom uniform here and I absolutely refuse to capitulate!
I wanna be a Brooklyn mom! Great sociological analysis aka fab outfits. I can see you rocking all of these. Love the anything-goes denim days we’re in! And the v neck cardi and tee is such a 90s throwback, I love it.
I’m in the Bay Area and it’s also mostly leisure wear - maybe leaning more towards Patagonia and Cotopaxi. In other words, uninspired. I’d love to read a (fair and trustworthy) analysis of why fashion mostly sucks in California. I know there are some fashion forward people living in LA and SF, but from what I can tell, they are the exception to the rule 🫠 Anyways, I love your posts Jennifer! I’m turning paid subscriber after this one 💗
Hello from Santa Cruz, and a hideous clog wearing since 1978. :c) I see these in SF for sure, went to the Marche holiday pop up and it was like standing in line in instagram. Love that everyone wears what they like for the most part. So happy to have found this substack, I could probably be all your Mom but share the fashion philosophy. Happy Shopping ladies. Folks.
This post made. My. Day. As a Brooklyn mom, I was feeling self conscious, but also wear lots of that, so thanks for the confidence boost and also the great ideas!
I thoroughly enjoyed both! As another commenter said, it’s applicable to some other cities’ look, too — mine’s Seattle and it tracks but I like a little different twist, fresh ideas, etc!
OH ok when I was pregnant I rotated through like four things (I was mostly bumpin in the summer, so they skew warm weather). But I essentially rotated through wide leg linen pants, drawstring linen shorts, oversized button ups, and super stretchy tank dresses. I also loved a Bumpsuit with a button up over it, and men's 501's unbuttoned and rolled down. But yeah, my advice would be to find like 5 things you like and feel good and and will grow with you and just rewear!! Here's a little edit of what I wore:
Love it. The bumpsuit is my truest joy. Especially with a layer over (sweater or even a base layer long sleeve). Gotta swing that button up addition. Thanks xo
Omg I am spending the weekend in Bed Stuy and I have none of these things! But I also will not have any kids with me (woot woot 48h child free!). But maybe that means I actually need to be more fashionable?!
Brooklyn mom checking in! Love this list — I will say that a pair of flared leggings (read: yoga pants) are an honorable mention for me but the trousers might scratch the itch of 'soft pants' without sacrificing style. I've also been looking for a 'fashion flat' for the first time ever, so thank you for this!
JC, Your Substack is one of my favorite corners of the Internet, and with my wife due in late July, I've been sending her countless posts of yours nonstop. (I also have been enjoying your style and brand takes for work reasons since I invest in consumer brands!)
Which brings me to my question, and I feel I'll be the only one asking this: what would be the uniform of a Brooklyn Dad (TM)??
(We're in Manhattan but I lived in South WBurg for 2 years, does that count????)
Sumeet! I love this comment so much. First of all, major congrats, it's a wild ride, parenthood!!
Second, the Brooklyn Dad (TM) is less predictable than the Brooklyn mom, but every single one of them shops at Corridor. Buying a shirt form there (or getting one as a gift from your wife) is like a rite of passage. So start there, haha. But I'd also check out Far Afield for some knit polos, Kardo for a cool jacket, you can't go wrong with classic Levi's, and all the men around here seem to be wearing Karhu's.
Also yes that counts!! Brooklyn Dad, like Brooklyn mom, is really just a state of mind.
Thank you!! I was nervous to comment at first since I imagine like 99% of your reader base are ladies, but thank you for responding!
Ok, I LOVE this with the BK Dad (TM). Corridor, Far Afield, Kardo, and Levi's all check out, and Karhu makes TOTAL sense. I've been primarily dressing in J.Crew, Madewell, Todd Snyder x Champion, and NN07, so hopefully I could fit right in.
Also, I feel like a co-authored post about the BK Dad (TM) with the great Clayton Chambers of Sprezza is in order (happy to ping him!).
Also also, you NEED to make Mom Friend merch with something akin to "Brooklyn Mom: A State of Mind" or "Brooklyn Dad: A State of Mind" on the back and the Mom Friend logo on the front right breast pocket area...
Well I'm so glad you did! My readership does skew very heavily towards women, but I think my husband is around here somewhere too??
I LOVE the idea of a co-authored post about the BK Dad with Sprezza! Let's chat...
Haha merch!!! That is truly so flattering and brings me joy that someone would even consider wanting something of the sort. Maybe one day when I have more time and/or energy and regular full nights of sleep...
I love and adore this post, I want it mainlined into my veins until I become as effortlessly cool as a Brooklyn mom. Truly, THANK YOU for your boots on the ground reporting.
Ok for one, you ARE ALREADY as effortlessly cool as a Brooklyn mom!!! And also, you're welcome.
If I did this for the “OC mom” it would just be all Vuori and Lululemon so CLEARLY this was a nice departure for my eyes lol. So fun!!
Hahaha well, we have PLENTY of that around here too....
I’m a Brooklyn mom. No trust fund though (sob). Confirming this uniform. Extra points for some Warby Parker sunglasses on top of unwashed hair, dark circles under your eyes because your toddler was up all night teething and you still nurse them back to sleep, and no makeup other than red RMS lip balm.
Bring your doodle to school pickup at P.S. 56 and make friends!
I LOL'ed at this while walking up the C train steps and shifting my Warby Parker sunglasses from on top of my head (washed hair, but wet) to cover the dark circles under my eyes thanks to my sleep regressing toddler 😂
Toddler sleep regression solidarity!!
I’d love to see an LA mom analysis if you ever make a landing here.
Venice/Mar Vista Mom, Silverlake/ Los Feliz/Echo Park Mom.
I think one could really unpack the Eastside vs Westside mom
I love this! I’m not as familiar with LA, but I have an idea for someone with boots on the ground there to dig in for me….stay tuned.
See I’m an East Coaster but I fan girl over the Silverlake/Los Feliz/Echo Park mom fashion!
I was a preschool teacher in Echo Park before having my kids and let me tell you.. it was *too* cool. And the kids were even cooler somehow.
As a former Park Slope mom (now Capitol Hill, DC mom) I miss the Brooklyn aesthetic so much! My neighbor asked me why i was so dressed up the other day (I was literally wearing jeans and a T shirt) and then said, ‘you need to wear leggings like the rest of us’.
On sneakers, lululemon, and a t shirt is the mom uniform here and I absolutely refuse to capitulate!
The Brooklyn mom aesthetic is really just a state of mind, you know??
Don't give in the to leggings!
I WILL NOT! And yes, I carry Brooklyn with me always ❤️
This could definitely be a Portland mom too. I always feel like I’m trying much harder than them and look half as cool.
Girl, same. The key I think is to stop trying??
I wanna be a Brooklyn mom! Great sociological analysis aka fab outfits. I can see you rocking all of these. Love the anything-goes denim days we’re in! And the v neck cardi and tee is such a 90s throwback, I love it.
I would wear everything except the clogs because I just can't!!
I’m in the Bay Area and it’s also mostly leisure wear - maybe leaning more towards Patagonia and Cotopaxi. In other words, uninspired. I’d love to read a (fair and trustworthy) analysis of why fashion mostly sucks in California. I know there are some fashion forward people living in LA and SF, but from what I can tell, they are the exception to the rule 🫠 Anyways, I love your posts Jennifer! I’m turning paid subscriber after this one 💗
Hello from Santa Cruz, and a hideous clog wearing since 1978. :c) I see these in SF for sure, went to the Marche holiday pop up and it was like standing in line in instagram. Love that everyone wears what they like for the most part. So happy to have found this substack, I could probably be all your Mom but share the fashion philosophy. Happy Shopping ladies. Folks.
This is so fun! Manifesting being a well dressed Brooklyn mom in my next life
It’s not too late in this one!
“Whatever you’re comfortable in, wear that. Nothing matters!!!!!”
How I wish I could wear a sweatshirt or trendy layering piece past February, but…Florida.
Oh yeah Florida, that doesn’t apply. Florida rules are based solely on weather and staying cool.
This post made. My. Day. As a Brooklyn mom, I was feeling self conscious, but also wear lots of that, so thanks for the confidence boost and also the great ideas!
I love hearing this!!
me 🤝 brooklyn mom wardrobes
YESSSSS! This is an amazing companion to post #40! Thank you!😊
Ok phew!! So glad you enjoyed!!
I thoroughly enjoyed both! As another commenter said, it’s applicable to some other cities’ look, too — mine’s Seattle and it tracks but I like a little different twist, fresh ideas, etc!
Now the real question is… what does a Brooklyn mom wear when she’s pregnant?! I love all of these and cannot wear A THING with this lil’ bump of love.
OH ok when I was pregnant I rotated through like four things (I was mostly bumpin in the summer, so they skew warm weather). But I essentially rotated through wide leg linen pants, drawstring linen shorts, oversized button ups, and super stretchy tank dresses. I also loved a Bumpsuit with a button up over it, and men's 501's unbuttoned and rolled down. But yeah, my advice would be to find like 5 things you like and feel good and and will grow with you and just rewear!! Here's a little edit of what I wore:
https://shopmy.us/collections/public/1474770
Love it. The bumpsuit is my truest joy. Especially with a layer over (sweater or even a base layer long sleeve). Gotta swing that button up addition. Thanks xo
Omg I am spending the weekend in Bed Stuy and I have none of these things! But I also will not have any kids with me (woot woot 48h child free!). But maybe that means I actually need to be more fashionable?!
That's ok and also woo hooo!!! Dress up and celebrate!!
Brooklyn mom checking in! Love this list — I will say that a pair of flared leggings (read: yoga pants) are an honorable mention for me but the trousers might scratch the itch of 'soft pants' without sacrificing style. I've also been looking for a 'fashion flat' for the first time ever, so thank you for this!
Ok first of all, I love that you’re wearing flared leggings! I keep seeing them around but haven’t taken the plunge…
Also, did you read my mind?? Honorable mentions are coming next week…
My faves (/only) are from alo. I have these in black, but have been eyeing the espresso ☕️
https://www.aloyoga.com/products/w51119r-airbrush-high-waist-7-8-bootcut-legging-black?variant=40255321014452&disableCurrencyEstimate
JC, Your Substack is one of my favorite corners of the Internet, and with my wife due in late July, I've been sending her countless posts of yours nonstop. (I also have been enjoying your style and brand takes for work reasons since I invest in consumer brands!)
Which brings me to my question, and I feel I'll be the only one asking this: what would be the uniform of a Brooklyn Dad (TM)??
(We're in Manhattan but I lived in South WBurg for 2 years, does that count????)
Sumeet! I love this comment so much. First of all, major congrats, it's a wild ride, parenthood!!
Second, the Brooklyn Dad (TM) is less predictable than the Brooklyn mom, but every single one of them shops at Corridor. Buying a shirt form there (or getting one as a gift from your wife) is like a rite of passage. So start there, haha. But I'd also check out Far Afield for some knit polos, Kardo for a cool jacket, you can't go wrong with classic Levi's, and all the men around here seem to be wearing Karhu's.
Also yes that counts!! Brooklyn Dad, like Brooklyn mom, is really just a state of mind.
Thank you!! I was nervous to comment at first since I imagine like 99% of your reader base are ladies, but thank you for responding!
Ok, I LOVE this with the BK Dad (TM). Corridor, Far Afield, Kardo, and Levi's all check out, and Karhu makes TOTAL sense. I've been primarily dressing in J.Crew, Madewell, Todd Snyder x Champion, and NN07, so hopefully I could fit right in.
Also, I feel like a co-authored post about the BK Dad (TM) with the great Clayton Chambers of Sprezza is in order (happy to ping him!).
Also also, you NEED to make Mom Friend merch with something akin to "Brooklyn Mom: A State of Mind" or "Brooklyn Dad: A State of Mind" on the back and the Mom Friend logo on the front right breast pocket area...
(I obviously would buy a t-shirt or crewneck)
Well I'm so glad you did! My readership does skew very heavily towards women, but I think my husband is around here somewhere too??
I LOVE the idea of a co-authored post about the BK Dad with Sprezza! Let's chat...
Haha merch!!! That is truly so flattering and brings me joy that someone would even consider wanting something of the sort. Maybe one day when I have more time and/or energy and regular full nights of sleep...
Deal. I'll message Clayton unless you do first!
And I'm sure there's a brand here who would totally partner on the merch :)