issue #40: how to dress like a brooklyn mom

I happen to live directly across the street from an elementary school in Brooklyn, and I didn’t realize how much I missed the school year energy all summer. Perhaps it’s because I’m now a mom myself, but there is nothing more adorable than a line of children entering school in the morning, hugging their caretakers, giant backpacks swallowing them whole, following by excited laughter on the playground at lunch. Sights and sounds that can truly warm your heart, if you let it.

But it’s not just the screams of tiny children that I’ve noticed in these first couple months of school, it’s their parents as well. Each morning I am treated to a parade of stylish women dropping their little joys off at school, and on weekends, I mingle with those same stylish parents at the playgrounds and in the parks. We roam the Fort Greene Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings, should to shoulder, we sip our lattes while our kids dance around to Hop Along Andrew in the park, and we roll or strollers past each other on the way to drop off and from pick up. I am one of them, yet am always finding myself quite taken with how put together they always manage to look. I envy them, really - they seem to have this just perfectly imperfect sense of style, put together but casual, ready to chase the kids around the playground or grab a glass of wine at whatever cool new bar is opening near us that week. They look like they could effortlessly hop on a plane, or lead a meeting, or command a household, or kick back and watch a sports game. They don’t look tired, or stressed, or ready to break down in a corner somewhere (hi, it’s me). Rather, they seem to be energized, phones away, enjoying their space and time with their children, partners, coffee, sunshine. I aspire to it, and hope to one day seamlessly slide myself into their lives and friend groups and wine dates.

But until then - until I am less frazzled and more adjusted to child rearing and still figuring out schedules and how to keep myself sane through it all - I can at least attempt to mimic the style, because throughout my time observing, there are a few key pieces and styling tricks I’ve noticed that tend to run through - comfort, of course, being most important.

Comfortable yet trendy shoes:

You’re on your feet all day, especially on the weekends. Trekking the kids to and from school, or the nanny, or day care is a constant, and comfortable shoes made for walking are a must. But of course, they can’t be either too trendy or not trendy enough. They have to be understated while also making a statement. And they are always, always, worn with socks.

plasticana clogs, adidas x wales bonner leopard sambas, everlane lug chelsea boot, madewell the greta, birkenstock bostons, no 6. clog boots

Comfortable yet trendy jeans:

Wide and loose, the preferred jean of the Brooklyn mom is one that is flattering, sure, but also easy to sit in a park or run around in and can be dressed up for the office or date night. Rudy Jude is the holy grail here, but alas, those are pre-order only so therefore not linked!

madewell the darted barrel jean, everlane the way high gardener jean, a&f mid rise slouchy jean, COS cask barrel jean, gap high rise barrel jean

Or easy pants you can chase the kids around in:

Moms do a lot of running, walking, bending over, standing up, sitting down, chasing, crawling, picking up, setting down, climbing playgrounds, and snuggling, so it’s crucial to have a trusty pair of pants that can get dirty, move with you, and oozes comfort (while of course being chic).

COS barrel leg joggers, everlane the everywhere pant, COS elasticated barrel leg pant, everlane the off duty barrel pant, buck mason crosshatch linen catalina pant

Oversize button up or cozy knit:

Layering is key, for those mercurial Brooklyn temps and the sweat you work up while running around the playground. For the fall, it’s an oversized button down, a casual sweatshirt, or an understated knit. For underneath, a recommend this perfect tee.

rachel comey fond sweatshirt, COS chunky cashmere crew neck, toast orla wool sweater, the frankie shop lui shirt, a&f essential sunday hoodie

A cap with a message:

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, throwing on a baseball cap, any baseball cap, instantly elevates any outfit and adds an element of chic to any outfit - especially when you’re running late (always) and running around (always). But a cap should say something, whether that’s who you’re voting for, what you like, where you live, or how trendy you are.

harris walz camo cap - the hottest fashion accessory of the fall, books are magic cap, new york yankees cap, museum of peace and quiet cap, clare v oui cap

A good jacket or chic overcoat, depending on the weather:

Like a baseball cap, a top layer adds a layer of practicality and chicness, and is a great way to cover up whatever sweats situation you may have thrown on that morning on your way out the door (no shade!). Chore coats are a staple this fall, but as we get into (hopefully) cooler days, a big drop shoulder wool coat is a must.

zara soft oversized coat, everlane quilted jacket, bershka drop shoulder coat, ayr denim chore jacket, COS belted wool coat

The necessities:

There are a few things every Brooklyn mom cannot leave the house without, whether that’s because they make life easier or because they are essentially required for having a child.

compactible stroller, crossbody that allows for hands free carry of all your stuff including keys, phone, pacifier, extra diaper, snack pouch, and credit cards, water bottle for the littles, coffee tumbler for the caretakers, reusable compact bag for emergency grocery runs, travel picnic blanket to keep stashed in the stroller, fancy baby carrier

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Coveting:

• This very excellent cashmere polo from The Great.

• This linen set from Deiji.

• These navy detail sneakers from Onitsuka Tiger because I’ve been super loving navy shoes lately.

Loving:

• I haven’t shopped much at Zara lately, except for a couple of cute things for my daughter, but I popped on to their website lately and wow they are making me want to party again!! I’m generally not one to dress up unless I absolutely have to - my family’s idea of dressing up for a holiday dinner is jeans and sweater - but maybe it’s just this anxious energy or the nice weather or the feeling of needing to escape that is making me interested in wearing sequins and see through pants and fur and mini dresses and velvet and go hit the club with some girlfriends to dance the night away. Any takers?

  

Buying:

Despite most people holding on to their money in the time leading up to an election, I am finding myself doing the opposite because…retail therapy. I can’t fix our problems, but maybe new clothes will help me feel better?

• This navy turtleneck and this herringbone overcoat from Zara.

• These slingbacks from Madewell.

  

Reading:

• This New York Mag article about the death and suffering of women following the fall of Roe v Wade.

• Laurel Pantin
  wrote a little something about this week and it hits home.

• I am a truly horrible gift giver so I am beyond grateful for

  Anna Newton
  and her gift guide that recently came out.

• I truly cannot find the Substack that wrote about this (so if you have it please share so I can link it!) but here is the original Rolling Stone piece about Evie Magazine, a Cosmo for right wing women, if you will. It’s so easy to see how apolitical or non-involved women can get sucked into their attractive aesthetics, but the content is nothing but alarming. Shudder.

Doing:

• VOTING!!!! VOTING!!!! VOTING!!!!

• Consuming everything on The Internet about the election while putting any real work off until tomorrow because I. JUST. CAN’T.

Eating:

• I had to get out of the house for a change of scenery yesterday and went to get some work done at K’Far in the lobby of The Hoxton Hotel Williamsburg and their Jerusalem bagel sandwiches and buerkas are truly so delicious. It’s also just a lovely place to work in front of a little fire with good vibes and good food.

Happy Election Day everyone! Take care of yourselves today.

xx

jen