Mommy and Me Fashion
When I found out that I was pregnant with a girl, I wasn’t sure if I would be too keen on the mommy and me matching dressing idea. Truthfully, some of what I had seen bordered on being a little cheesy and lacking style. So I wasn’t sure if I would be partaking in this rite of passage.
Well, all that has changed!
My mommy and me dressing philosophy right now: I’m going to do it as much as I can before she has a vote! Ha. Just kidding. Kind of. But seriously, from what I gather, the stages go like this… At first, the mommy wants to dress her baby like her. Then, the little girl begins wanting to imitate her mommy and dress like her! Finally comes the dreaded stage where it’s no longer cool to dress like mom.
In any event, for any of you who are into the mommy and me matching style, I wanted to share some helpful hints I’ve formulated in the last year, along with my favorite sources for stylish mommy and me options. Let’s steer clear of anyth
8 Helpful Hints for Stylish Mommy and Me Dressing
1. Duplicate your daughter’s duds
This is the most straightforward form of matching mommy and me dressing — literally matching your mini me. And boy do we enjoy that! Yes, I’m speaking for Elle, but just indulge me for now.
However, while this might be the easiest way to match your little girl, be careful. Simply donning the exact dress that your daughter wears may result in a fashion faux pas. As you can imagine, dresses designed for little ones don’t always translate well for grown-ups. Make sure that the cut of the apparel has been tailored (1) for a young body, and (2) for a woman’s body. As we know, the two are certainly not the same.
Keep reading for my favorite sources for matching mommy and me moments.
2. Coordinating can be cute
You don’t always have to match exactly. In fact, sometimes it’s more fun (and more fashionable!) to coordinate. Maybe you pull your looks together with one unifying color. Perhaps you wear the same pattern, but in different cuts.
Whatever the case, have fun playing around this one. This is probably the way we “match” most frequently. This less overt way of matching (aka coordinating) can likely be achieved with items already in your closet!
3. Communicate with color
Obviously this is an idea that we fully embrace! More color, please!
Again, this method is easy to pull off with items you and your daughter already have in your closet. Just pick a color theme, and run with it! You can both look age appropriate, yet unified through color.
4. Start with the shoes
Maybe you aren’t into the full-on matching looks. But who doesn’t like the idea of matching footwear? Again, there are all sorts of ways to coordinate. As you can see above, Elle and I had fun with the perfect summer pattern, gingham. While her shoes are Freshly Picked Mary Jane shoes, and mine are Gucci mules, we still coordinate quite well because of the shoe pattern.
5. Pick a pretty pattern
On that note, play with pattern! Whether it’s gingham shoes like ours or coordinating striped shirts or floral dresses, wear the same pattern. That’s an easy way to twin with your mini.
6. Keep it casual
If you’re anything like me, you often think of dresses when you think of mommy and me dressing. However, consider casual options. One of my favorite recent matching moments with my daughter was a last minute, simple, casual outfit. We were wearing matching graphic tees (hers and mine) and denim shorts (hers and mine) and blush colored shoes (hers and mine).
7. Let your little lady lead.
By “let your little lady lead”, I have two concepts in mind…
First, when your little girl is a baby, let her outfit lead. In other words, start with something darling for her and let that inspire her look. Let her take center stage, while you coordinate.
Second, when your baby is older, listen to your daughter. Once your daughter develops preferences and opinions and a style of her own, you really must listen to her. As much as we love the cute photo opps matching can present, the last thing you want is to create resentment or strife.
As I said, that’s why I’m doing all the mommy and me dressing I can now, before Elle gets a vote! Ha. Kidding. Kind of.
8. Consider the source.
If you’re wondering where to find stylish mommy and me options, here are some of the best options I’ve found.
Hanna Andersson
Lilly Pulitzer (also available here and here)
Marysia (also available here and here)
Milly (also available here and here)
Old Navy
Roller Rabbit (also available here and here)
A Few More Things
In the end, have fun with these matching moments! Use them to celebrate your connection. After all, that’s what it’s all about. This fashion stuff is just a fun, frivolous way of outwardly expressing your mother daughter connection.
Do you like to dress to match your little girl? If so, where do you like to shop? I would love to hear in the comments below. I’m certainly open to new suggestions.
I hope you’re having a great week and we’ll see you back here tomorrow!
Cute post, Carrie! Those little gingham shoes are adorable. My daughter is 14. We never really did the matching of clothes, however I have some nicer pieces now that she likes 🙂 When girls get older they start to appreciate mom’s style a bit more if they find something they can “borrow.”
Haha! Yes, I’m sure that’ll be another phase that we will eventually enter info. 😉
Agreed! We love the subtle match in like colors, great casual but cohesive look for every day or pictures. I love picking two colors and matching with my son across us all with mixing primary and accent colors too. Ka is barely 2 and already has an opinion at times. Enjoy it now!
Haha! Thanks for chiming in Tegan.