Fashion for Moms: Summer 2022
fashion and renewal.
Summer is full of new plans and changes. We want to chop off our long hair, get a new pair of sunglasses or swimsuit, or just get a new colour of nail polish to paint our toenails (so we can finally wear sandals!)
Trends come and go but your style is uniquely you. What is your style? As a mom, I like to be chic but comfortable with a lot of feminine flair. When looking at the new trends, I like to look for colours, outfit combinations, new accessories, and footwear styles to help me either choose new pieces or remodel my outfits to stay current. I love thrift shopping and getting away with looking fashionable through a new pair of earrings or shoes.
I’ve taken some of the following fashion ideas from mainstream fashion setters, such as In Style, and designers, such as Justine LeConte. I have also perused higher-end fashion retailers (Net-a-Porter) as well as some Pinterest Boards designed by people like you and me. I pick and choose the clothes I promote here based on trendiness, but also on practicality—as moms, we need clothes that can move and live in our present reality. I also look specifically for modest dress that keeps the focus on my face and not just my body, clothes that allow us to stoop down and pick up without splitting up or spilling over, and of course—clothes that don’t require any ironing. Ultimately, the look is non-frumpy, more of effortless wonder woman—beautiful, feminine, unique, and oh so liveable.
The Look
@kaigabriel42 via Unsplash
In a nutshell, this is the look of summer 2022: a teeny-tiny top, oversized shirt-jacket, oversized pants, and clunky shoes. Alternatively, it’s baggy everything.
My boys once told me after I put on a strapless dress: “Mom, you’re not naked, right?” If you’re like me and you’re also not digging the mini clothing items this summer, there are other ways to get the trend without looking, well, like you’re halfway between the pool and the boardroom. For example, a tank top could be paired with high-waist wide-legged jeans, an oversized shirt-jacket, and a pair of white sneakers.
@luandmario via Unsplash
For the baggy everything look, you can pair high-waist pants with a flowy blouse that’s partially tucked in at the front. Or you can tuck a blouse into a maxi skirt.
Check out this Pinterest Board with classy outfits here.
Beneath each section, you’ll see links to pieces I’ve picked out from Amazon (we are associates, so some of the proceeds go towards helping the show!) I make sure to choose from brands that are the most ethical I can find, with higher quality materials:
Stay tuned: puffy sleeves are back!
The Coastal Grandma
Basically, this look is the baggy look I described above, but think monochromatic light neutral tones, linen fabrics, and breezy blouses. For example, one stylish lady I know wore blue high-waisted pants, a white t-shirt, and a light fluffy sweater over her shoulders. You can read more about the trend and its origins here.
matching sets
The matchy-matchy look is in season this summer with matching tops and bottoms. This look is essentially the jumpsuit trend from the last few years, remodelled.
Speaking of matching, popular over the last few years was denim on denim. I am still seeing denim jackets—and of course those faded blue jeans.
Check out this Pinterest Board by YesMissy for more chic and classy ideas for matching sets.
2 piece jumpsuit (made in Italy)
Neutrals
There are lots of colourful and patterned pieces for the summer, but the classic neutrals are a sure bet if you want to have a wardrobe that lasts for, well, a few more years. I love colour for the summer, so I think the best way to go about it is to pick colours that are right for your skin tone (check out this video by Justine Leconte). If you are looking already towards fall, it seems like purple of every shade will be in fashion (just like yellow has been for the last little while).
Check out this mom-friendly neutrals capsule wardrobe on Pinterest by Erin Pollard.
Dresses
I look forward to summer to get back into some comfortable, beautiful dresses. New(ish) this season is the kaftan (or alternatively spelt, caftan) which looks like one big piece of cloth cinched under the arms. It reminds me of my mom’s wardrobe pieces that made their way down to me, a dress we used to call a “muumuu.” These popular maternity dresses in the 80s/90s originated from Hawaii, not the Middle East like the kaftan, and don’t usually have sleeves (thanks, Wikipedia).
Other dresses that are in fashion are the omnipresent shirt dress and all sorts of cotton maxi dresses. Try maxi dresses in different patterns, with puffy sleeves, tiered skirts, knotted fronts, and pleats. There’s an emphasis this season on texture and on extremely wearable clothes.
Button-up floral dress (pregnancy options)
Pants and Shorts:
Pants are still high-waisted, for now. Some sites are advertising low-rise jeans (with bell-bottoms), so I imagine we’ll be seeing those in the fall. For summer, think wide and light-weight. Pants are lengthening once again and you are welcome to wear your pants down to your ankles again instead of the higherm cut-off above the ankle. Leggings are still having their heyday, I know I’m not ready to part with mine yet, and the shorter bike short is available for the summer (paired with a breezy top). Shorts are mini, but also in fashion are jean shorts down to the knees with a higher waist. I personally love my mid-length shorts that match everything in my wardrobe. I can dress them up a bit or go biking with the boys in them.
SKIRTS:
We have seen maxis in style for a few years now—they’re still in style. Along with the high-waist pant trend, we are also seeing high-waisted maxi skirts. Imagine a flowy, floral skirt with a casual tee. It’s really that simple this summer. New this year are the wrap-a-round skirts and maxi skirts with slits. For pairing, try a crochet top with a maxi.
French Connection Wrap skirt
SHIRTS :
As far as a noticeable new trend in shirts, I’ve seen halter top necklines, puffy sleeves, and off-the shoulder puffy sleeves. There are all sorts of eclectic patterns in fashion that look very fun. If you want to stick to the classic look, white is a go-to colour for t-shirts this summer. The big fashion trend right now is simply tuck in your shirt.
JACKETS:
@apostolosv via Unsplash
Blazers are back again to add a simple dash of class to even a casual outfit. Short, cropped blazers, full-length, and oversized. You can pair them with jeans or match them up with any bottom. You can even wear an oversized blazer with a maxi skirt. Another fad right now is the shirt jacket, or “shacket.” I’ve included in the list below the most popular shacket I’ve been seeing—the flannel. Although this one is more shapely than boxy (which seems to be the most prevalent trend).
Casual lightweight kimono sweater
shoes
I hate to even mention shoes because the style hasn’t altered at all for a few years: clunky is still in, especially those white sneakers. Although I have to admit I finally got some (not quite white) and they are great, I can pair them with any outfit and feel put together. For sandals, flat-bottomed slides are coming back in fashion. These slip-ons are super useful for moms, especially when we need to rush outside or have something in our hands and can’t bend over to put on our shoes. I know I’m constantly putting on my husband’s Birkenstock’s when I go to dump the compost!
SUNGLASSES
If you are looking for a fun new trendy piece of eyewear, think big and clunky. Large sunglasses, aka “the bug-eye,” are back. Also in are oblong or oval glasses, colour-gradieted lens, and the modern cat-eye.
SOME EXTRA PIZZAZZ
@michelleding via Unsplash
If you’re looking for that little extra to jazz up your life and bring you some joy, just add some sparkles. Yes, sparkles are in (I love them!) And also in fashion are fringes, feathers, and that crochet texture. An easy way to add crochet into your wardrobe is through a lightweight sweater or through a crochet purse (there are many available on Etsy).
For jewelry, the clunky look was predicted to be popular over the winter—I didn’t see it take off too much in my part of the world, but I have seen some clunky 90s chain necklaces. One trend that I do keep seeing everywhere, however, are hoop earrings.
Lead-free, hypoallergenic small hoops