Uniforms Don’t Have to be Boring! 5 Tried-and-True Mom Outfit Formulas I Swear by (2024)

The day I graduated from high school was a celebration of many things but for me it was officially The End of Life in a Uniform. Having worn a uniform for my entire education until college, this was truly something to be celebrated. I could finally wear a mini skirt with Uggs and a Juicy Couture hoodie any day I wanted! (It was Los Angeles in 2004, sorry.) Fast forward to my adult life where I have to get up early to get my own children dressed for school and you know what I could really use? A uniform. Enter the Mom Uniform.

First, the requirements. The outfit must have pockets for any number of the following items: phone, keys, tissues, extra tissues, and more tissues. Ideally the outfit has layers that can be added or removed depending how heated we are getting while cuddling, chasing, yelling at, dragging, our children around town. Comfortable shoes are a must, as is a Mary Poppins handbag that can fit a laptop, snacks (for children), snacks (for adults), wipes, hairbrush, stickers, water bottle, and, if any of your children are below of the age of three, a change of clothes for both you and the child.

Finally, the outfit must be easy to pull on bleary eyed at 7 a.m. but also look smart enough should you run into any of the following people—a work colleague, an ex boyfriend, an ex-boyfriend’s current wife, your mother-in-law or perhaps the Dean of Admissions at a school you’d like your child to attend in the future.

There are countless categories of mom styles but below are a few of the tried-and-true, depending on what my week looks like, I’m usually all of these moms at some point or other so mixing and matching these items is, of course, highly encouraged.

The Classic Mom

Looking back on photos of my mom from my childhood she is always in some iteration of the same outfit: a Ralph Lauren-esque button down or turtleneck, a pair of light-wash high waisted-jeans and loafers. Now that I am a mother myself there is nothing I understand more than the desire for a classic workhouse outfit like this one that you can reach for day after day and will always be classic. Today’s version might involve Agolde or Levi’s jeans, a classic cashmere turtleneck and ballet flats—the kind of items that will always be in style regardless of decade.

The Working Mom

Whether I’m WFH or WFO, when I’m in working mom mode I really need an outfit to be as easy as possible. The answer to this is The High Sport pant. If you haven’t heard of the High Sport pants yet, perhaps your WiFi has been down and you haven’t had access to the internet until this very moment so let me enlighten you—these are the perfect mix of stretchy and comfortable while also being flattering and presentable. The High Sport stretchy knit pants are the working woman’s wardrobe must-have. Are they a workout pant or a working pant? They’re neither, they’re both, they’re anything you want them to be. Top them off with a blazer and a loafer and you are ready for the conference room and a parent-teacher conference after that.

The Cool Mom

The cool mom knows the trends and isn’t afraid to try them out. She opened the Phoebe Philo email, she salivated over each look, she then decided that not one of the looks was worth risking getting boogers on and logged off. But still, her finger is on that pulse. When I’m in my “cool mom” mode I’m usually in some combination of Toteme and Khaite. In my least cool mom moments— forgetting that it’s costume day at school, finding gum in my toddler’s hair, yet another child with a fever and runny nose—I like to think that at least I look cool while navigating them!

The Active Mom

Oh yes, we’re all active moms but when I’m this particular mother, I might actually be attending a workout class after drop off. I also might *not* be attending a workout class but running after my children is workout enough. We all know that stretchy black leggings are no longer just for the gym, they’re comfortable and are easy to wash—a win win in the book of mom looks. My active mom look is usually topped off with a baseball cap, whether I’m wearing said cap because I’m about to go for a run or because my hair needs a wash is anyone’s guess!

Mom’s Night Out

I love a good MNO, a time to get dressed up, see friends, swear to not speak about kids at all and maybe wear something I wouldn’t wear in my mom uniform days. While I’m still not quite reaching for my pre-kids sky high stilettos, I do want to be reminded of some of my wardrobe’s past hits. Lately that reminder has come via a pair of Agolde recycled leather pants or a silky camisole dress. Restaurant opening, dance floor, Margaritas!? Sign me up! Shots?! Oh wow… I might pass, I do have to be at drop off in the morning…