During times of political stress, neglect, and resolve, fashion and social progress have a symbiotic relationship, each informing the other, taking turns in leading, and pushing to have an impact. With the continued, growing number of brave women pioneers fulfilling leadership positions and becoming prominent business owners [1], our population’s purchasing behaviors are becoming less and less dictated by a gender that has no first-hand experience of our needs and challenges (#mendunno); and more defined and governed by women’s empowered voices to assert, proclaim, and permanently establish their rightful seat at the table.
Afropunk. #POLITICSOFSTYLE. Instagram, photographed by Camila Falquez, 8 Sept. 2017, link.
High heels as a status marker, for example, remain an argued, power wardrobe staple [2]. Often, both within the work place and during social interactions, women feel they must use them in order to assert an authoritative appearance, achieve a perceived equal footing, or earned appointment of role and duty. Today, with the popularity of more women-led options, we see shorter heels, blocked heels, and even the entire absence of heels as fashionable ways to express our decided confidence, ambitious attitudes, and informed ownership to freely choose. Our editorial favorite, Athleisure Wear, encapsulates how
fashion has entered a time in which a woman’s comfort is fashionably relevant. Finally!
#teamwin
Bottomline. We are consumers. But, if we are also raising kids to be consumers, let’s raise them to be thoughtful and impactful ones to demonstrate how every choice matters; and with consequence. That lesson starts with us.
YOUR CHOICE
Women are a powerful and influential consumer base, especially moms, [3, 4, 5] and we want our products to match our lifestyle:
Achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense. Methodical. Logical. Streamlined. Cost-effective & Labor-saving.
This definition, taken directly from the dictionary, should have a picture of a tired AF mother next to it. We are all about efficiency. Our goals, ambitions, and needs demand it so.
With efficient lifestyles in mind, the American mother’s consumer base is for sure having a significant influence on the market as we are beginning to see a booming growth in subscription companies; and existing companies extending into the game as well, offering comprehensive boxed packages, with free delivery. This product concept targets and directly speaks to the efficiency and conveniency needs of busy, can-I-get-a-break-moms [6]. From nutrition-based companies like HelloFresh, BlueApron and Home Chef; to beauty-based companies like Ipsy, Birchbox, and Vegan Cuts. Moms can plan, shop, and create easier, simpler lifestyles from the comfort of her bed, if she desires.
In fashion, the leading gems are StitchFix, Le Tote, and Nordstrom’s Trunk Club. But not everyone trusts placing sizing decisions into someone else’s hands. What if you would rather curate your own style, but don’t have the time nor the energy to search through the racks? For these mommies, myself included, pre-selected lists are what it’s all about; and we’ve created one of our own.
Our Winter Staples Guide, however, is different from most. It’s an all-encompassing staples list…a Winter Lifestyle Staples list, if you will. Fashion; health and fitness; nutrition; and home items made the cut. But, in addition to the consumer-focused lifestyle items that are frequently promoted by most blogs, The American Mom promotes and integrates social awareness, civic duty and action as conscious considerations into our everyday lives. Politics and social awareness do not need to be this separate, uncomfortable, scary, disruptive part of our day. It needs to be, just that — a part of it. In a controlled, effective way.
WINTER STAPLES GUIDE
The winter staples that are fashion items below, are ways to: stay warm (a function); express yourself (social presentation and assertion); and if financially ready, an indulgence of self-reward (an economy feedback). Every purchasing decision you make is an investment to achieving your best you. So get ready to slay all day, everyday.
One Wool Blend Wrap Coat / Two Puffer Bomber Jacket / Three Studded Cable Knit Turtleneck Sweater / Four Buckle Combat Boots / Five Statement Sweatshirt / Six Rain Boots Seven Leggings / Eight High Top Slip-On Sneakers / Nine Gold Minimalist Earrings / Ten Chandelier Earrings
LET’S SHOP!
– 1 –
WRAP COAT
As discussed, functionality is a key component of a mother’s purchasing decisions as derived by her assessment for efficiency. During the cold winter months, I require cold-weather gear that: 1) is quick to throw on; 2) can perform its duties of keeping me warm; and 3) enables me to look effortlessly polished,…because I deserve that. As do You!
The wrap coat is a perfect option that meets these requirements and is The American Mom’s TOP WINTER WARDROBE ESSENTIAL this year. Whether you wear a hoodie with sweats and sneakers to drop off the kids; or go on a date night to get that much needed time with your partner to reset, rekindle and strengthen the FOUNDATION of the family’s core; you can do it this winter while warm, living confidently, and doing you. Be convicted with the belief that EVERY moment is yours for the taking.
Not Sold?…girl. Wear it. It’s basically a permissible robe to wear in public!
SHOP WRAP COATS
– 2 –
Puffer Coat
I live on the east coast and this winter we anticipate bone-chilling snow storms, freezing windy days, and lots of snowball fights with our 2 young boys.
Olive green, water-resistant puffer coats offer an everyday winter piece with a casual color for optimal use to survive these winter months. Pending on the styling and aesthetic of the puffer coat, it can be ageless, qualifying it to add amongst updated staple pieces in your closet.
As a SAHM, this year I wanted to add a puffer coat to my clothing arsenal, but felt that dropping and picking my youngest off from nursery school in a shiny black puffer coat was…it just felt a bit too strong? — Even though I really love the sleekness and luxurious look of the glossy black puffer coat variety, the olive green option is a casual neutral that is appropriate for day wear, and possesses a more approachable vibe for my SAHM life adventures.
SHOP PUFFER COATS
– 3 –
Turtleneck Sweater
SHOP TURTLENECK SWEATERS
– 4 –
Combat Boots
But dare me to rock a pair of vinyl pants to my son’s soccer game…
SHOP COMBAT BOOTS
– 5 –
Statement Wear
– 6 –
All-Weather Boots
Lo and behold, almost every young girl in attendance was wearing a pair of ‘beans.’
– 7 –
Vegan Leather Leggings
– 8 –
High Top Slip-On Sneakers
I just know I want ALL the slip-on sneakers. All, I say.
– 9 –
Small Earrings
– 10 –
Large Wooden Earrings
SHOP STATEMENT JEWELRY
LET’S GIVE SUPPORT!
The American Mom strives to promote, encourage, and practice representation and inclusivity of all and every mom. In doing so, we wanted to include products from mommy-owned businesses, as well; and show support to step-mother figures as they are not customarily included.
Eleven Cuff Ring / Twelve Step-Mother Mug / Nineteen Artisan Soap
Mommy-Owned Businesses
JEWELRY – I discovered Nashelle on Instagram a few years ago and have been a big fan and follower ever since. Not only is she an amazing artist, but her mom story, her business model, and her beautiful and inspirational messaging are what really connected me to her products. A few of her amazing pieces are on my Christmas Wish List…maybe a lot…maybe all…(I want ALL, I say)!
SKINCARE – Any soapers out there? Hollerrrr. The artisan soap item I posted is made by a mother-owned business and I wanted to give her a shout-out. Visit her etsy shop to find more organic, handmade skincare.
Soon after my youngest was born, one of my best friends introduced me to the world of soaping. I was addicted to watching soap-making tutorials on YouTube. It took me months before attempting my first batch of homemade artisan soap. I wanted to make sure I paid the method its due respect by studying hard and examining all of the research. If you love organic skincare, and are looking for a business idea to start at home, I strongly recommend considering the soap-making business. It’s a unique creative outlet in the crafting industry because it meshes art with a ton of awesome science, my favorite aspect. I also have an extremely skin-sensitive, allergic household, so minimal, organic ingredients are a priority for us.
Step-Mommies
The stepmother story is outdated. I understand the mere mention of the word can cause and stir-up very painful memories related to life events, such as the legal separation process, divorce, or the passing of a mother. It’s unfortunate that embracing this title entails the association with such hardships,…but that’s just the reality of it. It is rough. It is understatedly, a very mentally and emotionally challenging experience to become and be an American stepmother. But, how can we make it easier?
We’re definitely not going to adequately address this issue within the context of our Winter Staples Guide,…but I do want to stress the idea, and goal of The American Mom’s representation. Modeling how this relationship can work, – with children, ex-wife, and all involved family and friend connections – is not properly shown, spoken, or written about. The health of a family’s dynamics could be significantly improved if more representation and more worthy framing was made to reflect the positive image and impact this woman can have as a stepmother, both in her family and community. Yes, there-are very unfair, unjust, angering circumstances that interconnect with a stepmother joining a family. But, we want to highlight the stories that were able to overcome the hardships in order to achieve a loving, supportive, and thriving family.
Speak up and out, Stepmommies! We want to hear you.
LET’S GET MOVING!
Don’t pay attention to the month. The time of year. Your inbox filled with gym membership promotions. Focus. Inward.
There is so much pressure to be perfect, especially at this time of year when everyone is trying to either finish up the year strong, or preparing for the next round of New Year’s resolutions. Personally, this year, I prioritized 3 steps in the following lessons learned:
- I found it helpful to scale back time-frames, especially when it came to health, fitness and nutrition goals. But, super real talk? I took the calendar entirely off as an assessment tool to evaluate my health goals. I discovered that I didn’t need it and it wasn’t supporting me to take action. It just made me focus on failures and shortcomings, which was not encouraging me to keep going, at all. It wasn’t sustainable. Not for me.
- Instead of concentrating on physical appearance measures, I focused on energy and happiness patterns and fluctuations. The calendar, calorie count, and mirror were not on my radar. As a result, I managed to lose almost 10 lbs in 4 months, and most importantly, have maintained my healthy lifestyle.
- Each morning I asked myself, “What do I need to do to achieve optimal energy? and happiness?” I wasn’t striving for perfection. I just wanted to be happy and be my best-Me. This wasn’t easy, by the way. To just feel and remain in a constant state of happiness?! Haha! It required a drastic change to my entire inner-dialogue. But in doing so, I achieved a healthier body in the process and a healthier lifestyle, in general. In the past, I’d come to this point and reflect: well, now that I’ve lost this weight, it’s time to add the muscle. Today, I’m not worried about that. So long as I keep my energy up and my mood balanced, the muscle part will come, when it’s time.
Have trust and have faith in your body. Those are deserving resolutions to embrace this coming year.
With proper and adequate amounts of energy and a healthy mood, everything else health wise, fell into place. I had the energy and enthusiasm to prepare nutritious foods that worked with my specific needs and for my body. This made getting to the gym, or not getting to the gym, not-matter. I felt good!
The sensation that proper nutrition left me with, only enthralled me further to continue fueling my body with energy, focusing on foods that made me feel alert, strong and eager.
I came across tons of information about how to achieve optimal energy during this journey; and listed my top 6 energy-based items onto the Winter Staples Guide.
Maca root, y’all. Maca root, legit, changed my life.
Thirteen Moringa / Fourteen Maca / Fifteen Water Bottle / Sixteen Sneakers / Seventeen Earphones / Eighteen Vegan GF Protein Shake
LET’S FEEL WORTHY!
Whether you are at-home or working full-time, your work is never done. Not only do the majority of mothers manage most, if not all of their household needs, mothers manage their family’s healthcare, social lives, recreational activities, and the collective emotional wellbeing of their entire family.
Self-care is ESSENTIAL for mommies. The most effective way that I’ve found to ensure I’m enforcing substantial self-care practices, is through rituals. During the winter season especially, holidays can be extremely hectic for some, even damaging in extreme cases. In order to be present, loving, supportive parents, mothers need to first, love, support, and be present for themselves.
The wind-down to each day is a time to reflect on your daily wins, the areas for improvement, and to envision what the next day will entail. For these reasons, night-time rituals are the most important part of a mother’s day to reboot and enrich herself with heaping scoops of self-worth and self-respect. Think about what relaxes you the most. And treat yourself with replenishing vitamins and nutrients, on the inside and outside of your body. Skin-care, lip moisturizer, and a favorite blankie are part of mine. What self-care actions do you take during your night-time ritual?
Twenty Plush Blanket / Twenty-one Candle / Twenty-two Cozy Slippers
/ Twenty-three Body Lotion / Twenty-four Pajama Set / Twenty-five Lip Moisturizer
KNOW YOUR POWER!
The last component of The American Mom’s Winter Staples Guide involves learning about prominent mother figures that either have been or continue to be instrumental in the history and social progress of mother-supportive policies, gender equality, and human rights advocacy.
Take note of the following 3 American idols in the social sphere: Grace Lee Boggs, a human rights activist; Kamala Harris, proud stepmother and Senator of California; and Tammy Duckworth, purple heart veteran and Senator of Illinois – a legacy fulfilled; and legacies in the making.
As Women. As Mothers. As active, engaged, and inspirited citizens of this country. We have the power to Rise a country upon the shoulders of our successes. We have the power to Raise a country, in the dreams, developed within our children’s hearts. Know your power. Know your strength. Know the very impact you have on the future, is being raised in your household, under your care and led by your guidance.
You Raise. We Rise.
Sam White
December 31, 2017Great post- love the style options!!! So much information and appreciate your positivity. Looking forward to seeing more