Dressing up for an evening downtown

The urbanmoms.ca Moms Night out is fast approaching, and we have some fantastic news.  The Bay and Zellers (supported by Timex) will be bringing us a fashion show at the event featuring cool clothing and awesome accessories for busy moms. We’ve been shopping all week and our mom models look fantastic. We’ll feature their photos and details of each outfit in a post-event article. You can also catch the urbanmoms.ca and HBC fashion show at The BabyTime Show in Toronto April 15th!

In the meantime, as promised, here are some mom-tested ideas for dressing up quickly (and without breaking the bank) for an evening event.  Even if you aren’t able to join us at Mom’s Night Out, hopefully, you’ll find some ideas here for that next family function, afterwork party or surprise date night!

Building on wardrobe basics

There are so few dressy occasions these days (especially for us moms) that it makes sense to enhance everyday basics for an evening out.  A great pair of pants or a skirt, a classic workday suit or jeans (dark preferably or bright, summer white) form the foundation of many a chic evening look. Dress them up with terrific tops, fabulous footwear and awesome accessories (all of which can be found at your local mall) and you’re ready to go!

Terrific tops

• Right now, shirts shape up for special occasions with embellishments such as lace and ruffles. Wrap shirts create a finished look and add a waist (great for those of us who lost that particular figure feature during pregnancy and never found it again!) And, look for silky shirts in gem inspired brights, such as emerald, gold and amethyst.
• Cute camisoles are hot this season and add a touch of glamour and lace under a plain shirt, jacket or v neck top.  Try layering tone-on-tone colours and undoing an extra button to be a hot momma!
• If you’re tall, check out the new tunic tops that create a lovely long line over jeans (or dare I say it?) leggings.
• Summer ususally brings along many pretty halters, strappy tops and, this season, embellished tees to the stores at a great price.  Dress up for evening or dress down for day when the temperature rises.

Fabulous Footwear

• Every wardrobe should include a classic pair of medium to high heels. Knee-high boots in black or brown are versatile and can be worm with pants or skirts and transfer from day to night.
• Create a surprising colour shot with shoes in a fablous bright shade or pattern. Find patents and animal prints in stores right now.
• Tired of hidng your tootsies throughout the winter? An evening out in a warm and welcoming venue is a great time to reveal your toes. So bring out your super, strappy sandals or check out the new new versions available in stores. (A pampering pedicure in advance also helps.)

The dress-up dress

• O.K. – you’ve heard this a million times, but it truly is hard to beat a little black dress as a wardrobe staple.  An adaptable version can be dressed for day or night. If you are in the market for one, look for versatile and comfortable wrap versions, jersy (no wrinkle fabrics) and three-quarter length sleeves can work in any season.
• Create the little black dress look with by adding a black top to a black skirt.  You won’t match the shade of black exactly, so go for contrasting fabrics, such as a crisp cotton shirt with a fine wool skirt or pull the two pieces together with a wide belt.
• The shirt dress is the dress of the season and is a great investment for its versatility, comfort and style.  A knee-length shirt dress can be cool in the day with flip-flops or other flats and dress up for work or evening with heels and accessories. 

Additional trends:

• Black and white is back big time.  You can’t go wrong with this classic combination.

• The time to wear a hot shot of colour is a Spring or Summer evening, so  look for a top, scarf, bag or shoes in your favourite shade or try something new.
• Glam up this season’s neutrals for night with gold bangles, beads and bracelets.

• Looking for a different evening shade? This season, deep navy goes from nautical to night. What coordinates with navy? Traditionally red and white, but for an evening look wear navy with rich browns.

Oh, and try to plan what you will wear in advance.  Deciding what to wear 10 minutes before you are due to leave the house, while the baby sitter/husband is asking questions, and the children need that extra story/drink/hug can be a tad stressful, to say the least.

Also, if you are all dressed up and ready to leave the house, avoid snot, spit-up and various other child-induced stains by wearing a large shirt or similar over your clothes until you actually leave the premises.

Have fun!