Everything You Need to Bring Your Mom's Style into 2017

As Beyoncé would say, "Can I upgrade u?"
By Emily Kirkpatrick
April 03, 2017 10:30 AM
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It's Time Your Mom's Wardrobe Got a 21st Century Update

By and large, moms tend to have a very specific sense of style, one that caters to the tough, thankless job of raising a you ingrates. But while it's easy to fall into a fashion rut when your wardrobe is nowhere near your first priority, with a few small tweaks, it's just as easy to get yourself back out of one again.

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MOM JEANS: THE STAPLE

Credit: Courtesy Topshop

Mom jeans actually get kind of a bad rap. Not every pair instantly gives you an unflattering gut and posterior ... but your mom also most likely doesn't own that pair.

Buy It! Moto Vintage Blue Mom Jeans, $70; topshop.com

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MOM JEANS: THE UPGRADE

Credit: Courtesy Mother Denim

Instead, give her the same retro wash, high rise, and loose cut she loves, with just a slightly more on-trend silhouette.

Buy It! Mother Denim Maverick Understudy, $248; revolve.com

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FANNY PACK: THE STAPLE

Credit: Courtesy Kohl's

We get it. Fanny packs are incredibly practical. Who doesn't want everything they own right at their fingertips? But adding a lumpy pouch to your waistline also is not doing your figure any favors.

Buy It! Jansport Fifth Avenue Waist Pack, $17; kohls.com

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FANNY PACK: THE UPGRADE

Credit: Courtesy Shopbop

This structured baby bag, on the other hand, has all the perks of a fanny pack, but with way more appeal. Plus, you can wear it as a belt or a cross bodybag for moms who might be struggling to let go of their waist-adjacent pack just yet.

Buy It! Loeffler Randall Baby Rider Cross Body Bag, $206.50; shopbop.com

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SCRUNCHIE: THE STAPLE

Credit: Courtesy Urban Outfitters

Scrunchies are one of those accessories that are probably best exclusively relegated to those times when you're cleaning the house or washing your face. Unfortunately, your mom considers hers to be appropriate for everything from a quick milk run to a black tie affair.

Buy It! Days of the Week Scrunchie Set, $12; urbanoutfitters.com

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SCRUNCHIE: THE UPGRADE

Credit: Courtesy Isabel & Chloe

So why not swap it out for something actually worthy of the red carpet, like this chic and minimal metal bun cuff?

Buy It! Chloe + Isabel x Jen Atkin Bun Cuff, $45; chloeandisabel.com

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CHUNKY RETRO EARRINGS: THE STAPLE

Credit: Courtesy ASOS

For the mom whose jewelry drawer hasn't been updated since the mid-'70s...

Buy It! Reclaimed Vintage Handmade Rainbow Brass Hoop Earrings, $28; asos.com

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CHUNKY RETRO EARRINGS: THE UPGRADE

Credit: Courtesy Adornmode

Introduce her to 2017 with a very modern, structural hoop.

Buy It! Ivo Gold Open Circle Ear Jackets, $62; adornmonde.com

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THE MULTI-PURPOSE SUN HAT: THE STAPLE

Credit: Courtesy J.Crew

You can never go wrong with a good sun hat on the beach or in the garden. But your mom's gets way more exposure (so to speak) than that.

Buy It! J.Crew Textured Summer Sun Hat, $34.50; jcrew.com

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THE MULTI-PURPOSE SUN HAT: THE UPGRADE

Credit: Courtesy H&M

So when she's not lounging seaside or digging in the dirt, swap out that straw chapeau for an athleisure baseball cap in a luxe faux suede.

Buy It! H&M Cap, $12.99; hm.com

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LEGGINGS AS PANTS: THE STAPLE

Credit: Courtesy Gap

While athleisure is certainly it, it might be time to point out that your mom has been wearing the same pair for 10 years and they're no longer stretchy enough to qualify as "leggings."

Buy It! Gap Pure Body Leggings, $29.95; gap.com

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LEGGINGS AS PANTS: THE UPGRADE

Credit: Courtesy Alo Yoga

Give that sad spandex a refresh, opting for something in a thicker fabric with some edgy mesh inserts.

Buy It! Alo Yoga Coast Mesh Inset Stirrup Leggings, $94; nordstrom.com

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THE EVERY OCCASION SWEATSHIRT: THE STAPLE

Credit: Courtesy Lululemon

Likewise, you can never go wrong with a solid black hoodie. But your mom's go-to Lululemon sweatshirt is totally indistinguishable from every other one in her weekly spin class.

Buy It! Scuba Hoodie IV, $118; lululemon.com

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THE EVERY OCCASION SWEATSHIRT: THE UPGRADE

Credit: Courtesy Net-a-Porter

This one, however, is just like your mom's beloved Lululemon, but with slightly more pizazz. Plus, the sleeves zip off, so you can wear it with a long-sleeve shirt - and we all know there's nothing moms love more than versatility.

Buy It! P.E. Nation Flash Gordon Sweatshirt, $140; net-a-porter.com

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CROCS: THE STAPLE

Credit: Courtesy Zappos

We understand that Crocs are the height of comfort, but more often than not, they leave something to be desired in the aesthetic department.

Buy It! Classic Leopard III Clog, $35; zappos.com

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CROCS: THE UPGRADE

Credit: Courtesy Zappos

While you may not be able to get your mother out of her Crocs, you can at least get her into a slightly better looking pair. Hey, we never said we were miracle workers.

Buy It! Leigh-Ann Ankle Strap Sandals, $65; zappos.com

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By Emily Kirkpatrick