“But, Teresa,” you inquire, “Who are you talking to?  The graduate who no longer has to cram for mid-terms and write papers or the mom who no longer has to send emergency funds on demand?”

Both!  Graduation season is fast approaching and so I wanted to address the what to wear question for both the grad and mom.  Just so we are clear who should wear what, the outfit on the left is for the happy graduate and the outfit on the right is for the proud mom.

Happy Grad Outfit

• Belted sleeveless dress in aqua from Express.  This is obviously in junior sizing and it has a shorter skirt.  The detail is really grown-up and will work perfectly from day to evening.
• Wear a pair of great black patent peep-toes to match the belt like these from Cole Haan.  Buying some great shoes like these will be a good investment as they are the perfect evening wardrobe staple.
• For a necklace, what could be better than a congratulatory present from the parents.  (hint! hint!)  Here we feature a necklace with a handbag pendant and Tiffany blue heart — there are tons of other great gift ideas for your grad such as the butterfly pendant, or even a horseshoe pendant for good luck.
• You’ll want to finish the outfit with some arm candy.  But if he isn’t available, try this silver cuff instead.

Proud Mom Outfit

• Red violet Sydney dress by JCrew. Another classically styled dress but at the appropriate length. (wink) The dress is cotton and lined for a great, comfortable fit. It’s perfect for triangles and rectangles. And the best part is it comes in 14 colors and the price ranges from $160-225.
• For shoes and accessories, keep it neutral.  These Stuart Weitzman patent pumps absolutely rock.
• Wear some capsule gold hoops by Rachel Leigh and this fab Banana Republic Empire bracelet.

This inside daytime or weekend outfit is for those of you who are: a) experiencing freezing cold temps now or b) always seem to be about 10 degrees colder than everyone else around you.  If you are a or b…or a combination of both, then these tips may help in keeping you from shivering as well as keeping the gas bill down.

First off, your outfit. A stylish, warm cardigan is always a great investment to make each Fall if you tend to run cold.  I like this Vince kimono cardigan because I know it will last a long time and that it will keep you super warm.  Wear a cute, long-sleeve navy wool turtleneck underneath to show off the 3/4 sleeves of the cardi. Pair it with your favorite jeans or some mini-wale cords. Wear them over some wool tights for added warmth with some ankle boots.

If you’re like me and your fingers turn to ice once the heater turns off, try these fingerless gloves for tapping at the keyboard.  They effortlessly turn into pop-top mittens for when you venture outside.  This is such a thoughtful and practical design that it makes you wonder, “why didn’t they think of this sooner??”

Another trick is to use your favorite-colored tissue-weight cashmere wrap as a blanket to keep you stylishly warm inside.  The thinness of the wrap is perfect for bundling up into a scarf for later.

Super Sale Alert:  Shopbop is offering $50 off $250 spent, $100 off $500 spent and $250 off $1000 spent. That’s pretty good!  Enter THANKS2U at checkout.

With the chillier weather that we’re having, you may find yourself lounging around your home more. But just because you are home, doesn’t mean that you have to hang out in your pajamas, faded t-shirts and sweats. For days when you’re at home but may have to answer the door, take the dog out for a quick walk, or make a trip to the market to pick up some veggies and spices for cooking dinner, here’s the perfect outfit.

Wear an Easy Sweathshirt like this one from Gap. It’s sporty look is both comfortable and functional, with just the right amount of detail to keep it interesting. Pair it with a relaxed fit wide-leg drawstring pant like these by Zella. It’s wide waist band is great to flatten the tummy and with a relaxed fit, you can’t go wrong.

While at home, throw on some adorable crocheted slippers and blanket yourself in a wrap for warmth.  And if you need to head out to run errands, all you need to add are your sleek athletic flats and your stylish tote.

Keep it cool and casual and wear a stylish pintucked top like this one by Gap. It’s interesting detail and shape is chic and is a nice change from your average tee. Throw on your favorite pair of denim or if you prefer a more dressed up look, wear some trousers. Add some flair with interesting flats like this one by Pink Studio. Complete your look with a Marc by Marc Jacobs hobo tote and a polished bracelet.

Whether you have little ones in the home or not, Halloween provides a great excuse to invite a few friends over and do a bit of pumpkin carving.  Since it’s a rather casual (and messy!) affair, you don’t want to wear anything that gets in the way of your artistic moment.  A drapey bell sleeve or bow-tie top will just wreak havoc.

Here’s a fun outfit with just a splash of orange to keep it festive.  Since it’s fall, some casual jeans with a bit of a bootcut leg is flattering on all body types. This particular style has a higher rise. Depending on your proportions and comfort, get the rise length that’s best for you.

If you run a bit cold (and are allergic to wool!) this yummy heathered mocha cardigan adds the appropriate amount of polish to a casual outfit.

Throw on your favorite comfy sneakers and get creative with the pumpkins!

As Shown:

• Splendid Milano cardigan, $140
• JCrew Boatneck Tee, $35
• 7 for All Mankind Bootcut Jeans, $165
• Converse All Stars in Chocolate, $42
• Fun brooch, supplied by grandma (or at JCrew)
• Pumpkin, courtesy of my husband who was trying to impress his architect colleagues

It’s not easy being a mom-on-the-go.  Making sure the kids get to school and appointments on time, doing everyday errands like groceries and laundry, meeting friends for a chat, working from home, and making sure everyone is fed a healthy meal and dressed for the day’s activities sometimes becomes difficult to balance.  Finding a flattering and stylish outfit you can run around in (and not worry about drycleaning!!) should be the least of your worries, so here we show you a great look for the mom-on-the-go.

Since comfort and versatility is the priority, you need an outfit that can take you from swimming practice to meeting for lunch with a potential client.  A good starting piece is a stretch corduroy trouser which can be mixed and matched with a casual tee or a colorful sweater. A mom-on-the-go needs a roomy bag, and this  snakeskin tote is both neutral and chic, lending itself nicely to various outfits and situations.  If you’re looking to add some color to your wardrobe, this fun a-line coat goes perfectly with casual pants and jeans and comes in four colors.  For Fall weather, wear a versatile boot that goes nicely with pants or skirts like this Frye Lisa Shortie.

We love boots and it seems like the ones this season are especially appealing.  Rockport sent us a pair that immediately caught our eye because of it’s practicality, comfort, and boot-stomping appeal.

Tested by our uber-picky editor, this one passed the muster for chic casual days.  This is NOT a boot for work or to be worn with skirts — it’s too casual because of it’s thick rubber sole.  It’s for stomping in the rain, making Fall leaf piles with the kids, and having snow ball fights in the dead of winter. (just make sure you weather-proof them first!)

You could walk ten miles in these and still feel great.  There is plenty of calf room which means these are perfect for wearing over your straight leg jeans paired with a cute layered tee and
pullover.

If you’re looking for something a little more dressy yet casual, we’re big fans of the Westdale.

As shown:

• Cowlneck pullover, $34
• Square-neck tee, $16.50
• AG straight leg jeans, $101
• Rockport Ainly boots, $175
• Cable knit beret, $29
• Cashmere gloves, $36

Happy Labor Day weekend!  Long-gone is the rule that you can’t wear white after Labor Day. This long weekend typically signifies our last Summer hurrah before Fall starts.   For those of you who are on a budget, here’s a cute, summery outfit perfect for a pool party or having a picnic by the water that’s just a little over $70!

• sash-waist tunic dress on sale for $35
• stretch bracelet for $15
• aviator sunglasses for $10
• red flip-flops for $3.50
• paisley beach tote for $7

Summer will soon be coming to a close, and many of you are trying to get your last vacations in before the kids go back to school.  For those of you who are thinking of doing a family trip to New York City for some sightseeing, baseball, and good ol’ R&R, we show you some great outfit ideas that will help you beat the heat, but still look chic within a budget!

Summers in the Big Apple are notorious for being extremely humid.  A good way for you to stay cool is by choosing light colors and natural fibers like these 100% cotton and cotton blend blouses. Both tops are lightweight and do not cling to the body, which are great for keeping you nicely ventilated.  Pair them with equally cool bottoms like chino shorts, or a comfy cargo skirt.

To maximize your packing space, bring along a simple and wrinkle-free tank dress that pulls double duty and can work for you in the day or night.  Accessorize with some proper sandals, sassy heels, or a patent leather crossbody bag and jewelry, and you’ll fit right into the New York scene!

For many, school is back in session within the next couple of weeks. If you’re the designated back to school shopping chaperone or are out shopping for your own back to school needs, then you’ll probably be one of the many digging for notebooks, pens, and new clothing. To prevent adding more stress to the already chaotic shopping environment, we’ve come up with a no fuss, stylish inspiration outfit idea for you.

Make sure that you don’t sacrifice your own personal style to keep up with the busy back to school shopping atmosphere. Wear colors that will inspire and excite you.

This yellow blouse is perfect when paired with your fav pair of denim. It has just the right amount of colorful energy to keep you going. Throw on a pair of fun open toe pumps like this one by Chie Mihara to keep it sassy. Or, wear a pair of fun red or green flats if you’re not a heel gal like some of us here.

Keep your hands free for looking through the shopping bins or shelves with a cross-body bag like this from Lauren Merkin. Don’t forget to accessorize with some jewelry to complete your look.

Mom! You’ve been invited to a pool party…by your kids.

hmmmm….what to wear, what to wear? If you’re not into throwing on your swimsuit and slip-sliding on the lawn, then you will probably just grab the nearest thing that is clean so that you can officiate as the resident lifeguard.  Make sure you have some cute tees and some shorts or capris in your closet to choose from.

Gap has some really great tees from their RED line that supports the Global Fund’s fight against HIV in Africa. I particularly like this gold Ghana-print tee because of the great detail and “Inspired” across the front.  Sending good vibes is always a good thing in my book.

Pair the yellow tee with these classic capris in chocolate.  It’s a great color combo and comes off fresh and summery.  The capris are a great summer staple because they keep you cool and chic without having to show your knees or other parts that you may not love. Throw on a fun hat, wear your favorite bronze sandals, and invite a few family friends to bring some beach balls and join in on the fun.

Destination
When I was a kid, my family vacations subsisted on my mom and dad throwing us kids (all four of us) into the back of our family’s Cadillac with a bag of Cheerios and a few newly purchased car games to bide the time.  Along with waging war against each other for taking up space, we’d have to endure a day of staring out at the sometimes boring spans of freeway which would ultimately turn into a game of how many cars my dad could pass before we got pulled over. He liked to speed.  The “getting there” was sometimes painful but all was forgotten as soon as we pulled up to the pearly gates of Disneyland.

Disney has become hip to a parent’s needs and if you head to a Disney Resort, you can now enjoy a night out sans the kids while they are treated to an evening of arts and crafts, computer games, Disney movies, dinner and snacks with a caring, licensed supervisor in an environment created just for them.  They won’t want to leave!

Style Solution
For moms, there typically is no thought about what to wear because you are so busy thinking about the kids and making sure their experience is fun and that they are taken care of.  Pick 1-2 colors (we selected aqua and olive) and 1-2 neutrals (we recommend denim and white) for your travel wardrobe and stick to those for easy mixing and matching.

Layering tanks and tees, lightweight shirts, Capris, jeans and comfy shoes are important for you along with some great accessories like this belt.

Travel Tip
Since your hands need to be free so that you can hold your little one’s hand whether you’re on a ride or standing in line, wear a hip belt that allows you carry things easily.

Share your best tip for traveling with kids!

Your child (or favorite youngster!) is the star player in her sports league and you are attending the last game of the season. You’ve planned a stellar post-game pizza party celebration and don’t know what outfit will work on the field, as well as off the field.

Here’s a fun, stylish and practical outfit that works fabulously for small-busted gals. This fleece jacket by Mike & Chris has just the right amount of detailing that draws the eye up. It’s a complete score – it’s silhouette flattering, it’s machine washable, and it will keep you warm during the changing spring weather. What more could you ask for!

Layer it over a tee and pair it with a dark boot cut or flare leg denim which is universally flattering. Seven jeans cut for a straight hip so if you are more curvy below, try AG or Joe’s. Wear a comfy mary jane like this one by Nike and you’ll be prepared to cheer for the team in style.

If you’re the mom, don’t forget to pack some healthy snacks and extra clothes for your child in your Le Sportsac tote.

A Reader Asks:

I’d love to see a “What to Wear” for the mom on the go with no waist, lol.  Seriously, after 3 kids, and 35 years of gravity tugging at me, I’m thin, but my waist is gone, and I feel like I look very rectangular (wide hips, boobs, square shoulders, long thin legs, short-waisted, skinny arms, and no waist). ARGH!!

Wardrobe 911’s Style Prescription:

After having a few kids, you’re still lean, but the waistline may not be as defined as it used to be.  Never fear!  There are many ways that your clothing can enhance or hide your midsection, as well as show off those great skinny arms and long legs.

There are many styles that can make you look like you have a waist but this scoop neck blouse layered over a tank is one option that hides your waistline because it flows straight down giving the illusion of one clean line and camouflaging your modest mid-section.  The u-neck is super flattering for large-busted gals and since your arms are thin, a little puffed band detail on the sleeves won’t have you looking like a linebacker (not a good idea for inverted triangles.)  Wear the top untucked to give the illusion of a longer waist and pair it with casual chic pants that are clean-lined.

To stay warm, try this stylish fleece jacket that has pockets on the bottom and a wide neckline.  This will trick the eye that your waist is narrower than it is when you belt it (or not!) The jacket is by a new line called Nightcap which is sold at shopbop.com – it’s a bit pricey but a good investment if you plan on wearing it a lot.

Because you’re a mom-on-the-go, you’ll need comfortable yet stylish footwear like these trendy gladiator sandals.  Don’t forget a large tote like this one by Boyy for all your mommy gear like baby wipes, snacks, and organizer.

Your kid’s field trip is coming up and you’ve been asked to be a chaperone.  What to wear?

You’ll want something that is stylish yet can stand up to getting a little dirty if need be.  You need something that you don’t MIND getting dirty.   That is why I love Old Navy.  They have stylish pieces and great prices — but you get what you pay for and you know that it won’t last that long because the quality is not there.

The henley and shawl collar hoodie are from Old Navy.  Throw on your sturdy Levi’s and slip on those comfy Keds.  You’ll want to wear a shoulder tote to keep your hands free and it may even be beneficial to pack your medibag, just in case.

You and some other moms are getting together with your babies for a play date.  You want to look nice but practicality is going to reign supreme so nothing that says “dry clean only” will do.

It’s Wardrobe 911 to the rescue with a style prescription that also keeps your budget in check.

This navy (or black) cotton print empire top has 3/4 sleeves and can be worn with a basic white cami ($6 when you get 2) underneath for daytime.

The dark-wash trouser jeans are from Old Navy for $25.

An investment item is the Marc Jacobs tote from Zappos.com which is big enough to carry everything you need including baby wipes.

Add a pop of color with some ballet flats.

Whether you work from home or stay at home to help the kids with their homework, this outfit is for you, the busy woman.

The jeans are a brand-new style from AG called the Elite – and they are not your typical ‘mommy jeans.’  The rise is a comfortable and stylish 9″, the wash is dark and slimming, and they make you look so great that you will want to wear them over and over again.  A definite great investment.

Pair them with a simple tee ($9) and fun stylish jacket ($28) from our friends at Tar-jay.  The comfy flats are from Nine West.

It’s wide-leg mania and why not try out the dark-washed wide leg jeans by Joe’s? When you wear a wide-leg pant, you want to wear something a bit more form-fitting on top.

This 3/4 sleeve turtleneck by J Crew is a great option.  Make sure to add some fun with a scarf as a belt along with a colorful shoe. The scarf is actually a head scarf but for the price, I’d just cut out the elastic thing.  As for shoes, I love this teal suede one by Faryl Robin!  The large Shopper Tote by DKNY holds everything including your favorite reading material.

You want something simple to throw on with a bit of your personality thrown in just in case the UPS man makes a visit. (Not that he hasn’t seen it ALL!)  Or perhaps you want a comfortable outfit to travel in.

One of my fave go-to pants is Spanx’s Bod-a-Bing pant.  It’s jersey, doesn’t wrinkle and has a tummy tucker liner so you look svelte.  Pair it with a simple tee (I love C&C’s Wrangler tee since the short sleeves are a bit longer) and slip on some easy and comfy shoes like these J-41’s .

If you have to run out or you just simply ‘run cold’ and need more warmth, LuluLemon has some great fleece jacket options that are super stylish.

And, who can resist the new Devi Kroell line now at Target — for $40 you can get a swank, yet minimal, shopper tote.

When you work from home – whether you are a mom or a professional – there is not a huge need to get all dolled up.

You want to dress comfortably yet if you need to run out, you still want to look great.

Today’s What to Wear idea is a simple stretch-cotton pant with a comfy tee.  Then we’re you’re ready to face the world, throw on some great accessories like a fun jacket and handbag.

The picture features a jersey turtleneck and pants from Vince with a cute jean trench from Miss Sixty and hobo handbag from Rafe (both at Bluefly.com).

Update:  The taupe ankle boots shown are already sold out but there are some great alternatives like these from Nine West!