Why The 'Beta Mom' Wardrobe Works For Everyone (Whether You Have Kids or Not)
Because who doesn't crave a throw-on outfit that looks great creased and won't cause you to trip up?
There’s a new parent in town making headlines for eschewing their well-honed helicopter tendencies for a more laidback, resilience-building approach to childrearing. Affectionately dubbed the ‘Beta Mom’, it sounds somewhat inferior to ‘Tiger Mom’ (a code word for Alpha Mom), but ends up being the cooler parent type when you know the difference.
Anyway, since no one’s broken down what Beta Moms are wearing this summer (fun fact: dads aren’t referenced at all in this viral trend), I decided to take the initiative and dive right in. Because outfits that end with heeled thong sandals might look really good on a grid, but they also carry potential for serious harm should the small child, swinging from your arm, fall over and inadvertently take you down with them. As a longtime member of this anti-perfectionist club, I know firsthand that dressing well and mom-ing without injury isn’t always as easy as one might expect (I’ve tripped over excess trouser fabric on more subway steps and sidewalks than I’d like to mention).
So, if you’re partial to forgetting the sunscreen, need a bag that’s a dumping ground for everyone else’s stuff, and are somewhat prone to falls and scrapes, I’d like to propose a selection of pieces that look incredible on, but in practice, adhere to the “good enough” approach to summer dressing: no steaming, zipping or strategic tucking required.
The Beta Wardrobe
The Pre-Creased Dress - Under $200
Whether it’s smocked, ruched, tailored or gathered, this is a dress you can sprint in, sit in, and throw a denim jacket over when the AC is on full blast. It’ll work with sneakers, sandals or, for a quick evening switch, a kitten or block heel.
From left: White dress / Lavender dress / Beige dress / Chocolate dress / Lilac dress
The Slouchy Jean - From $69.90 - $450
I know moms who rarely wear jeans because of the comfort factor, and when they do, they’re in 501s. While that’s undoubtedly chic, it’s also a little blinkered, because there are so many jeans now that feel almost like sweatpants in their slouchy, roomy state. If you’ve spent most of your life wearing them, switching to even an elasticated Donni pant (the reigning mom uniform right now) can feel like a pulling-out-the-stops dressing up of sorts. When all you crave is jeans, try one of these.
From left: CoH / CoH / Zara / Ossou / Zara
The Oversized Top - $58 - $275
When a shirt feels too polished, this oversized tee is the perfect alternative. It works with jeans, shorts, a silky skirt or over a bikini at sundown as a beach cover up.
From left: Sprwmn / Rachel Comey / Reformation / Beare Park
The Pull-On Pant - $129 - $395
These pull-on designs, cut from taffeta, jersey, or silk (basically, anything soft and soothing) are so popular right now because they look good, are mercifully zip and button-less, and won’t dig in at the waist.
From left: Taffeta Pants / White Pants / Silk Pants / Track Pants
The Comfortable Sandal - $50 - $565
This breed of flat is for moving around, whether by choice, or by force of a small child’s will. On days when you’re time-pressed, they’ll work for every occasion.
Day-night sandals: One / Two / Three / Four / Five (also on model) / Six /
The Bottomless Bag - $175 - Prada
Because you’re never only carrying your own stuff. These handles can take some weight, and if your bag of choice isn’t pre-fitted with inner pockets, you can slip in your own insert (see here). Coincidentally, each of them also fit a laptop, and if necessary, a small dog.
On model: Sezane / Clockwise from top left: Kallmeyer / Staud / Alex Mill / Prada
And there you have it. Since the Beta Wardrobe stems from the idea that the best dressed women rarely overcomplicate things, everything here has the thrown-together appeal of Margot Robbie at the airport. The overarching goal, much like the trending parenting style, is to be a little freestyle and resolutely un-precious. These pieces, I might add, look unfailingly good, and are likely to get you home without a sprain, blister, or tear in an embarrassing place. And, whether you have kids in tow or not, who doesn’t want that?
All links available on Shopmy.
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The kids are probably fine; take one more minute to pass this along to someone who might appreciate it.
today i learnt that i dress like a beta mum despite not having any human children
Great roundup. Had no idea these were all trending online but it’s what I see in my Brooklyn neighborhood and what I’ve been drawn to wearing.