Mother’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Fashion Gifts For Moms

Let’s kick off this style guide with this epic quote from Rihanna’s 2023 interview with Vogue: “Dressing for pregnancy was such a piece of cake…But dressing in postpartum, what the f**k do you do? … the weeks after that, you don’t know what to put on. Everything is too small or too big.” I’d add that the journey for rediscovering personal style can continue for years after that. It’s not just about sizing, but new events, new commitments and new places.

So what matters? Easy, effortless, chic. Whether she’s the mother of a newborn or a new graduate, fabrics that offer comfort and ease-of-care matter, yet she should never have to abandon an opportunity to reflect her personal style.

I’m preparing to move to a home that can fit my family of five, and recently had to clear my family’s garden-level storage. I’m talking about closets filled with crop tops and bachelorette party bodycon dresses worn before having my first child. I then returned to my present closet, and felt deep appreciation for my current wardrobe of tried-and-true staples, my chic and elegant, sustainably-made evening wear and work wear. Last but not least, I cherish the sundresses that have become my uniforms for the happiest days of my life. Here’s a list of pieces from my favorite brands and pieces that have clothed me during this transformative and fulfilling chapter.

It begins with the quest for the perfect tee. I’ve tried and tested them all, and this brand is tops. Worn by Selena Gomez, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lucy Hale and more, each style is light and airy–made with sustainably made pima cotton from Peru. The shirts are constructed there as well to reduce its carbon footprint. In addition to Goldie’s signature slub tee, check out other cuts like its mutton sleeve knot shirt, the perfect tee for zoom.

Its breastfeeding and postpartum essentials (compression biker shorts, nursing tops, jumpsuits, etc) aside, I’m obsessed with the Mama and Babe matching denim jackets. Throw it over tee and jeans or a casual maxi dress and you’re set for the day. Speaking of casual, the Tunic Dress is a must-pack for any work trip.

I’ve been following this brand on Instagram since launch. OAO also has a fantastic nursing tee but I want to showcase the brand’s sporty cape blazer and jogger set. I have it in black and it was the perfect outfit for a flight to Vancouver, where I had to head straight to a conference from the airport.

I own four pairs of the Ultimate Before After & During Legging, two in black. I know this sounds ridiculous in a world where you can buy leggings for $12, but this is the most comfortable pair you’ll ever own. You can literally wear these to sleep. Made of lux, Oeko-Tex certified 80% cotton bamboo, you can wash these a hundred times and it will look brand new, so you can dress these up. It’s a true investment piece.

Two words: washable silk. Figuring out what to wear to work can be a struggle when you’re rushing out the door. M.M.LaFleur has mastered the versatile capsule, especially with its latest collection in partnership with founder Sarah LaFleur’s favorite WNBA team. Its Annika Tee now comes in the Borough print, which pays homage to the New York Liberty. It’s a lively pattern worth celebrating as it proves prints and bold colorways still have a place in your closet.

You can find timeless, less-trend driven styles from Abercrombie, that are low-maintenance and within flexible price points. This flutter-sleeve linen blend dress is just one example, with its adjustable tie-back, nonfunctional buttons just for show, and most important, it’s machine washable.

Along with the Dakota backpack, I love bringing the matching Mara phone sling, be it for quick power walks or getting a family of five through the airport. This set ensures I have one place for my personal essentials (phone, wallet, keys, passports, lip gloss), separate from my children’s stuff (diapers, bottles, change of clothes, etc). Its Summer 2024 collection just dropped and I adore the Heatwave color options.

With the summer ahead I can’t wait to sport this linen boyfriend shirt from Vitamin A. It works as a cover up over swimwear for those beach days. Or, pair it with the matching shorts to create a casual matching set for any summer day.