Style: What’d I’d Wear To A Parent Coffee or Admissions Event

Recently, we’ve received several reader emails asking what they should wear to parent coffees and other private school admissions events.  A few moms said they were very nervous about what to wear (in addition to being anxious about the events!). I was also stressed about what I should wear for our daughter’s kindergarten admissions events so I know the feeling!

Here are a few tips:

  • Wear an outfit that makes you feel confident and comfortable
  • Avoid flip flops, sweatpants and very casual yoga wear
  • Don’t wear anything too low cut or too tight
  • If you could wear it to a night club, it probably isn’t right for these events
  • Your outfit doesn’t have to be expensive and you shouldn’t feel compelled to buy anything new if your current wardrobe will suffice. But, if it makes you feel good, purchase something new to update an outfit!

I’m no fashion expert (or fashionista) by any means, but I have learned a few things after going through the admissions process twice. You will see every type of outfit imaginable at these events, from head to toe Chanel to grunge rocker. When I attended admissions events, I usually chose a blazer, trench coat or casual jacket, black or dark wash jeans and silk tops, with accessories, for my events. The look that’s best for me is effort at “Mom On The Go”. I’m tall (5’10) so I usually wear flats.  See photos below for what I’d wear!

 

Trench: Prada, Top: J. Crew,  Skinny Jeans: The Gap, Flats: J. Crew, Earrings: Fred Segal, Bracelets, Alexis Bittar, Noni Boutique, Watch: Rolex
Trenchcoat: Prada, Top: J. Crew, Skinny Jeans: The Gap, Flats: J. Crew, Earrings: Bettina Duncan at Fred Segal, Necklace: Lulu Frost, Bracelet: J. Crew, Handbag: Prada, Watch: Rolex

Outfit 3

 

Jacket: J. Crew, Top: Diane Von Furstenberg, Earrings: J. Crew, Necklace: Kyler Designs
Jacket: J. Crew, Top: Diane Von Furstenberg, Earrings: J. Crew, Necklace: Kyler Designs

 

L to R: Gold necklace: Kyler Designs, Diamond Earrings: Bettina Duncan at Fred Segal, Bangles: Noni Boutique, Bracelet: Alexis Bittar, Gold Earrings: J. Crew, Pave Bracelet: J. Crew, Necklace (bottom) Lulu Frost
L to R: Gold Circle necklace: Kyler Designs, platinum diamond earrings: Bettina Duncan at Fred Segal, Bangles: Noni Boutique, Bracelet: Alexis Bittar, Gold earrings: J. Crew, Pave gold Bracelet: J. Crew, Necklace (bottom) Lulu Frost

 

Jacket: Elie Tahari, Tank Top: Prabal Gurung for Target, Jeans: Loft, Booties: Piperline, Handbag: Reed Krakoff
Jacket: Elie Tahari, Tank Top: Prabal Gurung for Target, Jeans: Loft Skinny Jeans, Booties: Piperline, Handbag: Reed Krakoff, Necklace: J. Crew, Earrings, Kyler Design, Cuff: Anthropologie
With our pitbull rescue, Cocoa!
Outtake photo: With our pitbull rescue, Cocoa!

 

Jewelry: Bracelet: Alexis Bittar, Earrings: Kyler Design, Cuff Bracelet: Anthropologie
Jewelry: Bracelet: Alexis Bittar, Earrings: Kyler Designs, Cuff Bracelet: Anthropologie

 

Wordless Weekend: Fall Haul For Mommy Pick-Up a.k.a. “The Catwalk”

The haul: Top: Joie, Jeans: Anthropologie, Leather Cuff: Kendall Conrad, Bracelet: Kendall Conrad, Earrings: Kyler Design, Necklace: Adina Jewelry, Booties: Nine West, watch: Rolex
My own cluster of baubles (Instagram)
This J. Crew accessories bag is so chic I had to have it! (Instagram)
Vintage glam...a gift from a friend. (Instagram)
Reed Krakoff: My fall handbag. Splurge!
My cool new Marni statement necklace puts me in a good mood

Must Haves:

Love this bracelet from www.kendallconraddesign.com
Love! www.kendallconraddesign.com

So there you have it! I’m ready for Fall/Winter 2012 at The Willows School.

 

Get Ready For Fall: Mommy-Pickup At L.A. Private Schools (a.k.a. The Catwalk)

Depending on the L.A. private elementary school your kid will attend (or currently attends), afternoon pick-up or an evening school event might feel a bit like Fashion Week, Fall/Winter 2012.

 

At The Willows School, we have several celebrity moms. These trend-setters come to school wearing super-high heels (4 inches minimum), professional hair and make-up and designer clothing (think Prada, Victoria Beckham (hint hint), Marc Jacobs). With all eyes on their luxe glamour, what’s a regular mom to do?

 

Even some of the Willows moms who aren’t famous have incredible, enviable style. One of my friends just got a big Chanel handbag (splurge!). Also seen around campus: Stella McCartney everything and a few Hermes Birken bags (mega-splurge…or maybe not if you’re mega-rich). In a previous post, we broke down the defining style, school by school.

 

For me, its all about keeping a low profile these days. Unlike in years past, I won’t be taking on any major volunteer jobs that require me to be at school a lot. Of course, I love fashion, high-end designers and a beautiful handbag (I’m coveting a tan Bottega Veneta tote with an insane pricetag). But, I’ve been a mom at our school long enough to walk in wearing everything from tennis wear (or worse) to a cute outfit.

 

Here’s what’s going to help remain incognito during mommy-pick up:

 

My friend Jessica Gottlieb, who writes the quirky, intelligent blog, Jessicagottlieb.com (which happens to be one of the most popular blogs in the country) is an L.A. private school mom too. She recently went on a spending spree at Barneys and Nordstrom and unpacked her bags in this video clip. Oh, and she got a pair of Fendi flats marked way down. And a pair of great Celine sunglasses. 

 

L.A. mom blogger Michelle Chiklis is a mom of two daughters who attend top L.A. private schools (Harvard-Westlake). Michelle definitely keeps her eye on trends. A self-described “volleyball mom” she dresses for the occasion. Take a look at her finds, from a J.Crew hat to cool vintage tees and her favorite McQueen dress (so stunning!).

 

Celebrity mom Shiva Rose is a parent at the Waldorf School. She loves vintage finds and local designers, as shown here on her blog, The Local Rose.

 

Is style a big part of an L.A private school mom’s life? That, my friends, all depends on who you are. And, don’t think everything is pricey. I got these Maniera rain boots FREE for participating in aTwitter chat!

Rainboots in the summer! Worn by my daughter. Perfect for stomping around the back yard