5 Millennial Moms On How Having Kids Changed Their Personal Style
One of the greatest titles in the world is "Mom." There is no denying the love of a mother and the value that matriarchs bring to this planet. I don't know what my life would be without my mother's prayers, guidance, and love.
"Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place." -2Pac
In my eyes, my mom could save the world without breaking a sweat because she made ways where there were none for my brothers and I. While inheriting her resilience and strength, I was also inspired to find my sense of style in watching her get dressed for work or social activities.
She brilliantly found a way to express herself through her fashions and best believe her children were dressed to the 9s as well. I can only imagine that maintaining your sense of style while being supermom can be another task added to the to-do list. With Mother's Day right around the corner, I was inspired to find mothers who also do it all while sustaining an effortless sense of style.
Bree
I love being a mom because it's the purest form of love known to man! Watching her grow and learn has been quite an amazing journey. She's only two but she has taught me so much in such a short time. I became a mom at 27 and it was like a rebirth. I no longer had just me to think about; I am in charge of a whole other life. It's my job to keep her safe and help shape her into an intelligent, kind, polite, and humble little human and that's not a job I take lightly. She has taught me to slow down, enjoy every single moment of everyday, and never give up because she's counting on me and always watching me.
Kenzie has made me a better person all around in just two short years.
I feel like style is something you can't be taught – it's as natural as breathing. Wearing designers does not make you fashionable. It definitely enhances outfits but doesn't pull them together, that takes vision. I get inspiration from everywhere from Instagram to celebrities and everyday people.
I love thrifting and creating statement pieces, oversized clothing and menswear. I take Kenzie's style just as seriously as I take my own. When you become a mom, your style has to be functional as well as fashionable. Your clothes are no longer your own when you have a toddler clinging to your leg or wiping their nose on you. I might look great in heels for photos or going out but you better believe I am throwing on some fuzzy slides to go grab pizza with Kenzie.
Tysh
I love being a mom because there is no greater love than the love of your child. Their faith in our ability as mothers is the push that we all need to remind us to keep going.
I maintain my style by remembering that my appearance is an unspoken introduction. I want my son to be proud when his mother picks him up from school! Because I'm a mom, I don't have as much money as I use to have to spend on clothes, so I am always thinking of new fly ways to rock pieces that I already have.
I am heavily inspired by June Ambrose and Kahlana Barfield's tomboy chic, mom-on-the-go style. I love oversized clothing, I like to be comfortable while running around with my mini around.
Jae
There are so many things that I love about being a mom but I would say the number one thing is that I have learned to appreciate the small things in life again. I get so excited when my son says a new word or points out every single car, bike, train and plane when we go for a walk. It really is the little things that make motherhood worthwhile.
I would say my style is versatile and could be described as sassy, athletic, chic or a combination, given the day. Even with a busy schedule between work and my family, I stay true to my style by incorporating prints and colors, whether its a floral blouse and jeans or funky color sneakers when I'm chasing my toddler outside.
Yamel
I love being a mom because although I am challenged daily, the love I receive from them and the love I am able to express to my children overflows my soul. Motherhood is much like the the ocean it's so big and never ending. The needs of my children from eldest (20 years old) to my youngest (two years old), although vastly different and unique, they still require all my strength, wisdom, and techniques that mothering five children has gifted me.
Motherhood is much like an ocean because it has its waves rocking back and forth.
With those waves we hold our children tight, we hold our wishes for them so firm in our arms and pray continuously that those ginormous wishes come to fruition in their life.
For many, being a mom comes with that of losing yourself in that journey. However, I am convinced that remaining true to our personal identity is extremely beneficial to our audience: our children. I noted that I could lose myself very early on in MY journey of motherhood and I have put a lot of effort into remaining true to myself and always channel my inner style by not allowing this title to completely define me. Although being a mom is the most wonderful title I have, I also enjoy being me – a gal that appreciates ripped denim, a timeless handbag, an amazing matte lip, a flirty blouse, and, above all, confidence that I want to always transmit to my children.
Christian
I love being a mom because it is such a divine and beautiful experience to witness the development, birth, and growth of my child who is forever a part of me. It really is an indescribable feeling that I feel blessed to experience. The way my son looks at me melts my heart every single time. Naturally, during my pregnancy, my body experienced so much change. After giving birth to my son, for some naive reason, I expected for everything to go back to normal immediately after having my son. However, unexpectedly, I ended up having a C-Section and not a vaginal birth, so I really had no clue about what to experience after my surgery.
Immediately, I had to learn to be patient with myself and my healing.
It took nine months for my little one to arrive so naturally it will take some time for my body to heal and adjust back to normal. With that being said comfort, convenience, and whatever fits really drives my style choices. Of course, there are days where I don't feel so stylish or in the mood to dress up, but I am learning to have fun with my style in this new chapter of my life and choose pieces in my closet that flatter my shape and make me feel comfortable.
Featured image courtesy of Christian
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Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
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Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
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Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
Courtesy
Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy