Mom Jeans: An Ode to the Fashion of our Moms

90s fashion is great. Mom fashion is great. 90s mom fashion is the stuff I live for. 

First, a little back story...

As I was perusing through old pictures, looking for something suitable for Instagram, I came across some snapshots of my mom, rocking Adidas tracksuits, running shoes and thick Oakley's. Growing up, I remember being so enamored with my mom. I sincerely believed she always looked amazing, that I needed to dress the same way. I would sneak into her closet when my parents were out, and try on all of her clothes––the turtle necks, chunky earrings, color blocked ski jackets, hush puppies––hoping that her greatness would somehow rub off on me. 

My mom was undoubtedly my first fashion icon, sadly replaced by Avril Lavigne circa Sk8er Boi, once I became "too cool" for her. 

A variety of today's most popular trends can be directly linked back to 90s mom fashion:

High waisted jeans

First seen on your mom (or in this epic SNL Clip) 

Now $90 at American Apparel

Overalls

Worn by your mom on a trip to Disneyland (probably with a fanny pack)

Now the single most popular item on every street style blog 

Running shoes and jeans 

A classic staple for a mom-on-the-go

Now worn by every hipster who hopped on the normcore bus a little late

Birkenstocks 

An item from your mom's "college days" praised for their comfort, often worn with socks

Now on my feet, with socks, of course 

90s mom fashion, a dominating force in the present day fashion scene, reminds us of three things: our moms are always right, certain clothes will "get fashionable again", and deep down, all of us got it from our mamas.  

So, if you are ever upset with your mom, just remember, she showed you the beauty of the Gap and bargain shopping. You wouldn't be the fashionable person you are today, without her. 

Daria X Céline Round V

Do you frequently read fashion magazines, spend time on blogs, or shop in fancy schmancy department stores? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, or just pretended to for the sake of the exercise, then the chances of you seeing Daria Werbowy’s magnificence are extremely high.

At 30 years old, this Polish-born model is basically a living legend. Her fiercely alluring charm has made her one of the most successful models of all time, and the record holder for most show openings and closings in a single season. The Annie Leibovitz spread from last year’s September Issue alone inspired me to chop off my hair and attempt to rock a similar gold nose ring as effortlessly as Werbowy (Side note: Not quite there yet). And don’t even get me started on Daria’s cheekbones. Let’s just say they are equivalent to Cara Delevingne’s eyebrows and Cindy Crawford’s beauty mark in ability to slay.

Daria has recently teamed up with French fashion house Céline and the incredible Pheobe Philo for a fifth campaign. Even though it’s (sadly) missing the outrageously non-normcore Céline Furkenstocks of 2013, the Fall 2014 campaign does not disappoint. With Daria’s supreme bone structure and Philo’s expertise in trench coats, how could it?

Check it out:

Running Shoes Rule

As a child, I naturally developed an interest in fashion. This vague "interest" soon turned into a life-encompassing, competitive passion; I wanted to be the first to know about all trends and emerging icons. I picked up on serious fashion faux pas early, compiling them in a large mental list. At the top of that list? A collection of trends that are never acceptable: exposed bra straps, panty lines, and running shoes worn with a non-sportswear outfit. 

As I sat on the edge of my bed this morning, tying my thrifted, neon Nike Air Max sneakers, I recalled this list of rules I made as a smart ass pre-teen. Not only was I pairing my bright athletic shoes with a non-sportswear outfit, but I was wearing them with their ultimate fashion nemesis: blue jeans. It was in this moment where I thought to myself the age old question, "Aren't all rules meant to be broken?" (in a rhetorical, Carrie Bradshaw-esque way, no less). 

The answer is not black and white. In fact, nothing is black and white in the fashion world, except for maybe Jason Wu's Resort 2015 collection which is pretty flippin' fabulous if you ask me.
Fashion moves rapidly: collections showcased, products made, and a few months later, the same pieces find themselves destined for a life on the clearance rack.

Constant adaptation and an innate ability to fully live in the present is essential in staying afloat in fashion. Take Birkenstocks, for example. Those comfortable sandals have spent their life on a tumultuous fashion rollercoaster; finding themselves mocked by fashion elitists, loved by hippies, and, now, the most coveted shoe of the summer. Yet, I can't really recall a time when jeans and running shoes were ever acceptable, except for in our current, normcore crazed society.

I will without a doubt cringe while reminiscing on the fashion trends of 2014. For the time being, however, I am enjoying experimenting with my fashion choices. I can now see why so many middle aged adults rock the running shoe-denim look outside of the normcore realm–it's ridiculously comfortable.

If one thing is for sure, panty lines are still not ok.