I work with a lot of moms and one of the most common questions I am asked is "What should I wear to the playground?" We all struggle with this. I think our first instinct is to wear our gym clothes. But are yoga pants really playground attire? They are called "yoga" pants after all.
Turns out that there are probably more appropriate clothes to wear to the playground. These are the same clothes you might wear to a BBQ, playdate or house party. These are the outfits where you can both look cute and be comfortable. That would be key for playground attire.
Now, in the colder months jeans are an obvious answer. But what do you wear when it's too hot for jeans? A dress or skirt probably doesn't make sense if you're running after your toddler on the playground. But shorts, capris, joggers or cropped pants will totally work!
So how do you make this look cute? Here are a few ideas:
Inspiration #1:
Add a cute top and remember accessories: There are lots of cute t-shirt tops in stores now. Something fun with embellishment and/or details can go a long way to adding that little extra something to your outfit. Same goes for your accessories. Add a piece of jewelry or a crossbody bag that is both functional but also chic.
In this case, I paired a white t-shirt with a pair of linen joggers. This white cotton t-shirt from Banana Republic has ruffle sleeves that have been super popular this summer. It's light and breathable but has some extra detail that gives it that something extra and separates it from just another plain white t-shirt. These linen joggers from J.Crew are also light and easy to move in, not to mention trendy. The darker color is great for the playground. I added a little color in my necklace and embellishments on my flat sandals!
Inspiration #2:
Incorporate color: Color is a great way to add a little something extra to an outfit. Color used the right way can help a piece standout and bring attention to an outfit in a positive way. Color can be fun to play with so the playground seems like a perfect spot to wear it!
This outfit incorporates bright color in my cropped pants from Ann Taylor Loft. While these bottoms are built like jeans they are a light cotton fabric which makes them breathable and bearable in the summer. This top is actually from J.Crew last year. The chambray top has a little detail that incorporates just a hint of the bright coral from my pants. I kept the accessories to a minimum here so that the pants stand alone.
This is an easy outfit that can be worn to a number of different casual events. The versatility of these pieces is key! You don't want to invest in clothing that you're only going to wear to the playground. But you also don't want to wear your gym clothes or work clothes to the playground. So what's the answer to the playground question? Compile a couple of outfits that meet the criteria of "casual social". Whether you wear them to the park, zoo, museum, or field trip, trust me, they will be the answer to the question of what to wear when it's too hot for jeans!
Photography credit for this post: Beth O'Brien Photography