Back when I was growing up, TV and movie moms were simply old to me. I thought, I’ll never be old like THAT! Now I realize most of those fictional moms were younger than I am now. So.
And now that I can look back with the benefit of age and time and a distinct personal style, I can finally appreciate how stylish those major moms were! They run the spectrum too from period-piece moms all the way to our beloved Peggy Bundy.
Iconic as they are, this week I wanted to do a little style guide for these titans of mom-dom.
CLAIR HUXTABLE: The Chic One
The most elegant of all TV moms, Clair Huxtable’s costumes included lots of brooches, jewel tone drapey blouses, blazers, and belts. The styling feels dated, and if you copied it verbatim it might be too on the nose, but here are some suggestions.
1. A very sleek, classic satin blouse, just screaming for a brooch and a blazer! Boden, $77
2. And how about a cream sleeveless satin cowl neck? Eleganza! Staud, $158
3. Few things are as chic or timeless as a camel robe coat. It’s every bit as relevant now as it was then. Cos, $350
4. A perfect, antique-inspired brooch mimics an Algerian design that’s in the Met Museum’s permanent collection. Fancy. The Met, $95
5. One of my all time favorite pieces - a classic tennis necklace, but made in lab-grown white sapphires instead of diamonds. It’s less fussy than the real thing, and in my opinion, much cooler. Dorsey, $595
6. Another total classic - this blazer’s gold buttons and novelty pockets give it that 80s/early 90s vibe that defined Clair’s style. Blaze, $1,480
7. Most of her looks included a wide belt - I like this one because it has a classic shape in an unusual color. Wolf & Badger, $65
8. A gorgeous bright red wide-leg pant! Say no more! Theory, $173
9. Clair really had a knack for accessorizing. I think she would have loved this Gucci silk scarf. Gucci, $670
10. And finally, some very elegant, ladylike shoes. Manolo Blahnik, $975
MARMEE MARCH: The Good Girl
Susan Sarandon as Marmee March in Little Women! Tears! Endless tears. And big skirts, bodices, etc. all set in Civil-War ear Massachusetts. All very romance and drama - here’s her little edit.
1. A very of the time cotton ruffly blouse. It would look beautiful on its own, or peeking out of a fitted jacket. Doen, $278
2. Quite of-the-moment, a prissy little hair bow. Mango, $26
3. One of the most beautiful things of all time - this crushed ivory bow jacket from Christopher John Rogers - AND! Hugely discounted. Christopher John Rogers, $462
4. I love this Moncler skirt for it’s old-school romantic vibe, but that it’s also in a techy, sporty material. Feels very feminine and very cool. Moncler, $785
5. Another very sweet prairie skirt - a good update to the bustles etc of yesteryear. Doen, $198
6. I like to imagine if she were here today she’d be a Vivienne Westwood girl. Vivienne Westwood, $350
7. Practical flat boots for wearing under big, full skirts! I love the color and the suede of this pair. Sezane, $355
8. Once again with the Viv! This jacket is so beautiful, so special - the tailoring! It hits the vibe right on the head but in a super modern way. Vivienne Westwood, $1,850
SARAH CONNOR: The Hardass
The original badass mom - Sarah Connor! A true icon of hadcore asskicking mommery. Is my edit a little stereotypical and literal? Sure! But this is my party and I’ll do what I want.
1. This truly is an excellent tank. It has the right amount of stretch and structure to hold your boobs in, but it’s not so fitted that it crawls up your belly. I love the cut of it too - very power-bitch. Soldout.NYC, $85
2. Really specific and perfect aviators. Not too goofy or large, just well-made, practical classics that look great. Tory Burch, $185
3. Again, pared-back classics that do the thing they’re supposed to do and don’t have a lot of branding or anything unnecessary, and they come in sizes up to 30 plus. Good American, $99
4. A truly chic suede belt bag! It’s nice to have something to break up all the black. Keep your high tech tools in here for fighting robots. Mango, $70
5. I have this leather jacket, and it looks so much more expensive than it is. It’s a great shape - not too slouchy, not too stiff, not too exaggerated, not too shiny - everything about it is just very very good. Highly recommend. Madewell, $525
6. I also have these combat boots! They’re mega comfortable, beautifully made, super durable, and go with dresses and pants alike. Another top reco. Aeyde, $625
7. Ok leather pants! These are hot hot hot. I love the flare, though Sarah Connor probably wouldn’t ever deal with anything this precious - I still like them. SPRWM, $1,350
8. And finally, THE boots. THE Miu Miu boots to be exact. I can’t tell you how much I love these, I just…ugh. I love them. Miu Miu, $1,750
PEGGY BUNDY: The Sexpot
Peggy Bundy! My personal favorite TV mom, from Married With Children. She was so hot, so mean, the worst sexist stereotype, but man…I still loved her. I loved her insane outfits, I loved her chainsmoking, I didn’t want to be her, and I certainly didn’t want her for my mother, but I could stare at her all day.
1. Let’s say if there was a Peggy Bundy in 2024, she’d drop the ditz act but amp up her sexuality. I love this Bevza dress because it’s obviously sexy, but it’s quite covered in the end. It’s like a lowercase va-va-voom. Bevza, $321
2. A pink fluffy faux fur clutch! What’s not to love! Dries van Noten, $525
3. Another great item from Dorsey - in person these earrings are so beautiful, not too overstated, but also definitely there. These are also made with lab-grown white sapphires and gold plated brass, so they’re more accessible than fine jewelry, and with that, cooler and less fussy. Dorsey, $250
4. This bodysuit screams Peggy (and also Sandy from Grease) but it’s everything I ever loved about Peggy just in a more digestible black. Sandro, $295
5. I’m reluctant to nod to the M*b W*fe trend because I hate those viral TikTok microtrends in fashion, but this coat does cross over into that territory. But it also works with this vibe! Then imagine how cute it would be with your 501s, a pair of loafers, and a solid sweatshirt? Amani, $291
6. Ta-da! Those 501s. Levis, $98
7. Come on….black strappy heels with a big red rose? They’re so her. I love them. Larroude, $350
8. I love the belted leotard look, and what better belt for that than this super shiny, can’t look away giant gold buckle from Balmain? Balmain, $595
9. And finally. Some bad mom sunglasses. I love this girl. Khaite x Oliver Peoples, $380
And that’s all we have! So! Which mom are you? Which iconic moms did I forget? Tell tell tell!
x
Your friend,
Laurel
Okay this was such a fun read and the kick in the butt I needed to stop wearing gym shorts and baggy t shirts as my “mom uniform” 😂
This is so spot on, so perfectly styled, so fun. Can you do this for mom tv moms pleeeeeeeese????