There’s definitely a lot of criteria to consider as a busy mom or hardworking woman on the go. Clothing needs to be practical, functional and versatile, above all. Of course, our clothing still has to be stylish, which is why we often look for pieces that are easily mixed and matched and cute while still being durable. Oh, and it also has to be affordable.
Shopping for clothing that ticks off all the boxes can be a bit overwhelming at times, but if you have a good starting point, it can still be kind of fun. These are the 10 best clothing brands for moms and women.
1. Good American
Ladies, don’t get hung up on the fact that Good American is a Kardashian-founded brand. Good American originally launched as an all-denim line, but has expanded to activewear and other basics, including some of the best jeans around. They’re on the pricier side, but last forever and there are good sales a few times a year. The denim is stretchy, but still sucks everything in (particularly the high-waisted styles) while still being incredibly comfortable. There’s a huge variety of styles to choose from in varying lengths including shorts and styles that run the gamut from classic dark wash and distressed boyfriend jeans to vintage-inspired flares and even maternity. They even offer free home try-on.
2. Zella
Zella is an activewear and athleisure brand that’s sold exclusively at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack and features items that easily transition from the gym to running errands around town or even lunching with friends. Their leggings are of the buttery soft variety, while still being ultra-functional for even an intense workout. They also offer joggers, tanks, tees, sweaters and more in a variety of neutral and new-neutral shades that are easy to mix and match. If budget is a factor, try their more affordable offshoot, Z by Zella sold at Nordstrom Rack, for similar items at a fraction of the cost.
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3. Athleta
Athleta, which is a part of the Gap/Old Navy family, has long been a standby for active women, but ever since athleisure became trendy, the brand has been expanding its collections to include lots of items that are both functional and fashionable. It offers tons of fantastic daily, casual options like the signature activewear leggings, linen pants and shorts and sculpting denim, as well as swimsuits, outerwear, dresses and tops all designed with features to appeal to women who really love to get out there and live life. Athleta is a great source for travel-friendly clothing as well!
4. Madewell
If you’re looking for effortless style, Madewell has you covered. The brand was originally launched as a denim company, but has since expanded to chic and often eco-friendly clothing and accessories to pair with your jeans. You can even find simple, cotton dresses that are comfy enough to run around with the kids in, and lots of other fun wardrobe staples that make you look like the cool mom even when you don’t have the energy to do more than throw on the first thing you grab from your closet. Madewell also features models in a variety of sizes to help you select your best fit. Look out for promo codes!
5. Everlane
Everlane is a one-stop shop for an ethically made minimalist, mom-friendly wardrobe. The brand offers everything from business casual jumpsuits and dresses to denim, athletic wear and loungewear. Fabrics are comfortable and practical and colors are wearable, but still fashionable, so you’ll feel totally on-trend every time you were an Everlane piece. They even sell undergarments and footwear, so you can practically build a new wardrobe from scratch all in one place, especially since the prices are fairly affordable as well.
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6. Kut From the Kloth
If you’re on the hunt for affordable jeans that are durable, fashion-forward and versatile enough to wear with just about anything, check out Kut From the Kloth. Kut From the Kloth jeans literally last forever and they are ultra-comfy, soft and stretchy so you won’t mind wearing them all day long whether you’re at work, traveling or chasing around little ones. They come in loads of colors, cuts and washes and ring in at under $100 per pair, but are often found on sale for much, much less. Oh, and the jeans are available in tall, short and plus sizes. The line also features some adorable tops and outerwear as well.
7. Universal Thread/A New Day
As a busy mom, there’s nothing quite as convenient as being able to pick up a new outfit in the same place you buy your laundry detergent and diapers. Target’s Universal Thread and A New Day brands feature shockingly stylish clothing for modern women on a budget. From a huge array of affordable denim to easy-breezy dresses and chic workwear that’ll make you look like you spent tons of time putting together your look, you’ll find pretty much anything you’re in the market for between these two clothing brands.
8. Daily Ritual
Amazon now has its own house labels including Daily Ritual, which features insanely affordable, well-made, travel-friendly basics for women of various shapes and sizes. We’re talking long-sleeve tees for as little as $10, casual cotton dresses for around $20 and work-appropriate chinos from just $30.
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9. Modcloth
Modcloth has been around for years and still offers women cute, classic or quirky dresses for all occasions, as well as tops, pants, shoes, accessories, outerwear and even swimwear. You have to check out their selection of high-waisted swimsuits! Most pieces have a bit of vintage flair, but our favorite thing about Modcloth is that they feature so many pieces that allow you to showcase your own unique personality, from dinosaur knit sweaters to dresses that will give you all kinds of Ms. Frizzle vibes.
10. Asos
A British brand that is super-similar to H&M, Asos sells affordable, but chic clothing that can work for just about anyone. Asos offers a little bit of everything style-wise so you can check them out whether you’re looking for gym clothes or office staples, but we love them for their semi-formal and formal dresses in particular. They have an entire department geared toward wedding guests and they even offer budget-friendly bridalwear! Shopping for dress-up occasions gets significantly more difficult after having a kid or two, so it’s awesome that Asos has a huge and very affordable selection from which to choose. You can even shop Asos for trendy maternity clothes.
Related: 10 Stylish Jeans So Comfortable You Can Sleep in Them
Bonus: Stitch Fix
If you are tired of spending hours and hours sifting through racks of clothes at the mall and sweating in and out of fitting rooms, we highly recommend a personal shopping service like Stitch Fix. Stitch Fix has members fill out a style profile before shipping out a customized box of five pieces of clothing and/or accessories from various brands, including labels that are exclusive to them. Members can leave notes for their personal stylist describing exactly what they’re looking for, describing their body shape, etc. or leave it completely up to the stylist to choose items for them. You can even rate specific items on their website, as well as leave detailed feedback on every item you actually receive in order to get better and better matches with each box. You can either sign up for recurring boxes or schedule a “Fix” whenever you choose. Each box is assessed a $20 styling fee that is deducted from any purchases you make, but if you don’t buy anything, you lose the fee.
Shayne is a freelance writer and editor who has been passionately covering all things travel, food, wellness and parenting for over a decade. Experiencing the world and its diversity of cultures through travel is one of her favorite things to do, especially alongside her adventure-loving kids and husband. More of her work can be found on SmarterTravel.com, CruiseCritic.com, MamasLatinas.com, VivaFifty.com, CafeMom.com, and her personal blog, fitmamilife.com. Shayne’s work has also appeared on Huffpost, ACD News, and BabyCenter.com
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