On being a sexy mama, instead of just a mama

by Whitney on February 12, 2010

in Lists and numbers, Mommy

Another post from Shana, who seems to have endless energy to explore ways to feel good and look good at the same time.  Don’t be scared off by her bold tips! Read closely for concrete suggestions.  That’s what we love about our special guest from Ain’t No Mom Jeans.

sexy mama in a man's shirt

Sexy Mama: 4 Strategies To Boost Your Sexy Factor

When the topic of sex (or sexy) comes up, I always find it helpful to chat with my husband.  Not only does he always have an opinion on this topic, but it is usually something very simple and to the point.  When asked what “items” a mom could wear to look sexier, his response (after the eye-roll) can best be summarized by the punch-line of the old joke: “Show up naked.  Bring beer.”

But….the problem, as I see it, is that sexiness is just as much about a feeling as it is about a certain look.  Yes, we can show up naked (with beer), and we love that you guys just look past poochy stomaches and saggy boobs and merely focus on the fun that’s about to start….but for us (or me, at least) it’s not so easy.  I need to feel it.

Sexiness is really all about feeling delicious.  Sexiness is very different from pretty.  Sexiness doesn’t require perfection (thank GOD).  Sexiness is something that all women can achieve, regardless of body type, looks, or age.  It just requires that we get our head in the game.

Oh, oh.

As moms, getting our head in the game can be the hardest part.  We’re focused on the kiddos, we’re focused on the house, the chores, or trying to remember something that we know we’ve forgotten.  And while I do believe sexiness (or feeling delicious) is a state of mind, there are a couple of tricks we can try to help us get our head in the game.  Here are my top four:

1. Wear a Sexy Bra.  And (gasp!) Matching Panties

Sexy bras are not nude.  Sexy bras do not have insanely thick straps.  Sexy bras are never called “t-shirt bras”.  Sexy bras do not cover so much of the bust region that you can touch your chin to the cup.  Sexy bras come in beautiful colors, have a bit of lace or ribbon or something, and are available in all sizes, for all moms.

Nursing?  Bella Materna’s French Lace Nursing Bra is gorgeous and comfortable.  I can personally vouch for the fabulousness.  I wore my first one so often I had to purchase another.

Large bust?  Check out Victoria’s Secret Full Cup collection, or HerRoom.com (see below for more info).

Flat chest?  Try the Occhi Verdi by La Perla line (it’s a lower cost La Perla line).  They make some gorgeous triangle bras.

Lastly, HerRoom.com has the best navigation of any lingerie site I’ve seen, and the brand list is staggering.  You can select your exact size (and trust me, they have every size, from Size 0 to a 56DDD), then, once all of the bras load, you can use their navigation at the left to refine further.  You can then decide to narrow down to only the lace bras in your specified size, or only the push-up, etc. It’s fantastic.

And don’t forget the panties.

2. Rock the Men’s Shirt Look (pictured above)

A women slipping into a man’s white button down is just so classically sexy.  It’s easy to do from the comfort of your home, a bit harder to do if you plan to go out in public.  Here are a few tricks:

  • Look for your husband’s most sheer, lightweight shirt.  You want something that floats over you, and something that is a bit sheer, to show a hint of your shape underneath.
  • If your hubby’s shirt isn’t going to work, buy your own men’s shirt.  Again, look for something a bit sheer, in 100% cotton.  Stretch dress shirts just don’t have the right drape for this look.  Banana Republic always seems to have Men’s size small dress shirts on sale for $20.
  • Don’t be afraid to check out the boy’s department.  If you have very long arms, however, you are better off in the men’s department.
  • Also try a women’s button down shirt in a larger size.  My current favorite men’s shirt look is achieved with a J. Crew women’s button down that I bought on sale, several sizes too big.
  • Layer your man’s shirt over a pair of skinny jeans or leggings paired with tall flat boots, like Kira Knightly, here.  Or, wear with bootcut jeans, heels and some layered necklaces.

3. Boobs, Boobs, Boobs

You got ‘em.  Flaunt ‘em….subtly.  My favorite trick is to wear a low v-neck shirt with a delicate necklace that hangs just at the top of my cleavage.  It’s the “You look different, better somehow, but I can’t put my finger on it” vibe.  The proper length for this necklace will vary from person-to-person, but it’s generally around 21 inches, much longer than most necklaces.  Take your favorite little pendant to a jeweler and have them create the right chain for you.  It doesn’t need to be very fancy or flashy.  For example,  Gorjana’s Vine Cluster Necklace would be just enough shine to draw the eye.

5. Legs, Legs, Legs

For sexiness, this formula never fails:  Lots of leg + Stiletto heels.

But this combo strikes fear in many mom’s hearts.  So for your next date night,  please keep the following in mind:

  • Opaque black tights forgive many leg sins.  And opaque black tights paired with black stilettos (whether it be ankle boots, pumps, gladiators) look amazing with virtually anything.
  • Short hemlines look best with slightly demure, flowy tops.  A-line tops or babydoll tops are good choices.  And remember: A-line or babydoll tops hide poochy stomachs.
  • Hate your legs?  Try sexy patterned tights and stilettos with your pencil skirt.  So hot.
  • Stilettos:  Not negotiable.  All women should own one pair.  As high as you can manage.  Stilettos are the shoes with the tall, skinny heel.  They are not wedges, or any shoe with a 1” heel.  Stilettos are pure sex.  You can, however, find comfortable stilettos.  I’ve had good luck (in the comfort department) with Guess, Betsy Johnson, and Target’s Gladiator sandal.

So give these tricks a try.  If your gorgeous bra and stiletto heels aren’t enough to keep your mind from wandering back to the kids on your next date night…well then, we’ll have to send the sexy police after you.  Or at least the outfit.

xo,

S

photo: helgasms! on flickr

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

Yatima February 12, 2010 at 12:32 pm

Um. Sorry to be a downer, because I usually really like this blog. But… is this some kind of sick joke? Stilettos? Are you kidding me? No, I don’t own a pair of stilettos and no, I never will, because I am not the patriarchy’s bitch. Oh, and also because I have TWO CHILDREN and occasionally need to make sure they are not RUNNING INTO TRAFFIC. And no, I don’t need to BUY ANYTHING to be sexy. Nor do I need to “achieve” sexiness because it WILL NOT BE ON THE FINAL EXAM. In fact, you know what? Mamas, if you have a poochy belly and baby-chewed nipples, you are allowed to TAKE SOME TIME OFF FROM BEING A SEX OBJECT. Have sex if you want; don’t have sex if you don’t want to. But DO NOT FEEL LIKE A FAILURE EITHER WAY. You just had a CHILD.

Rhiannon February 12, 2010 at 1:49 pm

I also asked my hubby what he thought sexy looked like and his answer was suprising and suprisingly achievable for all new moms.
“Do something nice with your hair, wear pretty earrings and wear a skirt”

Basically, he said, sexy means you look different. Either different than a guy or different than other days. But different was the key. And classic femininity was key, too.

That made my Valentines Day A LOT easier!

Whitney February 12, 2010 at 2:16 pm

@ Yatima, I hear you. I am not a stiletto girl myself, but I appreciate Shana’s encouragement for those who do want to go there. And there are certainly times when I have the freedom to wear clothes not intended for toddler-chasing. I’ll put on (medium) heels for date night to indicate that I’m making an effort. As long as they don’t hurt!

@ Rhiannon, I love that your husband thinks earrings make a difference.

RookieMom Heather February 12, 2010 at 3:13 pm

Ha ha. I am terrified to walk in stilettos. Terrified. But I liked Shana’s suggestion that cheap and comfy (really?!) ones could be had at Target. I might be so bold.

And thanks for the nice words Yatima. We’re glad you like us when we’re not so sexy, which is most of the time.

Tegan and Tage February 12, 2010 at 9:57 pm

I am a huge fan of Rookie Moms and a huge fan of Shana and Ain’t No Mom Jeans. I am amazed that someone can feel so strongly against a pair of shoes… but at any rate tall heels make most women feel very sexy, and that IS what it’s all about. Not objectifying women.

You bet your ass MY ass will be rockin’ these on Saturday night: http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=4016&vid=0&pid=735413&scid=735413022

Alyssa February 13, 2010 at 12:07 am

I LOVE that you guys put this up.
As the mother of a 4 month old (my first child too) it can be very difficult to get in the mood. And yes I just became a mother but that doesn’t mean I stopped being a wife, and doesn’t mean that my husband stopped being…well my husband.
I think that it is healthy to maintain our relationship beyond just being parents even for just the sake of our sanities.
So thank you soooo much because it is so easy to get caught up in being a mommy so much that you forget about your NEEDS and the needs of the person who helped create that bundle of joy.

a mama February 13, 2010 at 2:24 pm

No one said you had to wear any of these out. My Stilettos have gone from the closet to the bed room and that is all. No fear of falling, no chasing kids. Just awesome sex.

A Mom of 5 February 24, 2010 at 8:47 am

I love this but I can’t wear stilettos. My ankles are so bad I would kill myself. Even shorter heels hurt. About the only heels I can wear are my boots and they have the big thick soles so they are not really a sexy type of boot. Thankfully my hubby thinks I am sexy the way I am. Stretched out tummy and being bigger from each pregnancy.

Christine April 8, 2010 at 12:13 am

Fantastic post! And it doesn’t involve hours of prep work. :)

Yatima– no mom would even dream to wear heels and do daily errands and such; Shana was just suggesting you can use them when you want to impress your man. You don’t even have to walk in them! Just situate yourself on the bed in a pose and call him over from the other room. Even if they don’t do anything for you, maybe he’ll enjoy them. It won’t do any harm if you’re lying down, right?

Also, some women use clothes as accessories to the sexiness they already have– the difference in dressing up from your usual clothes can really make an impression, and it’s a confidence booster when your man can’t take his eyes off of you. It’s something you can do if you want to do something different and bring a little excitement in.

I don’t think Shana was trying to say that moms need to stay sexy. Rather, I think she was trying to encourage us, we who have flabby bellies and bags under our eyes, to still find ways to appreciate our bodies and not shun them for transforming into the postpartum mess. Society can still put that pressure of subservience on us, where we are moms before we are individuals; this post was just reminding you to not lose track of yourself as a unique, independent woman who can define herself, rather than be defined by her children.

Rhiannon– what your husband said is so awesome. While this post preps you for a hot, as-seen-in-movies kind of sexiness, I personally like the real life, personal things where what I do/say/wear carry more weight in the fact that I’m putting in effort than the actual actions/clothes.

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