The biggest struggle I see for my fellow 35+ moms is getting stuck in the fashion past– still wearing outfits that were popular in 2019 or 2020. And seriously no shade, I get it. Become a mom can be all-consuming, and keeping in touch with trends? It’s seriously not a top priority. But today we’re breaking down three easy cool mom outfit upgrades for 2025 that will help us dress more current without adding any additional stress to our plates.
To keep it authentic, I’m digging into my own archives and sharing outfits I actually wore and promoted as on-trend at the time. But now that a few years have passed they’re all in need of a little updating to be on-trend for today.
Leggings as Pants Update
Please don’t shoot the messenger, but the way we’re wearing leggings in 2025 is just different. Long gone are the faux leather leggings and oversized sweater combos of yore.
Unless we’re headed to the gym, leggings as pants are a no-go. In fact, ditch the faux leather leggings completely. They were never comfortable anyways, even when we sized up.
Wide leg pants, while they’ve taken some getting used to, are so much more comfortable than the skin-tight pants and leggings we were wearing for so many years. Plus there are so many options out there– these are my #1 comfort pick due to their stretch. But I’m also truly obsessed with my Levi’s that I’m styling below.
We’re still wearing an oversized sweater– those aren’t going anywhere! But if you notice, I chose a crewneck style instead and am layering with a basic white tee. While it might not seem like much, the layered tee adds a small amount of depth and polish.
For the shoe, I still love a little bit of a statement! The red sneaker adds such a fun pop of color and personality to an otherwise basic look. But truly, my flats from the first look would also work here on our upgraded look.
Athleisure Errands Upgrade
Uh oh, I’m coming for your leggings again. I know. But let’s be honest: they’ve become somewhat of a crutch for millennial moms. And we deserve better than old leggings! We can still do an athleisure look, but it’s going to be more updated for 2025.
You know what I’m going to say. Ditch the leggings and swap them for a wide leg athletic pant. Once you switch to the wide leg version you will never go back. They more comfortable, aren’t compressive on any part of the body, and don’t show every single lump and bump in the leg.
We’re still going to stick with the sweatshirt, but here’s that layer again! Add your tee to make your outfit look more intentional. It’s a thirty second add to your routine, but it makes a difference in styling!
For running errands, we’re also going to swap out our athletic shoes for something a little slimmer and more fashionable. Now it looks like we didn’t just step off the gym floor. It’s still comfy and has the same elements, just updated.
Fall Flannel Outfit Upgrade
This next look is coming straight from the 2016 archives. 😅 And let me tell ya– I relied on this combination for years. The graphic tee, the tied flannel, the cutout booties… I hate to break it to you, but it’s all gotta go.
We’re still going to go with a tee because a classic crisp white tshirt will never go out of style. Next we’ll swap the busted knee skinny jeans for a wide leg. Instead of wearing a flannel as a belt, I’m actually wearing a belt. It may be a small detail but it makes an impact on how complete the outfit looks.
For an updated boot, the new rule of thumb is that no ankle should be showing. You may have to switch to a boot with a higher shaft or wear a full length denim, which is much more elongating on the leg!
You are ready to take on the rest of 2025 in style. Which of these cool mom outfit upgrades are you going to try?