Baseball Mom? How to Dress Casual, Not Frumpy
Hi Deborah,
I am a 47-year-old full-time mom of two very busy boys. Both boys play baseball, and we live in S. Texas, where it’s boiling.
I spent a lot of time at the ballpark and used to wear sweatpants, sneakers, and a t-shirt until I visited your fantastic website and discovered this look was a no-go. Thank you for that little bit of advice. It has been life-changing!
I am 5’10”, not a girly girl, but athletically feminine. I want to carry my Fabulous After 40 into the ballpark but am stumped. I am concerned about looking like I’m trying too hard.
I tend to gravitate toward a classic look with hints of trendy. Can you please help me figure out what to wear? Warm weather dressing challenged, Cheryl S.
Hi Cheryl,
I love hearing how you’ve had an “ah ha” moment regarding your casual look. Do you raise two good questions: 1) Is it possible to dress casually and not look frumpy when you are a baseball mom? 2) If so, how do you not look like you’re trying too hard?
Let’s take a look.
Here’s an outfit that is very casual but still looks pulled together. Start with long denim shorts, and add a simple neutral-colored tee-shirt. Pump the look with a classy leather cross-body bag, some pretty studs to add color and a feminine touch, and some cool aviator glasses.
Not everyone likes denim, so here is another sporty, classic option.
White or cream shorts always look cool and crisp. Wear them with a bright color like red or bright pink, and you’ve got one high-energy look. A little jewelry adds femininity and elevates your look. This Michael Kors watch with a bold pink face has been a huge seller this year. It’s a decadent look but fun at the same time.
Don’t forget a cute hat to keep you cool; shoes are essential. If you want to wear sneakers, find some with a personality to look youthful and modern. Heavy, boring sneakers are out. Sleek, bright, fun sneakers are in.
Prefer more coverage? Here’s a variation on the look above using capris. Neutral capris + a bright top, fun shoes, and fab accessories are the recipes you want.
Why not skirt around the issue? You might be surprised to hear me suggesting a skirt, lightweight sundress, or even a maxi dress, but why not?
For example, a casual midi skirt + a tank top, and a wide hip belt could look cute. Or how about a black and white striped maxi with sandals or sporty slides, sunglasses, and an oversized boho bag?
The one kind of skirt I would stay away from would be a jean skirt. Short jean skirts are too young-looking. A midi or maxi jean skirt will make you look like a granny. Make sure any top you wear with your dress is fitted (think shrunken polo or strappy fitted t-shirt) to speak to your sporty side.
You mentioned hats- Retire the baseball cap and slide on a more hip summer hat like a fedora, bucket hat, or even newsboy cap. They’re much more stylish. Then hit a home run with a cute handbag that’s sporty and unfussy. Don’t forget your sunglasses to sass things up a notch.
Once you’ve got your new look, don’t fall back to your old ways. No one will think you are trying too hard if you consistently show up looking put together and fab!
*This post was originally published in 2012 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
I also live in South Louisiana, New Orleans, to be exact. I am the opposite of Cheryl- I am a proud 5’3″ 40-year-old at about 118 pounds. I have three boys under six and am just getting into the whole baseball/soccer, e.tc, fashion thing. Help, please! What shorts can I wear to the practices and games all while running around with a three-year-old? It is humid 100% of the time around here. I also have a reasonably large bust, so maybe someone could give me some advice? I appreciate any help you can provide.
LOOOOOVE the website!
Hi Ami, My friend is just about your height and weight and happens to be traveling in Southern Florida these days, so that I can relate to your problem. She’s finding that a sundress can be one of her wardrobe’s most relaxed and comfortable items. Also, she likes longer linen shorts with a thin tank top (with wider straps) or a thin cotton fitted t-shirt with a “V” neck. Sometimes she wears a straw fedora hat rather than a baseball cap for more style. A gladiator sandal will work well on you to balance your top. Don’t forget a minimizer bra to help “support” the girls!
I, too, am a baseball mom – and I wear plus size. My best look uses a skort as the anchor piece (length – just above the knee.) I pair it with a cotton short sleeve sweater (sleeveless would be great too)or an excellent-looking cotton or gauze tunic. (I plan to experiment with Ulla Popken’s shark bite and hankie hems on tops this season.) When the weather allows, I add a tonally matched, safari-style zippered vest, worn open, with many pockets. In terms of footwear, I love well-designed flip-flops – but all sandals and empty-toe flats work great; that’s a matter of personal comfort. Add great sunglasses and sunscreen, and you’re good to go for double-header days and celebrate the W over a bite to eat after the game.
As another sweltering southern belle, could you please suggest lightweight ways to do the third piece when dressing?
Carte blanche. I loved this article! Very informative.
Think loose, breathable fabrics; nothing too clingy. Airflow is what you need (I heartily concur with the skirt/sundress suggestion). I prefer to wear sundresses and skirts with t-shirts/tanks and flip-flops/sandals rather than shorts, which (when it gets hot enough) can still get baked right on your legs.
Thanks, Deb! That is a question I’ve wanted to ask for a while. It’s tough to dress for baseball tournaments that last all weekend in hot and HUMID climates, as we have in South Louisiana. You want to look chic but not overdone. Overdoing it will sometimes get “who does she think she is?” looks. I like the knee-length short’s idea, with a lightweight t, in your child’s team colors and the “bling” rhinestone shirts are adorable too. It makes them so proud when their biggest fan sports their team colors! Thanks for all of your excellent advice. Keep up the good work!!
Yes, yes to the cute ideas. It’s triple digits summers in Northern CA, and sitting in the baseball stands is sometimes miserable. I would love more skirt ideas – skirts stay cool and chic when I’m feeling heavy and don’t want to wear shorts…but I don’t want to look like a grandma either!
Right on, Patricia! Like the idea of a flowy blouse for Cheryl! It sounds like it would fit her style!
These are excellent suggestions through Spring, but when the triple digits get here, my go-to outfit is Fitted shorts that hit the knee and cute flowy sleeves blouses tucked with a cute belt or untucked. I’d pair it with gladiator or substantial sandals and a light-colored straw fedora.
Hi Polly, Yes, those are both beautiful ideas and good alternatives!
Hi Cheryl, You might look at the Athleta and Title9 catalogs for inspiration.
Re: the clothing for a scorching day at a game, why not some light pants rolled up a little and light, fitted T, with a long cotton scarf looped around for color? I love those cute newsboy caps and fedoras the glam girls suggested too. And I’m a fan of gladiator sandals through summer (flat and comfy while still on trend), but that’s just me.
Hi Leanne, Yes, gladiator sandals would look great on her!
Hi Leanne, Oh yes, gladiator sandals would look terrific on her! We added your idea to the post! Thanks!
A lovely tee, jeans, spandex shorts, or yoga pants works for me. I am a plus size over 50. So many cute flirty tops are available now to wear on the weekends—comfortable shoes or sandals. I try to wear my hair but might attach a ponytail or wear a cap. But if you add a little make-up and hoop earrings. You will turn heads and look good. Your husband might even grab your hand :)
Hi Sandy, Thanks for your input.. sounds like you’re a true fashionista!
I have been a baseball fan considerable time and used to attend 20 games a year when we lived in Toronto, plus whatever spring training games I could manage to get to. While your outfit sounds excellent, about the only time it would work in most baseball cities is during the World Series. Even in March in Arizona or Texas, you sit in HOT weather. You would not even consider leggings and cowboy boots for another 6 or 8 months.
Can you suggest a ‘warm weather’ ball game outfit? Wanda in Edmonton
Yes, Sharon is right. When it’s 100 degrees, boots, hats, layers – many things used to spice up an outfit are just out of the question. In the Deep South, layering is usually impossible for many months. It’s warm or HOT from March to November! Today (Jan. 28) in north Louisiana is springlike 65 degrees outside. Perfect for the cute outfit you described for Cheryl. Would you please share your ideas for ballgame attire when it’s a scorching day? Thanks!
Great comments! Yes, flip-flops are way better than a tennis shoes! Remember that Sheryl is a tall, athletic gal with short curly hair. She will have to find a style that feels natural for her. Sparkle t-shirts might not be her, even if others are wearing them. We suggest she stay with a more accessible and straightforward style that will harmonize with what feels good to her.
While I love most of your advice, I don’t think you have attended a baseball tournament that runs an entire weekend in 100 degree weather!
The moms on my sons’ teams have found a local vendor to create “Mom spirit wear,” such as fitted t-shirts in team colors with rhinestone wording across the front. Our team is “Thunder” so the stones spell out thunder, or some shirts have a “T” in rhinestones. Pair that with a cute pair of knee-length shorts and some sparkly flip-flops and a cute bag. Much more practical, a bit glam, team-oriented, and not frumpy.