Normally I start Fashion Friday with some kind of light-hearted anecdote that somehow relates to fashion or something like that, but not today because I have something serious to discuss.
Y’all there is an epidemic sweeping across the nation and we can no longer turn a blind eye.
I’m talking about the Snuggie and/or the Slanket.
It was bad enough that it has made its polyester way into my own family, but then many of you owned up to your own Snuggie/Slanket issues in the comments. The final straw was when I read this post by Melissa about how the Slanket has infiltrated her family as well.
It’s just not right.
Look people, I know what it’s like to feel cold. I spend a good portion of my life wrapped in some sort of blanket, but are we really at a point in society and, more importantly in fashion, where we need a blanket with sleeves?
Really, some of the blame for this lies with the Amish. Ever since they limited the purchase of their patented Heat Surge Roll-N-Glow Electric Fireplace to just two per customer, people are looking for new, inexpensive ways to stay warm.
I also think the economy being in the toilet is to blame and we’re all looking for a way to return to the comfort of the womb, but I just don’t believe the Slanket/Snuggie or a $920,000,000,000 bailout is going to make that happen.
(Actually, I would probably feel a lot better if the government would just send me my share of that check.)
Then last night I received an email from Brenda at Family Revised that included this picture.
picture from curbly.com
That, my friends, is a pimped-out Snuggie/Slanket.
Yeah, like that makes it better.
Now for the questions.
1. Laura asks: “I live up the road in Austin, and as you know, it’s currently 80 degrees in January. I can’t possibly get out my springtime clothes right now, as my mother who lives 900 miles away would KNOW if I wore linen, pastels, or white before Easter. So my question is, what’s a Texas girl supposed to wear when it’s unseasonably warm in the winter?”
Laura, I would hate for your mama to have to drive 900 miles just to yank some pastel linens off your body before you brought lasting shame to your family. And you and I both know that could totally happen.
The key to seasonally-appropriate dress when the weather isn’t seasonally appropriate is to look for lightweight tops and t-shirts in fall/winter colors. Also keep in mind that layering is your friend because sometimes the mornings start out chilly and then warm up quickly.
This winter, as we all know by now, I have made much use of the scarf as an accessory. You can pair a lightweight scarf with a long-sleeve or short-sleeve t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Start off the day with a light sweater or cute coat over it and you’ve got an outfit that will take you from a low of 42 to a high of 78, which just happens to be tomorrow’s forecast.
On the bright side, at least you won’t be tempted to buy a Snuggie.
2. Amy asks: “My question to you is this…is it ok to wear jeans, a sweater, and open toed pumps?”
Yes, I believe that it is as long as you’re ready to deal with any possible frostbite issues. Just make sure that it’s more of a peep-toe shoe that shows just a hint of toe as opposed to any sort of sandal.
My advice is to stay away from full-toe nudity in the wintertime unless it’s a formal occasion.
3. Sylvia asks: “I’ve been a stay at home mom for a while (years) and my uniform consists of jeans and t-shirts. I’m going back to work three days a week and have a very limited budget. So, what do I HAVE to have, where do I get it, how can I get it as cheaply as possible and how do I wear it once I get it?”
There are a lot of issues packed into this one question, but I’m going to do my best to help you out.
The first thing I’ll say is that I wouldn’t go buy a whole bunch of stuff until you’ve worked there a few weeks and gotten a good feel for the office dress code. Once you have a better idea of what other people wear, you’ll have a better idea of what you’ll need.
A few basics that I’d suggest are a good pair of black pants. They don’t have to be expensive, but they should fit well and be comfortable. If you can afford it, you would also be well-served to get another pair of pants in either a charcoal gray color or some shade of camel. I’m not going to link to any specific pairs because I think your best bet is going to be someplace like Kohl’s or TJ Maxx and possibly Target. Just dig through the racks and try on a bunch of different pairs even if they don’t look great on the hanger. They might surprise you.
Once you have those foundation pieces then you can look for a few different tops. Since you have a limited budget, I’d suggest sticking to a simple palette of shirts that you can change up using various accessories like scarves, necklaces, or sweaters. Another great thing to have would be a nice trenchcoat and maybe a few different jackets that you can wear with various skirts and pants.
My last suggestion is to go look at the Outfits section on the Ann Taylor or Ann Taylor Loft site. You can find looks that you like and then go look for similar pieces at various discount stores.
I hope that helps!
4. Kim asks: “I’m about to have baby #2 by scheduled c-section and would like to look good in the hospital. I’m planning on getting my hair blown out and having a pedi/mani the day before. My question is what should I wear? I don’t want to be stuck in a hospital gown for those first pictures of baby and mama.”
Amen, Kim. Amen.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate a woman who wants to look her best immediately after giving birth. Those pictures will be around for years to come and dragged out at every high school graduation and rehearsal dinner video montage and there’s no reason to suffer for eternity in a bad hospital gown.
Target has really cute gowns and pajamas these days. You might be able to find something there in a few sizes larger than you’d normally wear.
When I had Caroline, I ordered a pair of pajamas from The Cat’s Pajamas. They have really good sales in their outlet section and they are so soft. One last site you may want to check out is Sleepyheads.
And one last piece of unsolicited advice, bring your own pretty pillowcase to the hospital. It will make your pictures look that much better, plus you’ll have a little piece of home with you instead of scratchy, sterile hospital linens.
5. Amy asks: “Is it true that you shouldn’t wear black to a wedding?”
No, it’s an urban myth. I just wouldn’t wear any kind of black armband which might lead folks to believe you’re in some kind of mourning, but a little black dress is always appropriate.
6. Megan asks: “I’ve noticed a ridiculous increase in the number of Bender Ball, 8-second Abs, ‘I lost 437 pounds of belly fat in 3 weeks’, etc. commercials. Combine these commercials with the swing in the political climate and the economy in a state where most of us can only afford half a shirt anyway…Do you think that ‘the ab’ is going to make a comeback as a desirable fashion accessory?”
I don’t know about the rest of y’all, but my abs are way past making any kind of comeback.
Frankly, I’d rather wear a Snuggie or a Slanket, especially if it’s pimped out.
Okay, that’s all the questions for this week.
Like I mentioned last week, I’m adding a Mr. Linky to the bottom of this post. Please feel free to link to your very own Fashion Friday tip or fashion find. Just please make sure that you link to your specific post and not just the url for your blog. You have until Sunday to post your link and then I’ll shut it down.
Y’all have a great Friday.
Maybe it’s just me, but I think the Slanket, Suggie, what not is even more attractive now that I have seen Beth Moore donning one… I think it made a hige jump on the cool factor chart… and I live in California when cold is 68 degrees!
Oh what fun. I’ve never joined a fashion carnival before! Thanks Melanie. I type this as I sit warmly in my snuggly. Just kidding. I promise!
Confession: Each morning as I sit in my chair, struggling to keep my afghan tucked around me AND poke my hands out to hold my Bible and then my book to read – – – I WISH for a snuggie. I don’t even need the pimped out kind, I’d settle for the plain old warm kind.
I don’t know if it is Mr. Linky’s fault or what, but your blog is taking an inordinately long time to load this morning – – – MUCH longer than usual.
OK, so that pimped out Snuggie is hilarious!
Oh.my.gosh!!! I swear I had never heard of one of these until last Saturday morning. My 4 year old daughter was watching cartoons. She came storming back to the bedroom and was all like, “Mommy, can we throw away all of our blankets and buy the shirt blanket??” I knew this would have some kind of funny attatched to it, so I raced in the living room hoping to see a glimpse of what she was talking about. There it was in all of its glory. And my daughter was JUMPING UP AND DOWN begging for one. From now on, its PBS only. They at least don’t try to brainwash your children into buying the snuggie.
I don’t think Mr. Linky is working for me?
Oh, the Amish get blamed for so much.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsfVw9xxoNY&feature=related
Big Mama your fashion advice rocks, i have one for you…
How does a short squat woman (that is me at 4’11”) with no waist find a great belt to wear without looking as if she has been cut in half? Of if a belt won’t work what other accessory can be used to dress up the jeans and sweater/shirt?
Thanks for the opportunity to meet some of your fun and fabulous readers through Mr. Linky. My husband has talked about moving to Montana (Wild country for the wIld at Heart) since we got married. As a Florida girl, I have always threatened that if he moved us to such a climate I’d have to live in a Slanket. My threat seems to have worked so far.
Thanks for giving us advise and laughs!
Congrats on Edition 50! Just think of how many lives you’ve changed in the past 50 Fridays. Wow–blows my mind.
You crack me up. The pimped-out snuggie, though? It just makes me sad.
They sell those Snuggie blankets at HEB. Talk about being an enabler.
Take care,
Julie
The idea of using the Ann Taylor/Loft outfits section as a blueprint for fashionable attire at a lower price is pure and simple genius!
Also, I have to tell you that I am sporting a “springy” scarf today – Target has some fabulous prints and colors out for 12.99 or less! My husband even commented that I looked “trendy.” Mission accomplished.
And Kim….Etsy also has custom made hospital gowns! http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_title&search_query=hospital+gowns
I have never seen that Snuggie/slanket thing and seriously wish I still hadn’t. That should not be worn unless you are over 70, and even then probably not.
Amen to no peep toe shoes in winter (except for formals, of course). I wrote about this a few weeks ago–but I saw a girl at our bus stop who was wearing peep toe shoes when it was -30 outside.
While a hospital gown is unsightly, it is also handy for the bajillion times the nurses need to check you while you’re there. So in this case, they make a designer hospital gown you can take with you!
Here’s the link…
http://www.thepeanutshell.com/shop/hospital_gowns/serendipity/sweet_pea_designer_hospital_gown
I just have to tell you what my 3 year old said yesterday as she was packing things into her Princess tent because I know you will appreciate it. She grabbed various toys and dolls and books and lastly she grabbed a kids magazine off the coffee table and flippantly said, “and I’ll need this to keep up on the fashion” First of all, “the fashion” cracked me up and second, I really started to wonder if she was reading your blog on Fridays because I don’t believe the word fashion comes out of my mouth very often. If you were her mother I would understand but me? I’m sporty-ish girl who’s fashion knowledge begins and ends right here at Big Mama 🙂 It just made me laugh and think of you.
My favorite new (used) fashion find is a great pair of khaki pants that my sister gave me when I was at her house in Ark. and I was there for my dads funeral and all flustered and not thinking clearly, so, I did not pack any clothes but a dress for the funeral, so had to have clothes to wear in between. These pants are my favorites now. I love them, and sorry Bigmama but I think they are from Wal-Mart. Also, our Goody’s is going out of business and I just bought a great pair of Sketcher’s slip on shoes….
I just bought my first pair of yoga pants – I’ve got a three month old sweet boy and can’t wear really any of my “normal” pants. And I’ve worn said yoga pants for four days straight. Good thing I haven’t spilled on them. And they’re black so no one will notice … probably. 🙂
I can’t beeeelieve that people actually buy those things!
Ginger
Big Mama, as a northern gal with a love for things southern, I appreciate your daily blogging. It’s a ray of sunshine and THANK YOU for speaking up about this slanket epidemic. Something must be done. I don’t know what I’ll do if my Momma is wearing anything close to that when I go home this weekend. My Dad is not strong enough to keep it out.
Okay, the pimped out snuggie/slanket looks straight up like my Meme’s moomoo.
No lie.
If this wearable blanket had posterior closures, that would make it, in fact, a moomoo!
Those slanket things are so hideous they burn my retinas.
I curse you for linking those cute tops….I just spent 500.00 at Banana Republic.( I needed that white leather tote)
What are you thinking girl? Its cold here in Pennsylvania and those things are so pretty. I think I am going to go clean out my closet (if I ever wash these breakfast dishes).
From a former Pharm rep in PA now a sahm of 4
Okay, So I am Pregnant too & Suppose am just vain enough that I’ve already been wondering what I am going to wear on the big day.
So, the question about hospital gowns reminded me of when MckMama was in the hospital with Stellan last summer and a nice reader of hers sent some darling gowns her way. I hope I’ve linked this properly so that you can check them out. I believe she sells them and I myself will be the small investment for the sake of being sassy while in labor.
http://krisellieandkyle.blogspot.com/2008/08/so-reality-tv-not-so-bad.html
Okay, sorry…2 comments in a row…but I found her ETSY shop & here’s the link.
Cute hospital gowns… $40
Manis/Pedis…$50
Birthing a child in style…Priceless!
elenajane.etsy.com
Now I hear you on the slanket, I really truly do. It is uglier than sin. But, dang, I live in MN. It is icy here. I’d kind of like one. But would it ever make it out of my living room? NO. Would I ever put it on when a non-immediate family member was here? NO. But it sure would be handy in the chilly office here whilst I’m working. And blog reading. Because I’m cold. And sick of wearing wool sweaters.
now I am having buyers remorse…..I am never coming here on Fashion Friday again.
I hope that nothing fits, the tote is gross, and the scarves are yucky.
I was just talking to someone last night about what I would wear in the hospital when I deliver my baby in June/July. Advice I’d heard was not to wear anything you ever wanted to wear again because of the possibility of staining by, ahem, organic matter. But after reading this post, all my problems are solved. I’ll simply attack a Snuggie with a bedazzler and use it as a coverup over my hospital gown for those all-important first pictures. I’m sure my child won’t be embarrassed at all to display those pictures at family events for the rest of his/her life. Kind of like when my mother wore white platform shoes in her wedding. She was extremely disappointed when the picture of them getting into the car after the ceremony, showcasing her groovy shoes, mysteriously lost its bottom half.
The pimped out snuggie made my crazy day.
Alright, I can’t resist… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWHlvtWhum0
I just have to write you a thank you letter. I just have to. Ten years ago I had a terrible accident and gained 100 pounds. Yep, 100. I started wearing sweats and yuck everyday. Pony tails, stopped caring, etc. I haven’t lost all the weight but now that I’m down a bit guess what? I have no clue what’s in fashion anymore! I’ve been coming here for advice. Just because I’m a chunky monkey and in my late 30s it doesn’t mean I want to look like an overweight Navy Captain (that’s all you can buy at the fat girl stores, I swear) Thanks for everything. Your site rocks! I come everyday, even though you don’t talk about fashion all the time. 🙂 <> friend.
If y’all would like a cheep snuggie, take your robe, put it on backwards, and voila…instant snuggie.
ummm big mama… It’s cold in the north… I want a snuggie bad… i’d consider wear two at the same time to keep warm…. however I just can’t humiliate myself, or my family and friends in that way, I love them too much… I’ll just stick to keeping my neck nice and toasty with all your scarf tips:)
The pimped out slanket comment is very funny!!!
Praying for a break-through in your shed painting this weekend!
No, really, I am just praying for YOU. And you know that, don’t you?
Hi Bigmama,
I’ve been reading for quite some time, but don’t think that I’ve commented before.
I was wondering if you might do some kind of fashion PSA for your readers regarding two totally different things. I’ve been seeing them quite often recently, and it’s starting to drive me a bit crazy.
1. When you buy a coat, please, for goodness sakes, cut that little threaded “X” on the back of the coat where the slit comes together at the bottom. This is not meant to be kept on the coat after purchased, folks! The same goes for men, too, of course.
2. People may disagree on this one, but if you are wearing open-toe or peep-toe shoes, please refrain from wearing pantyhose. At best your going to end up looking like a dressed-up amphibian who’s decided to come out of the water.
Thanks, Bigmama!
I, too, fear the scourge of the Snuggie. Have you seen the commercial where the entire family is shown wearing them to a football game, like Friar Tuck and his merry men decided to go cheer on their favorite team? There is no weather cold enough…
I can’t escape the Snuggie. I see the commercial constantly now.
Just a quick comment about question #5. If possible, it might be a good idea to find out the color of the bridesmaids dresses before you decide to wear a black dress.My aunt(whos wedding I was in)and a cousin both choose black dresses. I don’t think this is the same as not wearing a pink dress because the bridesmaids are wearing pink.There is SO many shades of pink and,lets face it…theres really only one shade of black! 🙂
The vast acceptance of the Snuggie reminds me of yesteryear’s fannypack: while incredibly practical and functional, IT IS UGLY and we have standards, people!
I will just wear my son’s Obi-Wan costume when I need to stay warm;)
You killed me with all the Snuggie/Slanket remarks. It is too funny but you may have a real problem and what I am really afraid of is the amount of these items you may receive just as a joke. I am not sending one by the way.
I agree with you completely on the snuggly. When I do get desperately cold in my home, I have found that wearing my supersoft and comfy bathrobe backwards is the same effect as a snuggly. And because it looks hideous, you are less likely to wear it to the mailbox, to walk the dog or even to the market!
After 34 hours of labor and then an emergency c-section with my first child, you can imagine how awful, exhausted, puffy, and traumatized I look in the first 5 days of pictures. Plus I had horrible carpal tunnel so I’m holding my newborn with huge black wrist guards on both wrists. I was so envious of those moms who looked bright and beautiful while holding their newborn so when I scheduled the c-section for my second child I was determined to look GOOD for those pictures. Ha! I was scheduled to be at the hospital at 9:00 in the morning for a c-section at 11:00. Naturally, I went into labor on my own at 3:00 a.m. Didn’t even get to take a shower. I still had a c-section but had to get to the hospital right away. Oh well, I have two gorgeous, healthy boys and no one is really interested in seeing my picture anyway. I did have my toes painted though – and more than one nurse noticed. Go with a bright color. It will cheer you up after you get a look at what your stomach looks like right after you give birth. 🙂
Why are people from Texas ordering Slankets??? Aren’t your temperatures in the 80’s? Here in VA it was 16 degrees yesterday. I am fighting the temptation to get the slanket! GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN! :)Just when we start getting out of the “Mom jeans” the slanket is introduced….
This is my first time to comment, but have been reading a long time and just gotta say that I love reading!! I just moved to Houston and the weather is great but some days I don’t know what to wear, so thanks so much!!!
This is my first comment, too, and I just had to say something because of a conversation that I had with a friend yesterday. We were talking about at what point does a woman put on a moo moo and look in a full size mirror and proclaim, “this is as good as it is ever going to get from here on out!” Seriously!! And now, younger women are being taunted by a new-age moo moo disguised under a different name! Haha…
Thanks for answering my question – I love the cute ideas!
As for the Snuggie, all I’m going to say is that my friend M (about whom there were many things we all should’ve realized in high school) and his friends dressed up as The Real Housewives of Long Island for a shopping cart race in Brooklyn last weekend. They wore snuggies and bouffant wigs. If they can rock the snuggie, that’s a sure sign that the rest of us shouldn’t be.
I love your Fashion Fridays! Just like some pointed out already in the comments, when I see a pic of a slanket/snuggie I just think Moo-Moo or housecoat! I’m all about comfort and warmth, but there is a line, people!
i’m surprised at all the slanket/Snuggie hatin’! i love the concept. and my goodness, i’m totally not going to wear it out of the house!
Hey! I just had a baby in December and wanted a cute hospital gown too… Here is a link:
http://www.mommieswithstyle.com/mtblog/2007/12/35_weeks_pregnant_dearjohnnies_1.html
I almost got my initials monogrammed on it but baby came before I could have it done!
Big Mamma do you know about bring your own gown… shopbyog.com? As a girl who will have scheduled c-sections for any future kiddos, someone who watched Tori Spelling have baby Stella on her show in a cute gown not an ugly hospital gown, and nurse who sees some cute mammas in my job in the NICU I will for sure be getting my very own designer gown for baby #2. Please pass on the info!
“full toe nudity?” So funny.
We totally have one of those amish fireplaces in Grammy’s apartment. They are AWESOME!
You just know that some crazy Star Wars fanatic who is a Jedi-wannabe made himself one of those robes to wear to a convention and then threw it in the laundry… where his mom (I was going to say wife, but anyone who would wear that to a Star Wars convention would have to be single) picked it up and wore it on a cold evening while watching Wheel of Fortune. The son then saw a new use, told other convention goers about it, and then Snuggie was born.
I blame it all on the Jedi.
Ah the snuggie! HATE that thing. So glad we agree!
And I love getting “the look for less”! Here’s hoping I get to go shopping soon after I birth this baby girl!
Oh, Melanie–you crack me up…nothing’s funnier than a girl who lives in San Antonio saying she knows what it feels like to be cold! I think our average high (and I use that term loosely) over the past few weeks has been about 7. The snuggie may be ugly, but if you lived here…you’d be happy to use 2 or 3 at a time! Now why Miss Beth in Houston needs one…that’s a complete mystery to me.
Oh Dear, I was not aware of the slanket phenomenon! Thanks for the word up!
Re: in the hospital having a baby – after my second (both kids were born by c-section, the first time I wore the hospital gown until I went home) I immediately changed into a nursing tank top (Target), hoodie, and yoga pants, which made me so, so comfortable.
You feel ‘dressed’ when people come to visit, easy access for nursing (if you are) and also easy for the nurses to check you (yoga pants slide down so easily). That’s my tip!
This whole Snuggie thing has brought more laughter to my life than anything in recent memory. Oh, the ongoing dilemma of comfort vs beauty. PS ~~ The advice to the Mommy on pjs and pillow case… awesome and only wish I had that same advice when my babies were born. The pictures oh the pictures. They would’ve been so much better! 🙂 Happy Weekend!!
I’m with you… the whole Snuggie/Slanket phenomenon is terrible. A good friend of recently purchased a brown one. All she needs to complete her Jedi-like appearance is a light saber.
Have you seen these?
http://pipeline.refinery29.com/news/six_alternatives_to_the_snuggi.php
The pimped out Snuggie looks like something Esther would have worn……just saying. I know fashion fads come back around, but seriously?? Didn’t know we’d be reinventing something from B.C.!
OK, although I am pregnant I am not ready to deliver yet (only 16 weeks along), so I’m looking for some other fashion advice: What do you recommend as essential items for a maternity wardrobe? I live in the midwest and will be my largest when the summer is at its hottest. I don’t have a lot of money to spend, but I am DETERMINED to look like a cute pregnant woman this time around!
Actually, this is Beth commenting from Amanda’s laptop. Spent the night with the Jones. She just sat down in the fuzzy pink glider to nurse Annabeth and said, “I’m cold!” I said, “You need the one, the only Slanket.” To which she asked a very important, perhaps ground breaking, question: “Do they make a nursing Slanket?”
I am so glad to have found your blog. You have such a way with words, and just really crack me up. I’ll have to go back and read some of your archives, so I can get caught up. As the mother of a 5 year old girl ( in a few months) I understand where you’re coming from. Thanks!
We TX girls do have some fashion issues with the weather here. It’s 80 today, 40 tomorrow so we have to be prepared for anything!
http://www.lazymoms.com
That pimped out snuggie looks a little like a bad Vulcan ceremonial robe.
I love reading your fashion tips, I just started sharing some great ones of my own!
First, I LOVE reading your blog. I like to consider it one of my hobbies. Second, the snuggie is cracking me up. Third, I didn’t really read the instructions before I linked…so I am going to think up a wonderful fashion tip…now! 🙂