Every mom can attest to the magnetic urge to slip into sweats, a boxy tee and skidaddle out the door to conquer her day. It’s easy. It’s comfortable. It’s evil. Here’s why: They are voluminous making thighs resemble tree trunks. Sweats make five pounds look like 15. They make your butt balloon. They inspire waddling. The (non) fit is addictive. Once you make sweats and other baggy apparel your go-to garb, you will fall into “the comfort trap” and never want to replace them with tailored, “real” clothes Yes, comfort is important. But, wearing clothing that looks like sleepwear is the definition of dumpy. You may love feeling like you are taking on the world in your pajamas. But, the world is looking at you someone who has given up on looking and feeling like a woman. Busy lives and chaotic schedules are used as a rationale for such dowdy duds

There is a magical place where comfort and style collide; the province of proportion.  And, I will take you there to meet your new bffs: silhouette, fit  and verticality

1. Alice & Olivia Shirt Dress

2. Diane von Furstenberg Tunis Dress

3. Hue Corduroy Leggins

4. Heavy Weight Leggings

5. LOFT Ponte Dress

6. DVF Wrap Dress

7. Rory Beca Tunic

8. DKNY Tank

Celebs moms–polished and sporty–may look like they stepped from a photo shoot as they breeze from Walgreens to playground in People Magazine. They have a sartorial trick up their kimono sleeve.  THE SECRET?  They approach fashion formulaically by reworking versatile basics and layering them with groovy accessories.

So how can the average woman channel the effortless je ne sais quoi of Nicole Richie, Gwen, Heidi and Rachel Zoe? By investing in quality basics and strategically layering with compelling accent pieces.

Here’s how to do it…

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BASICS

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THE  DRESSES

GAP denim tie back dress, $69.95 \\ VICTORIA’S SECRET jersey wrap dress, $49.50 \\ BANANA REPUBLIC maxi dress, $89.99 \\ JAMES PERSE crepe maxi dress, $225 \\ ISABELLA OLIVER jersey bandeau maxi dress, $159

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THE TOPS

LA MADE knot tank, $33.99 \\ LANSTON loose knot oversized tee, $50.99 \\ SPLENDID vintage whisper boyfriend top, $58 \\ VINCE striped double layer sweater, $99

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THE COMPRESSION  LEGGINGS

SPANX cotton compression leggings, $62

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THE JEANS

GAP 1969 real straight jeans in dark wash, $69.50 \\ GAP 1969 curvy jeans in white wash, $59.50

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ACCESSORIZE

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STATEMENT JEWELRY

KARA ROSS gold hoops, $150 \\ SEQUIN enamel bangles, $30 each \\ HOUSE OF HARLOW knuckle duster ring, $50

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KICK UP A NEUTRAL WITH A POP OF COLOR

JCREW featherweight cardigan in gauguin orange, $62 \\ MADEWELL electric scarf, $58 \\ THEODORA & CALLUM ikat scarf, $175

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GLAMMIFYING ACCENTS

TOMS red stripe canvas wedges, $69 \\ COACH jazlyn wedge, $99 \\ HENRY BEGUELIN pietra sandal, $430
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CARLOS FALCHI ombre python clutch \\ DVF printed tote, $150 \\ CHEAP MONDAY telekenisis glasses, $30