Question: Where does one go looking for a mu’umu’u or caftan in the spirit of Mrs. Roper?
Answer: Among other places (Marshall’s, Target, etc., and so on, everywhere), Old Navy!
Unfortunately…I didn’t find anything in the loose-fitting brightly colored dress department this time, but I did find some crazy cute workout leggings on sale for 50% off.
FIFTY PERCENT!
The same power that compels me to 1) shimmy-shimmy-cocoa-pop across a busy intersection to retrieve a wayward dollar bill in the middle of the road and 2) discourages me from paying full price for anything (also known as “I’m turning into my mother”) almost — ALMOST — made me get two pairs.
But here’s what stopped me: squats. I was stopped by squats. None of the pants were 100% squat-proof. Mind you, they didn’t feel flimsy, especially the two I almost bought (the navy polka-dot one with the mint green drawstring, and the printed green pair with the pink stripe down the side). The fabric on those was thicker than the Champion brand leggings at Target, for comparison, but thinner than (much pricier) Zellas and Senitas.
But when I bent over or dipped into a deep test squat, I could see the tag (and my underwear) through the material, which was…not good, so I didn’t get them. My leggings absolutely NEED to pass the squat test; otherwise, how else am I gonna get a J. Lo booty?! That thing won’t build itself.
If you’d be mostly wearing these to look cute in, I’d say go for it. They’re bright, vibrant, soft, and the patterns are SUPER cute. I’d suggest trying on a pair with a high rise (holds everything in) and a 7/8 length. I love me some 7/8 tights. They have a hem that hits just above the ankle, so the bottom hem isn’t flooding into your shoes, and they aren’t as short as crops or capris, so they can pass for, ya know, real pants.
Also, if you happen to design dressing rooms for a living (you never know), please, please, PLEASE invent a dressing room door with handles that are placed waaaaay up high beyond the reach of the average toddler, because while I was trying these on, there were a few dicey moments when Connor grabbed the handle and I was afraid my @ss was gonna flash unsuspecting strangers!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. T-G-I-Eff.
I was wondering if it was just me with the Target Champion leggings, I tried on a purple pair once and they were super sheer! Those Old Navy palm print ones are very cute though! Where’s that lipstick shirt from?
Hi Rachel,
The shirt is a new tee that’s going to be launched soon from my store, connorclaire.com! Do you want me to send you a email when it goes live?
Happy Friday!
P.S. I really wanted to love those leggings from Target because of the price, but yeah… SUPER SHEER.
Yes an email would be great, thank you!
Sure. I have a list and will be happy to add you to it. 🙂
How’s your Friday going? I just finished working out and now I’m going to do some errands and then more writing!
Wow so productive! Go Karen! Not the same story over here, I think I got food poisoning from something I ate last night so I stayed home from work today because my stomach was not okay! But I’m glad it’s the weekend!
Oh no! I hope you feel better soon. Food poisoning is never fun!
Did you watch anything or read anything good while you rested?
Hmmm good to know about these! I just went shopping for some leggings/sports bras at TJ Maxx. Girl, I love a good deal, but I can only take so much of digging through that noise these days. The dressing room reminded of what you said about Ross – so funky, man! Lol. I found a New Balance sports bra and decent leggings, but will probably need another set of each in the not-too-distant future. And you know I’m not gonna pay $40+ for a pair of leggings. (however, I am now of course online at the Nordstrom Rack, looking for Zella leggings…)
Hi Shannon,
Happy Friday! Tell me about your leggings. What’s the brand? I always see Marika and Reebok at Marshalls but don’t know much about either of those lines.
I wish all dressing room areas had little benches with crayons, pencils and paper. I’d be happy to do some non-couch shopping then.
Karen, your phone cover is too cute! Is that from your store?
Just checked, it indeed is!
Yes! Or an extra large space so the stroller can easily fit inside and you can keep the babies amused with whatever they’re into at the moment! I’m waiting for the day when Connor figures out how to climb underneath the doors, LOL! Any day now… That’s gonna be a hoot.
Glad you like the phone case. It’s one of my faves!
P.S. Are you back at work?
That vision of Connor crawling out from underneath the door cracked me up!
I got back to work late last month 🙁 I should be super grateful though, I mostly work from home and get to see baby girl whenever I feel like. Now, if I could only drop all this weight whilst I eat my magnums.
That’s awesome. Is someone helping you watch her at home? I know it’s hard to do both at the same time!
1- You look fantastic.
2- Connor is just so adorable!
3- Really like that palm print on the leggings, too bad they don’t pass the squat test, because I only ever wear leggings to workout in. Actually, I don’t really love leggings, mostly because I hate when my tags and undies show.
There’s a new Sweaty Betty store nearby, but they only put out the size XS and S. You have to ask for anything larger. So when I asked about a cute print the girl went in back to look for them. I then looked closer at the price tag and those puppies were $135. I just walked out of the store. No matter how cute, I am not paying that much for clothes I’m just gonna sweat in.
1. That’s the power of compression fabric at work, LOL!
2. She’s getting sassier and sassier every day and uses the adorableness to her advantage.
3. I’m with you — there’s NO way I’m gonna spend upwards of $100 for leggings. Maybe I’d do $80-90 if they were exceptional. I’m kinda tempted by this pair:
https://www.withlovefromparadise.com/collections/leggings-1/products/hibiscus-palm-moana-legging?variant=41370844560
1. I wear compression and I do not look that good.
2. Is she between 2 and 3 yrs. old now? That’s when they get sassy because they like to see how far they can push their boundaries. It’s also where they’re trying out their language skills. Trust me, Connor couldn’t possibly be any sassier than my Dear Daughter was at that age (and still is to this day).
3. Those are really cute leggings. I like the hibiscus print AND the bird of paradise print. But I would look like the broad side of a barn in either of those. Black, navy or some subtle variation on those colors for me. I’d still wait until there was a sale at that price. I think the only exercise thing I spend money on is my shoes, just to make sure my feet and legs don’t hurt.
Really? I have never had that problem with Old Navy workout leggings. That’s one reason I love them! Awesome quality for a low cost! And they fit so great and have cute, fun styles. And of course, are regularly on sale woot!
LOL my toddler does that to me too now! Opens the door! Bathrooms too. Awesome. LOL.
Hi Miki,
I liked them a lot but need them to be just a smidge more opaque. I think I’m used to the super thick leggings from Zella. I dunno… I might go back tonight to see if there’s anything still around just in case I missed something ’cause the price is so right!
P.S. Those flower pants are the cutest. I need those! Gonna check the 50% off sale.
You should get Connor a busy book. (They also call them quiet books.) They have about a million versions on Pinterest you can make yourself, or you can order one from Etsy. They can be just for fun or they can teach them practical things like how to use buttons or zippers and tie shoelaces.
Hi Suzanne,
I had no idea these existed! I just looked them up on Etsy and I think she’ll love them. Thank y ou!
I’ve actually had good luck with leggings that I’ve found at Costco (Tuff Athletics and Kirkland Signature brands). Not sure if your store has them in stock, but the prices are reasonable (at my store usually $15-20, sometimes less on discontinued ones) and they have a good return policy — completely necessary, since no dressing rooms. Boo for sometimes requiring a return trip for stuff that doesn’t work, but yay for reducing the possibility of your toddler helping you moon people? Keep an eye out the next time you go, and don’t forget to have a sample or 3 for me. 😉
Hi Suz,
Funny that you should mention this because I’m wearing a pair that my mom bought me a couple years ago from Costco. I just checked and they’re by Tuff Athletics!
LMAO at Connor! You look great!
Oh girl, I struggle so hard to find leggings that pass the squat test! I need them for yoga, but being plus size, needing them to stay opaque and not roll down at the waist seems to be a tall order. I’ve found some plus size athletic wear online, but I would love to just go into a local sports store and try some on. I’m also not that big, I’m a size AU18. Here most athletic wear lines only go up to size 16 ?