Mama Style Tips: Three Bag and Shoe Combos that Go with Everything!

Not sure what colour combos work in our tropical climate? Our mama style experts give you three can’t miss looks that are easy and effortlessly stylish

Are you a mama who still wants to look stylish even in the face of, well, being a mom? Do you want to know more about fab local designers and brands? We’ve teamed up with fashion bloggers (and Singapore mamas) Ms Yin/Ms Yang to bring you a monthly dose of fun and practical fashion tips that are equally perfect for fashionista mamas or mamas who are just happy to be out of their gym clothes or flip-flops. You can read more here about our new column!

You see those moms and they look like they have it all together: one kid walking nicely by their side, another kid in one arm with a great bag on the other. They greet you with a cheerful “Hello” and are off to go be fabulous somewhere else. Now we all know that those moments are rare at best (even for those moms), but we can steal a style hack that’ll make you appear a little more refined, even if in your brain you are still trying to juggle the schedules and remember if you paid all the school fees! Let’s check out three bag and shoe combos that go with every outfit in a snap. You can be out the door in a well-styled blink!

Pick a color combo and stick to it! I, Ms.Yin, prefer a darker duo of gray or black while Ms.Yang, the brighter belle, prefers a nude combo. Make sure the bag is big enough to hold the essentials — wallet, keys, phone, sunnies, and a few lipsticks for good measure…Oh, and snacks. Because what kind of mom would you be if you forgot the snacks?! (Hint: me!)

If your closet is filled with navys, colorful floral dresses, and loads of prints try a nude bag and shoe.

Find it!
Bag: OBX
Shoes: Emblem

If you look at your wardrobe you can get a feel for what combo works for you. If you wear a lot of black, white, or reds then blacks work well.

Find it!
Bag: Gucci
Shoes: Colin Stuart

If your closet is a total mix of blacks, whites, prints and colors, then go for gray, which will balance it all brilliantly. And we say skip the flip-flop, as a more streamlined sandal can take you anywhere in town – be it gymnastics class or hotel brunch – without missing a step.

Find it!
Bag: Coco Sand (at Tanglin Mall)
Shoes: Emblem

Another winning style tip is to go for the gold … or silver…or gunmetal. Metallics add a lot of glam with very little effort. Plus, with all this Singapore sunshine they keep you sparkling with every step! Ms.Yang loves a good gold grouping as they set off her colorful ensembles brilliantly, but I prefer my silvers to pair with all the black and white pieces in my wardrobe.

Find it!
Gold Bag: Ling Wu
Gold Shoes: The Tui Collection
Silver Bag: Desti Saint
Silver Shoes: Charles and Keith

The basket bag is HUGE this season and that bodes well for us tropics dwellers since it’s always the summer season here. Go big for day and haul your life with ease or grab a small clutch for an evening out sans kids. These relaxed basket bags pair perfectly with all the fun pompons and tassels adorning everything these days. Or do like Ms.Yang does and go for a heavily bedazzled bag and embrace the more is more philosophy. These bags pair well with your basic shoes, as mentioned before, but if you can find a raffia slide then we say go for it!

Find it!
Tote Bag: Halo Halo Baby
Round Basket Bag: Klungsee Samadun
Shoes: RIA Menorca

Whatever combo you choose be sure to keep it packed by the door near the shoes with your bag high enough away from your kids’ curious mitts. Hope this sets you on your way just a touch faster and feeling a bit more put together. It’s these little life hacks that we moms have to share as we are all on this wild ride together!

Find it!
Python Bag: Coco Sand (Tanglin Mall)
Shoes: Emblem
Tote Bag: Vintage
Shoes: Emblem

Read More: Five Tips for Getting Out of the House Fast (and Looking Fabulous)