I think some Stay at Home Mom's on this board are reading a little too much into things and being very touchy as a result.... although the women I know who are stay at home mom's aren't very stylish b/c they're out of the loop. Plus they don't have as much money as working women unless their husbands make decent wages.

Thanks everyone. nygrrl-I have met this woman on several occasions and like her very much. She won't be a shoppaholic-she's already called me and is just looking forward to spending the day wandering, window shoppnig and poking around. Husbands are joining us for lunch and the afternoon part of day. <BR>I'm going out shopping tomorrow and then away for the weekend. I hope I can pop backin here next week to give you an update on my shopping excursion. I'm on the prowl for a cool pair of black pants, (to go wth my new boots!), maybe a long sweater to go with black pants and white blouse (i found a white and black cotton blouse in closet-I think it'll work)...I'll also see if I can find a nice dressy pant suit or long skirt and jacket for the nice dinner.<BR>Thanks everyone-you've been so kind.

Stephanie, break those boots in! I hope you have a great time and get some cool stuff in Montreal. The dollar is worth more so you should find some bargains!

I read most of the posts, but got a bit bored half way through...has anyone suggested waiting to buy your boots in Montreal? I did last time I was there. The US dollar is still much stronger than the Canadian, and I bought some fabulous made-in-Canada black leather boots with a just-right slightly higher heel for about half of what they'd cost on our side of the border. ewwww. just the thought of limping around in PayLess boots makes my feet hurt.

NC Grrl, why would you think the boss's wife would be throwing money around like mad?

Wear those new boots! Isn't that what you bought them for? Stella, she bought them specifically to wear shopping.

I am a stay-at-home mom as well. I'm 33 yo and have a 3 year old. I will make a comment here that is just my opinion, please don't attack me. I am a major clothes horse and fashionista, always have been. When I stopped working 3 years ago, I didn't change my ways at all. however, I think I am in the minority. I know when we go to gymboree and are shopping at the grocery store or mall or whatever in the middle of the day, I am surrounded by mommies wearing khakis, loafers, ponytails etc and heaven forbid some even wear tennis shoes! I think I am the only one I see at the Winn-dixie in my flare-legged pointelle knit pants, shoes with a heel, microfiber jersey slimfit top and the like. Many SAHMs just quit trying to follow trends and quit dressing to impress when they leave the workforce which is sad. Stephanie - even if you are a SAHM you will wear these clothes again! You don't have to wear them everywhere liek I do, but do you want to wear loafers or khakis on a Friday night to the movies or a restaurant? I hope not!<BR><BR>I agree with some of the others, you definitely need flare leg pants that are low rise (but not too low, and not knit unless you have an excellent figure and look under the age of 35!). also invest in boots, black is nice but what is really in this year is a very light camel color almost skin tone. These boots with a 1-2 inc heel with black pants, black turtleneck and a 3/4, button front (not double-breast) camel colored coat would look great for the shopping and casual dinner. I would probably carry a cute little Kate Spade lookalike purse in a safari print combining the camel and black as my trendy accesory! For the nicer dinner, how about a leather A-line skirt in a conservative lenght just below the knee and a crisp white long sleeve button down shirt, accessorize with silver chain belt, silver necklace and silver earrings. If you can afford another pair of boots try black boots that come up to the knee for this outfit. Have fun on your trip. I know I always feel better about myself and am more relaxes when I look nice and am dressed appropriately.

Yes, wear them but please break them in first!! In fact, you should be wearing them right now, when you're making dinner and tonight right up until you go to bed. In fact, your husband might really appreciate that look...

Let's give Nadine a break. I am currently a "stay at home mom" (not by choice, I lost my job) and let's face it, you really can't get too dressed up for Gymboree or playgroup! There are definitely different wardrobes for working and for staying at home. Not that you can't be stylish in both places, but one is casual stylish and the other is dressy stylish.

I also stay at home and because I do, we have to cut back on many areas. While I think many of you have wonderful ideas, it may not be easy for stephanie to go out and buy a new coat, boots, pants, blouse, leather skirt, leather jacket, etc. etc. to get the looks you want for her. If I was in a similar situation, I would be panicking terribly as I just wouldn't have the money to spend as you suggest specially if it wasn't budgeted. I have to think of kids clothes for school, xmas gifts etc.. She didn't say who was picking up the tab for meals, hotel etc. but if stephanie and her husband are, th is weekend could be a huge dent in the budget. At least it would for me.<BR>Instead of suggesting stuff she obviously doesn't have, why not work with what she does have? Stephanie-you must have something that you wear to the company xmas party, something you must wear if you go to a nice restaurant for dinner. Start with that.

Stephanie:<BR><BR>If you need coat ideas - here it goes. If you have a hip length black or dark brown leather jacket should be warm enough for October. Also, black peacoat with a hunter green cordoroy pant would go well together. The others are right black boots go with everything and look very fashionable.

From xxx, Message: NC Grrl, why would you think the boss's wife would be throwing money around like mad?<BR><BR>Insecurity maybe. Trying to show who's the boss (or spouse). Cheap, petty mind games of control in the line of "my husband's the boss and makes more money than you so I can spend more money."<BR><BR>Office politics can be cruel. The underlings learn their position (general vs. captain vs. private) and don't try to outdo the superior officer. You gush and say how wonderful the emperor's clothes are even when he is naked. <BR><BR>It's fortunate that Stephanie gets along with her husband's boss and his wife. Makes life a lot easier.

The fashionista SAHM is back. Just wanted to say that you don't have to make a huge dent in your budget to acquire the clothes I suggested earlier. I rarely shop at the mal unless there is a sale. I buy all my trendy clothes at Marshalls, T. J. Maxx or Filene's Basement which are stores that sell "overstock" brand name clothes at hugely discounted prices. with trends changing so quickly and my wanting to keep up with them, it would be silly to go to the mall and purchase a $200 leather a-line skirt when I could geet one at at Filene's or one of the above stores for about $70! Besides basic colors such as black and camel can be worn over and over with different tops and acessories to change up the look!

I don't know what kind of company your husband works for but most of the bosses wives that I know, are really not so insecure that an employees wife shopping or spending money bothers them at all! Unless the husband is the company accountant:)<BR>Wearing high boots doesn't "break" the line between the skirt and boot as much as wearing shorter boots, and this way you can wear a shorter skirt and have that nice long- leg look with the high boot. Guys like that look too. (must be the dominatrix idea:)<BR>Ladies in Paris this past winter were doing the sweater around the neck like a scarf thing, interesting look. I would not wrap a silk scarf around a turtleneck, only because I would feel too wrapped and bound with all that going on around my neck-one or the other. But a regular sweater and a scarf is good looking and if it is windy in Montreal you will be happy for the warmth.<BR>*stay at home moms*- I was one for a few years. I loved it, still shopped and wore the latest fashions. Now I work from my home and need to be in the know as far as some fashions so I think there should be NO discrimination in women thinking of each other as workers Outside the home or At home...it is all Work to me!<BR>

Remember the most important rule - LESS IS MORE - one good piece of jewelry, avoid fussy prints etc. <BR><BR>HAve fun!

Stephanie when in Montreal I can reccomend shopping at Simons on rue Ste. Catherine. My wife is a bit taller than you and she regularly finds good stuff that fits her well. The staff are very good and most have no trouble with English.

Love black boots. I have so many pairs. I like a little more heel up to 2 1/2 inches cause I an 5'5" and like to feel like I am taller. Make sure that they are comfortable. If they are uncomfortable in even 1 spot they will hurt after hours of shopping. I have problem feet so I like to wear in my shoes by wearing a slightly thicker sock than I will be wearing and use spray shoe stretch and wear them around the house for a few hours. Really helps!<BR><BR>Also, what else are people wearing the tan/camel color boots with this year?

I think camel color boots look great with black pants as well as long boot-cut or flare leg jeans. I know I know I will get teased for wearing 3 inch heels with jeans to the grocery store but that is just me. LOL Camel color boots also look good with navy or dark brown knit pants. I had a pair of high heel leather mules in this color that I wore all summer. They just blended in with my skin tone and therefore matched everything! I also agrre about breaking the shoes in before you wear them out. I too have problem feet (very narrow AAA narrow heel so shoes slip up and down if I am not careful). If worried your feet will get tired, purchase some Dr. Scholls cushion foot pads and put them inside your boots. It works, how else do you think I wear 3 inch high heels on a daily basis chasing a 3 yo around! LOL

Hi, Stephanie! Me again! It's going to be very busy in Montreal this weekend b/c it is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada! You probably know that. When are you returning? (Most shops will be closed on Monday, Oct 14, Thanksgiving Day).<BR><BR>So....please report back next week & tell us what you wore, what you bought, where you had dinner, where you stayed! <BR><BR>Have a great weekend!<BR>Susan

This thread is sad on so many levels:<BR><BR>some people have no clue how to dress<BR><BR>some people have no clue how to travel<BR><BR>some people have no clue, period<BR><BR>some people have no taste<BR><BR>some people have no fashion sense<BR><BR>some people live in the 20th century<BR><BR>some people believe anything<BR><BR>some people look for advice everywhere<BR><BR>some people look for advice anywhere<BR><BR>some people need to get out more<BR><BR>some people will read anything<BR><BR>some people need to turn off pc<BR><BR>some people need to get some sleep<BR><BR>