The Mommy Stylist

A cape is the only wardrobe essential a mom needs to look stylish all winterlong

Calvin Klein cape, $125, available at Macy's[https://www1.macys.com/shop/product/calvin-klein-coat-houndstooth-check-cape?ID=711167].
Phot courtesy of Macy's
The Gap fur military cape[https://www.gap.com/products/fur-military-cape-P349868.jsp], $109.
Photo courtesy of Gap
Ann Taylor cape[https://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT-Accessories/AT-View-All/Tie-Wool-Cape/287389?prodId=&defaultColor=6600&CID=aff_2687457],$148. Also in camel.
Photo courtesy of Ann Taylor
Hooded knit cape, $178, available at Dillard's[https://www.dillards.com/product/Pendleton-Hooded-Knit-Cape_301_-1_301_503460673?df=03848582_zi_red_rock].
Photo courtesy of Dillard's
Spiewak Beaumont cape, $198, available at Amazon[https://www.amazon.com/Spiewak-Womens-Beaumont-Cape-Jacket/dp/B008HAWZ7Q].
Photo courtesy of Zappos
Ribbed wool cape with buttons, $99, available at Last Call by Neiman Marcus[https://www.lastcall.com/p/Neiman-Marcus-Button-Ribbed-Wool-Cashmere-Cape-Camel/prod13050007/?eVar4=You%20May%20Also%20Like%20RR].Also in black and grey.
Photo courtesy of Last Call by Neiman Marcus

Editor’s Note: Kristin Hull, our newest CultureMap contributor, is the founder of The Mommy Stylist, a website born out of her love for helping friends with kids figure out what to wear. For CultureMap, she will do what she does best: recommend affordable fashion essentials for moms who don’t want to sacrifice style for their busy lifestyle.

Thank goodness capes are in style again, because they may just be a mom's best friend. Throw one on over almost anything, and your look is instantly transformed from average to awesome.

Even the most casual capes are sophisticated and stylish. Need to drop off the kids at school? Don't change out of that pajama top and those drawstring pants; simply slip on a pair of cute sneakers (I love the ones here by Converse) with a cape, and you'll be the most put-together mom in the parking lot. But what about your hair? Hats, hats, hats. Don't be afraid of them. They'll save you time after time, I promise.

If you dressed down for work thinking you'd be in the office all day and suddenly get called out to a client meeting, have no fear. Keep a basic cape like this one in the office, and wear it to the meeting. You will always look sleek and professional.

I've scoured the stores and found several capes that meet The Mommy Stylist criteria: functional, versatile, affordable and fashionable. They're not too dressy or too casual (so they can be worn to a basketball game or school holiday concert); they're neutral in color (so they'll work with multiple outfits); they're reasonably priced (so you won't feel guilty spending the money); and, of course, they're stylish (because wearing age-appropriate trends makes you look and feel younger).

Browse the photo gallery to see some of my favorites. Then do yourself a favor and snap one up. A cape will be your new bestie.

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Shopping News

Mini-Bloomindale's store Bloomie's to open at new Frisco urban village

Bloomingdale's

Bloomie's

A new department store brand is making its Texas debut in Frisco: Called Bloomie's, it's a baby Bloomingdale's and it's opening its first Texas location at Fields, a 55-acre urban village inside Fields West, a 2,500-acre community in Frisco.

Bloomie's was founded in 2021 as a smaller-format version of Bloomingdale’s — selling men's & women's fashion, designer labels, top beauty picks, accessories, jewelry, home décor, bedding, and tabletop designs, but in smaller quantities and in a smaller 20,000-square-foot store footprint. There are currently four locations in New Jersey, Illinois, Virginia, and Washington State.

It's similar to the Market By Macy's concept that Macy's introduced in 2020; Macy's also owns Bloomingdale's.

The Karahan Companies, developer of Fields West, is adding Bloomie's to Fields, the 2,500 acre site located on the northern edge of Frisco surrounding the new Omni/PGA Frisco hotel and golf resort.

Bloomingdale's senior VP Rachel Abeles says in a statement that they are "excited about this monumental launch for our Bloomie’s brand at Fields West. With this expansion into the North Texas market, we look forward to building connections and creating a unique, localized and highly curated shopping experience for the customers in this region."

According to Fehmi Karahan, CEO of The Karahan Companies, developer of Fields West, Bloomie’s will join retailers who have already signed on, including William Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Arhaus, Alo Yoga, Kendra Scott, and Sephora; plus a wide array of dining options including the first DFW location for Mastro’s Steakhouse, Beverley's, Green Point, Mexican Sugar, Sixty Vines, and Tommy Bahama’s Marlin Bar. Wow, talk about burying the lede.

“We are committed to continue adding top quality retailers to Fields West as the best-in-class urban retail/ restaurant/ entertainment operators. With Bloomie’s as one of our anchors, we believe we can offer the best mixed-use destination in Texas, even better than we did at Legacy West," Karahan says.

Fields West representatives anticipate a late 2027 opening for Bloomie’s and are planning to have more than four million square feet of office and 2,800 multi-family units in addition to more than 300,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

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