Mothers that know style best
YStyle is all about stylish young moms this Mother’s Day. Whether she’s schlep-ping to the grocery store in cutoff shorts, flip-flops and a beat-up tank or dropping off the kids at school in an immaculate wrap dress and platform wedges, we salute her stylish, practical sensibilities. We looked to four smart-chic women who give motherhood a good rep.
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Lilly Pulitzer dress with embellished neckline, Fendi handbag, available at Rustan’s Trish Villanueva, 34
As distributor of Butter London, the hip nail lacquer label, Trish knows her stuff. She showed up to the shoot in a chic all-white ensemble of T-shirt, jeans and chunky Chanel watch. As mom to 12-year-old Natalia Alexandra, Trish believes in maintaining a certain sense of style even after you have kids. “When a woman becomes a mother, it doesn’t mean that her style or fashion sense has to be compromised,” Trish declares. “Any woman, a mother or not, should always look pretty, neat and sexy — even if she gains weight!”
What do you most admire about your mother?
Practicality. Mom knows the difference between needs and wants.
What are her most underrated qualities?
Mom is very much highly principled which people can misunderstand as being too rigid or too strict.
What parenting skills have you learned from her that you employ with your own kids today?
Mom was always very hands-on with all of us. The nanny was there to simply assist. I made sure to be as hands-on with Natalia.
What do you know now about being a mom that you wish you knew before you had kids?
Being a mother is such fun yet at the same time challenging especially when it comes to disciplining a most adorable daughter. I wish I knew what tough love was all about.
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Play and display: “A mom should be dressed comfortably so she can play and run around,” says Clariza Chia-Siy in Sinequanone top, Culte Femme skirt and Jill belt. Clariza Chia-Siy, 34
Mom to Mandy, 4, and Bea, 1, Clariza also works as a marketing VP at Iconnect Multimedia Network. When she’s on off-work duty and on mom duty, comfort is key. “A mom, when in the company of her children, should be dressed comfortably so she can play and run around if need be, without worrying about her clothes or shoes,” she says. “One can still look chic and comfortable at the same time, like in shorts, nice top, ballet flats.”
But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t like to dress up when the occasion calls for it. “Of course, on a night out with friends or hubby, that’s a different matter altogether,” she says.
What do you most admire about your mother?
My mother’s faith in God and her big heart.
What are her most underrated qualities?
Her quiet presence and inner strength. To other people, my mother may seem like an introvert — never comfortable in the limelight, always preferring to be on the sidelines. But she is undoubtedly the family’s glue and whenever we have our own personal issues/troubles, we know we can always count on her.
What parenting skills have you learned from her that you employ with your own kids today?
I make it a point to let my children know that Mommy will always love them. Even if they do something naughty/wrong, Mommy will probably be disappointed and they will be reprimanded, but it is important for them to know that they are always loved. My mom allowed us to make mistakes while growing up. She taught us to be independent and self-reliant. But she exacted the right amount of guidance to ensure that out mistakes were not disastrous but more to build character.
What do you know now about being a mom that you wish you knew before you had kids?
What unconditional love means. Now I understand just how much my mom loves me!
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Handle with care: “I would say mom style is something feminine, trendy, practical and comfortable,” says Monica Samson-Escano in a Culte Femme playsuit, Culte Femme headpiece, Nine West wedges. Monica Samson-Escano, 28
Since she hasn’t hit her 30s yet, Monica likes to keep her wardrobe young and playful — with a hint of happy housewife in the full-skirted ensembles that fill her closet. With her daughter Rachel Olivia, 2, still in the nursery, she keeps busy with her post in the family-owned Otto stores as purchasing manager. Her mother, a “domestic goddess” according to Monica, is an inspiration. “My mother’s style is classic with a trendy twist. She has timeless pieces but likes to jazz things up with accessories such as jewelry, bold colored handbag or shoes,” says Monica. “She follows current fashion but she’s smart enough to know what looks work for her.”
What do you most admire about your mother?
Her generosity and positive attitude. She’s also a wonderful cook and a domestic goddess. She taught me everything I need to know on how to run a household, be a good wife and mother.
What are her most underrated qualities?
Her loyalty and her faith in God.
What parenting skills have you learned from her that you employ with your own kids today?
My mom guided us in making choices, presenting both positive and negative consequences and gave us the freedom to decide on our own. I try to do the same thing with my child, I encourage her to do things on her own at the same time make her feel that I will be there when she falls — literally!
What do you know now about being a mom that you wish you knew before you had kids?
That I shouldn’t sweat the small stuff and just enjoy each second instead of worrying. They grow up so fast!
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Mom amour: “My mom’s style is a bit different but we share the same attraction to starched white shirts and jeans,” says Trisha Calma in a Tahari dress, Carolee Style Icon pearls, Melissa Vivienne Westwood heels. Trisha B. Calma, 35
The interior design and VP of Jose Calma is a multi-hyphenate. Mom to Greggy, her two-year-old son, she’s also a managing partner at Casa Calma, which imports home accessories. Trisha is a classic dresser, drawn to elegant, simple basics that can handle her busy sched. “My mom style is casual chic,” she says. “With my line of work I have to wear clothes that look good for client meetings but must also be appropriate for job site inspections. My outfits should also be sturdy enough for rough house play time with our son.”
What do you most admire about your mother?
My mother is the epitome of a superwoman! At 59, she is on top of everything, from preparing an awesome Sunday lunch spread for us, to watching her grandchildren’s football games, to purchasing assorted materials in Soler, overseeing a dorm and a hotel, and still has energy to put together and invite people to her Friday night ballroom dancing events.
What are her most underrated qualities?
My mom is very thoughtful. She always remembers our favorite dishes and never forgets a birthday. I guess these qualities are underrated because they are expected of any mother, but I don’t think all mothers are special that way.
What parenting skills have you learned from her that you employ with your own kids today?
Everything she said to me while I was growing up is true! But the skill I appreciate the most is being clean and tidy at home. My mother is obsessed with cleanliness and I see that since I am the same way at home, my son is following suit.
Greggy, at two, already helps his yaya pack away his toys and knows how to wash his little hands with soap and water.
I feel that learning this at a young age is important because it also teaches the child to be responsible and organized, important tools to have while growing up.
What do you know now about being a mom that you wish you knew before you had kids?
I was pretty much aware of the highs and lows of being a parent but I didn’t realize that it would be so tiring, physically! Had I known, I would have planned on having kids at a younger age when I had more energy.
