SHOPPER

Just Right for Hip Moms

When it comes to fashion, moms often suffer from a bad case of the "toos." Handbags? Too big or too small. Heels? Too high or too flat. A staple of any busy woman's wardrobe, T-shirts are almost always too short for anyone whose midsection has been distended for nine months. Jewelry? Too many variables. And jeans -- forget about it! There are too many toos to ponder.

What most moms need are a few good essentials. And luckily this spring, they can stay on trend and be comfortable without breaking their kid-strained bank accounts.

Color can splash a dash of youthful hipness onto parenthood. Start with cranberry-colored denim from Joe's Jeans in their super mom-friendly Muse cut, with a higher waistband in the rear to prevent any unfortunate glimpses of backside cleavage. Kork-Ease's handmade Ava patent leather and cork wedge sandals -- in yummy, sunny colors such as fuchsia and lime -- can bring a bit of boho chic to the most pedestrian ensemble.

Joe's Jeans's Got It Covered handbag can fit all manner of mommy must-haves -- baby wipes, extra asthma inhalers, juice boxes -- into a ladies-who-lunch tote.

And finally, how about a T-shirt that's soft, well-fitting and lets the world know your real superhero identity? Now, if we can only get that invisible airplane for a Mother's Day gift . . .

-- Jill Hudson Neal