Allbirds Sneakers

Mom Style

3 Stylish Moms Take Their Allbirds Sneakers Out For A Spin

Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano

Photography by Photographed by Ashley Batz

Dec 13, 2016

If there’s one style staple mothers love, it’s a good pair of flats. Which is why the launch of the cool and incredibly comfy Allbirds sneakers made us do an instant double-take. Made out of merino wool, the sustainable and multi-tasking fabric minimizes odor, regulates temperature (so they’re cool in the heat, warm in the cold), wicks moisture away, and is machine-washable, making these sneakers an ideal option to wear sans socks…and, quite honestly, really hard to take off thanks to their outstanding comfort (TIME called them the “comfiest shoes in the world”).

The designers behind the S.F.-based brand are also all about less-is-more design, which makes these lightweight and totally breathable sneakers a sleek alternative to the flashier options out there. Alongside Allbirds’ classic gray and black versions (which go with pretty much everything), there are limited-edition colorways that debut each season, so building your own vibrant collection of these wonders won’t be a problem. The company is honestly so confident you’ll adore these shoes that it offers no-questions-asked returns after 30 days if you aren’t loving them. Bonus: There are versions for men and women, and each order placed in December comes with a festive pair of laces.

To showcase the versatility of these kicks, we asked three mothers—Marin-based designer Natalie Deayala, Nashville-based artist Emily Leonard Southard, and L.A.-based kidswear designer Wells Butler—to show us how they style their new sneakers to perfection. And, since it is the season, we also chatted about holiday wish lists, New Year’s resolutions, and all of that jazz.

This post is brought to you by Mother + Allbirds

: Natalie wears vintage Levi's, Natalie Deayala Collection Juliette top, Zara coat, Banana Republic faux fur stole, and Allbirds Wool Runners in Tui Tan.
Margot wears a Margot + Me playsuit, Mabo striped tee, and Hunter boots.

: "Comfy, minimal, and a little funky. I gravitate towards structured, oversized pieces and like to throw in an unexpected element."

: "Vintage Levi's, cozy sweaters, long masculine coats, sneakers, and hats. I have a thing for hats. For the office, I’m usually in one of my pieces, like my Juliette top tucked into jeans with a pair of mules and a long coat, or the Franny dress over leather pants."

: Swing time!

: "I like to wear sneakers with pants that show some ankle, like cropped flares or leather pants, and an unexpected piece like a long tailored coat or faux fur jacket."

: "This week we are taking Margot to NYC, where my husband and I met and lived prior to moving to S.F. We are hoping to make this an annual tradition, but we’ll see how it goes! From NY we are heading to Palm Beach for my cousin's wedding and then we will be back in Marin to spend our first Christmas in our new home. After years of living in tiny apartments we are excited to host Christmas dinner with both of our families. We’re also doing the whole Elf on a Shelf thing. Margot doesn't understand Santa yet, but she has fun trying to find 'Zoe the Elf' every morning. I have to admit, I’m having a lot of fun with it, too. I haven't had this much Christmas spirit since I believed in Santa. Having a kid makes holidays so fun."

: "Things for the house, Loeffler Randall metallic tassel oxfords, and cashmere sweats."

: "An aqaurium. Ugh. She’s really into fish. Also, a teepee and bedding for her future twin bed from Roberta Roller Rabbit."

: "Seeing Margot’s hilarious, spunky personality develop and finding my balance between work and being a mom. Launching my ready-to-wear collection and kids' collection, Margot + Me, and Natalie Deayala bridesmaids getting picked up by Nordstrom. We’ll be online and in Nordstrom bridal suites early next year."

: "To have more date nights with my husband and maybe even plan a kid-free vacation, be a better friend/daughter/granddaughter, and it's so cliché, but to try and make time to start exercising again. Between being a mom and running a business, my workout routine has become nonexistent."

: You can find Natalie (and Margot) on the internet here, here, and here.
You can scoop up her Allbirds sneakers here.

: Wells wears Zara jeans and top, a Cheyann Benedict leather jacket, and Allbirds Wool Runners in Natural Grey.
Jude wears an Ice Cream Castles top and Zara pants.

: "Eclectic. I love to mix classic silhouettes with whimsical, colorful prints. Vintage-inspired pieces are favorites. And I'm always a sucker for a great pair of jeans and anything with a ruffle."

: "Before I was a mom, I lived in dresses. Now dresses are reserved more for my nights out or special events. Day to day when I'm with Jude, I live in jeans. My uniform this fall has been a pair of ankle-skimming jeans, feminine blouses, fun sweaters, and vintage-inspired jackets."

: "Pair them with jeans that hit at the ankle or above so your pants don't bunch above the shoe. When I wear sneakers, I like to dress more monochromatic, which makes it easier to pull off a polished look even if your sneaker has a lot of color."

: "We will be with family. My Mom will be coming in to town with a suitcase full of gifts and Santa hats for all of us."

: "A better world for my son."

: "It is very specific this year, so I have his letter to Santa up on our fireplace for reference. The list was detailed, but not lengthy, and he's been very good this year and every year so he will definitely get everything he asked Santa for. One of the things he listed will take some research—a 'spooky scary' race track. He also really wants a bike with training wheels. Which of course will come with a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and full-body shield!"

: "One of the highlights of 2016 was creating and launching Ice Cream Castles with my friend and business partner Veronique Vicari. It has been so gratifying to watch our company grow and the icing on the cake is to share this experience with one of my best friends."

"I always like to start the year off by writing what I am thankful for from the previous year, and then writing my resolutions for the coming year. I have so much to be thankful for and so many resolutions, too. Topping my list for 2017 is to become more active in helping effect positive change."

You can find Wells (and Jude) on the internet here, here, and here.

You can scoop up her Allbirds sneakers here.

: Emily wears Imogene and Willie jeans, a thrifted coat, a hat and scarf from her mother, and Allbirds sneakers in Tui Tan.
Wendy Anne wears Gap, Cienta, and Zara hand-me-downs.

: "Comfortable, colorful, classic, unexpected."

: "When I'm with Wendy Anne, comfort and movement are key. High-waisted jeans, stretchy cigarette pants, thrifted sweaters and button-downs, and of course comfortable shoes! When I'm not with her it's not that different, except that I love to wear white, so I save my white jeans and beautiful winter white cashmere for nights out."

: "I think sneakers look cool and classy when paired with long, wide-leg pants and a sleek top like a turtleneck, for kind of a Katharine-Hepburn-meets-Ellen-DeGeneres look."

: "My husband and I are both Nashville natives, so we're staying at home and spending a lot of time with family and all the usual stuff like making ornaments, gifts, cookies, etc."

: "I'm getting my ears pierced this month. Yes, I'm 40 and don't have my ears pierced! So, I'm hoping for a couple great pairs of earrings. I always ask Santa for something cashmere, airline tickets, and the perfect pair of jeans!"

: "She has asked for balloons and a Rudolph that turns on! We always make her something, so we're thinking of making her a teepee for her room out of raw muslin and the bamboo in our yard."

: "A real highlight for our family was spending most of January and February in Topanga Canyon this year. I have a hard time with the gloomy Tennessee winter and we really needed some time away to just be us for a while, so we rented a house up in the Canyon, spent a lot of time hiking and sitting on the beach. It was much needed and I hope to make it a tradition."

: "I hope to work less in the coming year. I had a lot on my plate in 2016. It felt good to work hard and it's not over yet, but in the coming months I'd like to slow down and be more present in the relationships in my life. Additionally, like many women, I feel strongly convicted to become much more politically active this coming year. I know it's going to be a dark time ahead, but I feel I have to do what's in my power to safeguard the rights of ethnic, racial, and sexual minorities, as well as our Mother Earth."