Understated Glam Mom on the Street: Pelin Rohde
Whether she's designing new items for her online boutique or enjoying salmon dinner with her family, Understated Glam Mom on the Street Pelin Rohde has a sophisticated yet approachable style.
Meet Pelin
I live in the Pacific Northwest with my three kids and husband. I grew up in western Turkey with frequent trips to the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts so I feel most at home near bodies of water and ancient cities. Istanbul was a natural fit when I moved there for college and stayed for a career in textiles and a side gig in jazz vocaling.
My first stop in the United States was Cambridge, MA for a master’s in Museum Studies at Harvard University — my favorite museum is the Met in NYC, and Boston’s MFA is a close runner-up! Currently, I work out of my home office running my business Fig & Moss, an online boutique selling children’s hair accessories and party supplies. I must admit my dream was to be an exhibition designer and now I curate fabric and collections instead, with color and texture being the common thread and I love it.
Understated Glam Style
Which three words best describe your style? European, understated glam, urban.
What are your favorite places to shop? For just going around town or meeting up with friends I love Anthropologie, old school Zara, Sézane. For nights out and celebrations, Tory Burch, Loeffler Randall, and Tara Jarmon. But really I’d be happy just to hit up some second-hand boutiques and discover treasures from past seasons.
Who’s your favorite style icon? This is a tough choice but Tory Burch stands out as someone who marries that color fix I need with an ethnic touch and the coastal aesthetic always draws me in.
Which trend would you want to see make a comeback? '70s style will always have a special place in my heart because I grew up looking at old pictures of my mom. I imagine a plaid coat with an oversized collar, knee-high boots, and a wool flare skirt for the winter, a paisley dress in orangey hues for the summer.
What should NEVER make a comeback? I feel like everything has made a comeback in one way or another but '80s neon aesthetic is probably not something I would want to see again.
What fashion/style did you love at the time, but now cringe when you see old photos? My freshman year in college I adopted a Bohemian style, shopping exclusively at incense-heavy thrift stores. Crochet dresses and all. Those pictures make me cringe a little, even though I loved it at the time.
Style Advice
What’s your best style advice? Be you but kick it up a notch above your comfort zone. If jeans and a white t-shirt is your thing, go for it. But feel free to add colorful/gold pumps, a statement necklace, or a tweed jacket! I always throw in one glam factor to my outfits that makes me go, “I wonder if this is going to be too much” and that’s what makes the whole outfit.
What article of clothing/accessory would you not want to live without? Skirts. I no longer have as many opportunities to wear skirts as I’d like, but I would not want to see skirts go. Pencil skirts, boho styles, A-line — I love them all.
What’s your best style secret? Great eye make-up and brows with a natural but filled-in look.
Stilettos or flats? Flats and pumps! I love ballet flats for everyday wear and I can’t go without pumps if I’m going somewhere chic and 1-inch heels just fit the bill without the ouch factor.
Understated Glam Family
What’s your favorite way to spend time with your family? I love traveling with my family once we get to our destination. The museum visits, the restaurant stops, walking around downtown areas and venturing into antique shops, and everyone cuddling up in comfy hotel beds in the evening.
What’s been your best family vacation? We spent a week at Yellowstone this past summer, and even though the RV camping was way out of my comfort zone, the kids loved the adventures, I loved the breathtaking views, and the s’mores were a crowd-pleaser, of course!
Parenting true confession: When I’m overwhelmed at night with thoughts or worries, I go hug my kids, and that puts me right to sleep.
What’s your go-to family dinner? Salmon and rice. We keep a supply of frozen salmon fillets in the freezer, and when I can’t think of anything, I toss a romaine heart salad and serve salmon with lemon juice and sea salt — everyone loves it.
What’s your favorite family restaurant? We love Mexican food. This restaurant by our old house, Tapatios, was a treat whenever we could find seating since everyone in the neighborhood had the same idea. Cactus is another favorite when we make it to Bellevue (when restaurants are open).
Understated Glam Life
What’s your favorite show to binge-watch? I have to say I’m not big on TV, but I cannot wait for the fourth season of Stranger Things to binge-watch. Otherwise, I love an oldie like The Office.
If you could pick anyone to star as you in a movie based on your life, who would it be? Julianne Moore.
What’s your favorite beach read? Bridget Jones Diary or anything by Nick Hornby. Something funny and witty. And British, apparently.
What song would you dance to when nobody’s watching? Ready? The Swan Lake. I love to dance, and I won’t shy away from dancing to a majority of tunes when other people are around. But pretend-ballerina to Swan Lake? I have to be alone for that.
If you could go shopping with anyone from history, living or deceased, who would it be? Kate Middleton.
What’s at the top of your travel bucket list? Marrakech, Morocco or Santorini, Greece.
What’s your favorite way to unwind at the end of a long day? Eating dark chocolate and knitting.
Life and Style
We love Pelin's understated glam approach to life and style! She has an impeccable eye for beauty and design and knows the right accessories to bring her outfits to the next level.
We're also huge fans of the beautiful items she has at Fig & Moss and the way she has designed and curated so many quality items for kids. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram!
And for more stylish and inspirational moms, be sure to check out FamilyApp Mom on the Street!
