Reddit mentions of Joules Women's Welly Print, Black Floral, 8 M US

I relate so much, because I too am a mommy who needs practicality and comfort but would also still like to feel pretty and female sometimes! I think little touches can go such a long way. Things with just a touch or lace, for example. Or jewelry. I mean, if you could find some quality, understated, feminine earrings that go with almost everything and that you really like (matching bracelet or necklace optional) just 1-2 subtle pieces of jewelry alone can do so, so much to dress up and and feminize an outfit. And yes pearls or zirconium can go with black and ripped up jeans. Shabby chic. Also, investing in a nice, polished-looking, grown-up woman handbag, in black to go with your stuff (and in a zip-top tote style with lots on storage and inner pockets to go with your lifestyle if you ask me) might be nice and take your whole look up a notch and do more than you'd think to feminize your outfits. A pair of super comfy but feminine/sophisticated/slightly dressier looking shoes in black could have the same effect. Shoes and accessories can do so much to "upgrade" a look.


OK, sorry if that was a bit of a tangent, because you were asking more specifically about adding soft colors, florals, lace and such. Not about adding earrings, a quality handbag and pair of flats :P
I think the way you can do what you're talking about without feeling awkward is to not overdo it all at once and not introduce too many touches in any one given outfit.


For example, if you go for lace, then skip the pastel colors and stay black. The lace itself is already going to be super feminine, the black will look good with the clothes you already have in your closet, and you won't feel like you're trying too hard and making some glaring departure from your normal style. Maybe something like this top in black?


Same with florals. If you go for florals, go for a subtle floral(this could mean a small print or a dark print or just a low dosage of a lighter/bolder floral- a little splash somewhere).
For example, a pair of black floral patterned rain boots would be practical and comfy while also being pretty/feminine, and they already would go with all your slim/skinny jeans and black apparel. (If by chance you like those, there's also the very similar "black botanical" on this listing. And I am also very partial to that bees pattern!)

And finally following the same subtle-modifications theory, if you want to add some soft color in, you go for a simple tank or tee in a cut you would be fine wearing in black, and let that be enough of girliness for one outfit, leave the lace and florals and skirts for another day... that way the addition feels manageable and not awkward. for example you could do a simple top like this
in the amethyst or petal pink or daffodil, with your black pants or jeans, and your vans and your favorite cardi or hoodie layered on top. It's just same old you with a little infusion of fresh feminine color.


And then just play and have fun with those kinds of small bite-size additions.


You already feel comfortable in black and in sneakers, so how about a pair of black sneakers embroidered with tiny cherries? You don't have to change anything else, wear them with your ordinary clothes. Or, if you want to lighten up the outfit, you just add a feminine cut white/off white tee that will play off the white soles of the sneakers. Nothing else changes, your same black or blue jeans, your same favorite black zip down hooded sweatshirt, whatever. On the other hand if you want to add a pop of color to your outfit, you could paint your nails the same shade of cherry red the shoes have going on. OR you wear a long line tee in cherry red. NOT BOTH, one is enough, and all your other usual clothes can stay. Or some other thing. Whatever floats your boat. Superga has sneaks in pastel ginghams, too.

Those links are just random examples but I hope the main idea I was trying to get across came through!


Sorry I rambled on so long. Good luck, have fun!