TZR’s Kathy Lee Navigates Modern Motherhood With Timeless Style

Mother’s Day lends families the opportunity to celebrate Mom, create new rituals or honor past traditions, and present a gift (or two) that reflects her passions. For TZR editor-in-chief Kathy Lee, “a memorable Mother's Day gift is one that I will treasure for many years.” That could mean a one-of-a-kind craft to hang on the refrigerator, or a piece of clothing she’ll wear time and again, like the designs in the new Lauren Ralph Lauren Mother’s Day collection at Macy’s.

When it comes to the latter, stylish items that can handle all of life’s busy moments aren’t just a must — they set an example for her 4-year-old son, Leo, and her 9-year-old daughter, Beatrice, to develop their own sense of style. Because that’s what modern motherhood is all about: creating your own rules.

As a resident of her vibrant Brooklyn neighborhood and a true NYC fashion authority, personal expression through clothing is fully ingrained in Lee’s life. “My wardrobe is built on timeless styles, some in classic colors and designs, and others with a slight twist,” she says. Over the years, she’s discovered that the most crucial element to getting dressed is having a solid foundation of staples: crewneck cable-knit sweaters, versatile dress shirts, and tailored white pants and shorts.

Once you’ve built a wardrobe of classic staples, you can easily incorporate more trend-driven pieces, if you choose. It’s these evergreen styles that make for the most thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts, since they’re as relevant on the holiday as they are throughout the rest of spring, summer, and beyond. Though Lee admits that motherhood hasn’t necessarily impacted how she dresses, she says it has given her a “stronger sense of what works, and less of an inclination to experiment with trends that come and go.” That’s why, when considering gifts for others, she prioritizes practicality and longevity.

“My wardrobe is built on timeless styles”

Lee hopes to share those core fashion values with her kids, too, though their style journeys are just beginning. “My daughter has been selective about what she wears since before she could speak in full sentences,” Lee says. “It's been a wild ride seeing her style evolve from a hodgepodge of color and patterns to the sporty, minimal way she dresses now. We always shop online together and I try to expand her taste.” Her son, too, has developed a more perceptive approach to fashion under his mom’s guidance. “He's so easy-going,” she says. After explaining that boys, too, can like pink, she says he's been wearing the shade frequently.

The true beauty of Mother’s Day — and motherhood — is bringing generations together. Lee’s connection to style, culture, and life in NYC run deep, and there is nothing more gratifying than seeing her children start to develop the same level of enthusiasm for them. “I'm always so intrigued at what my kids gravitate towards and what their interests are,” Lee says. “It's exciting to see them grow as little humans and what they're capable of as they explore the world and their place in it.”

Below, Lee's son Leo tries out some spring-ready pieces of his own from Polo Ralph Lauren.

Photographer: Rosaline Shahnavaz; Art Director: Diana Weisman; Wardrobe Stylist & Branded Fashion Lead: Elly Ayres; Set Designer: Tim Ferro; Makeup: Brett Jackson; Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi; Production Manager: Allie Kolb