You don’t necessarily need to be the hottest mom at the PTA meetings, but you certainly don’t want to be lumped into the category of frumpy, or “she gave up”. And while track suits, sweats, and your slouchy old jeans and busted sneakers are certainly comfortable, all they say about your style is that it is clearly nonexistent. Does this make you feel good about yourself? Do you get compliments from your friends? No and no. Okay, so you’re a mom and you’re busy. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be comfortable and stylish in modern clothes that fit and flatter, unlike your current wardrobe, which looks like you rolled out of bed and threw on your husband’s clothes. And by the way, cartoon characters belong on your kids’ clothes, not yours. So if you find yourself wishing that you were younger, thinner, hipper, and altogether more stylish, take the time to look at these tips and see how easy it is to reach your goals.
- Subscribe to style magazines. This is a must. Although you may not be able to wear the exact same styles as the starlets (nobody has a body like Cameron Diaz after a couple of kids), you can still pinpoint styles that will work for your body type, your age range, and your budget. So order up Cosmo, Allure, and People Style Guide (or simply check out their websites) to see what’s trending now.
- Start with classics, add a modern twist. The wonderful thing about classic pieces is that they work on every body type and they will form the basis for your wardrobe for years to come. Pieces that fit the bill include straight-leg trousers in neutral tones (straight-leg jeans provide a more casual classic), A-line skirts, fitted blazers (with removable shoulder pads), and of course, an LBD that is just right for you. All of these items will last forever if you invest a little money in high-end garments, and they can be paired with any number of modern pieces, including tops, cardigans, accessories, and so on to create an entire wardrobe that is up-to-date and totally stylish.
- Get a bra fitting. I know: you’re the only woman in the world that knows her bra size, but humor me here. A bra fitting will likely disabuse you of this notion. Weight gain or loss, pregnancy, and simple aging can all affect the size and position of your breasts. So if you want them to look great under any garment, you’re going to need a proper bra. And after all, what are you afraid of? Looking amazing and catching the attention of your honey after a dozen years and a couple of kids?
- Learn to let go. If a garment has been in your closet for more than ten years, chances are it’s hopelessly out of date, and worse, it’s aging you every time you wear it! Case in point: mom jeans (shiver). As noted above, classics can stay unless they’re stained, faded, or falling apart. But everything else more than a decade old must go, along with anything that doesn’t fit.
- Dress for your shape. If you don’t know what your body shape is, per se, it’s time to bust out the measuring tape and go to shopyourshape.com, a wonderful website that calculates your body shape and recommends clothing styles that will be the most flattering. This is an absolute must before you start to peruse womens clothing online or in stores. If you don’t know your body type you can’t hope to dress it accordingly. One last tip: try on everything! It’s the only way to know for sure if it works.
This is a guest post written specifically for this site. Opinions expressed are of the author.
