Everyone reaches milestones where their lives change forever. Babies arrive, schedules become hectic and budgets get tight. Dressing yourself becomes low priority, and there is temptation to wear those sweats and pajama tops forever! Having kids can change your body shape drastically, and aging also has its effects. Getting to know the new you and relearning how to dress stylishly can be easier if you follow a few simple rules. Whether you are a stay at home mom or a high powered business woman, you can always look your best with a new wardrobe.
Many women returning to the fashion arena want to know what is currently in style. Stylish dressing does not mean following fads; rather, it is finding out what looks good on you and selecting a few main garments to build your wardrobe around. Once you find the right style for your body type, the rest will easily follow! You can manage on a small budget and still have the right outfit for a business dinner or charity event; remember, classy and low maintenance are not mutually exclusive terms.
Consider your coloring first, to determine what shades complement your natural beauty. Blue-eyed blondes should base their repertoire on a good selection of navy suits, skirts and jackets. Hazel eyes and brown hair look great in earth tones; play around with soft browns and creams to find the perfect base color. Only those with classic ‘Snow White’ looks should ground their basic look in black; for others, the mandatory little black dress and a pair of good slacks should suffice.
Once you have the foundation to your new wardrobe, you can accessorize to dress your look up or tone it down according to the occasion. Jeans are becoming more acceptable as ‘business casual attire’, particularly when paired with a fitted jacket and low heels or ballet slippers. This translates well into afternoon soccer mom wear; just switch to flats and lose the jacket. Avoid the currently popular sweats ensembles; they show a marked lack of inspiration. The same can be said for athletic shoes – save them for the gym! A hoodie or nice sweatshirt with a team logo, as long as it is not oversized, is acceptable to show your support.
Men can combine jeans with a sport coat, or wear a nice t-shirt under their suit for the California look. Suits for men are still requisite at many formal functions; jeans topped by a dress shirt and jacket are acceptable for more casual parties or business meetings. Nice shoes and a matching belt can complete the look, and loafers are a comfortable choice for those hot summer days.
Southern California has led the fashion rebellion against hose – bare legs and sandals are now the accepted standard. Make sure you have at least one pair of party shoes for black tie occasions; metallic peep-toe heels are very trendy! You can accessorize your little black dress with pearls, or top it with a fitted jacket for cocktail receptions. Alternately, wear a satin tie blouse and flats with your suit to business events, or dress it up with a bright silk camisole and matching pumps for more formal occasions.
Hopefully these ideas will help you and your husband always look your best. Don’t forget to dress up for each other on that special date night! Once you invest in a basic wardrobe that fits your body shape, you can add items for every occasion and season.
