Mar 8, 2013 0
Real world outfit idea: Masterful pattern mixing from Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen
This month for More Fabulous Fridays I’m shining the weekly spotlight on great looks from other style bloggers–real world ideas from real women!
Today’s featured look comes from Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen.
Allie is a master at mixing patterns; I often take inspiration from her colorful and even daring combinations.
This mixture–florals with animal print–may seem challenging when described, but with this client meeting outfit she demonstrates how easy it can be.
Just keep the patterns of a similar size and in a similar color palette and the combination won’t be overwhelming.
- Fab mamas: What patterns do you like to mix together?
This is your year to be more fabulous and less frantic! Sign up for the Style List to get more working mom style advice and a special bonus: 7 Days to Better Shopping, a daily series that will teach you how to shop smarter and save money.
Mar 7, 2013 0
Personal Style Starter Kit: How to flatter the pear (triangle) shape
Fab mamas: Ready to reclaim your personal style, but don’t know where to begin? The Starter Kit series is for you: helpful tips and how-to’s, all in one place.
Our beautiful bodies come in an infinite variation of shapes and sizes.
Within this broad range, we fall into some general categories, based on proportion.
Once you know what your body shape category is, it gets a little easier to find clothes that will flatter it.
How to find clothes that flatter the pear, or triangle, shape
- How to buy T-shirts for the pear shape
- How to buy blazers for the pear shape
- Most flattering wedding dresses for the pear shape
- How to choose a flattering winter coat
- Swimsuit shopping for the pear (triangle) shape
Of course, any set of guidelines is just that, a guide. Use them to help you narrow down your shopping options, then try lots of things on–and have fun!
Yes, you can be more Fabulous and less Frantic! Sign up for the Style List to get more working mom style advice and a special bonus: 7 Days to Better Shopping, a daily series that will teach you how to shop smarter and save money.
Mar 6, 2013 2
Working mom outfit of the week: How to style a super steal skirt
In one of those bits of Twitter serendipity, I came across a link to a super sale where I found this pleated faux mohair Opening Ceremony skirt at a ridiculous (80%) discount.
The price was low enough that I took a chance and grabbed it even though it was a final sale item. My main concern was whether it would fit. Theoretically it was my size, but we all know how that goes.
It arrived. It fit. Triumph!
Well, partly. My real issue turned out to be styling. Due to the fabric, the garment was a bit bulkier than I’d expected and I wasn’t sure exactly what to wear with it.
Back to Twitter! I solicited styling advice from the always fabulous Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen who offered two great suggestions: a shrunken sweatshirt with booties or a bow-tied blouse with vintage looking heels.
I had the booties, but not the shrunken sweatshirt (or the bow-tied blouse), so the next time I was at the mall, I dropped into H&M, the perfect place to find something a bit trendy without spending a lot.
This is the end result. The finishing touch: leopard print, of course.
Looking at it here, though, I’m not sure that I love it. The individual pieces are fine, but something about the skirt’s proportions feel off. Discount or no discount, if I have to talk myself into wearing it, it’ll have to go.
- Fab mamas: What do you think? Do you have any items in your closet that fit fine, but somehow don’t seem to work?
Skirt: Opening Ceremony (similar ).
Sweatshirt: H&M (similar ).
Scarf: JCPenney (similar).
Boots: Aerosoles (similar).
Working Mom Outfit Level: 3/Casual Friday
[Affiliate links disclosure]
Learn more about how to build outfits–and how to find the garments for them that flatter your body and personal style. Join the Style List to get tips, tricks and ideas, straight to your inbox. As a thank you gift, I’ll send you 7 Days to Better Shopping, a week-long email guide to making the most of the mall.
Mar 5, 2013 4
Why (and when) it’s OK to change your personal style
One of the reasons personal style is so important is because it’s a visual vocabulary: an outer reflection of who you are inside.
So it can be easy to confuse personal style with personality. If your personality doesn’t change, the thinking then goes, then your personal style shouldn’t change, either.
While there may be fundamental parts of ourselves that never change, however, we do change (and evolve and grow) throughout our lives. And so can our personal style. In fact, it should.
Now that doesn’t mean you will shift from carefree flowing bohemian clothes one year to super tailored suits the next.
It does mean that it’s OK to let your wardrobe evolve as–and when–you do.
Your personal style may change because your body has, whether from pregnancy or illness or exercise or aging.
Your personal style may change because your circumstances have, whether by moving to a different climate or starting a new job or re-entering the dating world.
Your personal style may change because fashion trends have, whether you adopt a new style that sings to you, or weed out another you’ve grown tired of.
Your personal style can and should change because of all of these things (or many others), and it’s OK.
Celebrate who you are and where you are today, and let your clothes be part of your story.
- Fab mamas: How has your personal style evolved over the years? Are there any trends you can’t believe you ever wore? (‘Fess up! Here’s mine: an awful lot of light-washed, high-waisted denim in the ‘90s …)
P.S. This website is getting a “change of clothes”–a whole new design (and a new name). So be on the lookout for Closet Coach to become Frantic But Fabulous, your new online home for working mom style advice. See you there!
This is your year to be more fabulous and less frantic! Sign up for the Style List to get more personal style advice and a special bonus: 7 Days to Better Shopping.
Mar 4, 2013 0
Ready to change? Here’s an easy place to start
“There is nothing wrong in change, if it is in the right direction. To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to change often.”
– Winston S. Churchill, 23 June 1925, House of Commons
Change is exhilarating. Change is never-ending. Change is scary.
Maybe we want to feel more connected with our lives. Maybe we want to feel more confident. Maybe we want to be happier.
Big changes, all. Stuff that has to do with who you are on the inside always is.
But sometimes big changes can start with little ones. Inside transformations can come from outer ones.
So start simple. Start easy. Start by changing your clothes.
It doesn’t have to be a full-scale personal style transformation, at least not at first.
Try this instead: Think of 3 or 4 or 5 things you own that bring you joy to wear. Step one: Wear them more often. Step two: Consider what you love about these garments, then see if you can find others that fit the same criteria the next time you go shopping.
Bring a little more wearable joy into your life and you just might be ready for bigger changes, inside and out. What are you waiting for?
- Fab mamas: What motivates you to make a change, whether it’s inside or out?
P.S. This website is about to make an outer transformation, too. It’s getting a “change of clothes”–a whole new design (and a new name). So be on the lookout for Closet Coach to become Frantic But Fabulous, your new online home for working mom style advice. See you there!
Get fabulous. Be fabulous. Declare your right to discover and manifest your personal style with the Fab Mama Style Manifesto.
Next »