Today I have the pleasure of guest blogging on another fab style blog called Book of Leisure. It’s been a joy getting to know the blog’s creater, Elizabeth, via Instagram over the past year or so. Elizabeth is a gorgeous, incredibly stylish brand new mommy to her precious baby boy Jasper and asked me to write a post on something about motherhood, so of course I immediatly thought about “mom style!” So I am sharing my “guest post” here on the Edit by Lauren blog today, but highly encourage you to jump on over to the Book of Leisure blog for some serious style inspiration! {You can also follow Elizabeth on Instagram for daily inspiration @elizabetheuna}
As a wardrobe stylist to lots of mothers and as a momma of toddler twins myself, I have learned over the years the art of dressing stylishly on the fly. I know from personal experience that for most of us moms, mornings are rushed and that our time getting dressed is anything from quiet and peaceful. Thus, having the “essentials” readily available is a must to look effortlessly put-together when life feels quite the opposite!
That being said, I’m excited to share with you my “top 5 mommy wardrobe staples,” in hopes of alleviating some of stress while getting dressed each day. Like I always tell my clients, it doesn’t take a closet full of the most trend-setting clothes to look pulled-together. Instead, it truly just takes a handful of the right items…items that fit well, that you love and feel fabulous wearing.
Without further ado, here’s my list…
1. A great fitting pair of dark-wash skinny or straight-leg jeans. Where-ever you are in your motherhood journey, and no matter how much weight you would ideally like to lose, you NEED a pair of jeans that fit and feel GREAT now. This doesn’t mean that you need to spend a ton of money on a designer pair if you are in the process of losing baby weight, but it does mean that it is important to find a pair that you feel fab wearing where you are currently. I love skinny and straight legs because they pair well with long and blousy tops and tunics, as well as with tees, they can be worn with flats, boots, wedges or heels, and because they give you the option of cuffing the hem for a cropped look, perfect for Spring/Summer wear. Look for a dark wash rinse {the most flattering color on the legs} that is a mid-rise with some stretch in the fabric.
2. Flattering basic tees. These are the building blocks of your wardrobe, so don’t underestimate the power of investing in a few super-flattering tees. Look for something longer in length {so that it won’t ride up when you are bending over to care for your children} and one that a tad blousy {so that it doesn’t cling to every “unwanted” curve}.
3. Scarves. Scarves add instant “chic” to the simplest of outfits, and are a quick, flattering way to dress up a jeans and tee outfit. If you are a new mom uncomfortable with your chest and/or mid-section, scarves are an easy way to hide these areas while looking super-stylish. Look for long scarves in breathable, light-weight materials for Spring/Summer. Scarves are also an easy, affordable way to incorporate trendy colors and patterns into your wardrobe in a subtle way. Think about adding some stripes, florals and bright colors into your scarf collection for Spring.
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4. A long pendant necklace. I tell my clients all the time that a pendant necklace is the most flattering piece of jewelry a gal can own. It draws the eye up and down, creating length visually, and is especially flattering to balance out blousy tops, that are in-style and that many of us momma’s adore! Look for a necklace that has a bit of “weight” in the pendant, to keep it hanging in place, and choose whatever metal you prefer, silver or gold. If you are an accessory lover, consider adding several colorful necklaces to your wardrobe for Spring. These are easy to throw on with a tee, blouse or casual dress, as well as for dressier occasions.
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5. A neutral flat. I’ll be honest, I was never much of a “flats-girl” until I had kids. Now they are my go-to staple for running errands and play dates. The trick is to own a go-to “neutral” pair that takes the guess-work out of what shoes to select in the morning. By neutral, I mean a metallic or a camel brown to nude tone. Any of these shades pair with anything from black to gray to various shades of brown to any color. You won’t have to think for a second if they “match” your outfit, and they make packing for a trip a breeze, since they can pair with anything in your suitcase!
When you own these five pieces, you’ll be able to mix-and-match countless looks without overthinking it. Pull on a pair of skinnies, throw on a fun tee {layering with a long cardi or cropped jacket if need be}, accessorize with a scarf or long necklace and slip on pair of comfy ballet flats or flat sandals and you’ll look and feel effortlessly stylish, while being comfortable enough to chase your kiddos through the adventures of the day!
Stylishly yours,
P.S. Atlanta-area gals, remember to come out and join Sherri and myself at the J.Crew Lenox Square Mall tonight! Drop in anytime between 6pm-8pm for complimentary styling and personal shopping by yours truly, refreshments and an exclusive discount for our guests! Click here for more details.
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