I'm in such a beauty/fashion rut. I'm a stay at home mom and I've been trying to buy "fashionable comfy" clothes and natural looking makeup, but I feel like I always look frumpy. I see moms who make yoga pants/jeans and a ponytail look polished and finished, but I can't seem to do it! I feel like some people just always have bright faces, shiny hair, and well fitting clothes. Is it just lucky genetics? Any ideas or suggestions on what to look for or do as part of my routine?
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TIP:
To be honest, it's all in the "hair". No matter what you wear, if you hair looks a mess, you will. Unless you are actually going for the "sexy beach waves" look.Wardrobe staples:
- fit, makes sure your cloths fit first and foremost. That's how the "yoga moms" do it.
- kitten heels. It doesn't have to be high, but a pointed toe kitten heel shoe will even make jeans look dressed up.
- blazers, throw it on top of anything casual. Jeans and a t-shirt? Throw on a structured blazer that FITS WELL
- tuck it in!! You'll be amazed at how different a blouse or a t-shirt looks tucked in (loose). -
For the face:
BB/CC cream -- it gives a light refreshing look without looking overdone.for me personally, a filled in eye brow automatically makes a face look done up (I just use eye shadow), even if that's the only thing I do besides cream and mascara.
Clothes:
skip the t-shirt and stick to more fitted clothes, even a 3/4 zip up hoodie looks nicer with yoga pants than a T-shirt from college days.Skip leggings as pants, I just don't think they look good on anyone (unless worn with a long tunic where the entire bottom is covered with plenty of inches to spare.) When wearing leggings/tunic wear with leather boots not Uggs, it looks more kempt.
Jeans and a solid colored shirt is always an easy go too, to dress it up just throw on a scarf, the adding of an easy accessory makes it come together.
And I'm no help in the hair department, I'm a ponytail kind of girl.
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Find a formula that works and stick to it. If you look good in certain colors and cuts, keep buying those. Check the clothes periodically, do you have any loose hems, are the colors fading, do you have pilling or wear?
Instead of sorting your clothes by item, put your clothes away in outfits. This way you know it all goes together and you're not scrounging around.
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Dresses! I love not having to put together different outfit pieces. I do heavy wool tights and boots when it gets cold though these days sticking to what's nursing friendly limits winter-options.
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For me, I don't really feel "put together" unless I do the following:
- Put my hair up (usually a low bun) b/c mine gets messy when it's down
- Blush and lip gloss (I can skip eye makeup and still look ok)
- Some version of my "uniform" - for me, it's skinny jeans, a top that fits well and is not too long, and either tall boots or ballet flatsI think the universal rule for clothes is simply to find styles that flatter you and stick with them, and also do make sure they fit well (not too big or too tight).
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I've recently started slowly revamping what I have. I live in a warmer climate so even my pre-mom days I tended to look fairly frumpy in the winter because I just didn't have a whole lot for that. I'm focusing less on how much variety I have & more on fit. My budget is still pretty limited so often quality still isn't stellar but if I'm even a little iffy on how something fits me I don't buy it. Period. I am also making more of an effort to let more of my clothes line dry, as wewell as wearing an apron while cooking or eating/feeding LO. A lot of my clothing issues are stains, grease spots or general bad care so even my Walmart tees get treated with dignity & I'm noticing that I feel nicer overall because I'm taking better care of the few pieces I do have. I exfoliate regularly & try my best to keep up with hair cuts because my hair looks best right around collarbone length. I just learned what I like & what makes me feel good & really weeded out the things that didn't. Even if that meant having a small wardrobe or having repeats in pieces once or twice a week
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I have to feel like I appear "polished," otherwise I get really irritable and glum, so this has been a priority for me ever since I became a SAHM.
-I only wear yoga pants and a fitted sweatshirt or active top if I'm a. actually working out or b. it's awful weather and there's no way we're getting out of the house.
-I love leggings as pants, but only (as a PP mentioned) with tunic sweaters/tops and leather equestrian boots. I wear this around the house a lot. Very comfy, and you're always ready to go anywhere and look nice.
-Otherwise, tailored jeans (I prefer skinny jeans with a slight stretch to them, but I usually wear a size up so they don't look skin tight), a comfortable but pretty top, and ballet flats. I almost always layer a black or white tank top under my outfits - I just prefer that look and feel.
-Hair is so dependent on texture. I blow dry and straighten mine almost daily, then wear it down, but if I let it go curly, I scrunch it slightly with my fingers and mousse, then pin it in a low ballerina bun.
-Simple, small-ish pearl or diamond (or, you know, CZ!) earrings always look nice. I always wear earrings and my wedding band set - occasionally a bracelet - and often a looped scarf -
@Little Misters Mom: yes to the dressed for sure! I wear dresses more than anything. I feel so comfy but also feel like I look cute!
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Mine are so simple. A shower, blow dried hair, clean teeth, under eye concealer, a well fitting bra, and lip gloss.
If I have those things going on, I can feel pretty put together even if I'm in sweats. After I had my daughter I tried to go without showers and just throw my hair up in a messy bun for the day but I quickly realized a shower does wonders for my mental health.
For clothing, I love scarves to elevate an outfit of jeans and a t-shirt.
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If I plan on wearing sweats/leggings, I still make sure my hair and makeup are presentable. I always feel more put together when I have on nicer/clean shoes too, even if they are tennis shoes.
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I don't feel great about myself un
- Proper fitting clothes. You can have the best closet in the world but if nothing fits right, you will look sloppy
- Accessorizing for the outfit/occasion
- No chipped nail polish. Bare nails look better than chipped nails
- Styled hair
- Makeup. Doesn't have to be a lot, just enough to look presentable -
Taking 2 minutes to run my ceramic straightening iron over just the ends (tips) of my hair makes a huge difference in how put-together I feel. It gives the appearance that my whole hairdo is styled when I really barely did anything. Other easy appearance-lifters are a well-fitting cardigan, dangly earrings, and riding boots. And of course make sure everything fits you very well, especially jeans/pants. If I'm going to do makeup, I agree with PP that filling in eyebrows gives your face an easy quick boost, as does blush and lip gloss.
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Blow dried hair, bright lip gloss, bb cream, lots of mascara. Also, stud earrings really help!
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For me it's skinny jeans with a bit of stretch, ballet flats when it's not too cold/rainy, leather boots or hunters otherwise. A button up or crew neck nice ish shirt sometimes a scarf, sometimes a vest or jacket. I have a 2 min makeup routine bn cream, bronzer, blush, mascara, eye shadow, mascara, lip gloss. I will wear my shoulder length hair down on day 1 and dry shampoo and wear in a pony day two. I'm 26 weeks with my first and work from home. Sometimes I get right to work and shower after lunchtime. I just like to look nice for M when he is in town/around. Often the only other person I see is the mailman, Jim. If I'm just beating around the house leggings and a sweatshirt and air dried hair work for me.
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@bpcmarj: The stud earrings is what I came to say! Throw on either (faux) pearl or (faux) diamond studs, and you look like you put way more thought into your outfit than you did. I mention those two because they look sophisticated and match everything so you really don't have to think about it. I always look more put together with mascara on, and I know you said natural makeup, but a signature shade of lip stick/stain/balm whatever, even in a more natural shade, will take you up a level. I'm not sure what your style is, but a pretty pendant necklace on a longish chain can go with lots of things, and either a belt for your waist or your jeans, depending on what you wear from day to day, in a neutral color, can help, too. I'm betting also feeling like you look like a million bucks will help. I've seen people work some ridiculous outfits because they were walking around like the hottest b in the room.
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I feel put together with a little bit of BB cream, mascara, and lipstick/gloss. My favorite lipstick is this one: http://www.sephora.com/rouge-artist-natural-P307700?skuId=1396795. I also don't like to go out in frumpy clothes. If I put a bit of effort into my outfit, I feel a lot better. Even if I'm wearing yoga pants, I like to wear flats with them and a nicer casual t-shirt, rather than sneakers and a race t-shirt.
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Hair and makeup and jewelry (wedding rings and watch) for me. Athletic clothes don't make me feel schlubby by themselves, but if I'm doing yoga pants or sweatpants, I pair it with a more fitted tank. If everything is baggy, I feel like a bum
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