Style Up in 2018: Fashion Tips for Busy Moms

Cate Palmer - 27 Dec 17

With all that’s on your plate from day to day, you’re not exactly spending time in front of your wardrobe, experimenting and conjuring up chic outfits in your head. On the most hectic of days, you’re lucky to not have worn your shirt inside out or to have noticed that giant smudge of questionable origin. It’s definitely hard when you’re a super busy mom, but hey, if you’ve learned anything from the experience it’s a) that your limits seem pretty much endless and b) that you’ve become a pro at quick-and-easy, nifty solutions (even with minimal resources). With a little effort, you can bring some key components to your style that perk up your look both at work and outside of it and are easy to combine with anything.

Black blazers

Ditch the cardigans, for we all loved them five years ago but now even librarians are getting tired of them. Black blazers look pretty darn badass on anyone, and they’ve earned their status as must-have pieces in 2018. The difference between blazers now and how they were worn decades ago – it’s all much cooler and laid back, not requiring any rigorous pairing. With the classic outfit of jeans + t-shirt + sneakers, or even thrown over a dress, a black blazer is a practical everyday statement piece, not reserved just for heels and special occasions.

Tunics

Whatever you do, don’t get into the trap of constantly wearing frumpy, oversized clothing as your “casual look”. Sure, you don’t feel like wearing anything tight, but tattered t-shirts only bring down your self-image over time. Tunics are flattering but equally comfortable and they skim the body Choose colors and prints you like just to add a playful vibe to your appearance, or wear a black tunic with long sleeves and a belt over slacks for an elegant look.

Super simple accessorizing

One simple accessory “really ties together” a completely casual outfit. Throwing on a neat scarf, for example, is a great way to add some pizzazz to your everyday look without overdoing it. A beloved bracelet, leather belt or a simple long necklace is also a good go-to when you want to add a little extra to an otherwise bland outfit. Also, handbags can and should be made into statements, as Tammy Gibson from A Mom in Red High Heels suggests. Your main priority is to be able to fit everything in, but carrying a large handbag of an impressionable color makes all the difference.

Ditch the flip-flops

Please. Unless you’re at the beach or the pool, there’s no reason to wear them even on the most mundane of occasions, as they’re really not legitimate footwear. Wear sandals instead – they’re really pretty and much more comfortable. Sandals have become all the rage with moms and young girls alike, and it’s not a surprise since they represent quality footwear that’s not completely flat (yay for your feet and back) and offer a unique range of playful prints to express yourself.

The idea of expressing yourself stretches into all manner of footwear, so don’t buy it unless you really like how it looks on you. There are plenty of comfortable yet stylish options out there, and you can order online when you don’t have time to roam the stores.

Capes

You’re a superhero in your family, so it’s only appropriate you wear a cape! We’ve seen celebrity moms Katherine Heigl and Sandra Bullock wearing these, and they’re a really cool layer to add in the fall or spring. Wear them over jeans or leggings with boots and you’ll instantly add a refined touch to your appearance. Plus, they work great for pregnant and non-pregnant ladies alike.

Apart from your wardrobe, you can style up with minimal time using some simple hacks. Use dry shampoo (let’s admit it, oftentimes you’re just really not up for washing your hair – and this stuff works!) and instead of fussing over the time necessary to create a polished hairstyle, make messy (but not quite so) hair your thing. Wear a lovely beachy look using beach spray for hair or tie it into a messy bun. All this time-saving is great and nifty, but do remember – every once in a while, as often as possible, it’s time to treat yourself.

Cate Palmer

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