Fashion Secrets for Busy Moms

It is not a rare occasion that I hear comments such as “you’re just so pretty”, “you look amazing today”, or “you look great in anything!” And I am here to tell you ladies that looking fabulous is not about body composition or what some might call “natural beauty”. Today I want to share with you some fashion secrets for busy moms. These are things I have learned for myself over the years. Tips that all women can use. I have considered writing this post for a while now because I want people to know, it is not as hard as you think!

Now, I will be the first to tell you, that while I don’t consider myself an ugly person, I am often thrown off by these comments from people. Not that I don’t appreciate them. I think most of us appreciate any type of compliment here and there. It’s just that I’m not expecting them. I don’t always walk out the door thinking “you look fabulous!”. And more often, I definitely don’t walk out the door feeling that way! Sometimes I’m walking out the door after I just yelled at my kids, or I’m all sweaty from rushing around to clean up a mess last minute before I head out the door, or a plethora of other things.

However, in the midst of the busy-ness of this mom life, there are some tips and tricks you can use. Maybe you’re always feeling frumpy when you walk out the door. Maybe you feel like you’re in a style rut and don’t know how to get out. Perhaps you have low self esteem. I hope you can catch on to something in these “secrets” I have for busy moms that just might help change your outlook on your personal fashion and life in general.

Fashion Secrets for Busy Moms

Mindset

This is the NUMBER ONE secret. The number one area that needs to change on most peoples’ lives. I promise. Get this one down, and you’ll be set! “I could never wear that”, or “I could never pull that off.” How many of us have ever thought that or said that out loud? I know I have! The majority of the time if you have the mindset you can pull it off, then you can! Of course you want to keep in mind the parameters of size and cut for your body shape. But, when it comes to style, most of the time confidence is key.

I promise, there is nothing special about me. But, I am confident in my own skin most of the time, even if I’m not super happy with a specific area on my body. I may not like “the mom pooch”, or the ridiculously large spider vein that covers the entire back of my knee. I may have flaws I’m not in love with, but overall, I am comfortable and confident in my body. Again, this doesn’t have to do with body shape or size. It has to do with a confidence that comes from the inside.

Do you hate to go shopping? Do you feel like you can never find clothes that you look great in? I understand, sometimes it can be a chore, and it can definitely take some effort to find things you love. But… you can find them. If you think there isn’t anything you look good in, that’s not a clothes issue, that’s a mindset issue.

Resist Temptation

I used to be the type of person that would snatch up something because it was a good sale. I would try to convince myself in the store that I would like it. Then I would get home, wear it maybe 2-3 times, and then it would sit in my closet never to be worn again. I mean, it’s only $2! Don’t. Do. It! This does not make you happier with your wardrobe. In fact, it more often makes you less satisfied with your wardrobe.

I am much pickier in my choices now. That’s not to say I don’t love a good sale. I am still a bargain shopper, and I do thrift stores. It just means I resist the temptation to buy it just because it’s on sale. I only buy it if I love it and know I will wear it often.

Some Things Are Worth the Cost

With that said, there are some things that are more expensive, and they are totally worth it. Usually the quality is better, meaning it lasts longer. Or, the fit might be better. You might not be able to buy as many of those items, but if you love it and the fit is amazing, it is totally worth it.

For me, that often includes pants as I have very long legs and have a hard time finding a good fit. Tieks shoes are also worth it to me. Are they pricey? Yes. But, I wear them almost every day, and the price is very much worth it to me.

Some people spend money on electronics or hobbies. I choose to spend it on these shoes when I am able. It’s a choice we make. We all choose what we are willing to spend more on and we are not. Don’t feel guilty about finding that perfect pair of jeans that fit like a glove and help you feel a little more confident in your mom life. It just means you might only own one or two pair, and you bargain shop for your other clothes. I’m just telling you, some things are worth the cost.

Comfort

Almost everything I wear is super comfortable. This is a definite must for busy moms. Comfort doesn’t have to mean frumpy, or t-shirts only. 95% of the dresses I wear that I get so many compliments on are COMFORTABLE! Throw it on in 2 seconds and head out the door looking fabulous.

Seriously, you should give dresses a try. People are always thinking I’m looking so “dressed up”, but I’m totally fooling them. Sure, maybe the dress looks dressier than what most people are wearing. But, I guarantee most of the time I spent much less time preparing my outfit and putting it on. Throwing a dress over your head is way faster than putting on pants and a shirt. Especially if the pants are jeans that you have to finagle your way into.

Aside from dresses, there are some specific fabrics that are super comfy and don’t require ironing. I hate ironing. Some good fabric options are jersey knit, something with a spandex mix (like rayon/spandex), polyester.

Size and Cut

Size is usually an obvious one, but when you take a look around, it’s not always as obvious as one might think. Take some time, try on some clothes, and find the right size for you! Maybe you don’t love the size you wear, but I promise if you wear clothes that are the right size and not too small, you will feel much more comfortable and confident. On the same note, don’t buy clothes that are too big in an attempt to hide certain parts of your body. It just makes you look like you’re wearing clothes that are too big!

Choose a cut that flatters your figure. Choose cuts that in a sense hide the areas you don’t want highlighted. We are NOT talking about clothes that are too big here or hiding your whole body (again mindset issue), but targeting specific areas. Maybe it’s that mom tummy pooch, maybe it’s the hips or any other number of things. If you’re wearing something you’re not comfortable in, you’re going to be self-concsious the entire time. You’ll be trying to hide those areas by folding your arms, wrapping a sweater around your waist, etc. As a busy mom, or a busy person, we don’t have time for that! Choose items that cause you not to worry.

Choose Items You Absolutely Love

This kind of goes along with resisting temptation and the fact that some items are worth the cost. Only keep items in your closet that you absolutely love. Then, you’ll always love what you’re wearing. Simple as that! Okay, maybe not, but yeah kind of.

Allie Casazza, the minimalist mama I follow, says we only wear 20-30% of our wardrobe on the average. Get rid of the rest. If you’re wearing something you love, it just “exudes” out from you without you even trying. It shows in the way you carry yourself, your attitude, etc. Being comfortable in your clothes, your own skin, and your confidence goes a long way in how you look to others (again that mindset thing).

Try New Things

Being comfortable with your wardrobe does help your confidence over all, however, you don’t want to just get stuck there. Having clothes that feel comfortable (as in material) and getting stuck in your comfort zone are not the same thing.

Over the years I’ve become much more brave in my wardrobe choices. Be brave, take a chance. I promise, the majority of the time our lack of bravery in fashion has more to do with our own mindset than in what actually looks good on us. There it is again, that mindset thing. The reason I have some of the items in my wardrobe that I now absolutely love is because I was brave. I decided to take a chance on that style I don’t wear often or a color scheme or pattern. Go ahead, give it a try!

Don’t know how to do that or don’t think you can? Take a friend along when you go shopping that you know will help you step out of your comfort zone.

Easy Makeup Routine

I may be what some would consider vain in this area. If I’m going to be out, I pretty much feel like I need to have some makeup on. That being said, I do not wear a lot of makeup, and my routine is quick which again is a must for busy moms. Find out what are your must-haves and stick with that most of the time. Maybe yours are concealer, eyeliner & mascara. Or maybe it’s only mascara and lip gloss.

My must-haves are foundation, powder, cheeks, and eye shadow. That may sound like a lot, but I promise I can throw those on in 3-4 minutes. For me mascara and eyeliner is not a must every day, but for many people that is their go-to. I wear these on days I dress up a little more (church, out on a date, special event) and take a little more time getting ready those times. Play around with it and see what works best for you.

Wearing just a little makeup smooths the flaws and makes many people feel better about themselves. I’m not saying a person doesn’t look good without makeup, but it comes back to that mindset thing. If we feel better about ourselves we carry ourselves differently, and people can tell. It’s not that they can tell we carry ourselves differently when we feel good about ourselves, but I’m telling you, it does make a difference in how we are perceived. Just like a good attitude or joy or thankfulness, those things rub off on other people. If we feel good about ourselves, that rubs off on other people too, even though no one is consciously thinking about it.

Jewelry

Have a few pieces of jewelry on hand. I’m not saying you have to wear it all the time if that’s not your thing, and good lord don’t spend a lot of money on it (unless you can only wear certain metals). Sometimes I can be wearing the simplest outfit. I throw a statement necklace on and BAM, it’s like I have a completely different outfit on! Have a few simple pieces that are your go-to most of the time, and have some statement pieces to pull out from time to time.

If you have little kids, I know it makes a difference in the jewelry department. I’ve gone through seasons myself where the jewelry just stays on the shelf and that’s okay. Jewelry is definitely not a must, it’s just a simple style hack that can elevate your outfit in a quick minute. Can’t wear a necklace because your young child will chew on it or break it? Throw on some cute simple post earrings. Even that little addition can elevate an outfit. I wear earrings almost every day, it’s just part of my getting ready routine.

I hope that some of these fashion secrets for busy moms have shed some light on something for you or given you something to think about. Most of all, know that each and every one of you are beautiful. YOU just have to believe it!

For an easy way to shop for busy moms, check out my posts on the style subscription service I’m trying out right now! Nadine West Month 1 Review and Nadine West Month 2 Review.