Easy Style Tips: How To Find Your Fashion Style for Moms

Being a mom is a full-time job; for many, it’s on top of other responsibilities like work and household maintenance. While juggling everything, it’s easy as busy moms for fashion to take a backseat. We all know that friend with such great style, and we’d love to be like her. Well, guess what we can! Looking great helps me feel great. So, how can we find and embrace our fashion style without it being “just one more thing?” 

Style doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Fashion is a great way to express who you are, and you can effortlessly elevate your everyday style with simple tweaks and practical tips. Let’s dive into some easy fashion ideas tailored just for you!

Start with Determining Your Style

If I asked you what your style is, would you know? Before you clean out your closet, go shopping, or even get dressed tomorrow morning, it’s important to know what you like, what style inspiration you lean toward, and how you want to feel in your clothes based on your season of life. So, answer these questions to get a sense of your style!

1. What Activities Fill Your Day? Consider your daily routine as a mom. Do you mostly run errands, attend playdates, or work from home? Understanding your daily activities can help you choose practical and stylish clothes.
2. How Do You Want to Feel in Your Clothes?: Think about the emotions you want your clothes to evoke. Do you want to feel confident, comfortable, or empowered? Your style should reflect how you want to feel while wearing it.
3. Which Celebrities or Influencers Inspire You? Look to celebrities or influencers whose style resonates with you. Identify critical elements of their looks that you admire and consider incorporating similar pieces into your wardrobe.
4. What Are Your Favorite Colors and Patterns? Pay attention to the colors and patterns you naturally gravitate towards. Do you love bright colors or neutrals? Consider investing if you’ve never had your colors done and think that might be helpful. It’s helped me shop with more intention, and the colors I wear accentuate my appearance, making me feel more confident. 
5. ​What is Your Body Shape Now?: Knowing what clothes work with your figure is essential. Remember, our bodies change with age, so after having children, try different clothes. Consider bringing a trusted friend or family member along to give feedback or take a picture. Then, look at the picture and determine if you like the style. 
6. Whose Style Do You Admire? When you see someone and say, “Oh, that’s darling!” What kind of style is it? Boho? Preppy? Casual? Alison Lumbatis, a recent guest on the podcast (listen here), encourages you to try this: Go to Pinterest and look for outfits you gravitate toward. Pin them. Over time, you will start to see a style emerge. This can help narrow your style preferences and choose clothes that suit your lifestyle. You can also find social media influencers with a style you love. Then, save and recreate different outfits they share online in fun new ways.
7. What Are Your Must-Have Wardrobe Staples? Identify key wardrobe staples you can’t live without. These include basics like jeans, tees, or versatile dresses that form the foundation of your style. Spoiler alert: because the experts say you must have an item, it doesn’t belong in your closet. I used to think I just had to have a white T-shirt. Guess what? I never wear them! 
8. What Makes You Feel Comfortable? Are there some styles you find uncomfortable? My mom hates anything wool—it’s too itchy! I don’t like the confining feel of a button-up shirt, so no matter how cute it is, I pass it by while shopping.
9. How Would You Describe Your Lifestyle Season? Consider your lifestyle as a mom, including your hobbies, interests, and social activities. Your style should reflect who you are and how you live your life. What styles will make you feel confident and comfortable now?

I realized my style is preppy but easy to put together. I love wearing classic pieces like a crewneck sweater in the winter in a bright color or stripe with a classic pair of comfortable jeans. Then, I add in preppy nice pairs of flats or loafers. In the summer, I love to wear tees in bright florals, stripes, and solids with denim shorts or jeans with a classic pair of slip-on sandals.

I usually wear the same standard gold bracelets with pearl earrings. Mixing and matching these different pieces is easy, which makes getting dressed fun. I aim to feel confident in what I wear, which is good for my mental health and yours. So, after answering these questions, how would you define your style?

The good news is that it takes a few minutes to answer these questions and determine your style. As a result, it takes less time to get dressed with just a little bit of effort. Time well spent, my friend!

Declutter Your Closet

Now that you know your style better, it’s time to declutter your closet so it’s easier to get dressed. Be ruthless and look at each piece of clothing. Is it a heck yes? If not, it’s a no and needs to go. Additional clothing you “might” need is clamoring for your attention, distracting you from what you love, and making it harder to get dressed in the morning. 

Turn all your hangers around if you aren’t ready to part with items. Then, set a reminder in your phone to purge anything that hasn’t been touched in the last six months (minus special-occasion items like that little black dress).

Start Putting Outfits Together

Now that you have decluttered your closet, you essentially have created a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is a group of pieces that can be mixed and matched to create countless outfits, saving time and money.

If you struggle with knowing what to put together, tune into this podcast with Alison Lumbatis, founder of Outfit Formulas. She’s dedicated to helping women put outfits together in simple ways that make them feel confident.

Mix & Match

Experiment with different styles and pairings to discover what works best for your body type and personal style. If this is your first time doing this, it might be uncomfortable initially, but allow yourself to be a beginner and try. Some of my favorite outfits have come from just playing around with different things.

Mix casual pieces like joggers or tennis shoes with more structured items like a crewneck sweater for a balanced look. Try a graphic tee with jeans. Take a photo and see if you like the way you look. You can save pictures of easy outfits you love so you can repeat them, simplifying getting dressed in the morning.

​Add Layers

Never underestimate the power of adding layers. Layers are a simple way to add interest to an outfit while providing practicality. If I wear a more casual look, I often wear a puffer vest for an extra layer for a cute mom outfit. Plus, I pop the collar for a fun, preppy look. A denim jacket over a basic tee for an additional layer of warmth and style is also a simple but effective option.

​Don’t Forget to Accessorize

Accessories can also make or break an outfit. They are like the sprinkles on the cake. They add that pop. Invest in versatile accessories like crossbody bags, jewelry, a stylish pair of sunglasses, headbands, or scarves to elevate your look with minimal effort.

Again, you don’t have to have a lot. Pick items you love and wear them on repeat. Since I have a preppy look, I love to wear pearl earrings and a couple of gold bangles with my watch daily. If I pull back my hair, I have two headbands I alternate when I wear my hair up in a messy bun. 

Shop Mindfully

Now that you know your style and have assessed what you have in your closet, you may have noticed you need a few things. Keep a shopping list on your phone to look for pieces that fit your needs. I do this for my kids, too. You don’t need to purchase a new wardrobe each season. Once you find what you love, you can repeatedly wear items in your closet and buy a few things to freshen them up each season.

Fashion isn’t Frivolous

Remember, adding to your wardrobe or spending money on clothing is alright. We have been conditioned to believe it’s frivolous, but feeling good in your clothing permeates to the rest of your life. If we feel good in our clothing, we are more productive, confident, and happier. 

​Take A Photo of Yourself

While shopping, take a photo and see how you look. If it’s not a heck, yes, I know when and what I will wear this with, then leave it behind. It’s up to you whether you hop on board the latest trends. Does it fit your style? Don’t just buy something because it’s on sale, on-trend, or convenient.

Look for “Wow” Pieces

Don’t forget to grab a few “wow” pieces. While basics are essential, don’t shy away from incorporating statement pieces into your wardrobe. A graphic tee, stylish sunglasses, or leopard flats can instantly elevate a simple outfit and showcase your style. 

​Remember What You Like

Remember what you like and what you don’t. The other day, I was at the store and saw the cutest pair of mules, but I hate walking in them. So, while they were cute and fit my style, I left them because I knew I wouldn’t wear them. 

​Quality Matters

Quality matters when it comes to wardrobe staples like jeans. I have learned that I would rather have a few pairs of high quality jeans I love and feel good in than dozens that end up just hanging in my closet. Invest in high-quality pieces that will withstand the demands of daily life and last for years to come. Less can be more. When you’ve worn them out, you can get another pair.

Remember, second-hand shopping. It is not only budget-friendly but also eco-friendly. Explore thrift stores or online platforms for unique finds that add character to your wardrobe without breaking the bank.

Just Remember…

When it comes to getting dressed, you shouldn’t dread it. Your clothes should reflect you and your busy lifestyle. Take a few moments to find your styles, then curate your closet so it’s easier to get dressed. Create a shopping list to shop for practical pieces you need.  

Plus, comfort should always be a priority for a busy mom. Keeping your style simple and re-wearing simple pieces you love is more than okay. I used to have an outfit calendar in high school and would highlight outfits I loved. I hope you find and can create a stylish and effortless look for everyday wear that puts a pep in your step and makes you feel confident.

You are a beautiful woman. My style goal is to find a mom wardrobe and overall look that makes me feel good, and that’s my hope for you, too!

Listen to the podcast interview!