Core Wardrobe outfit idea: How to wear a blazer

By IN Personal Style, Work It Wednesdays

Core Wardrobe working mom outfit idea: How to wear a blazer

The Core Wardrobe is a list of essential pieces that form the building blocks from which you can create outfits for any occasion. Today’s outfit features one of the Core Wardrobe items, a blazer.

One of the attributes most of the items in the Core Wardrobe have in common is their versatility; they work with most of the other pieces in your closet to create outfits across a range of levels and situations.

Work It Wednesdays: Working mom outfit photosNot only is the blazer versatile, but it’s like a wardrobe superhero. You put it on and it instantly takes whatever you’re wearing up a notch.

T-shirt + jeans = Weekend casual. T-shirt + jeans + blazer = Weekend chic.

And of course if you wear it with something that’s already dressier, like a skirt, you’ve got one of the easiest ways ever to look put-together in the office.

I’ve worn this blazer several times before, most recently in a winter-weather ensemble. This time I paired it with a sleeveless lace tank top and a new faux suede pencil skirt for a spring-into-summer Client Meeting outfit.

  • Fab mamas: How many ways do you wear your blazers?

Blazer: Calvin Klein [similar]
Skirt: Chico’s [here]
Tank Top: Banana Republic [similar]
Shoes: Nine West [similar]
Working Mom Outfit Level:4/Client Meeting

Get the full Core Wardrobe checklist and learn how to build outfits with it in Step 6 of “No More Yoga Pants: How to Dress Better, Shop Smarter and Reclaim Your Style,” the fun, easy-to-follow style transformation system. Join the Style List to be the first to hear when it launches (and get a discount code, too).

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The Core Wardrobe: Essential jackets and blazers for every occasion

By IN How-To Tuesdays, Personal Style, Style

The Core Wardrobe for jackets and blazers includes 3 options you can wear for Working Mom Outfits at the office or meeting with clients.

The Core Wardrobe is a list of the classic, fundamental clothes around which you can build outfits for any occasion. Each week in this series we’re exploring another clothing category. Today’s Core Wardrobe category: jackets and blazers.

The Core Wardrobe for jackets and blazers

How-To Tuesdays: Style advice and answers for working momsAs with the Core Wardrobe for skirts and for dresses, the idea is to have the fewest number of blazers to suit the greatest number of occasions, across a range of Working Mom Levels. And as with both of those categories, neutral colors–black, navy, gray, brown–will be the most flexible.

  • Neutral-colored lined, fitted blazer, ideally wool. Any outfit is instantly dressier with a good quality, well-fitting blazer; look for a style that flatters your silhouette. (Here’s how to find blazers for the apple and pear shapes.) Even the most casual mamas will find a few times a year when they need a Client Meeting level outfit and a blazer is one of the easiest ways to put one together.
  • Embellished jacket in a fabric such as tweed, suede or leather. This gives you another option for a jacket completer piece that isn’t quite as businesslike as a blazer. You might even opt for one in an unstructured knit.
  • Two-piece suit: a fitted blazer with either skirt or pants, in a neutral color. As with the single blazer, every mom’s closet should contain at least one suit. You may not wear it to work every day, but you’ll be glad you have it when an important client event comes up–or you’re heading out on job interviews for your next big career move.

In any category, this recommended list of basics is just that: recommendations. It starts with pieces that are the most universally wearable, but your personal style is the ultimate guide.

It’s also just a starting point. If your workplace is quite casual, you may not need a structured blazer at all. If you’re at a law firm or another much more formal office setting, you may need several in a variety of colors and weights–and multiple suits, too.

  • Fab mamas: What would you include on a list of basic jackets and blazers for every wardrobe?

Learn more about the Core Wardrobe and get a detailed, comprehensive checklist of what to buy in Step 6 of “No More Yoga Pants: How To Dress Better, Shop Smarter and Reclaim Your Style,” the fun, easy-to-follow personal style transformation system. Join the Style List and be the first to get a sneak preview (and an early discount code, too)!

Memorial Day casual wear outfit ideas

By IN Less Frantic Mondays

Less Frantic Mondays: Tips and tricks for getting dressed and creating working mom outfits with less hassle and more fun.Have you made your plans for Memorial Day yet? Whether you’re getting away, grilling, or just plain chilling, here are some casual wear outfit ideas for your Memorial Day weekend.

Or build up your own look by following the guidelines for Level 1/weekend casual.

  • Fab mamas: What are you wearing for the holiday weekend?

Get fabulous. Be fabulous. Declare your right to discover and manifest your personal style with the Fab Mama Style Manifesto.

 

Working mom outfit idea: Shades of grey

By IN More Fabulous Fridays, Personal Style

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Image collage site Polyvore is a great tool for discovering your personal style–and finding outfit ideas. Today’s More Fabulous Friday features a look to try from Polyvore.

When you wear a lot of grey and black, the monochromatic look can sometimes feel a little dreary.

More Fabulous Fridays: Wrap up your work week with a working mom style treatThat’s why I like this variation on the theme; it breaks up the palette by adding a chambray shirt and a patterned scarf. Subtle, but effective.

You can recreate this outfit by adding a lighter colored piece to any grey and black outfit you already wear. Look for a patterned scarf or necklace in a coordinating shade for an extra bit of visual oomph.

  • Fab mamas: What colors do you like to wear with grey and black?

Get fabulous. Be fabulous. Declare your right to discover and manifest your personal style with the Fab Mama Style Manifesto.

Wedding guest outfit ideas (and one for bridesmaids, too)

By IN Try This Thursdays

Wedding guest outfit ideas: What to wear to a spring or summer wedding

All together now: here comes the bride …

Try This Thursdays: A weekly series bringing you something new to try in your working mom style life.Just in time for spring and summer wedding season, here’s a roundup of wedding guest outfit ideas–and even some advice on bridesmaid dresses, too.

Try this: Make sure your wedding guest dress is the right Level for the event: daytime weddings are typically a Level 4 (Client Meeting) and evening is more likely a Level 5 (Date Night).

  • Fab mamas: Have you been invited to any weddings this year? What are you planning to wear?

Get your style mojo back with “No More Yoga Pants: How to Dress Better, Shop Smarter and Reclaim Your Style,” the system that will guide you through the steps from “nothing to wear” to Fab Mom. Sign up to get special access to the sneak preview (and a discount code!).

Core Wardrobe outfit idea: How to wear a Little Black Dress

By IN Personal Style, Work It Wednesdays

Working mom Core Wardrobe outfit idea: How to wear a little black dress

 
Detail of Core Wardrobe item the little black dress: Shoulder beading

The Core Wardrobe is a list of essential pieces that form the building blocks from which you can create outfits for any occasion. Today’s outfit features one of the Core Wardrobe items, a Little Black Dress.

If there’s one item just about every list of “what you should have in your closet” has in common, it’s the Little Black Dress.

Work It Wednesdays: Working mom outfit photosAttributed to Coco Chanel, the LBD has been popular almost from the moment of its inception and the reasons are clear: it’s versatile, functional, flattering and chic.

In a simple silhouette like a sheath, it can go from the office (with blazer and pumps) to cocktails (with pearls and heels).

I’ve even worn one of mine with denim and boots.

And I say “one of mine” because I have three: a day dress, a long-sleeved DVF for work and winter, and this one.

Because of the beaded shoulder detailing, I wouldn’t wear this dress to the office, but it’s great as a simple little cocktail dress. These pumps make it more daytime dressy, but at night I’d pair it with my metallic strappy sandals.

One more thing about the LBD: it doesn’t have to be black. The concept is to have a solid color dress in a chic silhouette that can take you from day to night if possible. Color-loving mamas could also opt for jewel tones, like a deep green or lipstick red. You’ll be the brightest star at the cocktail party!

  • Fab mamas: What’s your favorite LBD?

Shoes: Nine West (similar)
LBD: Calvin Klein (similar)
Working Mom Outfit Level: 5/Date Night

Get the full Core Wardrobe checklist and learn how to build outfits with it in Step 6 of “No More Yoga Pants: How to Dress Better, Shop Smarter and Reclaim Your Style,” the fun, easy-to-follow style transformation system. Join the Style List to be the first to hear when it launches (and get a discount code, too).

[Affiliate links disclosure]

The Core Wardrobe: Essential dresses for every occasion

By IN How-To Tuesdays, Personal Style, Style

The Core Wardrobe for dresses includes 3 types of dresses you can wear for any Working Mom Outfit Level, from weekends to Date Nights.

The Core Wardrobe is a list of the classic, fundamental clothes around which you can build outfits for any occasion. Each week in this series we’re exploring another clothing category. Today’s Core Wardrobe category: dresses.

The Core Wardrobe for dresses

How-To Tuesdays: Style advice and answers for working momsAs with the Core Wardrobe for skirts, the idea is to have the fewest number of dresses to suit the greatest number of occasions, across a range of Working Mom Levels. And as with skirts, neutral colors will be the most flexible and a knee-length cut the most flattering.

  • Day dress, such as a shirtwaist, wrap or sheath. A day dress is a versatile piece that can take you from weekend chic to client meeting and back. Pick the shape that works best for your body type. (For example, here’s how to pick a sheath for any body shape.)
  • Cotton summer sundress. On hot days, is there anything cooler? And it’s an easy way to dress for weekend casual or weekend chic. A maxi dress is a great option here, too.
  • Evening/cocktail dress, ideally a Little Black Dress (LBD). Wardrobe essentials don’t get more essential than the LBD. You’re automatically covered for every Level 5 event and Date Night you could ever hope to attend.

As with every category, this recommended list of basics is just that: recommendations. It starts with pieces that are the most universally wearable, but your personal style is the ultimate guide.

It’s also just a starting point. If you find (like I do) that dresses are the easiest one-step outfit there is, you might decide to make them the primary category in your wardrobe. Luckily for us, there are endless choices!

  • Fab mamas: What would you include on a list of basic dresses for every wardrobe?

Learn more about the Core Wardrobe and get a detailed, comprehensive checklist of what to buy in “No More Yoga Pants: How To Dress Better, Shop Smarter and Reclaim Your Style,” the step-by-step personal style transformation system. Join the Style List and be the first to get a sneak preview (and an early discount code, too)!