Series: The 5 Levels of Working Mom Outfits

If you’re a working mom like me, you know that no two days are alike.

On Monday you’ve got a report to put together. Tuesday is the big client meeting. And Friday is a day of wrapping up and ramping down.

On Saturday you’re running errands or taking the kids to a play date or getting the laundry done–and probably it’s all of those and more. Saturday night you’ve got a babysitter and date night with your husband. And on Sunday you’re meeting the girls for brunch.

Different days, different settings and different occasions. They all call for different levels of dressing.

I call them the 5 Levels of Working Mom Outfits. (You may have noticed that I label each of my personal style posts with a level. In fact, here’s the post that started it all.)

Why 5 levels (and not 3 or 10 or 20)?

Because 5 is enough fashion to get you through most of your working mom days without creating a system you’d need a spreadsheet to keep track of.

Two of the levels are casual and at home, two are work appropriate and one is pull-out-all-the-stops glamorous–because every woman needs to have some sexy in her closet.

How to create working mom outfits at any level

Today I start a 6-part series that teaches you how to create your own outfits for each level.

It will give you a way to think about what’s in your closet and how to put garments together without always defaulting to the same handful of working mom clothes.

You may even find out you need to do a little shopping. (You’re welcome.)

First we’ll start (of course) with Level 1. This is your basic level of weekend casual. It’s the most casual you can be while still looking acceptable outside of the house.

Or, as I like to call it, Step Away From the Yoga Pants.

Then we follow with

Level 2. Weekend chic, or brunch with the girls.
Level 3. Casual Friday at the office. Not too dressed up, not too dressed down.
Level 4. Client Meeting wear–or every day at a more formal workplace. Think suits.
Level 5. Date Night. Spanx ‘n’ sequins, ladies!

For every level, I also have a corresponding outfit post that gives an example of the Level in real life.

Together, I hope it gives you a helpful road map for putting together looks for every Level in your life.

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