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.

That’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.

Other posts you might like:

1. Working mom outfit idea: Wearable celebrity style (miniskirt not required)
2. Working mom outfit idea: Turn your shirt into a jacket
3. Working mom outfit idea: Two looks, two levels, one style

All together now: here comes the bride …

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.

• What to wear to a spring wedding
• What to wear to a summer wedding
• How to find a flattering bridesmaid dress
• Fab Sugar’s best wedding guest dresses for Spring 2013

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!).

Other posts you might like:

1. Working mom outfit idea: white button-down + blazer + denim
2. Working mom outfit idea: striped top + wide leg denim + red flats
3. Working mom outfit idea: Wearable celebrity style (miniskirt not required)

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.

Attributed 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]

Other posts you might like:

1. Outfit post: Ending my search for a new LBD [Level 4/5]
2. Outfit post: New neutral dress
3. Personal Style In Action: Ideal Client Meeting outfit

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

As 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)!

Other posts you might like:

1. The Core Wardrobe: Essential skirts for every outfit
2. Working mom outfit of the week: The everyday LBD
3. Outfit post: Ending my search for a new LBD [Level 4/5]

Have you ever bought a pair of shoes that felt fine when you tried them on in the store, but discovered that they weren’t quite comfortable–after you’d worn them and could no longer return them?

Don’t give up yet! Before you toss them in the giveaway pile, try these quick fixes to make uncomfortable or loose shoes fit and feel better:

• Moleskin. If your shoes are rubbing against part of your foot, try easing the spot with moleskin, found in any drugstore. Moleskin is a soft felt-like material on one side, and super sticky tape on the other.
• Heel inserts. If your heels are sliding up out of the back of your shoe, make the fit a little tighter with a heel grip. (These helped me keep a pair of pumps that seemed OK when I bought them, but started slipping off my foot once I really walked in them.)
• Insoles. If your shoes aren’t comfortable to walk in after a few hours, try slip-in insoles with padding or arch supports. They can extend the wearability of many types of shoes.
• Ball of foot pads. If you find that your feet slide forward with every step you take in a pair of heels, stop the slipping (and reduce the friction on the ball of your foot) with pads that stick on at the front of the shoe, like the TipToes cushions from Foot Petals (above).

Where to get them: You can find these products online or in any drugstore, and often in shoe stores, too (I’ve seen them at Payless and DSW).

• Fab mamas: How do you keep your feet happy?

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

[Affiliate links disclosure]

Other posts you might like:

1. How to look sexy in a swimsuit (without wearing a bikini)
2. How to choose and buy jewelry
3. Shop your closet to get more wear from your wardrobe

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.

This weekend chic look is deceptively simple; it starts with a plain white T-shirt and khaki pants, two items almost every woman already has in her closet.

Adding an olive front-pocket shirt on top as a jacket with coordinating touches of orange takes this everyday outfit into a breezy look perfect for running errands or just running about.

You can recreate the look with your own white tee and khakis (keep them slim-fitting on top to avoid adding bulk to your midsection). Add a button-front shirt on top to act as a jacket, such as one in a dark color or denim, then brighten up with colorful accessories.

• Fab mamas: What do you wear with your white T-shirt and khakis?

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

Other posts you might like:

1. Working mom outfit idea: Wearable celebrity style (miniskirt not required)
2. What to wear for Memorial Day weekend
3. Working mom outfit of the week: Prints, patterns and little red flats

A great source of outfit ideas is adapting stylish combinations others have already created. One way to do this is to break the source down into outfit components, like this.

This outfit might be weekend chic, but the components are all kid-friendly, from a long and loose skirt you can run around in (with a pattern to camouflage stains and spills), to toddler-chasing flat sandals and a big bag to stash diapers or emergency boo-boo kits.

Today’s working mom outfit inspiration pieces are

• Long, loose knit skirt
• Solid color tank top
• Denim jacket
• Flat sandals
• Slouchy tote bag

[Outfit Level: 2/Weekend Chic]

• Try this today: Like this look? Try recreating it with similar items from your own closet. Or search Pinterest or Polyvore for other outfits featuring patterned skirts and denim jackets.

Get your style mojo back with “No More Yoga Pants: How to Dress Better, Shop Smarter and Reclaim Your Style,” the personal style transformation 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!).

Other posts you might like:

1. Working mom outfit idea: red top + bootleg denim + red flats
2. Mom friendly style swaps
3. Real world outfit idea: Paired polka dots from Sally of Already Pretty

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 pencil skirt.

One reason a pencil skirt is such a wearable part of a basic wardrobe is that its simple, straight lines allow it to pair with either an equally streamlined top for a sleek overall look, or to balance out the volume of a looser blouse or even a blazer.

It’s also an ideal choice with a tunic top like this one. Worn with a fuller skirt, such as an A-line or pleated skirt, the overall silhouette would have too much volume. On this day, I tucked the tunic in, but it would work equally well worn over the top of the skirt.

I get even more wear out of this pencil skirt since it’s made from a denim-like chambray fabric; anything I could wear with jeans I can dress up by wearing with this skirt instead.

Because this tunic top has unusual details–grommet cut-outs lined with mesh–I decided to play up the edgier aesthetic with metallic silver ridged tights and ’20s style heels.

It’s the outfit I imagine myself wearing to art gallery openings

• Fab mamas: How do you rock a pencil skirt?

Top: Amé
Skirt: Banana Republic, also seen here, here (similar)
Tights: Target (similar)
Shoes: Indigo by Clarks, also seen here, here (similar)
Necklace: Wilow Stil, also seen here, here (similar)
Working Mom Outfit Level: 4/Client Meeting

Learn more about the Core Wardrobe and 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]

Other posts you might like:

1. What to wear for Memorial Day weekend
2. Personal Style In Action: Ideal Date Night outfit
3. Working mom outfit of the week: Prints, patterns and little red flats

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: skirts.

The Core Wardrobe for skirts

The goal here is to have the minimum number of skirts in simple silhouettes and neutral colors–grey, black, tan or navy–that can be paired with almost any kind of top you might own.

A slimmer skirt, like a pencil, pairs with larger volume tops and a swingy skirt, like an A-line, works with slim blouses or sweaters. Either can work with a blazer. And look for a length just above your knee; this tends to be the most flattering on every body.

• Pencil skirt. The workhorse of the work wardrobe. If your office dress code is mostly Level 4, you’ll want something lined in a fine fabric, like wool or linen. Level 3 ladies might choose a cotton. [Outfit example here.]
• A-line skirt. A flattering silhouette. You can find A-line skirts with pleats and without. As with the pencil skirt, where you’ll wear it most often will dictate how dressy to go.
• Denim / chambray skirt. In whichever silhouette you prefer. This is a more casual skirt option to round out your wardrobe, especially if the first two are office appropriate. A cotton khaki skirt is a good alternative here.

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

Would you rock a miniskirt with anything the A-line skirt could be paired with? Add it to the list. Wouldn’t be caught dead in a pencil skirt? Try pleated or A-line. Is boho your vibe? Think maxi skirt.

• Fab mamas: What would you include on a list of basic skirts 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)!

Other posts you might like:

1. The Core Wardrobe: Essential dresses for every occasion
2. The Core Wardrobe: How to build your wardrobe foundation
3. How to know when a garment just doesn’t work

These phrases are talking about the same thing: your wardrobe foundation. After all, the foundation is the best place to start building something new, including your wardrobe.

This foundation, or Core Wardrobe, is a list of the classic, fundamental clothes around which you can build outfits for any occasion.

Think of it like a set of basic building blocks for style.

Some lists include only a few items, while others are more expansive. The Frantic But Fabulous Core Wardrobe identifies foundational pieces for different types of clothing because we fab mamas often need to create outfits at a range of Working Mom Levels.

For this series, we’re going to look at the Core Wardrobe for selected categories:

• Skirts
• Dresses
• Blazers
• Denim

In each category, we’ll look at the shapes and styles to start with — and talk about how to vary them for your own personal style and preference.

• Fab mamas: What are your wardrobe essentials?

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)!

Other posts you might like:

1. The Core Wardrobe: Essential skirts for every outfit
2. How to wear Emerald, 2013’s Color of the Year
3. Ease into spring: How to brighten your winter wardrobe with color