Regardless of the reasons—weight gain, limited budget, a
jam-packed schedule—we all at some point find ourselves on the verge of giving
up our sense of style. Luckily, there are a lot of great options out there
these days that don’t break the bank, but in order to find the pieces you can
always count on to work, look stylish and fit, you’re going to need to make a
list. We recommend a little time and meditation inside your closet to make note
of what you really wear, edit what you don’t and be honest with yourself about
your body, age and lifestyle. It can save you precious hours of shopping
aimlessly, only to come home with nothing that solves any of your problems.
Moms really need at least two types of go-to outfits
(besides those for work): one for their adult life and another for the mommy
one. For the latter, it’s important to keep it washable but cute—not too
expensive, but looking like you made a little effort, and if it gets pizza or
park mud on it, it can easily be replaced. T-shirts are an easy-to-find
everyday mom essential. One of our favorites is the stripy T, a great summertime
style we never tire of looking at that adds a little kick to any outfit and
summons memories of the seaside. When away from the little ones, go for more
sophisticated, fluid blouses in silk or cotton to pair casually with a good
pair of jeans or skirt for daytime and a black cigarette pant for night. Throw
on any of the above with a cardigan and cute ballet flat or sandal and you’re
good to go, day or night. 
One last piece of shopping advice: you can’t build a
wardrobe in a Soho afternoon. It is a process that, with
a plan and a little focus, will happen over time. So with those free hours you
only find every now and then, try to tackle one closet staple you are sorely
missing at a time. How are you on ballet flats? Do you have a good pair of
fitted jeans? Are your T-shirts ready to be retired? Is there a single summer
skirt or dress in your closet?
We wish it were only about the shopping list. But, really,
the solution is also internal. You have to make time for yourself. There is a proven correlation between looking and feeling good.
Feeling put together can be the difference between just making it through
another kid-filled day and making that day your own as well.
About The Clothes:
Chic Outfit:
Cream Colored Blouse: Marni (similar at
Madewell, Vince and Helmut Lang)
Black Cigarette Pant: Stella McCartney (similar at J. Crew and Club
Monaco)
Heels: Christian Louboutin (similar at
Stuart Weitzman and Aldo)
Casual Outfit:
Stripy T from J. Crew (can find similar at Christina Lehr
and Calypso)
Skinny Jeans:
Uniqlo (similar at Gap 1969 and J Brand)
Red Ballet Flat: Tory Burch (similar at Lanvin in
coral and Gap)
Beckie Klein and
Martina Gordon—known together as beckiemartina—are former models, fashion
industry veterans and professional “re-stylists.” For more tips from beckiemartina, check out our shopping blog, Joy of Shopping.
