As most of you know, I’m doing 365 Days of Fashion Advice for Moms. What kind of advice? Well… easy/do-able/smart Fashion Advice for Moms. When we become mothers… our “me” time shifts and changes. That’s not a bad thing… not at all. But sometimes (ok, often) we begin to take a gigantic back seat to our children, our spouses and our homes.
Well – in 2009, it’s time to reclaim your fashion self. We all have to wear clothes… regardless of what we’re doing or where we are going. So why not make your clothing and styling outfits the best that they can be. Let’s get out of the “mom” rut… if you’re in it… and bring on the chicness. Regardless of your fashion budget – I’m going to be bringing you some tips and advice that will help transform your closet and the fashionista within. Come on… she’s in there somewhere.
So Day #2… Pick a COLOR! Any COLOR!
Each new season there’s a color. You know, the “it” color of the year that every woman is supposed to add to her wardrobe. (I know from working in the fashion world that this “it” color is sometimes chosen a year prior.)
I must admit, when I was living in NYC and working for Donna Karan, I was extremely up on the season’s “it” color. The “seasons” of oranges and yellows and pinks were not good for me. I don’t particularly look good in these colors. I actually recently purged my closet of “the oranges”… they made me look like I should be directing traffic. No. No. No. Not a good choice for me.
So what’s my advice when it comes to the season’s “it” color.
Pick your own.
Yup. Pick your own. I’ve been doing this now for the past 4 years. I know I look better in certain colors… mostly greens and blues and browns. Tans and whites and yellows… they completely pale me out. I can only wear these colors in the summertime or as accents. Otherwise, I have people asking me all day long, “Are you feeling OK? You look sick.” Yup… just what you want to hear when you’re feeling fine. (Huge fashion tip: If people are commenting on your health, choose other colors to wear!)
So I stay with my “safe” colors. Not so much “safe”… but the colors that I know look the best on me.
Do you know what color(s) look the best on you? My sister Jane – she looks beautiful in blues and reds. Always has. My mother? She looks great in pinks and mauves and reds.
I was at the mall this past Sunday with my son William. We went into J. Crew to check out the sales. They were having one of those 30% off the lowest price on the ticket sales. They had puffer coats on sale. 3 colors were on the rack – black, ivory and majestic purple (which is more like a blue). So I tried them all. My OWN son, my little 4 year old son – without a hint of hesitation said to me, “Mommy, you look better in that one.” And pointed to the “blue.”
So go on… pick a color! Any color! Know what looks good on you. Know what makes your eyes stand out. Or your hair shine. Know what color makes you feel good. Know what color people comment about.
When I was a little girl, I remember my mother taking me with her to a “Color Me Beautiful” girls-night-out to get her colors done. And it’s so funny, I actually remember going with her to clothing stores, and she would pull out the color palette they gave her to match with tops and bottoms when she was purchasing items. If this is what you need to do – do it. Find some colors, wrap yourself in them up to and around your neck, watch your face come to life, and then immerse yourself in them.
As mothers, we have limited time. We don’t have the time that we used to to be shopping for ourselves and reading up on all the latest fashion trends and forecasts. So go with what you “know”… add some color to your life. But make sure the colors are ones that make your eyes and hair and face dance!
Go on… color it up!
Good advice! I think the right color can make such a difference. My closet is full of blues – I always find myself gravitating towards it. I often walk around stores gathering clothes and then realize everything I’ve picked out is blue. Now I branch out more, but that’s always my go-to color. And how interesting that the “it” colors are chosen in advance! It’s nice to get insider info. 🙂
I think turquoise, brown, and yellow look good on me, well according to other people. I’ve even had some say that purple would be great one me but purple? I think I would look like a giant eggplant but not sure as I don’t have anything purple.
I’m terrible at picking colors but when I go shopping, I’ll try to find something colorful:)
Great advice! Wish we lived near each other so I could go shopping with you — I could use some expert advice!
Great tip! I too have been in the fashion/ cosmetics industry as well and have also had my “colors” done in a more detailed way. Vary the colors that you feel good in with a little texture of the same colors; if you’re wearing many colors that you like and are in a rut branch out with different textures mixed with the basics. A basic blue (any color) shirt looks and feels completely different in a cotton , silk or linen. The textures make a huge difference. some may look better on you than others. I look better in a textural material rather than a linen as I was told it’s too flat next to my face an washes me out. To Cowboy’s wife above – try your purple in an accent, bracelet,earrings, necklace, belt, scarf – I don’t think you’d look like an eggplant! Take small steps to a new color and you will feel energized!
I find that I like certain colors in certain season. Not wearing them, just buying them. Lately I have been buying a lot of charcoal and plum, thankfully it looks nice on me. Over the summer I was buying pinks and deep reds. I have really realized what colors don’t look good on me, I just wish some of my friends would realize that too so I don’t insult them when I don’t get something that they “love”
Great advice, Cathy!
Thanks for sharing!
This is great advice! I’ve always wondered about what colors were “mine”. About a year ago, I started filling my closet with darker colors, black, red. I think I look better in those. I’m not sure why… dark hair? Dark eyes? Either way, I’m going to start trusting what I think I look good in more.
I have very dark hair. I usually look the best in tans and whites. I have never really thought too much about this. I have about 100 crewneck tees in every single color available. Between those and my sweats. I’m usually in grays and whites. Time to add a little color. Thanks for the tip!
This is such a great idea. Ever since becoming a mom (3 years ago) I wear my standard sweatpants and turtlenecks in the winter. I’m over it. I used to be so fashion forward. Reading all the magazines. Now I read Dora and Diego books. It’s time to do this for me.
I have definitely gotten bolder in the color department. There was a time I would never have purchased anything other than black, brown, or tan for myself. Now, I wear pinks, and greens (the best color for me), and even an occasional blue.
Thanks for the tips! Keep ’em comin’.
I just forwarded this on to my playgroup – well, the moms in my son’s playgroup! Thanks for this.
Great tip! My colors are definitely pinks and yellows.
I love this idea. I don’t have much color in my wardrobe. Basically black and white. I have always loved red. Time to add some flair to my clothes.
Great idea. I have a lot of blacks grey and browns. It’s kind of blah. I need to spice it up a bit!
You mean I don’t need to be using the colors of the season? Kidding. I haven’t been on that stuff since my son was born over 5 years ago. I love to pick your own colors. It’s such easy advice, but something I don’t do. I always try and buy what some of my fave celebs are wearing and it doesn’t look as good. Believe me. This may sound weird, but I look better in grays and blacks. Maybe because my eyes are hazel. OK. This is the most I have spent on thinking about colors in a long time. I’m kind of liking this.
Hi…I found you through A Cowboy’s Wife’s site. I had to comment about Color Me Beautiful! I remember it…my mom bought my friend and I a draping class (I think that was what it was called??) when we were 13, I think? I am a “Winter” and my friend was a “Spring”. It really helped…but, we couldn’t share each others clothes anymore. 😉 Colors weren’t right. My mom was so wonderful, encouraging me to dress with my own flair and style, but directing me subtly to flattering basics. She also had my makeup done at Meryl Norman (aahhhhh!!!!) and again at Clinique (much better…and understated). I didn’t realize until your post spurred me that she had guided me some, but allowed me to be myself without interruption. I would love to be that way with my girls…but I can’t keep quiet! 🙂 Sorry for the book-like comment. I enjoy your blog and have subscribed! Thanks!