If you were a Mom who worked outside the home while raising your kids, you likely kept up with fashion trends to dress professionally for work. If you were a stay-at-home Mom who loved fashion, you probably did the same.
Then there are the Moms who traded in The 9-5 to be a stay-at-home Mom. My guess is they happily traded in their stuffy suits and bunion-forming heels for comfy sweats/fuzzy socks, and wearing jeans was considered “dressing up.”
Voice of experience here!
Why Should Empty Nester Moms Reconnect With Fashion?
Fashion is more than just clothing. As you step into your new season of life, clothing can be a powerful tool that can help you to:
- rediscover your personal style;
- boost your confidence;
- showcase your individuality; and
- express yourself!
As they say…when you look good, you feel good!
But, what’s the easiest way to navigate the mounds of sweats and outdated threads?
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First Steps To Get Back Into Fashion
With the absence of having to buy school clothese for the kids, you likely have more money for updating your wardrobe, and guess what, Mama?
You deserve it!
But first, you need to make room for new items.
Out with the old, in with the new!
Clean Out Your Closet
Revamping your closet will take time, planning, and money. Cleaning out your closet will require a bit of work, but once you do it, it will feel so good!
Voice of experience here!
Follow these seven steps to clean out and declutter your closet:
- Pull everything out of your closet
- Look at one item at a time
- Throw out items that are damaged beyond repair
- Try on items to see what still fits
- Keep only those items that fit, that you like, and have worn within the last year
- Decide what can be donated
- Relocate items that do not belong in your closet
Organize Your Closet
Before putting anything back in your closet, vacuum the floor and dust all the shelves. Designate zones for like items, and consider purchasing the following to keep your closet neat and organized:
- Shelf Separators
- Baskets
- Bins
- Hangers
Create a Capsule Wardrobe
After making space for new items, you should create a capsule wardrobe, which is a set of clothing items to mix and match for many different outfits.
Having a capsule wardrobe makes it easy to quickly get ready to go somewhere. Top things to consider when building it are color palette and versatility. This article further explains a capsule wardrobe.
Rediscover And Embrace Your Style
Once you have a capsule wardrobe, you should add complementary pieces to round out your personal style.
Before you rush out to shop, however, you should take some time to explore the various styles available for 40+ women: casual, classic, bohemian, etc. Shop in stores or online to try on a few pieces from each style category, so you can get a feel for what you like.
Once you find your personal style, invest in timeless, quality pieces, such as classic jeans, tailored blazers, and stylish footwear. Aside from style, look for comfortable, breathable fabrics with the right fit, and high-quality shapewear when needed.
Avoid chasing trends every year. However, if you have a quirky side, don’t be afraid to buy some trendy pieces to add to your closet to help reclaim your personal style.
Lastly, don’t forget the accessories—hats, jewelry, handbags, scarves, and shoes—that can transform the most basic outfits, while expressing your personal style.
Explore Where To Shop
While I love to go to the mall occasionally with my daughter or a friend, I do a lot of online shopping, which allows me to:
- save gas and time
- shop from the comfort of my home
- try things on in my own dressing room
- easily return what doesn’t fit (ideally with free shipping)
High-End Retailers
If you have the budget for high-end fashion, aside from local boutiques, check out the following retailers:
- Ann Taylor
- Anthropologie
- Eileen Fisher
- Everlane
- Nordstrom
Budget-Friendly Options
There are plenty of alternatives for casual comfort and style, without breaking the bank:
- H&M
- Macy’s
- Old Navy
- Target
- Walmart
Amazon, who has stepped into the fashion scene over the years, is another great resource for affordable clothing items.
Inside the popular Poshmark app, you can find closets full of unique styles (both new and used), including vintage items you’ve long been searching for. You can also sell your own items—perhaps some of the ones you’ve decided to toss from your closet—to earn cash to buy new items.
If you haven’t tried Stitch Fix yet, you should! They have very unique items and fashion expert stylists who work with you.
When you receive your box, you decide which items to keep, and they make it super easy to return what you don’t want. It’s really fun to see what’s inside your personalized box each time! Aside from a $20 fee per box (aka, “fix”), there’s no monthly subscription involved; you can tailor (no pun intended) your shopping experience to your liking. It’s fun, give it a try!
If you’re trying not to break the bank, you can always hit up your local thrift stores and garage sales.
Fashion Inspiration
You can get a lot of fashion ideas by searching on Pinterest and browsing on Instagram.
You can also find recommendations for 40+ fashion by following these successful fashion influencers on Instagram and YouTube:
- Marnie Goldberg @msgoldgirl
- Suzy Mighell @emptynestblessed
Both are pros at what they do—sharing information and inspiration on seasonal fashion trends—and they do it in such a fun way. Check them out, I think you’ll agree!
Getting back into fashion is one of many great ways to reconnect with yourself. So, get out there, enjoy the process, and have some fun!
Related:
Reconnect With Yourself: Easy Ways To Get Back Into Fitness
Reconnect With Yourself: Time To Focus On Your Health
Reconnect With Yourself: Affordable Self-Care Beauty Tips And Products
Reconnect With Your Spouse: 9 Helpful Ways To Survive The Empty Nest
Reconnect With Friends: How Many And What Types Are Best?
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Reconnect With Yourself: Fashion Advice For Empty Nester Moms
It’s Your Turn To Fly, Mama!
