27/08/2024
CHIC & CLEVER MAMA ON A BUDGET
By Maddy’s Touch
Sometimes it can feel so superficial to think and talk about appearances and image when we have so much going on and have so many other much more important priorities to consider. For most moms it is very difficult to prioritise yourself when your children needs you, and most of us has to work, run a household, and have so many different balls to juggle every day. And so many different hats to wear in one day!
We as women are constantly going through stages, phases and changes. I recently went through a stage where I did not really care what I wore anymore and how I looked, as it was just not important to me as it once was. I felt that I had higher priorities and responsibilities to focus on. The heart is what is most important and that is what I am focussing on in myself and in others. And spending money and time on my appearance seemed so trivial.
But when I realised that my daughter of nine is starting to notice and comment on what I wore, compliments me when I dress up a little, and wants to imitate me, it dawned on me that I am her first female role model and setting the example for her. It is so important that our children, especially our daughters, see that we take care of ourselves. It is a huge responsibility. And I want her to be proud of me!
My mother has always set such an example for me - I can tell you that I have almost never seen her not put together and looking great. My sister and I were discussing the other day that some of the things that she taught us such as always making sure our underwear is in good condition and matching as you never know when you might land in hospital, is always at the back of our minds. We have never seen her slopping around in pajamas and slippers (as we like to do so often), and her nails and hair are always in tip top condition.
She taught us that every item that you buy must go with at least 3 other items in your wardrobe. And that your shoes, handbags and belts should preferrably match. These rules are ingrained in us. I hope that my daughter will also see me as a good example with regards to taking care of her appearance.
I have also reminded myself again that making a little effort is all about self-respect, and about respecting the people around you. As Tom Ford has famously said – dressing well is a form of good manners.
And I have realised once again that I just feel better when I look better. If you wear something you adore, you just look better! And that it is a way of expressing ourselves, it is creative, the joy of dressing is an art. Style is about knowing who you are and what you want to say.
I also had to remind myself again that I have to get dressed every day any way, there is no escaping it – so why not enjoy it again?
Most of us live in a constant state of overwhelm, there is so much going on and at such a fast pace, we suffer from information overload, and we rarely have time to think and breathe. When you open your closet to get dressed, it should not be another source of frustration and overwhelm. For almost 2 years I have only been wearing the top layer of my disorganised wardrobe as I just did not want to deal with the chaos.
In his book “The organised Mind”, Daniel Levitin states that smart organisation improves our memories and attention, and makes us more imaginative and clear-sighted, it tunes out distractions, chaos and overwhelm.
I can testify that I feel so much better since I have been re-organising my wardrobe. It gives me a sense of control and I now enjoy getting dressed in the mornings and it does not stress me out anymore. And when one part of our lives is sorted out, it has a compound effect on other areas of our lives as well where we will also start to get things in order and excel.
This year I have decided to look at my clothing with a fresh eye. I have decided to be creative in putting new looks together with what I already have.
Today I want to give you some tips on how to look great on a budget and what has been working for me:
1. Purge your closet – re-think or get rid of what you have not been wearing in the last year. Sometimes we hold on to certain items that are now too small as we think we might fit into it again. Remember fashion is not a size, it is an attitude. So I have been buying a size bigger jeans recently. And who cares? If you don’t fit into clothing but you are not ready to get rid of it, store it away for now.
Ask yourself the following key questions:
• Do I love this item?
• Does it fit well? Can I have it fitted/tailored?
• Is it flattering?
• Is it comfortable?
• Does it fit my moral standards for fashion?
• Does it fit my lifestyle needs?
• Is it in good condition?
• Does it go with other items in my wardrobe?
2. Make sure that your underwear is sorted out – seamless works best. Get your bra size professionally measured as it might have changed. It is so important that you wear the right underwear to make your outerwear looks best.
3. Find your brands for example your ideal jean fit – mine is RE at Woolies, it always works for me. Know your colours, know your style personality, know your body type. Remember the stage of life you are in and consider your lifestyle. Knowledge is power! An image consultant can assist you. Your style is a reflection of your attitude and your personality.
4. Get your capsule wardrobe in order and save up for classic staples. The best advice would be to stick to neutral colours e.g. black, grey, beige, camel, white, navy blue.
5. Be creative / mix and match, and layer.
Experiment by putting together colours that you have not done before – I especially love combining light blues and browns, different shades of pinks and burgundies. Or combine a hoodie with your leather jacket and jeans. Or a nice pair of good fitting sweatpants or joggers with a turtle neck sweater, sneakers and a jean jacket. Or a turtleneck over a dress to create a top and skirt look. Or a T-shirt underneath a blazer with jeans and heels. And mix textures such as tweed, leather and lace together for a luxurious look.
Have some fun!!
Sometimes you have to add something interesting to your look – such as a beautiful pair of earrings or a scarf. I love different types of pearl earrings – it just gives an outfit that extra style touch. The joy of dressing is an art!
6. Dress in the same colour palette from top to bottom for example everything in winter whites, creams and beiges – it looks very chic.
7. Match your hardware – e.g. your earrings, belt buckle and handbag trimmings should match – for example all gold or silver coloured. Also try to match your shoes, belts and bag colours, as my mom would advise you.
8. Be groomed. Make sure your nails are neatly done whenever possible – I usually do mine late at night when I am reading before going to bed, or just before I have to do a lot of typing so it can dry in the process. A good fast drying top coat is a must. Also make a little effort with your hair. Dry shampoo is your friend, but not more than twice in a row as it tends to dry out your hair. Also, there are many cute ideas on Instagram if you want to have a fresh ponytail or other hair hacks.
9. Do not follow trends blindly, rather add some elements with accessories. Remember – fashion fades but style is eternal. Never change to fit the fashion, but change the fashion to fit you! And style is much more interesting than fashion. Make it your own!
I hope that you are excited to try a fresh look at and re-organise your wardrobe, to express yourself in what you are wearing, and to enjoy being a stylish woman and a great example to your children.
I leave you with the following quote by Albert Einstein:
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”😉
