Yes, it ‘s true that I’m a 38 year old mother of three small children. I drive a minivan. I say things like “Don’t talk with food in your mouth” and “Your eyes are going to stay that way if you’re not careful!!”
I’m not cool. Really. At least I know this about myself and I don’t even TRY to be cool.
But I will say that I do indeed like to feel like I’m put-together. I’ve noticed that on those days when I haven’t showered and am wearing yoga pants with a hoodie I feel less than stellar about myself and as much as I hate to admit, this impacts my mood.
I feel yuck so I act yuck. Yuck.
And that’s pretty much what everyone in my house would say about me on those days, too.
The other thing is that I dress for myself – I don’t try to look trendy for the sake of other people. It’s all for me – when I feel good about how I look, I feel better in general. I think it’s true for many of us.
So when I saw Hayley Morgan’s new eBook The No Brainer Wardrobe I knew I wanted to read it because well, I need to get dressed in five minutes or less. I need it to be a no-brainer. And I need it to work.
I was intrigued right away – I loved how Hayley shared a bit of the history of clothing and how, for the first time, we are living in a generation that has access to cute and trendy clothing at an inexpensive price.
This is a good thing for us, yes. But it’s also a not-so-good thing because then we stuff our closets full of pieces we don’t necessarily need because “it was a good deal”.
I liked Hayley’s style right away because she broke everything down into steps that seemed so do-able and easy to attain. Speaketh my languageth.
First, she encourages the reader to get her closet ready – get RID of that stuff you don’t wear, haven’t worn, and never will wear. Let. It. Go.
Secondly, and this is my favorite part, she suggests that you consult Pinterest to determine your own unique style. (Need a Pinterest invite? Email me at ncsnapp@gmail.com and I’ll hook you up!)
My own style is pretty classic – cowl neck sweaters, capes/panchos, jeans, turtlenecks. Accessories are my love.
And so I began to “pin away” – I added outfits to “My Style” board and then I decided which looks I would try to duplicate. (To check out my Style board, click here)
Here’s what I truly love about this: You can start out with a plan before you shop.
Now to some of you, you might be thinking “Umm…, Natalie? I do that every time I go shopping.”
But for me, well, if I go shopping I like to peruse and if I see something I like and it’s reasonable, I might pick it up.
Which is how I’ve acquired over 25 black shirts of similar style. Why on earth do I need 25?
The answer? I don’t.
Hayley suggests creating a “capsule wardrobe” divided into three categories: The Essentials, The Additions, and The Finishers.
The Essentials are those pieces you would never do without while the Additions are items to layer over the Esesentials.
The Finishers are items that make the outfit fun or special – they should make you excited to wear an outfit.
After analyzing your style, you’re ready to assess what you already have to work with. What are your Essentials? Your Additions? Your Finishers? What are your missing pieces that might be an essential? Do you need a jacket for layering? Are you low on accessories?
Once you know this, the fun begins. It’s time to shop and with intentionality! You are looking for specific things, girl, and you ARE NOT going to buy a black shirt just because it’s black and it’s on sale for $9.99 if you have 25 other black shirts because even if it’s a good deal, you still don’t need it…(This was another point raised by Hayley)
I also like that she takes us inside a Goodwill store and shows us how to shop for what’s on our “inspiration lists” from Pinterest (or anywhere else for that matter!) and also mentions Target as a good place to look as well (because it is. I heart me some Target.)
It’s do-able, girls, and we don’t have to break the bank to make it work. Me likey.
Sweet Hayley is giving away one copy of The No-Brainer Wardrobe to one lucky Mommy on Fire reader and will also offer 50% off for the first five readers who download from this here little site…
I’ll announce the winner on Wednesday morning so you have until then to tell me:
What would like to change about your wardrobe? What is a piece of clothing that’s your “essential”? Where are the gaps in your wardrobe?
Leave your answers in the comment section, friends. Mr. Random Generator will pick the winner Tuesday night at 9 p.m. so you have until then.
Now start clearing out those closets, friends!
Would love to win!
My essential at this time of year is a long sleeve t-shirt and jeans with a sweater and possibly a scarf. It’s my “mom uniform” of the season! This sounds like a helpful book!
Essential? I’m with Tiffani. Long sleeve T’s with jeans and a scarf.
Gaps? Elegant, dressy clothes. I tend to look casual and sometimes I *need* to look dressy and I don’t own anything that would allow for some class. :/
My essentials would be jeans and a t-shirt (if you can even count those as essential!). I’m a SAHM of 2 little boys and play on their level every single day. There’s lots of running around and crawling on the floor in our house. Not to mention playing outside, in the mud, or the snow. I don’t have any ‘adult’ clothes. Nothing trendy or cool. I don’t do accessories. I like to be comfortable. I’m sure it’s do-able but I just can’t part with the fear of ruining good clothes during my every day activities.
Oooh! I am SO like you! I am a busy mom to three boys. My typical wardrobe is jeans and a t’shirt (or hoodie in the cooler months). I have fallen victim to pinterest and ‘pinned’ many styles that I like. HOwever, the biggest challenge for me is to actually shop for, piece seperate items together, and then actually wear! :)
My normal style is jeans, tshirts, sweaters and tennis shoes. I need some tips to make it a little classier. I feel the same way when I just wear lounge around clothes. Thanks for sharing this book.
Hey Natalie! I got this ebook too for the same reasons! I’m pretty excited about it. I so want to do something about my blah wardrobe, I too need to get dressed in five minutes or less.
I really need to improve on the “accessories” department. Too bad you can’t go shopping with me. :) I have an understated kind of style (sounds better than “boring”), and I have a hard time picking out accessories that go with “understated.” I really like headbands and earrings and bracelets. For some reason, necklaces are just hard for me.
Apparently, given what my closet bar looks like, my version of essential is every Gap tee or polo made in the last 15 years :/ I will say that I do recognize that I much prefer the longer length ones, and I only keep around the 1999-2005 stuff because they made such pretty girly colors at that time and I layer them over newer camis sometimes. I’m trying to bring myself to part with at least some of them though! What I’m missing: anything that I think actually looks trendy. Or well-dressed. Or like an adult instead of a teenager. Really, I have like one scarf that I think makes me look fab, and I think that’s bc it’s the only accessory type thing I’ve sprung for in a decade. It’s so hard to buy accessories when like you and the black shirts I can’t get past my complex of – How useful! What a deal! I seriously need to get past the t-shirt and jeans phase of my life, but they are so easy, durable, and comfy! But thank you so much for this great post today. I was trying to figure out how to shake my blahs, and kind of forgot that maybe part of it is STILL BEING IN PJS AT 1:00!
My essentials are my black leggings and my UGGs….with it you’ll find me in sweaters, tees, tunics, sweatshirts. I once saw an Oprah show (and I didn’t watch them all!) In which she dressed SAHMs. She called my then style “schlumpa-dinka” wear. I try to add a belt or jewelry to add something, but I still can’t get out of my tights. After all, I too have three small children and a dog and spend half my day on the floor! (my evidence to this truth is that my favorite jeans now have a true tear in the right knee just like my kindergartner’s jeans!) I am always looking for help! I would love to read the book!
Great post, thanks! Oh, I feel like you were talking about me. I am that person with tons of clothes that either don’t fit (and I promise I will fit into someday again), or I can’t let go because they’re cute (though they don’t fit, aren’t really me anymore, or aren’t really age appropriate for me anymore – lol), or are more “work clothes” from that time when I had an actual $$ paying job (and which I figure I’ll use again when I go back to work). There’s also plenty of things that sit in my closet because they are quality things that cost more than a few bucks, and I can’t get myself to just give it away… so they end up falling under the “I’ll hold these and sell later” category. Sigh. That’s what I hate the most and what needs the most change in my wardrobe… PURGING!
My go to (essential) clothes… I’d have to say jeans, shirt/blouse, and cardigan/sweater/blazer. And shoes galore. Lots of shoes.
Gaps in my wardrobe… me. I am the biggest gap. I keep rotating between the same things, because they fit and are comfortable for the everyday demands of this busy Mom of 2 toddlers. I need to lose weight and double my available wardrobe essentials. But more than all that, I need to, like you, stop buying yet another blouse because it’s cute and inexpensive because I have too many of those and I don’t really need it. :) There’s a great 2012 resolution.
And I now also have another observation regarding women & clothes. No shocker, but like hair, I’m starting to think very few people really are really satisfied with their own. Case in point: you & Natalie saying you need style help. You are both among the handful of women that I keep thinking “How do they manage to keep looking so trendy?” And I see you frequently enough that I can’t even tell myself that it might just be an every other week occurence!
Jessica, you are hilarious…Wish you could see me right now…:) But thanks – and I think you are correct in your observation! :)
This sounds like a great book!
My wardrobe is currently whatever I can squeeze my burgeoning baby belly into! :P (right now I am wearing my hubby’s hoodie, because its super cold and none of mine fit, with a sign taped to my tummy courtesy of my 10 yr old that says “Warning: Ninja Baby Inside” and has a picture of a ninja. And you think you’re not cool! haha!) But other than the hoodie, I find my maternity clothes really similar to my normal ones – I like my jeans, my stylish tops, and cardigans. I love me some cardigans! I suppose the biggest gap currently is my shoes – I haven’t bought shoes in so long because of preschool. (I just wear the same comfy shoes to work every day!)
Hmmm…I’d have to say a hoodie is my essential piece. Not the prettiest, but for this cold-blooded gal, it’s a must.
Well, I would have had no idea of how to answer this question had I not heard the answer from your very own mouth today…but since I did, I now know that my essentials are solid colored camis and solid colored long-sleeved fitted T’s. I love layering these under loose, long sweaters. And my new love is scarves…LOVE them! Warm AND cute! The gap in my wardrobe would be accessories. I am a regular purger, so I have no problem whatsoever getting rid of things that have been virtually replaced by a newer, better item of the same sort. I’m ready to spend me some Kohl’s cash with my 30% off coupon!! I’m getting some black boots…what category would that fit under??
Oh, may have to get this book. My closets are highly organized but they are way toooooo full. I probably have 25 white shirts and like you, why do I need that many white shirts. I have a hard time parting with clothes but it bugs me to have so many clothes. So, what’s a girl to do. I think, read this book and do as it says. I do not keep other things and love getting rid of stuff except when it comes to clothes. So, go figure! :o) Going to check out this book. Blessings!
Is there a code we need to enter to get the 50% off, or did I miss it already?
Some days, I feel like I need to start over completely. I feel like I go through this dilema with every change of season. I guess my essentials are my jeans.
My wardrobe is in dire need of a major clearout! My essentials are the ubiquitous t-shirt and jeans. And the glaring gap? The finishers which might make my very boring everyday into something approaching a style!
Hazel
I need this book! I have fancy clothes, but I need every day clothes! My jeans, black pants and black boots are my essentials. Thanks for the chance!
oohhh, oooh, pick me!! I’ve had her book bookmarked since I first saw it promoted on another blog. I’m so close to delivery and getting out of these maternity clothes. I’ve had her book on my list to get as soon as I can start wearing normal clothes again. For christmas last year, I had a stylist pull together an outfit for my husbands company holiday party. I loved it – so much easier than trying to do it myself. It was soo nice to feel stylish and more than just a frumpy stay at home mom. I would love to have that “stylist” in a book to push me beyond simply yoga pants and long sleeve t-shirts (my daily winter wardrobe)
Thanks for posting Natalie…I love this article it is speaking to me. My essentials on most days are jeans or yoga pants and a t-shirt, but once a month I get all dressed up and go out dancing so for that I have dressy and semi-formal wear. Where I am lacking most are accessories and cute tops. My problem is not having too much but not knowing what essentials to get or how to put something together. Maybe I just get overwhelmed by the choices when I go shopping because I always end up in the boys section and buying things for the kids, lol.
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