by Tara Pringle Jefferson
I do NOT, I repeat, do NOT want to be a frumpy mom. I just”...won’t. Tiya’s post about “Can a Mommy Wear That?” got me thinking about how much I’ve changed my wardrobe since becoming a mom. I threw out my mini-skirts, bought a ton of shirts that covered my chest completely, and traded my pumps for ballet flats. I clearly went too far to the right and need to make some adjustments back in the direction I used to be.
I’ve declared this summer as the Summer of Sexy. Not “Cute,” not “Pretty,” but “Sexy.” I’m kicking the F.R.U.M.P to the curb.
How do you know if you’ve stuck (or headed toward) Frumpyville? Break it down:
F – Frustrating. When it’s frustrating to get dressed, it’s time to stop and take a breath.
R – Repeating outfits. When you’ve only got two or three “good” outfits and they are really, um, not that good, it’s time to reevaluate.
U – Ugly. Your clothes are ugly and you know it.
M – Messy. Are your clothes wrinkled? Is there a stain on your favorite shirt but you wear it anyway?
P – Personality. You don’t feel like “you” when you get dressed in the morning, like you’re wearing someone else’s clothes.
I know I’ve found myself in at least one of these patterns (particularly the last one) for the past couple of years. Fashion just wasn’t high on my priority list. Money was tight, and even if I have a couple of bucks left over, I usually end up buying something for the house or the kids. I spent a good chunk of the last three years raising kids and putting them first.
But now my youngest is turning two and so I think it is the perfect time to step my game up. So how am I going to kick off my Summer of Sexy and how can you?
1. If you don’t feel sexy, fake it. No matter how frumpy the mom, there has got be ONE item in your closet that makes you feel hot. I’m dusting off my stilettos and adding a couple inches in height this summer. Watch out!
2. Find another mom who is allergic to frump and make it a point to hang out with her. When you hang with a mom who knows how to keep everything moving and still make time for herself, it rubs off. It makes you want to do better, to look better.
3. Purge, purge, purge. Go through your wardrobe and toss everything that doesn’t fit right, is stained, has a hole, is too old, is cheap-looking and not in good condition, etc. Put it in a separate box. Get it out of your wardrobe. Only wear what REALLY works.
4. Be picky. If you’re like me, you probably like finding bargains. I like bargains too much, however, because if I find a cute shirt on sale for $4, I will buy it, no matter how ill-fitting it is. This.has.to.stop. Try on everything you buy and if it doesn’t fit don’t buy it. This means you’ll have to stop shopping online, unless you are EXTREMELY familiar with their sizing. Only buy clothes that make you feel fabulous, not just because you got it for a steal.
So these are my tips, ladies. What are yours? How do you keep it sexy while being a mom? Fellas – let’s hear your views. How do you like your wife to look?
Tara Pringle Jefferson is a freelance writer and blogger living in Ohio with her husband and two children. Visit her blog, ww.theyoungmommylife.com, to read more of her observations about life, motherhood and love.