This post is really for all the mamas out there as well as the women who serve with a mother’s heart. We thank you.
Aaahhh, motherhood. Moms are notorious for dressing their kids but forgetting to dress themselves. YES, your image as a mother matters! You’re “selling people” on how it looks to be a mom and if you have any dreams or goals, you need to dress like you have some ambition. So here are my
image tips for moms.
Some practical, some more philosophical but here we go.
1. Decide you’re worth it.
You’ve heard it all before.
- You have to take care of yourself in order to take care of others.
- Fill up your vessel so you can pour yourself out for others.
- You can’t give what you don’t have!
I know what it’s like to give until there’s nothing left. That is, until the day Super Mom died. You can read that post here.
I’ve embraced the fact that I can’t do it all.
I have to prioritize self care in order to run my life and live in peace. I bet you do, too.
You’re worth fighting for.
2. Wear your best colors.
Believe me, I remember the days of having a preschooler and a baby when it’s all you can do to get through the day with your sanity in tact.
Even if you’re wearing yoga pants and a tee shirt, you can wear them in your best colors!
[tweetthis]Wearing the right colors helps you look more rested, vibrant and put-together.[/tweetthis]
These five colors look good on everyone (click here).
Get a Signature Color! Click here to Discover Your Signature Color.
BONUS TIP! Here’s how to dress for comfort without sacrificing style! Click here.
3. Have a go-to makeup look.
Your look can be a little CC cream, mascara and lip gloss but HAVE one. It should be as simple and fast as possible. When you have more time, of course you can add eye liner, lipstick, brows, etc.
I’m not saying you have to wear a full face of makeup just to stay home all day but if you are taking the kids out to lunch or heading to the park, YOU will feel better if you fix up your face a bit.
When you feel better about yourself, you exude confidence and people project that back on you.
Consider products that do double duty. I love these “shadow and liner” eye pencils because there’s a liner on one end and shadow on the other. You can do your eyes in thirty seconds!
For the scoop on my everyday makeup routine, click here.
4. Dress for your body type.
If you have a belly (FYI, we all do) keep your shirt untucked (or try the trendy half-tuck).
Or if you’re a more curvy gal, try a belt to draw attention to your waist.
Wear a chunky necklace to keep the attention near your face.
Wear a bag that suits your frame.
[tweetthis]Dressing to suit your particular size and shape will go a long way in elevating your image. [/tweetthis]
I have boards for the B, O, D and X body types on Pinterest. Check them out here.
5. Accessorize.
A simple necklace, a cute diaper bag or tote, funky shoes…they go a long way toward jazzing up an outfit. You’ll look “dressed” and feel more sassy.
Belts and scarves are also nice.
Check out this post on accessorizing.
6. Train your people.
Ahem. I’m stepping up onto my soap box for a moment. I’m a bit passionate about this point.
You can’t elevate your image if your people are working against you.
It does NOT make you high-maintenance to need regular hair cuts, a properly-fitted bra and one night a week to spend on self care.
Did you hear that, Mama?
Your loved ones don’t want you to land yourself in The Crazy House.
Do what you need to do to take care of yourself.
[tweetthis]Prevention is the key to combating mom burn-out. #imageconsultant[/tweetthis]
Get out one night a week to have coffee with a girlfriend. Take your daily walk if that’s what keeps you balanced. Start a side business. Lock the bedroom door so you can take a bath. Or a nap.
Speak up for yourself and claim your time. Your people might balk at first but remember…they’ll balk more if you’re calling from a pay phone three states away because you ran away from home.
[tweetthis]It’s OK to take care of you–but you might have to train your people first. [/tweetthis]
And please…PLEASE…get out of the habit of enlisting help just to “get something done.”
I know, I know…if you work or spend a lot of time out of the house, you feel like you’re always asking people to help you out. But you still need time for yourself, even when it’s not for “work.”
Don’t feel guilty asking for help with the house or with childcare so you can buy new jeans without three curious munchkins climbing the dressing room walls. Have someone entertain the kids for an hour (or take them to the park for an hour) just so you can read a book and drink a cup of tea in peace. Maybe you want to color code your underwear! Whatever you want to do…for YOU…do it.
7. Find people that will take care of you.
That might be your own mother or a friend. Thank God for them, right?
But think, too, of your
- seamstress
- hair dresser
- house cleaner
- financial planner
- nail tech
- landscape worker
- administrative or virtual assistant
- pet groomer and/or sitter
You should like those people and they should support you and your mental health. And they should be committed to helping you look and feel your best (even if all they’re trimming is your lawn)!
If they work against you or make you feel inferior, fire them and find someone new.
[tweetthis]Self care often means letting other people take care of you. #selfcare[/tweetthis]
You can’t elevate your image if everyone in your life is working against you.
Moms need to feel supported and appreciated! Which brings me to…
8. Celebrate yourself.
Wear the pink sneakers. Treat yourself to an ice cream cone. Throw a party just because.
Discover and embrace what you love and practice showcasing it.
Moms are very under-celebrated. One of my favorite aspects of the direct sales industry is how most companies celebrate their consultants’ achievements with pins, certificates, prizes and applause.
Every woman should learn to celebrate herself!
When you feel appreciated and authentic, it shows.
I might add to these image tips for moms as time goes on. What tips would you add??
Leave a Reply