Escaping the Dreaded Mom Style Rut

From my earlier post, My Style Journey:

From high school on, I developed the mentality that it’s not what on the outside that counts.  I can rock inside stuff like being kind and helpful, but I can’t rock the outside stuff.  So I’ve pretty much given up trying any harder than “presentable.”  Clothes were designed to hide me as much as possible.  To help me blend in so no one would notice me.

I had no right to try to look pretty or feminine or stylish.  I just did the best I could, shopping the clearance section and wearing ill-fitting, low-quality items that helped me get by.  There’s a wedding coming up—better find the best I can do off the clearance rack.  Oh, I have a job interview—better find the best I can do off the clearance rack.

And that, my friends, is how I ended up with a closet of clothes that I don’t like (A brown pinstripe suit?!?  A brown pinstripe suit!?! No wonder I didn’t get that job!) and don’t fit well.

 

I spent too much time in black V-neck t-shirts (I have multiples!) because I didn’t want to be noticed.  About a year ago I decided it was time for a change: to start feeling good about who I am.  I aimed to figure out my style and devote my birthday/Christmas giftmoneys toward building a wardrobe I love.

 

Over the past few months I discovered that I want my outside to match my inside.   I enjoy bright, cheerful colors.  I want someone to look at me and know that I’m a bubbly mom who tells Laffy Taffy jokes, makes up song lyrics, and reads children’s literature like a boss.

 

Unfortunately there hasn’t been much out there in my size and price range during my year-long hunt.

 

I’ve tried the subscription box Dia & Co. with some success, but it’s really a roll of the dice.  There have been a lot more misses than hits.

 

Then there’s Lands’ End.  Customers leaving reviews on Lands’ End items can list their age, and it seems that Myrtle (70) has bought many of the pieces I’ve considered purchasing.  Apparently we both enjoy the modest styles and quality fabrics offered by Lands’ End.  

 

But I’m not ready to be twinsies with Myrtle!

 

After the Myrtle epiphany, I started looking into Lularoe* (most the time I inaccurately call it “loo-lah-roo”) for myself after being invited to a few popups.  I don’t know why it took so long.  I’ve actually sort of owned some Lularoe for years.

 

My mom gifted my girls some Lularoe dresses shortly after Cee’s diagnosis.  The girls liked how the dresses twirled and insisted on calling them “ripple water dresses.”  They could be put on and off easily, which was key when Cee’s pain was active.  And they made her smile; Lularoe is known for unique patterns.

This handful of Lularoe dresses got worn and washed and worn and washed multiple times a week.  Because they were a bit big to begin with and the stretch of the fabric, those dresses have been in circulation for three plus years!

It’s like “sisterhood of the traveling ripple water dresses.”  Although the girls have other clothes, these dresses are their favorites.

 

I grabbed a couple pictures from other posts to illustrate how much action these dresses see.

 

 

 

 

 

By attending a couple online and real-life popups, I saw the breadth of what Lularoe offers.  Turns out it’s not just kids’ dresses.   There are skirts, shirts, dresses, and leggings in adult sizes 00-24, too!

 

I started accumulating fun pieces to complement my Lands’ End staples.  Now for a peek into my Lularoe collection.

 

Viola!  My latest favorite outfit is this Carly style dress and leggings (both from Lularoe). I added some Myrtle-esque accessories from Lands’ End.  This is me.  In this I feel like myself.

 

For Christmas I tried out the Amelia style Lularoe dress.  With pockets!  It’s so comfortable!  You can’t see that I’m wearing the same minty Lularoe leggings from the first picture.

 

When I’m home with the kids, I tend to sweat-pants-old-tshirt-it-up.  Why wear something nice when it’s 100% guaranteed to sport bodily fluid of some sort by the end of the day?!?!  It’s the classic mom style rut.

So I decided to jazz up my mom uniform.  It’s still comfortable, but I’m able to be my most self-est self when my clothes represent my personality.  Here’s what I’m wearing today:

A Myrtle tunic from Lands’ End and some Lularoe leggings.

 

I do have some crazier leggings.  I won these in a giveaway on facebook.  (Thanks, Rebecca!)

Typically I pair them with a Myrtley Lands’ End dress and cardigan.  While there are options that are a lot of fun (who doesn’t need a pair of leggings with dancing hippos?!?!), classy patterns and solids are available as well.

 

Modest!  Cheery!  Affordable!  Those are my jam.  So whether I’m at home with my kids or at a speaking gig with David, I am comfortable and poised with my Lularoe/Lands’ End wardrobe.

 

I’m not posting these pictures because I think I look great (ha!).  I’m posting these pictures because Lularoe has helped me feel confident after years of hiding.  I’m done with buying things I don’t love.

 

 

Do you already Lularoe?  What’s your favorite style?