Somewhere between juggling motherhood, work, and everyday life, many of us look up and realize we don’t feel like us anymore. And with so much on our plates, we often slip to the bottom of the “needs” list. Does that sound familiar?
I don’t know about you, but I’m too tired to keep up with the latest trends and influencer suggestions. But finding your personal style in your 30s (especially as a mom) isn’t about chasing trends or buying a whole new wardrobe, it’s about creating a way of dressing that feels authentic, comfortable, and true to who you are.
After many years of donning the “mom uniform” (*cough* black tight leggings, oversized stained tee, and a sweatshirt), I had had enough! As someone who works from home, being in the mom uniform all day was flat-lining my motivation level (to say the least). One day, I decided to give myself a challenge of getting “dressed” every day for a week. No black leggings allowed.
Guess what? I saw my motivation and confidence skyrocket. I had fun with my clothes again. After that successful week, it’s kind of just stuck as a morning ritual. Obviously, I am not a perfect being and there are days I just don’t want to put on actual pants (iykyk).
Getting dressed helps tremendously, but I noticed that I wasn’t the same person as I was PC (pre-covid). I didn’t need “work” outfits. (I’m self employed and work from home…) Why would I ever need a suit? Answer: I don’t and won’t ever.
I also evolved as a person. I went from someone who shopped primarily on Amazon, Shein and at fast fashion retailers (I won’t name names) to someone who wanted to be more intentional with my money and sustainable with my clothing.
First things first. To uncover your personal style, you need to really start with a few simple things.
Access Your Life | Consider your true every day (ie. work, kids, errands, social life). Do you really need “office outfits” if you work from home or can you just have some nicer tops?
Notice What You’re Drawn to | Forget trends- what do you like? Give yourself a wide variety to go off of. You absolutely can be a preppy bohemian or a classic grunge. It’s all about you, darling.
Build a Style Board | Thank the creators of Pinterest for this. Personally, I have a “dress me” board saved with textures, colors, outfit ideas, and anything else that catches my eye. Every time I shop (aka thrift ← more on that topic), I look at it to make sure I’m buying items that are within my pre-determined color palate and aesthetic.
Start with Staples | 100%. You need pants + jeans that fit you, shirts that don’t have holes by the waist, and coats + sweaters you can layer on. Staples are an investment that should be bought slowly and with the maximum amount of intention.
Add Your Personality In | Hello gorgeous. For me, it’s bags. For others I know, it’s their jewelry or scent that makes them authentically them.
Remember: Choose quality over quantity. Make sure you mix in comfort pieces and “nicer” options. Invest in timeless pieces. And lastly, develop your go-to outfit formula. Example… my formula as of late has been wide leg jeans, a fitted t-shirt, and a long sleeve button up (because my office is always freezing).
Rediscovering your personal style is really about giving yourself permission to evolve. It’s not about becoming someone new but rather, reconnecting with who you already are and expressing that through what you wear every day. Start small, give yourself grace, and let your style grow with you.
If you’re ready to dig deeper into curating (not just your wardrobe), but your routines and lifestyle with more intention, my A Simply Tamed Life workbook was designed for that journey. It’s a guided space to uncover what feels true for you and create rhythms that support a life that’s authentically you.
Simply Tamed 