The Mother of Style
When we were kids, there was no one more stylish than our mom. She had a short dark bob, tan skin, wore midi skirts and silk scarves, and ordered her clothes out of catalogues (so cool in 1995). Neither Hilary nor I inherited her dark hair or tan skin, but we did inherit some of her style from growing up with her as our model.
So in honor of Mother's Day we dedicate this post to our mother, Lisa, and share with you some of her style tips that have served us well over the years.
Don't buy into a trend if it doesn't look good on you
I have a tendency to gravitate towards trendy pieces whether or not they look good on me. When I was 13 it was the spaghetti strap tank tops of the early 2000s. When I was in college, it was neutrals that would wash me out. I’d try on an unforgiving trend and ask her, “What do you think.” My mother has always been honest, so she’d shake her head and steer me towards a flattering silhouette and color. If I’ve learned anything from her, it’s never to buy a trend that doesn’t look good on me.
Only buy what you love
A good portion of my teen years I struggled to find clothes I liked and felt comfortable in. When my mother would take me shopping for clothes, she'd tell me, "Don't get it unless you love it." I no longer have difficulty finding stuff I like, but this advice keeps me from buying mediocre piece. Whenever I question a piece of clothing I'm trying on in a store, I always ask myself, "do I love it?" If I don’t, it stays in the store and out of my closet.
Claire in an Auguste dress and Clark sandals, both of which she loves.
Invest in quality staples
Our mother has taught us you don't have to spend a lot on every piece in your closet, but you should invest in staples such as jackets, denim, and shoes. Trendier items are best purchased either on sale or at affordable stores, such as Zara and H&M. You'll have a balanced closet, and better yet, a balanced budget.
Keep a structured jacket in your closet.
Throughout the years, our mother has shifted from classic blazers to trendy items like a leather jacket. No matter the style, a structured jacket can pull together any outfit whether casual or formal. Our mother has such great taste that we even have some of the same pieces. Below, Hilary wears a jacket that our mother also has. They bought them together while shopping in Munich.
Hilary in a Zara jacket, J Brand jeans and Zara shoes.