The Maternal One

It’s May and Mother’s Day season!  (Yes, I call it a season.)  The spring time weather with its flowers blooming and bird egg laying seems to be the most fertile time of year—it’s the time of birth and renewal!  I bet there’s no mistake that Mother’s Day falls right in the midst of all of this.

I love my babies! I love being a Mom!!

This post, “The Maternal One,” is dedicated to the moms out there; the new moms, the experienced moms, the grand moms, the stepmoms and god moms.  Most of us, after experiencing child birth (or just LIFE in general) develop what I call the “Pouch of Honor.”  It’s that area below your natural waistline that gets a little soft roundedness to it.  While I am not ashamed to say I have a valid Pouch of Honor, I don’t always want my pouch showcased for everyone to see.  I really don’t need my pouch speaking for me in the workplace or when I’m out on a date!   In this posting I will share with you some of the techniques that saved me when I returned back to work 8 weeks after having my second child.

Create a Diversion

This dress with its A-line silhouette is perfect for creating the ultimate hour glass figure in almost anyone.

Soft Teal A-Line with Statement Necklace and Belt

The dress is drawn in at the natural waist line and the belt helps draw emphasis to the illusion of the narrowest part of the torso.  The statement necklace draws the eye upward and away from the pouch below the belt.  The pouch, by the way, is camouflaged nicely under the full skirting of the dress.

Play with Stripes  

Shapes, colors and patterns can all help to create illusions in art (on a canvas) as well as in fashions (on the body).  I always say, “Treat your naked body as if it’s a blank canvas then dress it and express yourself with FASHION.”  This black dress with its narrow white stripes and A-line silhouette can work wonders on the motherly figure.

Black and White Striped Dress, brown belt

The horizontal stripes on the top create a fuller look to the bust line, therefore accentuating “the girls” without showing cleavage.  The vertical stripes below create a lean long look from the natural waistline downward.  The belt, with the contrasting brown, draws the eye into the narrow illusion of the waist created by the dress’ silhouette.  Again, the pouch is tucked away nicely below the belt and camouflaged by the leanness of the vertical stripes.

Both of the dresses above have an added function for new mothers returning to the workplace.  The back zipper helps nursing moms get proper “access” for pumping without having to disrobe totally.

Utilize the Blazer     

The use of a blazer helps take the illusion of a leaner figure to the next level.  Here I paired the striped dress with a blazer in a hot blood orange.

Black & White Stripes with POPPING Blood Orange Blazer

The color is fun, yet still safe for the conservative workplace.  The stiffer structure of the blazer goes an extra step towards trimming the waist line.  Leaving the button undone and the blazer slightly gapped assist with hiding the pouch as well.

Dress with added blazer and scarf accessory

Here I am using the scarf, as well as the blazer, to contour the body’s figure.  The blazer is providing the structured and defined waist with its tailored shape and the scarf immediately brings the eyes upwards toward the face.  Additionally, the scarf balances a fuller bottom (wider hips and rounded belly) with a fuller top.  Playing with how the scarf is worn can hide the pouch alone.  Wearing it looped around the neck once and hanging over the belly is a perfect camouflaging technique as well.

In Closing…

So, to all of my mommas out there who were not blessed with the super model bodies that bounced back two weeks after childbirth, don’t sweat it!  (For real, DON’T!)  Appreciate all that your body has done to create, nurture and love the children you’ve had.  Love your feminine form and dress that body, YOUR CANVAS, with pride!

Happy Mother’s Day!!

TNR for Ruth Ellen

[This post is dedicated to my beautiful mom, Mary Ellen.  Thanks always for inspiring me.  Love you!]

The Cold Post

It’s COLD!

Yes, in light of recent weather events… IT.  IS . COLD!  So, what is a guy or gal to do when you want to look good and the temps are sub-zero?  Is it possible?  I remember I used to think my outfit started once I took off my coat or jacket.  Like, the coat was just a functional thing, keeping me warm and dry.  My hat, gloves and scarf were just the same, just functional.   Blah!

Now, I step out in a coat or jacket that IS the outfit most days.  The hat, gloves and scarfs are winter time accessories that I treat as I would a fashionable pair of earrings or a necklace.  They complement the coat or jacket and as a bonus the clothing garments underneath as well.

You may think like I once did, that the coat doesn’t matter when it comes to making a fashion statement.  But, au contraire, the coat is just as important when it comes to dressing your human canvas!  Here are some tips to bringing the fashion outward while showcasing your swag in temperatures colder than a polar bear’s toenails.

The COAT:

Start with a statement coat that is both warm and flattering to your figure.  That may be an A-line coat, one that fits and flatters or a straight trench.  Play around with different lengths too.  For extra warmth pick one with the highest wool content that’s within your budget.  Good wool retains warmth and can provide a great tailored appearance.

If you’re female and you choose a puffy or down coat find one with a tailored or belted waist line so you don’t look like a middle school student.

Color is great to experiment with in a coat. Too timid to try a bold red?  Go with burgundy.  Greens are nice also. Kelly green is a good transitional color from winter to spring and you can go festive with it during the holidays by pairing with a red or white scarf.  Blues, purples and other jewel tones can also do wonders.  As always, the traditional camel colored wool coat is chic and can be styled with colorful accessories or black/white.

The SCARF, HAT and GLOVES:

Here is where you can get really creative.  If you haven’t already, start a winter accessory collection!  Now is the perfect time to catch some end-of-season sales.  Your winter time accessories don’t necessarily have to have the color of your coat in them.  Think complimentary colors!  If you have a royal purple coat, pair it with a green scarf.  Have a camel colored coat?  Pair it with an orange or red.  Don’t’ be afraid to play with patterns as well.  Choose colors that are commonly found in your wardrobe and now you have multifunctional accessories!  You can utilize your scarf after your coat is removed, perfect for when you are in a chilly office or if you want to run into a mall sans coat.  Walla!  Now, go on, venture out in this artic chill and remember to dress your human canvas…warmly.

 

TNR for Ruth Ellen