Do you ever struggle to know what to wear because your body is in transition? You look at a closet full of clothing and feel like you have nothing to wear because it’s too small, too big, too fancy, or you’re not sure how to style it?

Today, I’m teaching you 5 simple tips you can use to style yourself while your body is in transition without having to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe and without having to sacrifice your confidence and style.

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As women, we’re in constant transition physically. No matter what stage of life we’re in, as ladies we have hormones that cause our bodies and moods to change regularly, sometimes even hourly. This presents a challenge when it comes to getting dressed, and looking and feeling our best.

A lot of my clients and friends fall into one of two categories:

1. They are struggling with a health complication that has caused them to gain or lose a lot of weight and they don’t know what to wear, need their clothing to be super comfortable, or don’t want to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe mainly for the fact that they already have clothing they love but may not be sure how to style it.
2. Women who are new moms who have a changing body or a totally new physic that they’re still learning how to dress. I even had a member of our community say she wasn’t done growing her family and didn’t want to invest in all new clothing but still wanted to look good.

If you fall into one of those categories then implementing these 5 tips plus some bonus advice on how to train your brain to support you will definitely help you to always look stylish when your body is in transition.

https://youtu.be/2nPZTIrlrWg

Clothing mind games

First of all, let’s get something straight…you are beautiful! When you get dressed you should always feel like you and that your clothing is serving you.

What you always need to remember is that the clothing industry is designed to make you want more and to feel like you need the newest and the best.

You feel you need a whole new look one day, get that high from buying a couple really cute new items, get them home, and suddenly realize that nothing in your current closet works with what you just bought. The luster of newness has worn off and you’re right back where you started, not knowing how to style your current body.

Don’t be afraid to wear black and solid colors

Here’s how to address that. Try to incorporate more solid colors, especially dark tones, and specifically black into your wardrobe.

The reason?

Black is the queen of neutral. Wearing neutral colors creates visual consistency. Not only from an outfit perspective, but from a wardrobe perspective. If you’re in transition and want to either gain or lose weight, or are wanting to have a uniform that gets you through the baby-raising years, then black garments are your new best friend.

Black is an easy color or replace, keep clean, and swop when you’re through the major transition.

Black can also be very slimming when used correctly.

Light is absorbed by black. When you have fewer shadows and highlights, the eye move over forms seamlessly. So this is why black also creates uniformity. Black won’t how gaps, ripples, or bumps.

If you want to delicately camouflage a certain area of your body like your chest, thighs, arms, or butt so you can accentuate other areas of your body, black is key. Try wearing base layers, like black bottoms, a black jacket, sweater, blouse or camisole to create a seamlessly flattering look.

Black also goes with everything and with every color. So if you love to wear bold colors, you can easily and effortlessly do so! As you gain or lose weight you can swap out each garment for a different size and people will hardly tell that your body has changed.

I used this tactic over the holidays when I gained a bit of weight. I wore black skinny jeans a larger size than I normally wear and then transitioned back to a smaller size when I had lost those few extra pounds.

Create streamlined silhouettes with long layers

The eye is constantly looking for visual inconsistencies. It’s just how we’re designed. Using longer layers will create a streamlined silhouette.

Try wearing a longer layer like a duster length blazer (it’s trench coat length blazer) over trousers, skinny jeans or a skirt, a cropped jacket with a long flowing scarf, or a cropped jacket with a long flowing blouse, or a fitted (not skin tight) top with a long, open knit sweater.

The eye is drawn down to one line and of overlooks the rest.

Use makeup as an accessory

Our face is the first thing people see when they look at us. Unless someone is creeping up behind you obviously…ew.

Our style includes all the little details about us like our smile, our hair, our fragrance, our nails, jewelry, and makeup!

I’ve never been a huge make-up wearer. I tend to favor a more natural look so this tip isn’t about caking on the foundation and bronzer ladies! In fact, most of my readers also favor a more natural look and probably don’t wear makeup most days (do I know you or what?)

That’s why I’m gently nudging you to go for it. Try wearing a tinted moisturizer that way you don’t have to deal with the troubles of getting the foundation right. Add a little natural and organic mascara, lip shine, and maybe a touch of blush and you’re ready to go!

I also keep a little mascara tester wand from Sephora in my make-up bag so I can coif my bristly eyebrows! That’s really all I ever do on a daily basis and it not only makes me feel way more confident while still looking like me, it is ever so slightly noticeable to others around. Once showed up to work without make-up and my co-worker immediately noticed! Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I don’t know. But I love a simple, beautiful look that takes no time to do and I encourage you to try it as well!

Learn to dress up not down

Jewelry, scarves, hats, belts, purses, and shoes are all amazing things that can easily go with us where ever we go!

My boss is an earrings gal. She loves them and I’m always drawn to look at her earrings and glasses because they’re so stylish. My friend Kate is really amazing at accessorizing with brooches, scarves, and her purse. She always looks put together. Lorna is all about her nail color and nails. I’m a hat and shoe girl.

I just got these gorgeous and comfortable espadrilles from Spain.

Using accessories helps us to dress up. They are fun, affordable, create a new look, and can be worn no matter phase or stage of life you’re in.

Try wearing a basic outfit like jeans, a t-shirt and a blazer with flip-flops and then swap out those flip-flops for some ultra cute sneakers, clogs, a scarf, a simple necklace and a nice handbag.

It’s a totally different outfit, just by changing one item and adding a few more. I really want to do a whole series on instant make-overs. How should I go about doing that? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Should I do it?

Smile and take care of the mental chatter

I used to have a habit of saying, “I’m gross”. If you do this too. Stop it right now!

No one who has ever made a positive change in any area of life has kept the negative self-talk. When we speak negatively about ourselves we miss out on what we currently have that we could be insanely grateful for. If you were ever able to lose or gain weight, get that “look” that you dream of, you probably wouldn’t even notice, end up taking it for granted and then slip back into old habits and ways of feeling.

Instead, learn to speak positively to yourself and about yourself. Let your clothing serve you. Let what you wear work for you because that’s what it’s there for. You are beautiful and you do have 99% of what you need to create a transitional wardrobe that will take you from where you are now to wherever you want to be in the future!

In conclusion

Embrace these 5 simple steps. Experiment with solid colors, black base layers, long layers, accessories, and simple organic make-up. And while you do these physical things, focus on the mental game and how to improve it so you can get to where you want to go!

If you found this helpful, please let me know. Share it with a friend who needs to hear this message! Now, let me ask you: if you’re in transition now, or have been recently what’s one thing I left out that is a must try tip?