Style Lessons I Learned From My Mom

I am blessed to say that my Mom, at 82 years old, is still healthy (as much as can be expected at 82), happy (routines make her smile) and stylish (simple and neat).

Both my parents worked as professionals so they were up, dressed, primped and out along with my brother and I as we were off to school. My mother was in the dental profession so for most of my childhood I saw her in a starched white uniform, accessorized with a stiff linen cap, thick white hosiery and boring white shoes.

Not exactly a real fashion statement, but she always looked clean, crisp, professional and she wore her uniform proudly. She spent most evenings laundering, starching and painstakingly pressing her white wardrobe so she could look exactly the same the next day.

#1 Lesson Learned – Be prepared

Whatever your uniform, be sure:

It is clean
It is well pressed
It is actually back in your closet from the dry cleaner
It is well tailored, including tweaks for weight changes
It is laid out the night before, including shoes, hosiery and accessories
It is current – if it is outdated – be done with it
It make you feel proud
It makes you feel confident

Over the years she moved up the ladder from dental hygienist to office manager and served as the President of the RI Dental Assistants Association. Yes, the white wardrobe was packed away and she was free to move about the mall. However, her first years of fashion-freedom still dictated that she wore skirts or dresses as that’s just how it was in the 70’s.

I watched her style evolve, as she remained true to her office persona by dressing classic and conservative but somehow still sporting a bit of a beehive hairdo.

#2 Lesson Learned – Be true to your authentic style

Whatever your new uniform is going to be make sure:

It matches your persona
It stretches you just a bit
It is age appropriate
It is body shape appropriate
Your friends and family will still recognize you
Your new look makes you feel fabulous
You feel creative and inspired

By the late 70’s she was sporting pants at the office. This brought a new sense of comfort and ease into her wardrobe. Shoes became a bit more varied, as she no longer had to wear the obligatory skirt pump. Pantsuits (complete with shoulder pads) became all the rage but Mom kept the pads in check, opting for jackets more suited to her slight frame as opposed to the jackets worn by Melanie Griffith in Working Girl. And by the early 80’s the retailers embraced separates as office-wear.

#3 Lesson Learned – Be wary of the trends

As you navigate the trends make sure:

You don’t invest heavily in an overnight trend
The trend fits your body proportion
You don’t go hog wild and jump in with two feet
You don’t look ridiculous
You define how the trend might best work for you

As retirement approached and the casual wear started to take over her closet, she again stayed true to her roots. Very few velour running suits made their way into her wardrobe. Everything remained well fitting, well pressed and well tailored. She certainly doesn’t put her outfit out at night anymore but I can still catch her ironing her jeans on occasion!

#4 Lesson Learned – Retirement doesn’t mean pajamas

As you settle into retirement make sure