It is the middle of July and I think Detroit has had maybe one 90 degree day. Ok, 2, tops. I love the heat of the summer. I would even take the unbearable humidity at this point. My favorite summer activity, actually my preferred sport, is swimming and you can’t do that outdoors when there is an overcast and a high wind. I need a little sizzle in my summer. And not just from the weather.

I look at my summer wardrobe and I need an upgrade, a style makeover, some sizzle. Now I’m not afraid to admit I need some help. How about you guys? Are you tired of the shorts that are too tight on your behind and too big around your thigh? Are you wearing sandals that you bought in the 80′s? or how about that cute sundress that you wore when you and your husband first started dating and the colors are so faded that you don’t even know what the orginal colors were? We have to let it go ladies and move on. And we have to stop making excuses for this frumpiness, especially in the summer, when we are out with our family and friends. Do you have a halter top? Now I know halter top might bring up images of that stretchy scarf looking thing that your parents made you wear around your budding, yet still flat chest when you were growing up, but they have some cute ones out there now. How about the cute tops that wrap around your neck? Do you have one? If your idea of summer wear consists of vacation t-shirts (which my mother has a TON) and bermuda shorts, then it’s time to ‘kick it up a notch.’

Before you go running to the store, I think you need to set some guidelines. Get some magazines out, find stuff that you want to wear not stuff that you think would look good on your current body (we’ll talk about that ‘unhappy with your body’ another time) and then call up a stylish, unafraid to tell you the whole truth friend and invite her to be your stylist for the day. This is serious. Do not go at this makeover alone. Once you establish a look, establish a prupose and a budget. My purpose is simple: To look chic, sexy and timeless with as few pieces as possible (because I don’t like to shop and I’m not into trends, so I expect my gear to last awhile. I also dislike excess, so for every piece of clothing that I bring in, I get rid of a piece of clothing. I use the same philosophy with the kids too). Get your Sunday ad papers out and you ladies go to work. The end of the worn out, uncaring about herself looking mother is near. 

Now, I’ve done this before. Recently. My fall/winter look needed rescue and Oprah’s episode of bras and jeans kicked me into gear. I got rid of all of my ‘mom jeans’ and my non-fitting bras. I took my best friend jean shopping with me which was mind blowing. Do you know how complex finding the right jean really is? I’m pretty sure I tried on 40 pair of jeans and I bought 5 pair, maybe. I also said that if I don’t LOVE how I look in something, I’m getting rid of it. I made a decision that even my around the house clothes were going to be cute because you never know when you have to leave in a rush or when an emergency arises. It was an awesome experience, but when I got home after seeing how great I could be looking on a regular basis, I looked at my wardrobe in horror. What was I thinking? When did it get this bad? Did it happen once we got married? I know I started to go downhill once I had kids, but man, I didn’t know I was in the ditch at the bottom of the hill. Stop telling yourself that you’re low-key, you’re not into that frilly stuff. No one said you had to go around wearing sequins all day. I’m pretty low maintenance, so pick up some wrinkle-resistant clothes, wear a patterned shirt so the stains won’t show, put the makeup bag in the car (lipstick & mascara at the least). You can do it! And give your partner my email so that they can show their appreciation. 

Are you in need of a summer sizzlin’ wardrobe? If you are not, how did you maintain your fashion sense as a mom and wife? If you are in need of a makeover, share with us yor worse wardrobe piece–sandals with the bottom falling off, nursing bra from your 10 year old, faded/hole filed Levi’s that you cut into shorts that have been too small for 5 years or more? Can’t wait for the stories.

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