Discover Your Personal Hot Mama Style (Part 2)

If you are tired of always living at the mercy of the fickle fashion scene, are ready to embrace your inner stylish self, and want to always look and feel great in anything in your closet, hold on to your handbags: we are embarking on the second leg of the personal hot mama style tour. First, I'd like to give you a simple little road-map for your journey:


Discover
Envision
Escape
Declutter


This week, we're stopping by the mirror and revisiting old haunts to discover the true you. You'll need to be brutally honest-now is the time to admit that you really loved the power shoulders of the Eighties and that you've been wearing black for years (to 'slim yourself') even though you hate it. If you have access to color swatches, old (and new) magazines, and large piece of poster or cardboard, you might find it helpful to make a collage of 'likes.' Or you can check out Polyvore for a virtual collage-maker.

• Colors: Whether you use the "seasons" method or you play by your own rules (cultivated by years of hit and miss shopping ;), color is an important part of your own personal style label. Narrow down your options to 2 or 3 slam dunk colors you'll use as the basic foundation of your new wardrobe.

• Textures: What fabrics appeal to your senses and make you feel like a queen? Soft, knitted cashmeres and angoras? Silky, glossy satins and sateens? Sturdy flannels and denims? Nubby tweeds or buttery leathers? Don't think in terms of practicality: most fabrics have an easy-care version that can easily be adapted to mommyhood.
• Eras: Are you attracted to vintage styles? Do you love themed costume parties? If you're a sucker for bellbottoms or pine for platforms, don't be afraid to use updated versions of these trends in your wardrobe. I personally really identify with the war-ravaged fashion scene of the 1940's and love structured jackets with nipped-waists and military details inspired by the era.
• Pants or Skirts? Take an honest look at your wardrobe and sort out the many pieces you revile but keep because they are 'practical.' If you love skirts but are wearing jeans everyday because you think wearing a skirt to the playground would look silly...you need to cut that crap out right now, mama. A skirt can conquer the playground just as easily as a pair of jeans--provided that it's the right skirt. And if you're a pants gal, don't feel pressured into buying that trendy skirt because every fashion magazine declares it an essential for the season. Focus on centering your core wardrobe around the styles that rock your world.

• Accessories or Wearable art? If you like piling on bangles, adding in a whimsical pair of conversation starting earrings, and slipping into flavor-of-the-week shoes, you're probably an accessories gal at heart. Your clothes should form a minimal, bauble-free canvas. If you've got one pair of trusty everyday earrings and always look to your clothes to provide interest to your look, you're a wearable art addict. This might not seem that important right now, but later on, when we hit the decluttering (and restocking) stage, you'll need to know this.

Discover Collage - by MakeMeaHotMama on Polyvore.com


This is my sample collage. I identify with retro inspired details, jean, canvas, and silky fabrics, and am 100% an accessories girl. My ideal wardrobe revolves around clean, military-inspired details, little or no prints, and lots of interesting rings, shoes, and earrings. What does yours look like? Please add the link to your finished hot mama collage in your comment! We'd love to see your creation.

And don't forget to tune in next week for a little stop in Envision-ville...It's promising to be a lot of fun. :)



When she's not busy mismanaging Make Me a Hot Mama, Alison (AJae) twitters, writes for AlisonJerabek.Com, and plays mommy to an adorable little boy. In that order.

Drop her a line: editor@makemeahotmama.com

Be a Hot Mama of the Month!

We are proud to present the opportunity for any mom -- yes, you, to be a genuine cover model. You deserve a little recognition every now and then.

We look for inspirational stories, whether you are a stay at home hot mama, you run your own business (this is a great way to gain free advertising), or are just one fabulously hot mama who brings passion and style to raising the next generation.

We believe that motherhood is truly beautiful. Do you? You can nominate yourself or any other mama you believe deserves this honor.

Our first Hot Mama of the Month was published in December 2008. We have since featured another great Hot Mama of the Month in January and again in February. In fact, every month we will publish the story of a Hot Mama--could it be you?

Alison Jerabek is the point of contact for this project. Please feel free to email her (editor@makememahotmama.com) with any questions.

In order to be considered for our Hot Mama of the Month feature, you just need to subscribe to our magazine, comment to the last month's Hot Mama article with a quick hello to introduce your hot mama self, and then email Alison to start working on the interview process for your personal story. Once the interview process is complete, you'll need to select a few pictures to use in your published story(high-resolution with little to no clutter in the background, please!).

Don't forget that all entries and pictures will need to arrive by the 11th of the month to be considered for the next Hot Mama of the Month feature. And don't give up if you aren't featured right away. We'll keep your contact information handy and give you a chance to be highlighted in the future.

Here's to you, mama! It's time to celebrate your accomplishments and your hot mama style.

-------------------------------------

This is an update to the original Hot Mama of the Month post.