Meet Natalie!
She is a babywearing mama who loves to hike and enjoys the great outdoors with her family.
She also owns her own business, as a music therapist.
She needs a wardrobe that will serve her well in her hobbies, her job, casual outfits for everyday wear, and all clothing must have boob access since she is breastfeeding!
Natalie’s shape is an inverted triangle, so she has broad shoulders, gains weight in her middle, and great legs! Inverted triangle shapes benefit from clothes that balance out the lower half with the upper body. Therefore, keeping the look clean on top and “fussier” things on bottom will create a more balanced silhouette.
Goals: Softening the shoulder lines, defining the waist, and creating curvature on the bottom half for balance.
Natalie is going shopping with her MIL today, so here are my suggestions on what she should look for:
White Oxford shirt: Such a versatile shirt!
You can wear it for work: with the trousers, with the straight skirt and flats, or the full skirt, tights and booties, possibly over or under the dress, under the blazer, under the cardigan…
You can wear it for play: with the boot cut jeans and boots, with cargo pants and sneakers, with boyfriend jeans, cardigan and flats (that’s how I would anyway!). Color: Crisp white is best for your skin tone and versatility
Bright flannel plaid shirt: This is one of the things that feels so Natalie.
You can wear it for work: with the straight skirt, tucked into the trousers if they have a higher waist, under the blazer…
You can wear it for play: Pretty much any combination of this shirt and any of the pants with an appropriate shoe will be awesome 🙂 If it color coordinates with the cardigan, all the better.
Color: Choose a color that is bright and clear (so nothing dusty or muddled, like a burgundy) like jewel tones, but you can also wear “icy” colors, meaning a pure color with a bit of white added to it.
Pattern shirt: I chose a bright blue check because it would play well with the other pieces and still hints to an outdoorsy-ness, even under the blazer. 🙂
You can wear it for work: under the blazer or cardigan, with the boot cut jeans or trousers, with the straight skirt.
You can wear it for play: with the cargo pants and sneakers, with the boot cut jeans and either of the boots, with the boyfriend jeans and sneakers or flats .
Field jacket: This is a great casual jacket. The one I have pictured has a nice defined waist, and not a lot going on in the shoulders and collar area.
You can wear it for work: With the skirt and oxford shirt, with boots or flats and possibly with the dress!
Neutral blazer: Obviously, this is a great way to make any outfit look instantly more professional. Try to make sure the length isn’t too long, it should hit right around or above your hip bone. The fit in the shoulders is also important, you don’t want anything that is bulky.
V-neck cardigan: The V-neck draws attention to your face which we like 🙂 Get it in a neutral like black, white, icy gray, or navy blue. Or get it in a pop color like red or emerald green!
Black V-neck tee: Obviously, this is just handy to have. The V-neck is good for your silhouette, and the black will go with everything.
Boyfriend jeans: These don’t have to be destroyed, though I think it gives them an edge. The “baggier” style of this jean balances out your shape nicely. You can wear it for work: Nope, unless you mean yard work.
You can wear it for play: Yes! You can wear them with the sneakers and casual tops for chill days… but wearing feminine pieces with them is also really fun when you want to look cute for an evening out (you know… to Target…) so I would work it with the black tee and flats, and a good dose of mascara 😉
Wide leg trousers/jeans: These balance out your figure, and are also great for bringing an instantly put together look. You could get these in a very dark wash denim and they’ll swing slightly more casual, or get them in black. Pay attention to the fit in the rear, as well as looking at the line from your hip down. You want it to almost just (look like) it is falling straight to the floor. A higher waist is an extra plus, but pick ones you love. You can wear for work: Yep. With any shirt and that cardigan would be cute. Or the blazer to kick it up a notch!
Cargo pants: Since we are trying to balance out your upper half, these do that and match your aesthetic! Wear with any casual top, and as above, you can also balance them out with more feminine pieces when you’re not hiking 🙂
Dark wash boot cut jeans: These are so great for that middle ground where you aren’t sure whether you need to be dressed up but the cargos aren’t going to cut it. Pair with something classic, like the white oxford, or wear with something funkier. You really can’t go wrong.
Neutral knee length skirt: Going with a lighter color will draw the eye down. I’d recommend an icy gray or khaki to warm things up. Wear for work: with all the things. Wear for play: Again, yes. With the flats and any top you can’t go wrong!
Full patterned skirt: I’m not sure if you’ll go for this, but if you find one you love, it is a great silhouette for you, and easily can do double duty as a professional item, and a more festive one. A higher waist is good. Pick one in your neutrals for the most versatility.
Little black dress: Black or navy blue, empire waist, fuller skirt, and hitting right above or below the knee is ideal. The one pictured has a V-neck for easy breastfeeding. Wear for work: with tights, booties, and the blazer or cardigan. Wear for play: Great for a date night, evening out with friends, or when you just want to look amazing without trying very hard. With the flats, it looks effortless.
Wide belt: Great for any outfit that is looking kind of boxy, it creates that hourglass silhouette. Intended to be worn around the smallest part of your waist. A thin belt works well too, and can be worn over a cardigan.
Riding boots: A great way to nod at your love of the outdoors, while being cute comfy shoes.
Fun sneakers: Because they are fun, and lighten up any outfit. Get ones you love.
Black booties: With black tights, these are a great way to be kind of dressed up without wearing heels. Without tights they are edgier, and can go with jeans, skirts, dresses, and even shorts for the daring.
Black flats: My personal favorite, they are feminine but not fussy. Get a pair you love, and can picture wearing with most of your outfits.
Black tights: These are an essential to any dress wearing in the winter. Opaque or slightly sheer ones are the most modern. Wear with boots, booties, or flats.
Nude camisole: Camis are a friend to the nursing mother,but the nude doesn’t disrupt the line of what you are wearing and requires no matching. It is also great for tucking in so that you are more covered when chasing after a little one.
Adrienne Schenck 