I went to a Rockies baseball game the other night and was so excited to go until I realized I had nothing to wear. I wanted to show my Rockies support, but have nothing in my closet that is purple. This may seem a little silly coming from and image consultant and a little ridiculous because it is a sporting event. Can you really go wrong in your wardrobe at a sporting event? Yes, yes you can. I have seen women decked out in swanky clothing and high heels (not casual at all) and also in sweatpants and tennis shoes (which I condone wearing only in the privacy of your own home).
I love dresses: they’re easy to throw on and go, it’s one piece of clothing to worry about, and they look great for almost any occasion. Any occasion, except maybe a baseball game. I have jeans, but most of them are wide-leg trouser styles and look best with a pointed shoe, not a tennis shoe. I decided that I need to up my weekend casual wardrobe and find things to wear to the most casual of events, without looking like I just rolled out of bed. My motto is “whatever role you play in life, there’s no reason not to look the part.” If one of my roles includes being a Rockies fan, I best find clothing that supports that role. Done. I have clearly justified my next shopping trip!
Tina’s Tip: Take a look at the roles you play in life and the activities that go along with them. Are there any areas of your life that you’re not dressing the part? Roles could be things such as friend, professional, mom, etc. Activities could be social outings, presentations, running errands, Rockies games, etc. Don’t wait until you need something to wear to a specific function to figure this out, or you’ll be stuck in front of your closet wishing you would’ve bought that Rockies jersey at Wal-Mart.
3 questions for you Tina…
What did you end up wearing to the game?
What jeans DO work with tennies?
How do you dress the part of mom – tips?
Hi Lindsay. Thanks for your questions!
I ended up wearing a long-sleeve t-shirt that had a blue and gray pattern on it with my wide leg trouser jeans. I broke my own rule of wearing pointy shoes and wore funky tennis shoes instead. I really didn’t LOVE my outfit and after getting the pictures back from the game- my thoughts were confirmed. That shirt is now in the “donation pile” even though I paid about $60 for it and have worn it a total of 3 times. There’s no need to hang onto something that you don’t love and have it take up valuable real estate in your closet.
Straight leg jeans work with tennies. Not tapered, not skinny, not boot-cut, just plain old straight leg. I recommend wearing cute, fun, tennis shoes that don’t look like athletic shoes. They will give you a great casual appearance with the comfort of a tennis shoe, but without the chunky athletic sole. Try finding brands such as Puma, Rocketdog, Converse, or KangaROOS (seriously cute and not just for kids!) DSW has a great assortment online under “Fashion Sneakers”.
I have worked with a number of moms as clients and the number one thing they are concerned with is comfort. My recommendation is to find clothing that is flattering for you body type, casual, and comfortable. Start with basic pieces in neutral colors that will mix and match with a lot of different items to make getting dressed easier. A great fitting pair of dark wash straight leg jeans is a must and will be well worth the effort of finding them. Also, look for pants in colors such as khaki, navy, gray, and black (feel free to mix up the fabrics with a pin stripe or a subtle plaid to add a touch of sophistication). They will act as a neutral so that anything you put on top will go with them. T-shirts are fine as long as they fit you properly. Just make sure to retire the ones that are pilled, stained, or faded. Add a little flair with simple accessories (throw on a hip-slung belt with a longer T), a fun hand bag in a hot color, and some comfortable stylish flats. Clothing like this will be easy to wash and wear and should take you anywhere your kids need to go.
Thanks – I think it’s time to go jean shopping!