Simple & Surprising

Audrey McClelland talks fashion and simple and surprising ways to look your best.

A Moment with Audrey McClelland of Mom Generations™

Name: Audrey McClelland, fashionista, mom, writer, shopper and blogger
Kids: Four boys under four years old
Blog: Mom Generations™

I left the fashion world of Donna Karan International in NYC to raise my brood of boys in my home state of Rhode Island. What I’ve learned is that you can take the girl out of the Fashion District, but you can’t take the Fashion District out of the girl. I’ve gone from city girl to suburban mom, subways to SUVs and from cosmos to baby bottles.

Even with four boys under four, I want to look my best, so how do you still pull off a great look with little ones tugging at your hems? I’ve set out to bring you tips on being fashionable — even with a burp cloth on your shoulder.

New York’s famed fashion week concluded recently and while as moms we can’t always be dressed for the runway, we can at least look good running out to the driveway. So let’s get down to business— or should I say fashion. Here are my top five tips for moms this season:

1. Sweater wraps are a girl’s best friend. There is nothing more versatile and timeless than a luxurious wrap. What I love about sweater wraps is that you can wrap them in over 60 different ways. 60. Different. Ways. They look fabulous with jeans, with trousers, with skirts, over dresses and even with sweatpants! These key pieces are essential for moms to have in their wardrobe.
2. Scarves are an essential accessory that every mother should have. I’m a huge scarf lover, I treat them like necklaces — they have that much impact on an outfit. Scarves are fabulous because you can wear them with jeans and a tee — taking an ordinary outfit and just by adding a dash of pizzazz, you transform it! I love pieces like that. There are so many different kinds of scarves you can “play” with — cashmere, wool, cotton, linen, lightweight, chunky, long, short, thin. They are a forever accessory must-have.
3. Monochromatic styles. One thing I realized about Fashion Week in NYC for Fall 2010 is that many designers were creating Collections with lots of black colors. It seems like wearing black — from head-to-toe — is going to be a popular trend for the Fall. What I love about wearing black is that it slims you. We all love clothing that makes us look (and feel) slimmer. I adore wearing the same color (especially black) because it’s simple, there’s no fuss. You can quite literally — wake up, grab and go. As moms, we need as many outfit combinations like this as possible!
4. Turquoise. Ok, I’ve been asked by many, many women what the “it” color of 2010 is. Well, it’s turquoise. According to the powers that be at Pantone®, turquoise is going to be the “it” color of 2010 because it exudes relaxation and soothing. After a difficult economic year in 2009, Pantone® felt turquoise was just the right color we all needed. What I loved about Fashion Week was seeing the boldness of turquoise splashed into the Collections. So if you have some turquoise pieces, take them out! If you don’t, get some!
5. Your clothes are an investment, and the better we take care of our clothes, the longer they will last and the more money you’ll save.
   • Make sure to dry clean items that are dry clean only and hand wash those that call for it.
   • To help avoid wear on clothes, turn them inside out when washing.
   • By working with Clorox, I learned that washing machines are a haven for germs—and with four active, muddy boys, I can only imagine what’s lurking in my washer. Adding Clorox® Regular-Bleach to at least one load a week will disinfect your washer and help it get your clothes cleaner.
   • And I have to agree with Carson Kressley’s Clorox.com tip. A crisp white shirt is a staple for looking good. Bleach is the must-have laundry room accessory.