As a mom, it’s natural to want your daughter to dress and style herself in a way that makes her feel confident and beautiful. However, with all the different fashion trends out there, it can be tough to know where to start when it comes to teaching your daughter about personal style.
That’s why we’ve put together this 10-step fashion and style guide for moms to give to their daughters. From teaching her the basics of dressing for her body type to helping her find her own unique sense of style, this guide will set your daughter up for fashion success.
Read on for our 10-step fashion and style guide every mom should give their daughter.
Step 1: Help Her Develop a Positive Body Image
One of the most important things you can do as a mom is to help your daughter develop a positive body image. With society’s constant messages about what is and isn’t “acceptable” when it comes to appearance, it’s easy for girls to get caught up in comparing themselves to others.
Instead, help your daughter focus on the things that make her unique and beautiful. Compliment her on her strong opinions, her sense of humor, or the way she lights up a room when she walks in – not just her physical appearance.
Encourage her to dress in a way that makes her feel good about herself, even if it doesn’t conform to current fashion trends. And remind her that everybody is special and there is no such thing as a “perfect” body type.
Photo by Tanalee Youngblood on Unsplash
Step 2: Teach Her the Basics of Dressing for Her Body Type
Once your daughter has a positive body image, it’s time to start teaching her the basics of dressing for her body type. No matter what her shape or size, there are certain styles of clothing that will flatter her figure and make her look and feel her best.
If she’s on the shorter side, help her find clothes that elongate her frame, like dark-wash jeans and long cardigans. If she’s taller, suggest pieces that will help balance out her height, like cropped pants or flared skirts.
And if she’s curvier, encourage her to embrace her shape by choosing well-fitting clothing that accentuates her assets. Flowy dresses, for instance, are a great option for curvy girls as they provide coverage and comfort while still looking stylish.
Step 3: Help Her Find Her Own Unique Sense of Style
One of the best things about fashion is that there are no rules. Just because someone told you that you can’t wear black and brown together or that you’re “too old” to rock a mini skirt doesn’t mean it’s true.
Part of developing your own sense of style is learning to experiment with different looks and figuring out what makes you feel most confident. So help your daughter mix and match different pieces until she finds a style that feels like her own.
If she’s not sure where to start, suggest she take a look at her favorite celebrities or style icons and see what kinds of looks they tend to gravitate towards. Once she has a few ideas in mind, she can start putting together her own unique outfits.
Step 4: Encourage Her to Accessorize
Accessories are a great way to take an outfit from boring to stylish. They can also be used to express your personal sense of style. So encourage your daughter to experiment with different accessories and see what works for her.
A scarf, for example, can add a pop of color or pattern to an otherwise basic outfit. Or a pair of statement earrings can dress up casual jeans and t-shirt look.
Other great accessories to experiment with include a beads bracelet, belts, hats, and sunglasses. The key is to have fun with it and not take yourself too seriously.
Step 5: Teach Her the Basics of Grooming
Another important aspect of personal style is grooming. While it’s not necessary to spend hours on your hair and makeup every day, it is important to know the basics of grooming so you can put your best face forward.
So teach your daughter how to properly wash her face, brush her teeth, and style her hair. If she’s interested in wearing makeup, show her how to apply it in a natural-looking way. And remind her that less is often more when it comes to cosmetics.
Step 6: Help Her Shop for Clothing That Fits and Flatters
One of the most important things to keep in mind when shopping for clothing is fit. It’s important to find clothing that fits well and flatters your figure, even if it means spending a bit more money on quality items.
So help your daughter find clothing that fits her properly. Encourage her to try on different sizes and styles until she finds something that makes her look and feel her best.
And when in doubt, suggest she err on the side of caution and go for a slightly smaller size. It’s better to have clothing that’s a bit too snug than too loose.
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch
Step 7: Teach Her How to Care for Her Clothing
Another important thing to keep in mind when it comes to fashion is that your clothing won’t last forever. Even the most well-made garments will eventually show signs of wear and tear.
That’s why it’s important to learn how to care for your clothing properly. Teach your daughter how to wash and store her clothes so they stay looking their best for as long as possible.
And if she does happen to damage a piece of clothing, show her how to mend it or make a creative patch so she can still get some use out of it.
Step 8: Help Her Build a Capsule Wardrobe
One way to make getting dressed each day easier (and cheaper) is to build a capsule wardrobe. This is a small collection of clothing that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of different looks.
The key to building a capsule wardrobe is to choose versatile pieces that can be worn in multiple ways. A black blazer, for example, can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. And a pair of dark wash jeans can be worn with almost anything.
Once your daughter has built up her capsule wardrobe, she’ll have everything she needs to create endless stylish looks.
Step 9: Introduce Her to Secondhand Shopping
Another great way to save money on clothing is to shop secondhand. There are plenty of great secondhand stores where you can find high-quality clothes for a fraction of the original price.
So take your daughter secondhand shopping and teach her how to find hidden gems. She might be surprised at how much she enjoys it.
Step 10: Encourage Her to Be Confident
In the end, the most important thing you can do for your daughter is to encourage her to be confident. Help her see that fashion is about having fun and expressing yourself, not about trying to fit into someone else’s idea of what’s stylish.
And remind her that there are no rules when it comes to personal style. As long as she feels good in what she’s wearing, she’ll look great no matter what.
There You Go
With these 10 steps, you’ll be well on your way to teaching your daughter everything she needs to know about fashion and style. Before long, she’ll be dressing with confidence and ease. This will serve her well as she enters adulthood and begins to build her own unique sense of style.
