Mother’s Day is this week! If the number of years you’ve been alive falls between 1 and 10, that means you’re spending at least three hours making her cards using every glittery art supply in your primary school classroom; if you’re 11-17, you probably don’t even know it’s Mother’s Day and definitely don’t plan on showing yours any affection; and if you’re 18-25, you’ve probably got an elaborate plan to show her just how much you love and appreciate her.
Because let’s face it, mums are THE BEST, but we don’t realize it until she isn’t there to cut the crusts off our sandwiches and tuck us into bed at night. My own mum has two degrees, speaks six languages, and can ride a motorbike, but personally I think her lot in life has always been to be a mother. She has given me many chunks of wisdom over the years: a room doesn’t count as clean unless it’s scrubbed, dusted and hoovered to perfection on a daily basis; eating carbs past 8pm makes you fat; a glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away; I could go on. But just to keep this post under 100,000 words, I’ll stick to lessons on the sartorial side of things – here’s what she’s taught me about style and how to dress:
1. LESS IS MORE…When I was younger I, clad in neon jewelry and graphic leggings (We all had an emo phase, OKAY?), would look at my mum’s standard clothes with disgust. Now I love her simple way of dressing. If you give everything about yourself away with an overly embellished outfit, what’s anyone going to have to be curious about? You should always walk the fine line of simplicity between “classy” and “boring” – kind of like if Diane Keaton and Audrey Hepburn took a trip to Tokyo.
Mum and I in Budapest (1995). The way she’s touching my head is SOOOO not tender #rude. But look at her dungarees!!
2. …BUT A BIT OF SPARKLE NEVER HURTS. I say you should stop wearing sequins when you’re out of primary school, but I guess my mum never got the memo. If she isn’t wearing a sequinned jumper or sparkly ballet flats, you can bet she’s got her glitter nail varnish – this woman, my friends, also wore a blue floral sundress and yellow Converse TO HER WEDDING. I’m on her case about her weird shiny fetish all the time, but it’s her thing, and I guess that makes it pretty cool (but don’t tell her I said that). Keep your outfits simple and clean, but always have something that makes it you.
3. MUM JEANS AND TRAINERS WILL NEVER DIE.They’ve made a comeback this year, but Mummy dearest and I have been rockin’ Levi’s 501’s and white Reeboks since my foetal stage. The jeans are super flattering and effortlessly cool, and while they cost practically millions to import to my mother’s beloved Budapest back in the 80’s, luckily you can now find them for less than £10 at any east London vintage boutique! As for the trainers…. White Converse, Reeboks, or Nike Air Force 1s are the coolest throwback shoe you can find.
Me in my first pair of Levi’s and combat boots. I am literally wearing the exact same outfit as I type this.
4. CLEAN SKIN AND FRESH PERFUME ARE THE BEST BEAUTY ACCESSORIES MONEY CAN BUY. So, I do not wear makeup, and neither does my mother. Sure, in my early teen years, I spent my pocket money on gloppy fuschia lip gloss and even gloppier black mascara, but I honestly cannot be bothered anymore. My mum has never worn makeup, but she takes such good care of her skin that you would never believe she’s number withheld years old. And after 19 years, I finally see her point: a clean, moisturized, glowing face looks amazing, so why would you want to hide it with thick foundations and powders? Take good care of your skin and let it breathe – you’ll feel better and your face will thank you when you’re middle-aged and have the metabolism of a sedated elephant.
Also, perfume: I used to think it was kind of a silly, unnecessary beauty product to place so much focus on, but scent can really attract or repel a person. It also plays an integral part in memory – smelling Clinique Happy makes me think of when my younger brother was born, and Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue reminds me of my high school graduation. As for my own perfume collection, I used to be all about Marc Jacobs Daisy, but for two years now I’ve been faithful to Thierry Mugler’s Angel – a tad overpriced, but I smell like chocolate so it’s fine.
What fashion, beauty, and life lessons has your mum taught you? Share in the comments! –VK xxx