Can I wear a suede jacket with small kids?

Plus! An exclusive MUMISH discount on the best pants

Happy Mother's Day! I hope you've all been given nice wine and not had to touch a poo.

This week we’re talking spring jackets. There are a few options in the mix to consider: the barn, the cropped trench, the cargo, the leather (time to pull out your old biker). Thanks to Prada the nerdy anorak is having a fashion moment, too. How practical! Get thee to a Mountain Warehouse.

However, the jacket I so desperately want to wear right now is suede. In tobacco brown to give my jeans luxe tactility and a subtle seventies twist.

Sadly my current life is hostile towards such a high maintenance fabric. The likelihood of that soft, velvety nap getting ruined by a splodge of paint, smear of snot or swoosh of felt tip is far too high. And considering how pricey this season’s high street offering is the risk isn’t worth it. So I can't have one… or can I?

The other day I bumped into a friend who was on her way to collect her toddler from nursery and had her newborn strapped to her chest, wearing a suede jacket. It was a bit battered and marked and very much lived in, but looked absolutely great. Even the dark patch on the pocket where a bottle of olive oil had spilt added a sense of laissez faire ease. It all felt so authentic. And unbothered. And cool.

Her’s was a family hand-me-down, which rather fabulously turned out to be ancient Hermès. But it got me thinking, perhaps I've been approaching suede all wrong. Rather than attempting the impossible of keeping it box-fresh, why not lean into the chaos and embrace something old with a more characterful aesthetic?

Inspired, I’ve spent most evenings this week searching for second-hand suede that is a) way cheaper than what's on the high street and b) already a bit rough around the edges therefore removing any need to feel precious about it.

The enduring popularity of suede over the decades means there's a lot of pre-loved pieces around. While I haven’t come across any vintage Hermès for a snip, I have bought a very nice cropped Mango jacket for £40 on Vinted which I'll be chucking over T-shirts for playground and pub garden hangouts as soon as it arrives.

To save you the scroll, I've pasted the rest of the best from my search below. Before we get there though, a few tips you may find helpful:

• Real Deal: double check you're buying real suede not suedette. Listings are sometimes misleading, so you want specific mention of genuine suede/leather and ideally an image of the fabric label.

• Smoke-Free: I recently spoke to Clare Lewis, founder of Retold Vintage for a newspaper feature and she advised that smoke odours are impossible to remove from leather (and therefore suede) so it’s worth checking pieces come from a smoke-free home before buying.

• Doable Repairs: Clare also mentioned that small nicks and tears can be repaired with a specialist glue.

• Easy Clean: If your jacket needs a clean, start by brushing off any loose dirt with a suede brush, then use an eraser to remove marks. I’ve used this on suede shoes and it works like a charm. Then brush again to restore the nap. The internet tells me you can use a water/ white vinegar solution on water marks. For grease and oil, it suggests covering the stain in cornflour, leaving overnight then brushing off.

• Storage: Hang your jacket in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight so the colour doesn’t fade. Don’t fold as it will crease.

8 of the best pre-loved suede jackets I’ve found under £150

Vintage, size L\12, £40

Karen Millen, size M, £65

Neuw, size M, £45

Lakeland, size L/12, £85

Mango Size M/10, £39.99

Vintage size L, £100

Vintage, size 14, £150

Holland & Holland, size 14, £99.52 (or best offer)

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The best pregnancy, postpartum and beyond pants

I was introduced to Underdays just after my daughter was born and got hooked on wearing the high-waisted briefs which sat above my C-section scar and looked far more attractive than my other ginormous pants. They are remarkably comfortable and soft – no digging in, rolling down, disappearing up your bum, etc. And the cross-over detailing is very flattering. I have since bought more and wear them regularly. Even the thong is comfy.

This week I was at an event with the brand’s co-founder Amelie, who mentioned the crossover at the front has been slightly lowered so as to better fit under a bump. So now you can wear them while pregnant, too. And a new range of colours has just launched - how great is the below terracotta?

I’ve kindly been given a code to share in case you’re in the market for refreshing your underwear drawer. Use FRANKIE20 when checking out online for 20% off your entire order. Enjoy!

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One more thing…

My son has very much entered his LEGO era which I’m delighted about as now I know what to tell people to get him for birthdays/Christmas. We’re still in the free play stage (limited attention span for instructions) but for kids who are a little older and want something to do over the Easter hols, the new series of Creativity Workshops might be of interest. If you are near a store between 6th-13th April, book an IRL class for £5. OR tune into the free online workshop hosted by none other than Nadine Coyle of Girls Aloud fame. Entertainment for them, a fun noughties flash back for you!

OMG The Promise is such a banger.

That's all for now. You're doing great, Frankie x

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