The relationship between high fashion and real life can be tenuous at the best of times, let alone when you’ve just had a kid. Clothes with huge price tags that can’t go near a washing machine feel all the more irrelevant when your daily routine is nappies, nursery, playground. And I’m sure no designer has ever created a collection and thought “ah, but can she dangle a child over the travel potty in it?”.
When Alfie was a few months old I logged in to a luxury e-tailer’s seasonal trend report and felt like I was being shown a parallel universe. Puffy sleeves and platform sandals were in – I hadn’t changed out of a big T-shirt and leggings for weeks.
HOWEVER. I love fashion. I want fashion. And when I'm knee-deep in weekly meal planning, the wash pile is enormous and motherhood is threatening to flatten me, I *need* fashion to, if nothing else, add the glamour and gloss back into life.
I'm thinking about this especially at the moment because it's the start of a new season and all the new trends are around. I'm not about slavishly following the catwalks, but incorporating nods to what’s going on is the way to make everyday dressing that bit more current and on-point (aka you’re not just wearing a white shirt and black trousers - you’re doing 90s Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy/ The Row).
And you can dress ‘this season' while also being child-proof. It’s just about picking the right pieces and doing a little style tweak here and there. Here’s what I’m thinking.
The polo shirt
A couple of weeks ago I talked about collared knits being a great way to update your jeans – polo shirts do the same thing but with added preppiness. They’re very Miu Miu SS24 and perfect for in-between weather when it’s too warm for jumpers/ too cold for just T-shirts.
The bold stripe on Mango’s rugby polo (£45.99) is going to liven up your trench coat and blue jeans. The navy and green would also look great with sand chinos. I love the idea of layering a classic Oxford shirt underneath; the stripe clash makes the whole outfit look styled and expensive.
Continuing the quest to find Bretons that don’t make me feel dowdy, COS’ white/navy cotton stripes (£45) have that classic marinière look but with a fresher, undone feel. French tuck into your jeans/joggers/black trousers now, wear loose over a pair of denim shorts at the sandpit this summer.
The massive bag
Not only is fashion having a big bag moment, it’s having a full bag moment, too. Huge overstuffed totes were a thing on the catwalk (Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu, Givenchy, Balenciaga) - talk about art imitating life. But there’s something quite nice in knowing that when you’re heaving around your bag full of kids’ crap, you’re actually being terribly en vogue.
A colourful tote is an easy way to bring springy brights to your look. This fun stripy style (£35) is reminiscent of the Isabel Marant Darwen I am desperate for, but at a price I’m happy to chuck into the bottom of the buggy.
Give me a bit of Ganni any day. This denim tote (£115) is robust enough to withstand a few knocks in the park, but has luxe-factor when you want to give a little something extra at the pub.
The low-key blazer
Tailoring and kids aren’t an obvious pairing. In fact, blazers felt the most alien in my wardrobe after I became a mum – I think because they reminded me of the office. However, tailored jackets are in the air this season and for the first time in ages, I want to wear one. Not only to stop me feeling scruffy in super-casual outfits, but also because they're a useful lightweight jacket that I can wear on a day out with the kids and stash in a bag when things get too hot and manic.
The key is to do a single breast and relaxed, oversized cut – like Stories’ wool jacket (£175) – which looks low-key French girl rather than corporate. As previously discussed, I’m hooked on beigey tones at the moment, but if you want something darker this same jacket in navy, or this grey style would both be very useful and easy to wear.
I recently saw a fashion mum at the nursery gates in a leather blazer and haven’t been able to shake the idea. She was wearing it over wide trousers and a T-shirt and, it looked so effortless yet put together – plus, wipe clean. This from Massimo Dutti (£299) is going to give the same cool edge to your outfits as a biker, but in a more understated 90s way.
The soft trouser
This season's big trousers are great for when you want a change from jeans and joggers. To make them all-day comfy and up their grab-and-go appeal, try a ‘soft’ pair with an elasticated or drawstring waistband. There are loads of linen styles around which will come into their own over the summer (I lived in these last year). As will the striped PJ pants the fashion girls are wearing (I dream of these from Frankie Shop with grey cashmere).
But for now, Comme Si’s flannel (£141) are a chic loungewear-to-outdoor option. The boxer detailing gives them a menswear vibe which will work so well with a tank and oversized shirt - or subverted with a little cardi and Mary Jane's (more on which below).
These from M&S (£27.50) are in a similar vein, but the front crease introduces a tailored element which plays beautifully with a slouchy jumper. I haven't tried these on, but my suspicion is that sizing up will make the fabric look more generous and expensive.
Essentiel Antwerp’s cotton wide-legs (£230) are essentially poshed-up track pants that are begging to be worn with the above blazers and some hoops.
The new flats
The next few weeks is always a tricky one for shoes; boots start to feel too heavy, but it's not yet warm enough for slides and sandals.
Everyone is talking about ballet pumps right now and I think they’re a chic in-between solution providing that 1: they have a Mary Jane strap to stop them flapping off on the nursery dash. And 2: they're a little higher cut on the foot to keep playground dirt out. These from COS (£115) feel stylish and doable, and I love how they're going to totally change up jeans and jumpers.
OR! Boat shoes. Again these were done on the Miu Miu catwalk and the more I see them, the more they make sense; they're flat, slip-on, comfortable (so I’m told) and brown cuts through spring colours nicely. These (£98) with one of the above polo shirts and a pair of jeans would be a quick and easy chef's kiss of an everyday look.
One more thing…
Something I underestimated when I had kids was how often my socks would be on show. At soft play, on playdates, in drafty church halls, at baby sensory classes. No shoes, just socks. So this season's styling tip for adding a red sock (like these, £9) is perfect, and such a simple way to make your outfit feel more now.
That’s all for now. You’re doing great, Frankie x
Thanks so much and huge congratulations! I hope you're both doing really well. I had c-sections too and remember this stage very well! Soft waistbands were all I wanted to wear. So, nice pj trousers that are ok for leaving the house in - try a classic blue grandad stripe worn with big jumper/shirt and trench (arket, hush, comme si, m&S have striped linen pair, nobody's child) Or chic joggers from Varly, me+em, reiss. American Vintage has fun bright styles. Try a wide leg pair if you don't want to do a sporty look. OR these elastic-waist COS jeans are good: https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/trousers/product.wide-leg-fluid-denim-trousers-blue.1209795001.html
Also The Underdays knickers are high waist and so soft and a lovely shape. I still wear them!
Adore your substack Frankie! As a brand new mum (12 weeks PP) struggling with her postpartum body and unable to wear any of her old wardrobe due to enormous growth in size (size 8 to now a 14) - what would you recommend for someone desperate to get out of leggings but can’t yet fit in jeans (C-section tummy and huge bum!) Thanks x