"Mum-friendly" clothes: What I've Worn

Who said us mamas can't get dressed up?

Who said we need to ditch the heels?

Who said we should live in baggy clothes, all day, every day?!

Well, let's be realistic... Any new mama will know how hard it is to feel sexy, let alone look it. When you're dealing with sleep deprivation, changing diapers all day, cleaning vomit off your clothes, stuffing nursing pads into your bra, staring at your wobbly stomach (why didn't those Recovery Shorts work?!), it's hard to get excited about looking good. However, why shouldn't we? While I do spend most of the week in casual, breast-feeding-friendly clothes, I will never say no to an opportunity to get dressed up. 

The past six months have been pretty wonderful getting back into some old clothes. I was told I'd never see another pair of heels again. Or, that some of my clothes were not 'mum-friendly'. One thing I've learned in the past six months as a new mum is that we are made to feel guilty about everything. Well, one thing I'm definitely not going to feel bad about is my desire to retain a sense of my old self. 

Now,  where are those heels?

Outfit Edit: Top by Carla Zampatti, Skirt by Cotton On & Shoes by Urban Soul.

Off-the-shoulder: fail proof, my go-to when I have nothing else to go to. This one is particularly luxurious and a loved item in my wardrobe. 

Outfit Edit: Top by Bardot & Skirt by Nicola Waite

This top has probably been the most worn item in my wardrobe. I've had it for years and I hope to still be rocking it in when I'm 50. It is breastfeeding friendly and always makes me feel like I'm on some tropical island. 

Now, where's that cocktail?   

Oh, here it is! Most of my outfits are determined by my mood. Here I am on date night with hubby. We visited Matt Moran's Chiswick in Woollahra and had such a lovely time. We promised each other not to spend most of the night talking about our son- a promise I found myself breaking often through out the night. Nonetheless, it felt really nice to be out baby-free, talking to hubby about life and what not. Dare I say it, but it actually felt like we were on our first date (haha!).

Outfit Edit: Vintage top, Premonition Skirt, Bag by A.Wang and Shoes by Lipstick

Outfit Edit: Pants by Cameo The Label & Shoes by Nine West

My love for leopard print extends all the way to my feet. I've been living in these since becoming a mummy. There's a heel, but still comfortable enough to get around with a pram, baby, shopping bags, baby bag, baby carrier...you get my drift.

Outfit Edit: Dress by Manning Cartell

Outfit Edit: Jumper by Dotti, Bag & Boots by Witchery.

Layering is not my thing. Never has been, never will be. I truly believe it is an art form, one in which many Sydneyians are not very good at. We have a lot to learn from Melbournians when it comes to layering. It just doesn't get cold enough here in Sydney for us to perfect this skill. Our winters are kind to us, allowing only slight variations from Autumn dressing. Every winter I tell myself I will layer better than the last...and every winter no improvement is ever made.

Outfit Edit: Jumpsuit by Zimmermann & Cardigan by Nicola Finetti 

Jumpsuit. Leopard print. Breastfeeding friendly. This outfit just made sense. My husband questioned why I was so overdressed when we were only having dinner locally on a week night. I told him he was lucky I wasn't wearing a gown. When you spend most of your days wearing sports gear (it's easier to get around in with bub) any opportunity to get dressed is an opportunity I don't like to miss.

Outfit Edit: Clutch by Cue, Top by Shieke & Skirt by Willow

While I was pregnant, hubby came home one evening and kindly filled me in on some fashion news. When you live in your pjs, watch TV and eat crackers all day, any news is good news. Even when it's from your style shy husband. 

"What?" I asked. 

The crop top. This really wasn't news to me. When this trend first surfaced, I had a real love-hate relationship with it. I had to kindly remind myself that this trend would have been taken up by my fifteen year old self, not so much as a twenty seven year old, and definitely not in my mummy-to-be state. As my tummy grew bigger, and those beautiful red lines surfaced (over night, I might add), I had a sudden urge to go crop. Stranger things have happened in my pregnancy, I promise! 

I purchased this crop top around three months post-partum from Shieke. I liked the thick fabric and how there was some structure. To balance the look and make sure I didn't look like I was about to break out in dance at a festival, I wore a long skirt. 

Outfit Edit: Dress by Zimmermann

I am a sucker for pieces that have kick ass structure. This dress is no exception.

Outfit Edit: Top by Fleur Wood & Shorts by Camilla & Marc

This picture was taken on the weekend 5 months after giving birth. It felt good to finally be able to get back into these (muffin top and all).  

Outfit Edit: Kookai Dress

It's always fun to add some colour to your wardrobe. I believe everyone should wear one colour they normally wouldn't (at least once in their life time). After you do it, you might surprise yourself by making more out-of-the-norm fashion choices.  

Outfit Edit: Dress by Ben Sherman

Outfit Edit: Dress by illionaire, bag by Saint Laurent & Heels by Lipstick

I promise this is a dress and not a top!

Top by Sass & Bide, Cardigan by Mossman, Pants by Camilla & Marc and Shoes by Tony Bianco.

What are you wearing? 

Are you trying to look like M.C Hammer?!

I love these pants...even though no one else does. As much as I love structure, some days it feels pretty awesome to just dress like I don't care. 

Outfit Edit: Dress by Jayson Brunsdon, Shoes by Tony Bianco and Coffee from Top Paddock

If I've got a bold print like leopard on, I usually prefer to calm the look down by wearing it in a loose-fitting way (particularly for day-time wear). This shapeless dress (which I grabbed at Myer's Mid-season sale in Chadstone, Melbourne) is probably one of my favourite purchases this year. 

The coffee was also pretty amazing. 

Jumpsuit by Staple the Label, Cardigan by Nicola Finetti, Bag by Witchery & Coffee by a wonderful barista  in Bondi Westfields

More leopard print. More coffee. 
Life is looking up.  

Outfit Edit: Sunnies from House of Harlow

Outfit Edit: Dress by Arthur Galan, Boots by Zoe Wittner & Bag by A.Wang

All leather for a mid-week dinner with the girls.

These peep-toe boots are my absolute fav. Admittedly, I am not really much of a shoe person (even though my husband is). I find it hard to invest good money on a pair of shoes (the way I would for bags or clothes)- only because I can't justify spending a lot on something that befriends the ground. However, I am very much aware that shoes can make or break an outfit.

Outfit Edit: Dress by Shakuhachi

It was 40 degrees one Sunday and I thought it fitting to wear a black frilly dress. 

Obviously I was crazy. 

Outfit Edit: Top by White Suede, Shorts by Camilla & Marc, Shoes by Robert Robert and Bag by Mulberry

As soon as I gave birth I used these shorts as a guide to my weight loss. The goal was to get back into them- and fast (why do we set such unrealistic expectations on ourselves??!) At first, they wouldn't zip (what did I expect, seriously???) It took me a few months to wear them comfortably, however I'm not sure if that's because I actually lost any weight or if they've stretched from all the squeezing I've done!?!

Outfit Edit: Top by Shakuhachi

More frills. 

More to come. 

I promise.