Still, the thrill of clicking ‘add to basket’ is real! I figure I can use these new clothes as motivation for dropping some of these extra pounds and keeping me away from all the cake that seems to be a feature of every single mother-and-baby group I go to...
Black embroidered kimono | Zara
A kimono is one of those really versatile pieces that I think I’ve been missing for a while. Just as at home as a beach cover-up, or layered over a tshirt and jeans, there’s something perennially stylish about one.
As this one is a dark colour, it also seemed like it could work as an evening cover-up as well. I loved the embroidered details, they’re super pretty. And the loose waist belt means that I can wear this straight away too.
I’m having to pick clothes at the moment that I can breastfeed in, and this would work well. With a skirt, opaques and ankle boots this piece will easily transition into autumn as well.
Orange tassel earrings | Zara
Tassel earrings are the juggernaut of a trend that shows no signs of stopping, and I love it! This is the third pair I've bought.
Shorter, tufted tassels are a style I haven't got and I loved the bright orange colour of these - it's like summer distilled. These have a handcrafted look that’s really cool.
Mustard studded bag | Zara
I was also on the lookout for a yellow bag. Bright colours aren’t normally my thing, but I’d seen a few outfits featuring a bright bag that brought a welcome jolt of colour to a plainer look, and I began to think I’d really like one.
There’s something nice about yellow - it goes just as well with denim cutoffs and playsuits in summer as it does with thick wool coats in the autumn and winter. Zara’s accessories are always nice quality, and when I found this reduced to £9.99 in the same via their app, it had to be mine.
The bag is a really nice middle size, not too big and not too small, and it has metal studded details down the seam of the bag that give it a further design twist.
‘The eBay Dress’ striped button midi | eBay
So, I've recently joined a great Facebook group called ‘Can I Breastfeed In It?’, which is dedicated to - you guessed it - finding outfits that are easy to feed your baby in.
One thing I didn't realise until I had Theo was how restrictive it can be for your wardrobe in the months following the birth. Even if you can fit back into your old clothes, you find a lot of them aren’t practical for feeding.
There is a ‘hall of fame’ list of garments which mamas have given their collective seal of approval to, and topping the list is this, simply known as ‘The eBay Dress’.
It's low-cost, flattering to postpartum figures, comfy, easy to feed in and good for quite a few occasions, plus it comes in a tonne of patterns and colours. Midi dresses and button-through styles are also super popular right now, so it's quite on trend.
I couldn't resist ordering this blue stripe version which has quite a ‘Roman Holiday’ vibe about it. Paired with some colour pop sandals, this will be ideal.
Cheetah print jumpsuit | TU at Sainsbury's
They came in watermelon and pineapple prints for summer, which is far too cutesy for me and not my style at all. But when I saw they launched this cheetah print version, it went on my shopping list straight away.
I really like the print and the darker colourway - much more me. This will be great for throwing on with a leather jacket to run around after my kids in. The acid test is that I would totally wear this even if I wasn’t working around the feeding thing - that’s just a happy bonus!
Lace long line bralets | Marks & Spencer
Maternity bras are perhaps the worst aspect of having a baby for me - shapeless, unattractive and usually not very flattering! You can’t wear anything underwired for the first few months, which I loathe.
After a lot of trial and error, I found some plain crop-top style maternity bras that work for me, but if you’re wearing something where the straps are visible, they don’t look good.
Enter the M&S lace bralet, a hall of famer on the group. They come in a variety of pretty colours and lacy finishes.
They aren’t designed for feeding a baby, but the cups are soft so you can just slip them down as needed anyway, they’re supportive, and if you wear something where a hint of bra shows, it's pretty and looks deliberate!
So, I treated myself to a black one, a magenta floral patterned one and a soft blue.
Leopard print shift dress | Whistles
I may have been on a liiiiiiiiittle bit of a dress kick here! (Sorrynotsorry…)
Whistles do the best shift dresses - the perfect medium where they aren’t too fitted, and not too baggy - that just make me feel really comfortable.
This is the ideal dress for pretty much any occasion, from office to night out and even dressed down with trainers. I love me a little leopard print - it's a perennial classic in my book. It seems to be getting popular again this season, but it's never been unpopular with me.
Powder blue shirt dress | Whistles
How gorgeous is this? I love the powder blue shade, which is very 60s, and the soft drape of the material with a hint of tailoring with the pocket details. The whole silhouette is very flowing and elegant, but still sharp. Just perfect,
This would be gorgeous for holidays with flat tan sandals or dressed up with heels for a night out. This has a relaxed but smart vibe I couldn't resist.
Grey jersey zip dress | Whistles
This dress has some subtle, interesting design details of the sort that Whistles do so well.
There are flared, almost kimono-style sleeves that drape elegantly from the shoulder. Moulded panelling seams along the front to provide some subtle shape and contour. Two zip details at the hem that allow you to flash some more leg if you like.
Plus you can wear this two ways, with the deep V-neckline either at the front or the back. I love the versatility of this piece.
Yellow patterned skirt | Joules
Although my style is quite monochrome, I do love a jolt of bright colour to mix things up, and this bright yellow skirt with its bold, baroque pattern stood out to me.
This would look sensational with a chunky roll neck, tights and ankle boots and equally as good with a black vest and heels in the evening. It's a really eye-catching print that works for all seasons.
White shirt dress | Monki
A white shirt dress is something I will always have in my wardrobe in one variation or another. I liked this one because it's fuller-skirted and more A-line than others I have had.
That should mean that it's comfortable and breezy for hot days, and the top buttons down so that I can also wear it while I'm feeding Romilly. It's a simple classic.
‘Eloise’ tasselled clutch | Stella and Dot
How stunning is this little clutch? I can never resist Stella and Dot bags - they are beautifully well made, usually with clever designs - and I find myself with an ever growing collection!
This beautiful tasselled clutch bag caught my eye a while back, but I waited until it went on sale until I pounced! With black and blush silky fringing, it’s the sort of bag that adds a big dose of impact to anything you wear, no matter how plain.
Perfect for pairing with an LBD or a cut-out blouse with tailored trousers, it would add some serious glamour wherever it goes.
Black eyelash pouch | Stella and Dot
And while I was at it, this happened too! I couldn't resist also snapping up this super cute little makeup bag and adding it to my order as well.
I really like the black-on-black finish and the embroidered eyelashes on the front are perfect for me, because I'm all about the flutter! There's a pretty black and white patterned lining inside too, and it's really well made.
This makes such a perfect little essentials pouch to stash my lip balm, hair ties and keys in when I'm out and about.
‘Aubrey’ tan crossover mules with mirrored heels | Kurt Geiger
My favourite shoe shop Kurt Geiger are having an epic sale right now, and I decided to treat myself to a couple of new pairs. With shoes, I seem to either buy none for ages or several pairs all at once.
This pair, I actually spotted on one of my style crushes, Millie Mackintosh. She was wearing them on her recent honeymoon in Santorini with a blue Bardot midi dress, and they looked amazing. I wanted them immediately!
When I saw they had gone in the sale, there was no question, I took it as a sign we were meant to be. I love the combination of the simple tan leather crossover and the statement mirrored black heel. So chic!
Navy tweed embroidered unicorn flats | Kurt Geiger
I also spotted these intricately embroidered flat mule slippers in the sale too. I basically live in flats, and I'm always on the lookout for nice ones that have something a little quirky that makes them stand out. I tend to favour quite pared back clothes, so accessories are where I try to add a bit of something different.
These are also lined with soft black faux-fur, so they'll keep my toes toasty when the chill kicks in.
Hannalicious Golden Glamour case | Ideal of Sweden
Ever since Ideal of Sweden phone cases popped up on my feed I've been a little bit obsessed, and as I've just switched phones it was the perfect time to treat myself.
If you haven't come across this brand before, their phone cases are the most beautiful, Instagrammable designs I've seen in ages. It's a historic moment for me, because after decades of iPhones, I've jumped ship and ditched Apple for the new Galaxy S9 Plus. The features and the quality of the camera are so amazing, and the new iPhone X is just insanely overpriced without bringing anything above the S9 Plus to the table.
Of course, none of my old cases fit, so it was a good excuse to order a new one. This design is part of a collaboration with Insta-celeb Hannalicious, but really I just liked the marbled design. The case is really nice quality, and they have some other great designs I have my eye on.
Highly recommended if you're after something to give your phone a makeover.
Teal rubber ankle strap sandals | Melissa + Pedro Lourenco
Despite not having much call to wear heels these days sometimes a pair speak to me and ask me to hand over my money, and these beauties appealed to me. I have a few weddings and parties coming up, so they might get an airing soon.
One of the main things I look for in heels, to tell the honest Grandma-ish truth, is that they don't hurt my feet too much (yep, I'm definitely old. I even take a coat with me when I go out, too!).
Although these are quite high, because they have a thick ankle strap and a concealed platform at the front, under the ball of the foot, these are actually quite comfy!
Melissa are a brand that makes jelly shoes basically - I have a pair of their flats that I quite literally wear to death - so these are made of an unusual rubber material. You could get them with the ankle strap in either hot pink or this teal colour, and it was a really hard decision, but I slightly preferred the teal.
They would go with quite a lot as the main parts are black and nude, so hopefully I'll be able to give them a proper airing soon.
Leopard print loafers | Asos
It's strange what essentials become a part of your style language over the years. There are definitely pieces that I'm forever re-buying in slightly different formats - the leather pencil skirt, the long-sleeved Breton top, rollneck jumpers, pointed flats - and leopard print loafers also fall into that category.
They add a great dash of personality to classic outfits - just enough of an edge to keep things interesting. I had an amazing studded pair from Topshop a couple of years back and I have worn them until they were literally falling apart at the seams, so it was time to kit myself out with a new pair.
I just love their ability to turn skinnies and a silky blouse or a plain knit into a pulled together look, through some weird alchemy. Its similar to the effect red lipstick has of making you look 'done' - leopard always looks intentional and makes your random, whatever-is-on-top-of-the-laundry-pile ensemble into a look.
Basically, they're a lazy style hack, which I live for. A great option for anyone with good intentions but limited time and screaming children!
So, that's been my style haul lately. What have you found to love for the beginning of Autumn?
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