New Mum Style

Isadora & Lady P: Eating the cardigan

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

Guest blog: Isadora Watts is a London -based writer and consultant. Her first baby, Lady P, was born in February. See her blog about her transatlantic adventures here. Isadora is guest blogging for our Feelgood Motherhood blog as she navigates new motherhood. Let us know what you think about Isadora’s posts on our Twitter feed or follow her on Twitter here.

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‘Why is the baby eating your cardigan?’ 5 year old niece asked.

I could see why she was confused. To the untrained observer it did look a bit like Lady P was eating my cardigan. In fact she was breastfeeding, through a gap between my vest and my cardy.

It strikes me that the ideal breastfeeding top might just be one that it looks as if the baby is eating. Yes, we do have the right to breastfeed wherever we like, unembarrassed. But there are political ideals, and personal preferences. And my personal preference is not to expose my enormous boobs to all and sundry. I’d also prefer to keep my softer-than-it-used-to-be belly to myself for a while longer. So I’ll all about cunning layers and discreet access.

This does not necessarily mean special breastfeeding tops, although a ‘nursing bra’ is an absolute must. I have a couple of breastfeeding vests I wear under regular, civilian tops and jumpers: the vest allows me to lift up my top to feed without exposing my tummy. Otherwise I wear a nursing bra underneath a shirt I can unbutton, or a top of which I can pull the neckline down (again, keeping my belly safely under wraps). Oversized boyfriend shirts and sloppy joe off-the-shoulder t-shirts are working overtime.

Best of all though are tops and dresses designed just for breastfeeding. They have the most cunning and discreet access of all, with no need for elaborate layers. I have worn my Babes with Babies Stella dress an awful lot.

The bubble hem disguises my tummy and the breastfeeding access is ingeniously discreet.

We love the bubble hem style

The Victoria top is similarly clever, and is long enough to wear over leggings and provide a nice smooth line over parts of me that are less than firm.

Fabulous tummy hiding top!

What’s your approach to breastfeeding in front of others? Do you don a scarf to hide the whole operation, or are you comfortable getting your Bristols out wherever you are?

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Posted in After giving birth, Breastfeeding, Feelgood Food, Looking good, Looking good, New Mum Style, Style Thoughts, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Isadora & Lady P: Dressing the Fourth Trimester Tum

Tuesday, March 19th, 2013

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We made it! The lovely Lady P arrived, and labour really wasn’t so terrible. I actually felt back to normal quite quickly after the birth. Five weeks later, and thanks to some great team work am getting a decent amount of sleep. So I feel really good.

Until I pass a mirror, that is. Then I do a double take. ‘Hang on, I’m sure I had that baby… what on earth is that belly all about?’

Apparently it takes six to eight weeks for your uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size – and that’s before the rest of your midsection muscles can hustle back to their normal positions. Even Gisele, photographed recently on the beach with sweet-but-unmistakable pooch, is not immune to the post-pregnancy belly. It’s a fact of new motherhood and only time (okay, and passing on the cake once in a while) will whittle it away.

One way to distract from a new mum (tiny) tum.

A baby is a good way to distract from a new mum (tiny) tum. Clever Gisele.

So while I’m waiting for the magic of breastfeeding and daily walks to do their work, I need to dress smart. After months of wearing fitted clothes proudly over my bump, I’m going back to the stuff I wore a lot in my early pregnancy.

Anything that draws a veil over exactly what’s happening around my midriff is my friend.

A lot of women still wear their maternity jeans in the fourth trimester, but I couldn’t wait to get out of mine. Instead I’m wearing the baggy old favourites that were always a size or two too big, and saw me through weeks 9 to 16. Muffin top is an ever present danger.

To further complicate matters, I’m breastfeeding which means thinking carefully about layering and access. And finally, I’m a little short on sleep so need to wear colours that flatter. Draining black is out for now, unless I temper it with some colour.

I have some oversized knits and big sloppy joe t-shirts that are fairly forgiving, but less than flattering. A smarter option is a longer jumper with a fitted waistband: I wear an old poloneck in this shape a lot, because I like the way it puffs out over my belly. Babes with Babies staple The Mariposa is a great example of the way a fitted waistband can disguise a tummy – and it’s breastfeeding friendly too. Tops with a bubble hem are good for the same reason. Next do some good ones: buy a size up, and bear in mind they don’t have built in breastfeeding access. I’m wearing my striped bubble-hem t-shirt an awful lot, over a breastfeeding vest.

I’m also hunting out anything loose and flowing in a light fabric– nothing clingy – that will take me through Spring. I love Wow at the Wolsely from the new Babes with Babies range – it’s cut to skim over the body, the soft colours are really flattering for tired skin.

Babydoll-Drawstring-Silk-Blouse---Blush-Pink--1

Fourth Trimester Flatterer

I hate to wish these precious weeks away but I must admit I’m rather looking forward to the days when there’s more of Lady P and less of me!

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Any thoughts and advice for Isadora as she assesses her new mum wardrobe options? Let us know on Twitter or adding your comments here. You can see more great tops for new mum tums here.

Tags: breastfeeding tops, fourth trimester, muffin tops, new mum style, new mum tums
Posted in After giving birth, After the birth, Breastfeeding, Looking good, New Mum Style, Style Thoughts, Uncategorized | No Comments »

A/W Trend Watch – Isadora on ladies in red

Friday, October 19th, 2012

Guest blog: Isadora Watts is a London -based writer and consultant, expecting her first baby early next year. See her blog about her transatlantic adventures here. Isadora is guest blogging for our Feelgood Motherhood blog as she works out the best ways to stay sane and stylish throughout her pregnancy.

Let us know what you think about Isadora’s posts on our Twitter feed or follow her on Twitter here. What are your style picks for this season?

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You’ll be pleased to hear that it’s still hip to be a lady. Ladylike dressing is huge this season, which is good news for us classy birds. The tricky thing, for those of us with a bump, or post-partum boobs and bump, is how to control our voluptuous curves in all this grown-up tailoring.

But there are some fantastic ladylike maternity options. Look for dresses fitted over the bust, with details like bows or buttons to lift the tailoring. Bb’s Jet Fox with its fabulous puffed sleeves is a great, high impact dress for when you’re feeling posh. Layer up a simple outfit with a Jackie O-style jacket: these are best worn open anyway, so you can shop non-maternity. Bb’s Classic Cape is another sweetly prim cover-up option, perfect over a ladylike day dress. And check out the adorable beaded collars at Hobbs and Marks and Spencer: a really cute way to dress up a plain round-necked t-shirt or dress.

Like berries? If so, you’ll be licking your lips this winter. Reds, purples and all those gorgeous berry shades in between are everywhere. Christopher Kane and Gucci’s shows were floor-to-wall-to-ceiling purple, and Valentino and Victoria Beckham had ladies in red marching down their catwalks in the A/W 2012 shows.

Wearing this look is easy. Find the shade of red or purple that suits you best: as a blonde, I look better in raspberry and lavender than tomato and royal purple, for example. Then buy anything lovely you can find in that colour: this isn’t a look for the shy and retiring, as for maximum impact it makes sense to wear it top-to-toe. I love Bb’s Curvalicious dress in Poppy, and the Anoushka top in Orchid. Pair them with shoes and a purse in the same or a similar hue, and step out with pride.

The aptly named ‘Curvalicious’ from Bb

For maximum impact, wear both trends at once. Bb’s Kate dress in berry is the perfect shape for a lady, and bang on the colour trend.

Posted in Maternity Style, New Mum Style | No Comments »

A/W Trend Watch – Isadora’s take on opulence

Monday, October 15th, 2012

Let us know what you think about Isadora’s posts on our Twitter feed or follow her on Twitter here. What are your style picks for this season?

Never mind economic reality – according to McQueen and Prada, this is the season of opulence. And who are we to argue?

This trend is all about black and gold, fabulous silk, satin and brocade, and many many embellishments. Think Oriental riches, or Rococo grandeur, but whatever you think think luxe.

Sounds like quite an investment, doesn’t it? Well, yes, it could be. If you are able to live the life of a Baroque duchess, you might enjoy this rather sumptuous McQueen cape, one of many decadent £545 from Net-a-Porter will suit you perfectly.

For the rest of us, there are some rather cunning ways to embrace this extravagant look for rather less money:

Fancy up your accessories with velvet gloves, studded pumps and embellished purses. Velvet gloves are a Department Store staple, and lots of High Street brands are doing velvet or soft suede pumps: try Aldo for a great range of fancy flats.
Seek sparkles and sequins for collars and cuffs. Bb London’s Va Va Vida dress is a great, wearable dress with decadent sequin detail. Wear with something purple or gold and feel fabulously imperial. A chunky gold brooch pinned to the ruffle of Bb’s Curvalicious elevates an already glamourous dress to an on-trend gem.

Bedeck your basics with decorations. Adorn your chic black dress (Bb’s Avalicious is an excellent base) with some golden trinkets. Add another layer of jewellery. And before you leave the house, throw some more on. With this look, more is more. And notice I say ‘golden’, not gold. Charity shop trinkets or Granny’s old costume jewellery are perfect for this look, and your black base layer anchors them with some class.

And finally… loll about with supreme indolence. My personal take on this trend is wafting around our flat in a much loved kimono, entreating my husband to wait on me hand and foot. ‘I’m pregnant…’ I remind him, ‘and what’s more, being spoilt is very on trend.’

Relaxing in the Eastern splendour of my kimono

Posted in Looking good, Maternity Style, New Mum Style, Style Thoughts | No Comments »

A/W Trend Watch – Isadora’s take on the military look

Thursday, October 11th, 2012

Let us know what you think about Isadora’s posts on our Twitter feed or follow her on Twitter here. What are your style picks for this season?

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The military look is a perennial favourite, but each year designers have a slightly different take. This season’s fashionista is dressed for combat duty, not parade. But this is a look which should not be worn too literally.

Look for details like zip pockets, button-up sleeves and epaulettes on your basics. If you can still get away with the loose-top-button-and-bump-band look, dig out your old cargo pants and top with a simple neutral t-shirt. Wear your favourite maternity jeans with tops in khaki, navy, grey, or any colour on the murky side of neutral. Bb’s Jessica Hope top in dove grey looks fabulous with boyfriend jeans and a chunky cuff.

Jessica Hope from Bb London

Hard working knits and heavy buckle boots are another great way into this trend. The knits don’t have to be maternity cut – see Topshop’s military jumper for a jumper you can buy a few sizes too big, and embrace a slouchy look. Too fitted is a little too, well, soldierly. Avoid army outfitters. Seek items which are sympathetic to the trend: Bb’s plaited friendship bracelets have a utilitarian, tough appeal, despite being a rather luxe and lovely frippery.

Gorgeous leather friendship bracelets

Posted in Maternity Style, New Mum Style | No Comments »

A/W Trend Watch – Isadora’s take on print

Monday, October 8th, 2012

Let us know what you think about Isadora’s posts on our Twitter feed or follow her on Twitter here. What are your style picks for this season?

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It seems the print explosion of summer is sticking around a while longer. This means classic florals and paisley, painterly abstract prints, and geometric patterns – sometimes all at once.

Extend the life of your summer and pre-maternity florals with some clever layering. I’m wearing an old favourite Liberty print shirt, unbuttoned and with the sleeves rolled up, over a long-sleeved maternity tee. Something like Bb’s Alexandra, with a bit of a scoop to the neckline, keeps the look pretty rather than grungy.

Pretty print shirts from Liberty

Feeling nervous wearing florals over winter darks? Don’t be: if you look closer, you’ll see a fine black or grey outline on even the lightest floral pattern. If you want to play it safe, anchor your printed stop with a colourful base layer: Gap do a great range of basic long sleeved t-shirts in different colours.

For extra fashion points, create a cheeky print clash. The easiest way to do this is by wearing a bolder patterned top over a stripey t-shirt, like Bb’s Stripetease. Or throw a scarf in a different pattern over your top – make sure they have a colour or two in common to keep the look chic.

The Stripe Tease top from Bb London

Posted in Maternity Style, New Mum Style | No Comments »

Stockholm Rules: Part 2. Keep it Simple (Swedish-style).

Monday, July 11th, 2011

“Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.”

Coco Chanel.

Observing the best-dressed women in Stockholm last weekend, I was full of respect for their pared-down fashion aesthetic.

Less is lovely.

It wasn’t their clothes that stood out so much; it was the way they made their wearer look. Tops and dresses with stunningly simple lines showed off beautiful faces. Everything clean and classic but beautifully cut.

I do think one of the mistakes we Brits often make is to think that simpler pieces can be bought cheaply & that they matter less. The truth is that stylish dressers often spend more money and time finding well-cut staples, made of beautiful fabric. This is where elegance lies.

Stylish, simple gorgeously-cut pieces are the best investments for maternity and breastfeeding-wear too. I firmly believe it’s better to have a few fabulous pieces in your pregnancy and postnatal wardrobe than lots of so-so ones.

Choose carefully and find clothes which flatter and feel good. A clean, lean look can also give you a lot of versatility; wardrobe heroes with minimal lines will look premium, elegant AND can be worn simply by day and zhushed up for parties.

The Mariposa top is a good example. A stunningly simple, beautifully cut black top in a delicious fabric (and with discreet and easy breastfeeding access).

Tags: breastfeeding style, maternity style
Posted in Breastfeeding, Maternity Style, New Mum Style, Style Thoughts | No Comments »

Stockholm Rules. Part 1: Play to Your Strengths.

Monday, July 11th, 2011

I’m lucky enough to have just spent a weekend in Sweden’s gorgeous capital city Stockholm. Sweden has been having a bit of a design moment in interiors for a while but it’s also having an impact on fashion, with iconic brands like Acne making a real mark (despite its unlikely brand name) – seen here worn by Kirsten Dunst.

I’ve spent a lot of time with Swedish friends recently and this is the second time I’ve been to the capital. The first was just with my lovely husband on a date weekend and truth be told, it was a lot more relaxing than the second one with the girls. Both were fun though. There’s an amazing children’s museum dedicated to the work of Astrid Lingren (Pippi Longstocking) which is fabulously done & well worth a visit. I love Pippi Longstocking – she’s a strong, funny and very inspiring female role model for girls in this world full of passive Barbies.

What really struck me, on both trips though, was the gorgeous ‘look’ of the women there; there’s a vibe which is very different to London, New York, LA or Paris. If you’re a Lady Gaga type or a die-hard fashion victim, you’d probably be disappointed, but for those of us who are interested in looking good rather than slavishly following trends I think there’s a lot to learn from the Swedes. They’ve certainly come a long way since Abba.

The general rules they seem to follow have a lot in common with the Bb design philosophy & are very useful for pregnant women or new mums.

So I thought I’d share four ‘rules’ from observing the stylish Swedes; useful to consider for anyone looking to make their wardrobe work hard and to feel their most fabulous.

Stockholm Rule No. 1: Play To Your Strengths

Many Swedes have enviable legs, lean and long (grrrh, slightly hate them). So this is why skinnies (with long boots or Converses) have been a huge look for them over the last couple of years – and when I was there in September they still were.

In summer, cute shorts were the look. The Swedes totally rock denim and little mini cute denim shorts look great. What is also smart is that the skinnies and the shorts were both teamed with beautiful billowy shirts and tops, giving an elegant silhouette which avoided the look being too slutty.

It’s like the classic make-up rule of choosing lips or eyes; balance it out for a gorgeous look that isn’t de trop.

Still-shapely legs? Looser tops with more tapered legs are a good postnatal look as the tops skim over a rounded new mum tum.

Preggers with good leggers? Our Supershorts are only £19.95 in the sale and great for a hot summer look.

The stylish Swedes who weren’t so blessed in the long limb department, sensibly made the most of their necklines with beautiful detailing showing off their décolletage instead. This is genius & again, a really good pregnancy and new mum tip – particularly as a burgeoning bump often comes hand in hand with an increased ‘Treasure Chest’ up top!

Show off your neckline: I love the detailing on our Chloe Crossover tops (pretty neckline and sleeves) which shows off shoulder blades and draws attention up to your face. Oh – and half-price in our current sale too…

So, it’s the ‘Play to Your Strengths rule (and one that needs to be updated as your body shape changes) – whether its a lovely neck, great chest or good legs. But always choose one part only to avoid overdoing things so I guess the addendum to the rule is ‘Choose One Bit Only’.

Result? You feel confident and your look has a beautiful balance. Even if, like me, you feel more like a turnip than a sexy Swede.

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Posted in After giving birth, Looking good, Looking good, Maternity Style, New Mum Style, Style Thoughts | No Comments »

The blusher (at That wedding)

Monday, May 9th, 2011

I promise this is my second and my last blog on the Royal Wedding. But I’m absolutely burning to say something about the star of the show:- Catherine Middleton’s blusher.

It was an interesting choice for her to do her own make-up; very brave and to be honest, very hard for me to understand. There are very few things in life I’d volunteer to do if someone else was expert and was willing to help with it! The base was flawless, the eyeliner a little heavier than some would have liked but the rosy pink blusher… well that was a tour de force.

I have spent years ignoring blusher, foolishly and to my peril.

I think that many people, like me, have been cautious of blusher fearing they’d end up with 80s stripes. It’s well worth getting it right. Pop into a beauty counter (Bobby Brown or Nars are both great) or splash out on a makeup lesson and learn how to do blusher well.

Or here’s the brilliant beauty guru Sali Hughes waxing lyrical about blusher too and also with great advice on how to do it. She believes its THE most important make up item. Blusher in the right place sculpts and freshens and well, it rocks. Frankly.

Pregnant? The main thing you’re supposed to do is glow. But if you’re not, fake it.

Tired new mum? If you’re going to live in black because it’s easy and slimming then you’ve got to make sure you slap on a bit of ‘Orgasm’ to stop you looking drained.

Knackered older mum? Blusher makes you look younger. It will highlight cheekbones (women get better face structure in their thirties and forties often – a small, positive side effect of ageing) and make you look all glowy and youthful.

Utterly gorgeous, skinny, polished, elegant regal bride? Hid the nerves and the sleeplessness from the day before (think she may have been a teensy bit nervous), made her look younger, even more polished and just rather fabulous. And it was all DIY. Respect to the bride and her clever cheeks.

The Blushing Bride

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Posted in Looking good, Looking good, New Mum Style, Photo Fabulous (Tips) | 3 Comments »

I think therefore I’m glam.

Sunday, April 17th, 2011

The longlegged perennial Jerry Hall was in the press recently talking about how important it is to ‘think yourself beautiful’.

Hmm. Oh yes Jerry, that must be so hard for such a short dumpy plain Jane girl like you. The glamorous mum-of-four Ms Hall is definitely no dumb blonde though and this has got me thinking. She has a point here…

Being attractive is inextricably linked with your mindset. You know how interested men all come at once? As poetry queen Wendy Cope put it so succinctly:
‘Bloody men are like bloody buses… You wait for about a year
And as soon as one approaches your stop,
Two or three others appear.’

Often this is simply because you’re confident thanks to attention from one man, and confidence just is incredibly sexy. I’ll bet you know someone who isn’t actually that beautiful but is gloriously attractive. Because she acts it. Because she believes it. And if she believes it then people around her will too. Beth Ditto’s uber-confidence is fabulous. And what about my dodgy icon of the moment: Wallis Simpson? Not a real beauty but she ensnared many a man and the respect of many a woman in her time. And what about you and me? Feel good about yourself. Think yourself beautiful. I’m going to try. Say it loud, say it proud: ‘I’m looking bloody gorgeous today!’

Let’s face facts here. At no point is it more important to have a positive mental mindset than as a new mother. How does one do it though? How do you avoid the ‘mummy mindset’ that focuses on the babysick and the larger bottom and focus on feeling beautiful? It’s not easy feeling glamorous or beautiful but I’ve noticed that a significant number of my friends have definitely become more gorgeous since having babies. It defies the obvious logic but I swear it’s true.

Sometimes it’s because they’ve relaxed a bit about how they look and they’re focused on other things so they’re enjoying themselves more. Sometimes it’s simply because they’re genuinely happy (yep, it can happen). Sometimes they have just discovered a great sense of perspective that shines from within. Or maybe they are cleverly ‘thinking themselves beautiful’.

Whatever, their secret, I say let’s all focus our minds on feeling beautiful. Choose the right clothes and it helps, naturally. Get some sleep and that also helps. But from today, let’s all look ourselves in the mirror, hold our heads up high and focus on the positive. Ignore the tum and the bags under the eyes, look for the glow and the shiny hair, find confidence in what you’re doing with your life. I am a mum of two. I am not statuesque or photogenic and I am older than I was. However, I’m so proud of my body for what it’s created. I’m proud that I’m learning to dress it as well as possible. Yes, I’d love to look like Kate Moss but I’d also love to write like Zadie Smith and borrow Zuckerberg’s bank account. These things just ain’t going to happen and wishing and complaining won’t make them so.

Smiling, standing tall and saying I am beautiful… that’s easy to do so I’m going to make a resolution today to do that.

Pregnant? People love to look at a pregnant woman. Really they do. You’re larger, yes but you’re making a new life. So cool, so beautiful. New mum? A new baby is the ultimate gorgeous accessory. Feel gorgeous, feel proud. Mummy, mama, maman, yes. Mumsy no.

Let’s all banish the ‘only a mum’ mumsy mindset and strut around a little today! It’s not very British and it’s not really in line with the fashionable ‘self-deprecation’ of the British woman these days but it’s easy and I bet it’ll work. Next time you have to walk into a party, or a cafe and you feel frumpy/fat/nervous just find a way to ‘think yourself beautiful.’ Say to yourself ‘I’m looking gorgeous today’. If nothing else it’ll put an attractive smile on your face!

Think it. Believe it. You’re beautiful you are.

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