Since it’s Mother’s Day this weekend, I decided to head out onto the streets of Manchester - chiefly New Cathedral Street and Exchange Street - in search of the city’s best dressed mums.
While some were having ‘me’ days, others were out with their children with one daughter saying her’s was ‘the best mum’ - aren’t they all, right?
Many of the parents I’ve spoken to in the months I’ve been doing Steal Their Style have often commented on how their style has changed over the years, and particularly since becoming a mum. However, others refuse to let having children change their style, holding on to their pre-parenting identity post-pregnancy, too.
READ MORE: Beauty lovers waking up with ‘glowing skin’ after using ‘game changer’ face tan
I feel very fortunate to have a pretty fashionable mum, myself. In fact, I’ve raided her wardrobe on more than one occasion and inherited outgrown garments, shoes and handbags.
And while doing this weekly feature, I’ve heard others say much the same. ‘Oh this top is my mums’ or ‘I’ve borrowed this from mum’s wardrobe’. And what our mums were wearing in the 90s is seemingly all back in style, too - funny old thing the fashion cycle, isn’t it?
This week I’ve chatted to some fabulous women about their outfits and their style identity as a mum. Here are the five fashionable mums I spotted in town this week, and how you can Steal Their Style.
Caroline Lockley
Caroline was considered to be a ‘mature’ mum when she got pregnant with her son, Harry, at 38. The 56-year-old, from Keighley, Yorkshire, wanted to focus on growing her business - which specialises in Christmas products - before starting a family.
She said: “As a woman in business, the minute you have kids life changes and there’s a glass ceiling. I know if I had kids when my friends were having them that I wouldn't be able to achieve what I wanted in my career.
“But, I think I have a young outlook on life, I don't think age should define how you dress or what you do. I don't feel the number that I am.”
Caroline wore a Girls of Dust coat with some John Lewis trousers and a Toast scarf. She added: “Most of my wardrobe is from Toast because they accommodate for bigger ladies.”
She paired the look with some Asics trainers and a blue beanie hat, telling me her husband, Rodge, is ‘infinitely more trendy’ than her, while son, Harry, is rather ‘anti-fashion’.
I love that Caroline’s look really shows off a part of her personality and the jacket really brings something fun and cool. I’m also very fond of the blue tones in the scarf, hat and trousers all tying into the weave of the coat.
Amy Bryan
Mum-of-two Amy was out shopping with her partner, picking up some jeans having lost some weight on a Slimming World diet. The 32-year-old, from Stoke-on-Trent, works full time while caring for her two tots, aged three and one.
She paired a blazer, shirt and jeans from Primark with a pair of Gregson boots and a Gucci handbag, blending high street with high fashion to elevate her look.
She said: “I think you can team a couple of cheaper pieces with something nicer and it makes it all look more expensive. And these boots just keep going - they’re three years old now!
“I opt more for comfort as a mum, I'm glad fashion is quite relaxed post-covid. Mum jeans are brilliant, they’re so much more comfortable than skinny jeans. They’re so practical and I’m just conscious of not being too mumsy. Looser jeans and stretchy clothes are the way to go.”
Amy is a big fan of the athleisure aesthetic, and loves an Instagram account called Styled By Sheridan which pieces together mostly neutral outfits to offer up inspiration.
Laura Tickle
Whitefield mum Laura was out with her daughter doing a spot of shopping in the city centre this week. The 41-year-old loves Amanda Holden’s style, while Revolve is her favourite place to shop for a ‘going out’ look.
She said: “I do like a lot of what Amanda Holden wears but a bit more toned down because I don't have her figure, but I think she’s awesome.”
The mum-of-two wore a coat from a Kendall boutique which was £100 down from £300, with a Boden jumper, jeans and Tommy Hilfiger boots.
She added: “When you first have children your style changes because you become a different person but then some of that old person comes back and as you grow - as everybody should - your fashion changes and your body changes, so your everyday style changes too.”
Jane Perrons
Jane Perrons was having a day out with one of her two daughters, and was about to head to 20 Stories in Spinningfields when I stopped her for a chat. This wasn’t just any day out. This was Jane’s first proper day out in three months.
The 54-year-old, from Holmfirth, fell while walking in the Yorkshire Moors, breaking her leg in three places - days later, the assistant head teacher lost a tooth, before being diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time.
She said: “It’s been a challenging few months but I think we’re on the way out. It’s a rollercoaster but today feels like a fresh start. I’ve been given the okay to do a little bit of weight bearing so it’s my first proper day out since before Christmas.”
Not going out much has meant that Jane’s wardrobe hasn’t seen the sunny streets for a while, but she had some pretty boujee pyjamas to wear in the meantime. She added: “I’ve not been able to wear much of my wardrobe but some lovely friends bought me some White Company pyjamas and White Company bedding, so that’s been my cloud.”
Today, Jane wore an almost entirely charity shop-bought look, including a pair of £5 Topshop shoes, £5 M&S trousers and a real cashmere jumper that was also a fiver secondhand.
She said: “I love a bargain, I just like to see what’s out there and then see what I can find for a fraction of the cost. I did buy the coat in store at H&M, though.
“I quite like Holly Willoughby’s style, I also follow The Fashion Lift and a few other Instagram accounts for inspiration, too.”
Amanda O’Brien
Project manager Amanda is also a mum of two, and could have passed for one of her own daughters in her neutral toned get up this week.
The 51-year-old, from Bury, says her daughters keep her on trend, always wardrobe swapping with one another.
She said: “Having children you get a bit of confidence to try new things rather than follow. And they will tell you if something doesn't look cool, and I value their opinion as well. I love to go with the flow and try not to follow celebs.”
Amanda wore a pair of trainers from Selfridges with Zara cargo-style trousers, an Adonola jumper and an & Other Stories bomber jacket.
READ MORE:
I’ve been testing energy-saving gadgets for a year and there are 4 I use every day
Boots shoppers rushing to stock up on £10 ‘hero balm’ that’s ‘too good to miss’
I tried the £6 blush everyone says is a Charlotte Tilbury dupe and it’s SO glowy
Woman mistaken for being 45 after £10 Boots eye cream made her look '20 years younger'
