A few bits and bobs before we get to it…
I’m a week in to my first school summer holidays experience and found this piece by Gillian Orr incredibly relatable, not just re the struggle to balance work and childcare but also the guilt trip that is foisted upon mothers for doing so.
Obviously I'm as clueless as the next person as to how best to navigate the next six weeks (I've gone heavy on clubs for the first half), however I love the look of Art Fund’s Kids Aloud initiative, which sees museums and galleries across the UK run specific family-friendly sessions and workshops. Just put in your nearest city and see what's on.
I’m absolutely thrilled with my cigar ring from the new collaboration between jeweller Milly Maunder and former fashion ed Emily Dawes - both of whom are based in Cornwall/Devon. There's 10 pieces in the edit, all handmade, and any would make a gorgeous addition to a summer jewellery box.
Travel journalist Kate Wills has just joined Substack and her latest post has some great tips for when going away with kids (plus a v kind Mumish shout out!).
Intel from the group chat: these kids goggles clip at the back so don't tug hair when you're trying to pull them on. They're currently BOGOF.
A few of you asked where the straw hat I took to Hydra was from. It's an old H&M number, but Second Stories has just released this, which is the same shape.
Nightdresses as day dresses are everywhere this summer. My entire Instagram feed is full of women in vintage-looking white cotton dresses. Alexa’s wearing one. So’s Sienna.
The nightie phenomenon has been bubbling for a while. Two summers ago Hill House’s nap dress was the style to know about. A few years before that, Sleeper’s Atlanta dress was all the rage. Both have hints of prairie girl and, dare I say it, Trad Wife energy. But, when Chloé put wafty maxis trimmed in boudoir lace down its AW25 catwalk, the nightie shed it's twee trappings and officially became cool.
A trend so ubiquitous is typically a turn off for me, however I've totally bought in. Blame the weather. This summer's heatwaves have certainly made the thought of slipping into airy cotton very appealing.
Nightie dressing is perfect for pregnancy on account of the loose silhouettes. Postpartum too - no waistband!
If you don't love the idea of white (sticky hands! Pasta sauce! Explosive nappies!), black is always an option. This has just been restocked for the final time. It's so easy to wear and looks great with flip-flops in the day or a cute pair of ballet pumps in the evening. I've been wearing this all weekend which is actually a playsuit but gives nightieish vibes.
A print might also feel like an easy entry into the daytime nightdress concept. Dôen’s buzzy plaid Faye dress is sold out, but this from Damson Madder is a good high street alt. This from Dissh is also very sweet.
While in Greece I really enjoyed wearing If Only If’s Clover dress (the thicker version is currently being restocked, or the Cosette gives similar vibes and opacity). Now I'm back home I want to continue wearing it, but how to style a nightie when you’ve swapped beach afternoons for playground mornings?
After having a play around, my hot styling tip is to lean into accessories. Adding jewellery/a hat/sunglasses/ a fun bag, etc, makes a nightie outfit look more intentional and less like you've just forgotten to get dressed.
Ok! Here's how I'm doing it…
A cute nursery-run look. If your white nightie is a little sheer, stick a pair of cotton shorts underneath.
Necklace; shoes (but also these on sale!); a great raffia bag
Or if it's a cooler day, layer a pair of jeans underneath. I tried this with a pair of straight-legs which didn't work at all, so go wide and grungy on the jeans and channel your inner Courtney Love.
Cute cap; similar jeans; hoops
Date night(ie). Just add a martini and pizza slice.
Earrings; similar sunglasses; sandals (on sale!)
A true everyday summer uniform. As my nightie is short and made from fine cotton, it can tuck into denim without bulk. A longer style could be worn under a skirt.
For nipping to the shops in! Or for swing park/coffee and croissant mornings!
Jumper; basket; ballet pumps; hoops
Lace-trim, £93.50 (with code: summer15)
That's all for now. You're doing great, Frankie x
Postcard from Hydra: dressing for child-free sunshine
·
Jul 12
After weeks of searching for an abroad family summer holiday and being either outraged at the price or depressed by the sheer naffness available within budget (I now realised why people with school-aged kids book holidays a year or more in advance - the early bird catches the Jet2 deal) we've decided to call it quits and take the kids to my mum’s in Dev…
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.