- Joyful dressing is wearing colourful clothing or textures and outfits you enjoy that help boost your mood and make you feel more like yourself.
- During busy parenting days, creating a simple clothing system with comfortable layers like cardigans, oversized shirts or easy-access feeding tops, can make your day a lot less stressful and prevent overheating.
- Layering allows you to quickly adapt throughout the day, whether you’re dealing with feeds, changing weather or messy moments with your children.
- Comfortable clothing doesn’t have to mean feeling frumpy. Wearing plain, practical outfits can still help you feel confident and stylish.
- Small style choices that feel joyful or familiar can help parents feel more grounded, even on unpredictable days.
We get it. You love your baby more than anything. You'd also quite like to feel like you again, the version who had a signature scent, wore earrings, and didn't exclusively own clothes with suspicious stains on the shoulder.
We sat down with stylist Emily Davies to talk about feel-good dressing for new parents. Not a "bounce back" plan. Not a capsule wardrobe that requires you to iron. Just practical ways to look in the mirror and think, "yeah. I've still got it."
It's not about looking perfect, it's about feeling good
Here's the thing about getting dressed when you're in the thick of nappies and night feeds: it's not frivolous. It's a small act of care that says, I'm still here. And that matters.
“Getting dressed can feel like a small act, but it really can shift your mindset, especially on those long, tired days,” Emily says.
“It’s a way of taking a tiny moment for yourself in a day that’s often all about someone else. Even putting on something clean, comfy and a bit “you” can give you a small boost and help you feel more like yourself again.”
The goal isn't Instagram-ready outfits. It's putting on something that makes you feel a bit more like yourself, even if "yourself" now comes with baby sick down one side.
Because those little moments of feeling good? They add up to happier days.
Top tips for new parent style
1. Feel good, look good.
You know those beautiful linen trousers you bought before the baby arrived? The ones you imagined wearing while gracefully pushing a pram through a farmer's market? They're staying in the drawer for now. And that's fine.
Choose fabrics that can handle life: soft jersey, stretchy denim, anything machine-washable, and press pause on the dry-clean-only stuff for the time being.
Emily says: “I always lean towards breathable, gentle fabrics like cottons and soft ribbed knits that feel good against the skin and move with you.
“Towelling is also such a good one too, especially with babies, as it’s so practical for little dribbles and spills, but still looks really lovely and textured.”
2. The power of one good thing
You don't need a full look. You need one thing that makes you feel good.
A pair of earrings. A swipe of red lipstick. Trainers that aren't falling apart. That leather jacket you've had for years.
One intentional choice can shift your entire day, turning an ordinary Tuesday into one of those unexpected happy days where everything just clicks.
“My 'one good thing' rule is all about focusing on one element that lifts your outfit, whether that’s a bold stripe, a pop of colour, or a patterned or textured piece,” Emily says.
“Sometimes that one thing can be as easy as your accessories like a favourite pair of shoes, a bag, or a bit of jewellery can pull everything together and help you feel more put-together.”
3. Less matching, more emotion.
It’s not about getting it right — it’s about feeling something.
Use colour theory to dress with emotion rather than rules, letting colour reflect the mood you want to create or the feeling you want to carry through the day.
Choosing opposite colours on the wheel, such as blue and orange or red and green, or using patterns can bring extra energy, contrast, and personality to an outfit, making even simple pieces feel more expressive.
Emily says: “Comfort is key, but I also love bringing in simple patterns like stripes or checks to add interest without needing to overthink an outfit.”
4. Layers are your friend (for more reasons than one)
Breastfeeding? Unpredictable temperatures? Park trip turned mud mayhem? Layers solve it all.
A soft tee, an open shirt, a cardigan you can shrug off. You're not just dressing, you're building a system that works when nothing else does.
And when it works? That's the kind of small win that makes for happier days.
5. Comfort ≠ frumpy
Let's retire the idea that comfort means giving up. Slouchy knits, well-cut joggers, an oversized blazer are stylish and comfy!
When you're comfortable in what you're wearing, you're more present for all those happy moments.
Comfort also comes in colour. Mellow, neutral tones such as black, white, beige, and grey are classic and simple, so you can build an outfit that feels easy to wear but elevated.
But you don’t have to stick with neutrals to feel comfortable. They work well as a base and can be lifted with one accent colour to add interest.
Whether it’s your soft knit in a bright pattern or a colourful trainer, you can create an effortless outfit that still feel comfortable.
6. Give yourself permission to evolve
Your body's different. Your schedule's different. Your priorities are different. That's not failure, that's life.
Maybe you're into colours now. Maybe you're a slip-on shoes person. Maybe you've discovered the joy of a good stretchy waistband. Let your style grow with you, not against you.
The happiness you feel when something just works? That's worth celebrating.
Here’s the truth
Look, some days you'll get dressed and immediately get peed on. Some days you'll realise you've been wearing your top inside-out since 9am. Some days "getting dressed" means changing out of one pair of leggings and into another, cleaner pair of leggings.
And that's parenthood. The gap between who you were and who you're becoming. The space where you're learning to hold it all: the joy, the mess, the contradictory feelings, the desire to look good and the reality of sick-stained sleeves.
But somewhere in that gap? There are happy days. Days where you catch your reflection and think, "I look alright, actually". Ultimately, feeling good in what you're wearing makes everything else feel a little more manageable.
You're doing an incredible thing. You're allowed to feel good (and happy) while you do it.
Looking for gear that works as hard as you do? Explore our range of thoughtfully designed Parent-care essentials. You've got this. We've got you.
