Feeding fashion

The title of this post may be a little misleading. I do not really know anything about fashion. Other than the fact that I’m not fashionable, anyway.

The fact that certain prints are in, that trousers should have a particular height of waist or that shoes should in fact be UGG boots (that’s the impression I’ve got, anyway) doesn’t really factor high on my radar.

For me, it’s all about comfortableness and warmth. I love to be warm (I was once found to be wearing a ski jacket when in South Africa, in 35 degree heat) and I like being snuggly. If I don’t feel warm and snuggly, then you’ll probably find me skulking around looking miserable until I’ve managed to find something warm and snuggly to solve the problem. Which means that if that requirement clashes with whats in fashion, then fashion takes a back seat.

But one item of clothing that I do know a bit about is breastfeeding tops. I know that some mums like to just layer up a vest top and another top and voila – feeding without fuss – but given that I tend to pretty much live in my breastfeeding clothes for a fair few months, I like to invest in a few clothes made for purpose. (And additionally, it means that I only have to find one clean top rather than two – which is often a great bonus!)

I wonder though why manufacturers of reasonably priced feeding tops and dresses generally seem to assume that breastfeeding mums would like boring, neutral clothes all churned out in the same old colours and styles. I like bright colours. I like nice patterns. In the summer, I’d like some nice flowy, summery styles and dresses that aren’t just of the same old boring one-colour wrap dress variety. Additionally, not all nursing tops need to be maternity tops too. It IS nice that some clothes can last throughout pregnancy and beyond. But although I admit, I do sometimes feel like I’m still looking six months pregnant after I’ve had a decent dinner, I’d rather that the top I’m wearing doesn’t accentuate that fact to the point that people ask me when I’m due, even though I’m clearly holding a fairly young baby at the time!

Mamas and Papas do some great breastfeeding tops which are flattering and provide easy feeding access, at a reasonable price. Jojo Maman Bebe also seem to have some similar tops on offer. Mothercare have recently improved their range, although a lot of their styles do fall into the aforementioned ‘flaunt the fat’ category. And I’ve got a top or two from Next which are lovely bright colours.

But aside from that, unless I want to start spending around £40 or more on an individual item of clothing, I’m stuck with single colour, same old style outfits. Getting something smarter, suitable for a special event, is generally out of the question without a hefty price tag.

It surely can’t be that impossible to come up with more interesting designs at a reasonable price?

So…if you know of a world of breastfeeding clothing that I’m missing out on, please let me know! I may not be a dedicated follower of fashion, but it would be nice to see in the Summer in a bit of style…