MISSION MUMSY

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘mumsy’?  Unless it’s along the lines of a mum who is positive, confident and stylish I suggest you think again and read on…

I’m on a mission. Let’s call it Mission #mumsy.

I’ve often wondered why this word has such negative connotations and totally agreed with award-winning blogger (and mum) Alison Perry’s piece ‘Dressing like a mum’ in 2014 -read it now!  Alison summed it up perfectly when she wrote “isn’t the reality that some women dress well and some don’t – regardless of their parental status?”.

Alison Perry’s stylish Instagram feed

Last week I read another post in a similar vein by Huntress London, challenging the fash pack’s use of the word mumsy and demanding we give new meaning to it.  “Let mumsy signify strength, sensitivity and style … Shouldn’t an industry keen to court women make “mumsy” high praise?”.  Hear, hear, I said to myself as I retweeted the post.

read the Huntress London blog

I’ll bet these aren’t the only two posts ever written on this subject either.

The truth is, no matter what your shape, size, age, lifestyle, occupation or motherhood status you can be stylish.

It is not reserved for models and fashion types who are 5’9″ and above and a size 8 or below.  If you’re reading this blog it’s probably because you have an interest in fashion and style and are looking for some inspiration for your next look or shopping trip and yes, you’re a mum too.  That is after all what the aim of this blog has always been…

“Because you don’t lose your style the minute that little plastic stick says ‘pregnant‘”

I’d estimate that 99% of the women – both celebrity and non-celebs -whose style I admire are mothers and that’s no exaggeration.  If Olivia Palermo also goes on to pop a baby out then that percentage will be even higher!

But back to Mission #mumsy…

I shared Huntress London’s post last week on twitter and was really rather pleased to see so many other mums felt the same, so I felt the need to try and push this a little further.  And so to Mission #mumsy.

I am a regular user of instagram and pack my outfit posts with hashtags galore so why not, I thought, start tagging my OOTD (‘outfit of the day’, for novices!) photos with #mumsy.  I shared the image below to inspire other mums and had a fantastic response with lots of my fave style bloggers (who happen to be mums!) commenting to say “I’m in!” – thank you all!A teeny tiny step, but you never know, when Anna Wintour, Alexandra Shulman and the gang read this and follow the hashtag (because of course they will!), maybe they’ll agree with us on this #mumsy matter and also make a stand.  Well, you’ve got to dream big, hey!

So, mamas, next time you tag a stylish outfit photo on social media, throw a #mumsy in there.  Why? Well, because I said so.  And we all know, mums know best…

Some of the mumsy lovelies already tagging – thank you all!
 mostlyyummy, iamalisonperry, jordancf, lolly_and_lennon, hollybobbs

Go on, share this post and spread the mumsy word…

My reasons for being mumsy

Thank you to Alison & Anmarie for inspiring Mission #mumsy