2 Ways to Add Colourful Accessories to Dresses in Winter

When I have a rare child-free day to myself I like to wear a dress. While I've worn dresses in the past with the boys, they aren't always a practical choice when chasing after two toddlers. It was good to have a reason to get these dresses out again. It's been a long time (almost 2 years!) since I've worn both of them as they aren't breastfeeding friendly.

Winter weather doesn't put me off of wearing dresses - fleece lined tights, ankle boots and a cosy cardigan or leather jacket keep me warm. While winter outfits can look a little monochromatic with all the neutral layers together, I've added a different colourful accessory to each outfit.

What I wore:

Jacket: Cotton On black knit wrap cardigan

Scarf: Marc by Marc Jacobs bright blue stole
Dress: Asos grey skater dress
Shoes: RMK Chester black ankle boots
Bag: Balenciaga part time in black 2010 with SGH

Why I wore it:

I loved this outfit. The cobalt blue scarf was the perfect pop of colour with the monochrome outfit. Kept me warm on the cold morning too.

I had a physio appointment, and I find wearing a dress with leggings under it works best for all the exercises. (I just swapped the fleecy tights for leggings when I got there). I wasn't sure how I was going to meet the 'tied at waist' style challenge on Instagram and figured I could wear this dress with a belt. After almost 2 years since it was last worn, it was time to get it out my wardrobe! Changed my mind when I remembered I had this cosy cardigan with a belt, perfect for the challenge. It kept me warm as I rushed around between appointments while my mother in law stayed home with the boys.

I had to have a procedure at the dentist so was feeling a bit sore in the afternoon, it was nice to stay snuggled up in this cardigan.


Last worn: black belted cardigan, cobalt blue scarf, grey skater dress, black ankle boots, Balenciaga Part Time bag.

Other ways to wear: black belted cardigan and skinny jeans, cobalt blue scarf and stripes, grey skater dress in summer, black ankle boots and jeans, Balenciaga Part Time bag with pink tank.

Perfect for pregnancy: cardigan in first trimester, skater dress in second trimester, ankle boots for pregnancy reveal, part time bag and maternity pencil skirt.

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More Blue Blanket Scarves Under $50:

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What I wore:

Jacket: Asos Black by Markus Lupfer printed leather jacket

Necklace: Uniquely Made with Love Sea Change necklace
Dress: Atmos&Here navy stripe tee dress
Shoes: Asos Cleo leather boots in tan
Bag: Balenciaga Day bag in 2005 magenta (20% off with code 'REAL')

Why I wore it:

Although I was feeling under the weather, I still had to get up and get dressed for an appointment so I pulled on one of my old favourite dresses. I wore this so much the year I got it, but pregnancies and breastfeeding has stopped it being worn recently. Like I mentioned on Instagram, I was so happy to unbox this when I got all my winter clothes out of storage.

Even though I wasn't feeling the best, I did love wearing this dress again. Always good to get old favourites out! The magenta Balenciaga day bag was a great cheerful and colourful pop against the navy and black too.


Last worn: printed leather jacket, striped tee dress, tan boots, Balenciaga magenta day bag.

Other ways to wear: printed leather jacket worn 30 ways, striped tee dress and Converse, tan boots and skinny jeans, Balenciaga magenta day bag and denim shorts.

Perfect for pregnancy: striped dress and small second trimester bump, magenta Balenciaga bag and maternity shorts.

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More Pink Bags Under $50:

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How You Can Wear It:

You can add a little colour to a monochromatic outfit with a bright accessory. Winter is a good time to experiment with this - you can swap out any one of your neutral layers for a pop of colour. In the first outfit I added colour to a monochrome outfit with a bright cobalt scarf. In the second outfit, I was scarf-less but the bright magenta bag was the perfect pop against all of the black and navy.

Layer up your dresses and wear them all year! A cosy cardigan, scarf or leather jacket with boots and tights makes dresses work even in winter.



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Winter Outfits for Returning to Work After Maternity Leave - Fit and Flare Dresses

After an extended maternity leave, I'm back in the office and sharing my business casual office style again. It's been a while! Thanks for all your sweet comments when I hinted at my return earlier, and for the encouragement on Instagram as I've been sharing my office wear and return to work struggles.

Just like last time I returned to work, I'll clear up a few things first.

• In Australia you are legally allowed a minimum of a year's maternity leave. You have the option to extend it to 2 years if it suits the company you work for, or go back sooner if you wish. My team, boss and workplace is flexible, understanding and supportive.
• Yes I took a longer maternity leave this time around than last time. (If you followed me in December you'll know why).
• I am back in the office part time again, so I'll continue to have SAHM outfits and corporate style outfits on the blog.

And although it's completely repetitive as I said it last time: "Everyone does the right thing for them and their child (or children) at that point in time. Mums always know best. And that means for me, that I've returned to work. "

Now that's out the way, the simple fuss-free outfits I wore for my first days back:

What I wore:

Jacket: Jeanswest Monica Mac coat in Indigo

Scarf: navy bird print scarf
Necklace: Eye Candy LA 'Sasha' statement necklace
Dress: Jeanswest 'Rita' stripe jersey dress
Shoes: RMK Chester black ankle boots
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy (on sale in pink, or in white)

Why I wore it:

No surprise, I went with my comfort colour and wore blue for my first day back. I also took advantage of being child free and wore the biggest most non-baby friendly statement necklace I have. I missed wearing it, last time I wore it I was very, very pregnant! The scarf kept me cosy for my early morning commute and I ended up keeping it on in the office too. A big blanket scarf is the closest you'll get to cosying up to a blanket at your desk!


My first day back was much like my return to work two and a half years ago - lots of emails to sort through and trying not to cry when I thought about being away from my boys. It took me a lot longer to go through my emails - I could delete all the meeting requests and event related emails, but there were a lot of changes while I was away so it was helpful to read the emails covering the changes, and there are so many colleagues that moved around the organisation or even left so it was good to try wrap my head around what it all looks like now.


As much as I missed the office and enjoyed being able to do things in peace and quiet for a change, I was so pleased to come back to my boys and my mum in the evening.


Last worn: navy mac, bird print scarf, striped fit and flare dress, black ankle boots, Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote.

Other ways to wear: navy mac and chambray dress, bird print scarf with jeans and blazer, striped fit and flare dress for a baby shower, black ankle boots and monochrome jeans outfit, Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote with the same dress 2 years ago!

Perfect for pregnancy: stripe fit and flare dress hiding a second trimester bump, ankle boots in second trimester, Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote in third trimester.

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Fit and Flare Dresses For The Office Under $50:

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What I wore:

Jacket: Barkins beige trench coat 

Scarf: Forever New Skye Foil Feather scarf in berry / gold (on sale!)
Dress: Jeanswest tucked ponte black dress
Belt: Kmart thin gold glitter belt
Shoes: Asos leather Chelsea boots in tan
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy (on sale in pink, or in white)

Why I wore it:

Another day in the office, another fit and flare dress. I have this dress in the stripes above and in black here and I have no plans to get rid of either of them - they are perfect for work. Easy to wear in summer with less layers too.


The only thing these dresses aren't suitable for is expressing breastmilk at work. I don't have to do that as Baby Boy's older, but would that be something you'd want to see me call out with my office outfits, which ones would work for expressing/pumping? While I've not had to do it at work I have had to do it at home and occasionally on the go for both my boys so I have a little experience there. Shea has a wonderful guide on how she makes exclusive expressing work for her that could be helpful too.


Last worn: burgundy feather foil scarf, camel trench, black fit and flare dress, gold glitter belt, Chelsea ankle boots, Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote (above).

Other ways to wear: burgundy feather foil scarf and flared jeans, camel trench and print mixing, black fit and flare dress in spring, gold glitter belt and maxi dress, Chelsea ankle boots and skinny jeans, pencil skirts and Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote.

Perfect for pregnancy: trench coat in first trimester, fit and flare dress hiding an early baby bump, gold belt over a baby bump, Chelsea boots and belted dress in second trimester, MAB tote and plaid shirts in first trimester.

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More Fit and Flare Dresses Under $50:

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How You Can Wear It:

Returning to work after maternity leave is an emotional time - no matter what length of maternity leave you had! Pick easy, fuss-free outfits for your first few days back. Plan them out beforehand and have them hanging in your wardrobe ready for you to grab and go.

I like fit and flare dresses as they nip in at the waist without being too tight and flow flatteringly over the stomach if you have a leftover mum tum like I do. Plus a dress is an instant outfit, you didn't need to think about how pieces will look together.

If something makes you feel happy, comfortable and confident, it's the perfect outfit for your return to work.


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Wrap Tops In Winter With Skinny Jeans, Converse and Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere

Although you don't seem to see wrap tops around on blogs as often now, I still love the style and I especially love how breastfeeding friendly they are! If you're on a budget it's better to buy a regular wrap top instead of paying the high price for a special 'breastfeeding brand' wrap top. They are the same product.

While wrap tops are nice to wear, they are a little plain so I added a print to my outfit for a little something extra.

What I wore:

Jacket: Kmart striped maxi cardigan

Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
Top: Dorothy Perkins 3/4 sleeve wrap top
Jeans: Nobody Denim Siren skinny super high-rise jeans in power black denim (C/O, on sale!)
Shoes: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

Wore this as I wanted something nice and comfortable and practical for Baby Boy's orientation day at day care. It basically means I get to spend the day there with him getting him used to the room and the routine so it's not a big shock for him when I go back to work. It was fun, although I did end up covered in pasta sauce. Better than toddler T's orientation day where my shirt got ruined!

As I was going to be inside all day, I just needed a light layer so this striped duster cardigan was perfect.

I did regret adding the silicone teething necklace to this outfit though. I thought it would comfort Baby Boy to have it to play with if he got upset and needed cuddles, but I underestimated exactly how attractive the bright beads are to babies! Lots of the other kids at daycare tried to grab it a few times, oops.

Was nice wearing this wrap top again as it had been packed away with my winter things. While it's sold out in blue as this is from last year, it's still available in red.


Last worn: striped duster, blue wrap top, Nobody Denim skinny jeans, Converse, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere.

Other ways to wear: striped duster and chambray dress, blue wrap top and maxi skirt, Nobody Denim skinny jeans in spring, Converse and printed dress, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere and maxi dress.

Perfect for pregnancy: striped duster and maternity shorts, Converse for a weekend trip in second trimester, speedy bandouliere and maternity pencil skirt.

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More Wrap Tops Under $50:

The Nordstrom Sale has some wrap tops too!

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What I wore:

Jacket: Jeanswest Monica Mac coat in Indigo

Scarf: Marc by Marc Jacobs bright blue stole
Tee: Atmos&Here Nile wrap front jersey tee
Jeans: Sass & Bide Playman skinny jeans
Shoes: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

Unfortunately, the meeting we had planned for this morning was cancelled after the other person had been up all night with an unwell teething baby and slept through their alarm. I've done that a few times myself! Decided to spend the time grocery shopping instead since we were all up and ready. Not as exciting, but a good way to use the free time we suddenly had.

A few more layers with this wrap top as I was going outside and winter weather is definitely here in Queensland. Added the cobalt scarf for a bit of colour and to cover up the v shaped neckline and keep my chest cosy. Because I added the blue scarf, I wore my blue mac as well. I really liked this combination and it was a good way to add some colour to an otherwise monochromatic outfit with the grey wrap top and printed jeans.


Last worn: navy mac, cobalt scarf, grey wrap tee, Sass & Bide printed jeans, Converse (above), Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere (above).

Other ways to wear: navy mac and burgundy, cobalt scarf and maxi skirt, grey wrap tee with leopard print, Sass & Bide printed jeans and teal henley, Converse and purple jeans, Louis Vuitton speedy bandouliere and printed dresses.

Perfect for pregnancy: Converse and maxi skirt in first trimester, speedy bandouliere and maternity wrap dress.

How You Can Wear It:

The usual fashion advice is to not buy into trendy pieces. However, like these wrap tops, if the trend is something that works for you and your lifestyle, go for it! Trends are a fun way to try something different, and you could find yourself with a new favourite style. Most trends (like off the shoulder) I let pass me by but wrap tops are so perfect for breastfeeding I just had to buy 3 of them!

I'm going to continue to wear these tops in the years to come, even if they aren't the trendy thing any more, as they work for me. As a very wise and stylish lady once said: wear it because you love it, not just because it's what's 'in' at the moment.

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In case you have missed every other blogger posting about it, the Nordstrom sale has now opened to the public so anyone can shop it! That includes those of us in Australia.

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