Welcome to 'Ask a Fashion Editor', where our resident style expert Tamara Holland shares her advice on everything from curating your daily wardrobe to shopping smarter. This week, Tam's answering the questions she gets dm'd about the most.
Like many millennial women, I spend a disproportionate amount of my screen time on Instagram. I don't need my iPhone to tell me that.
It's my resource for style inspiration, it's where I share my thoughts on celebrity outfits and log my own looks — but it's also where I interact with loads of women on a daily basis.
On that note: Who should you follow for fashion inspo these days? Post continues below.
Sometimes we're exchanging shopping links, and sometimes the conversation runs a bit deeper — I hear from new mums that are feeling a bit lost in their clothes after having a baby, or women facing a midlife style crisis.
Here are three questions that pop up regularly in my inbox.
Question 1. 'PLEASE share the details of your necklace stack.'
At least once a day, someone pings me to ask about my necklaces.
I'm a firm believer in having a signature look when it comes to jewellery. It's one of the elements that can make your style truly your own, and it means you're not constantly outlaying money — if you invest well in quality pieces, ideally you can wear and enjoy them for years.
How you embellish yourself is also deeply personal, and that's what makes it so subjective. I don't really subscribe to jewellery trends, like sweeping statements about silver being the new gold, or chunky being the new fine. Paying attention to trends is valid, but you don't have to follow them.
I wear the same two pendant necklaces almost every day. Occasionally I'll add a gold choker or beaded necklace for more dimension.
My go-to necklace combo. Images: Supplied.
If you're looking to achieve a similar necklace stack, I suggest layering two gold chains - one that sits just below your collarbone, and one that dangles lower near your cleavage. By opting for a chunkier weight, you avoid the annoying tangled mess you get with finer necklaces.
My longer necklace is solid gold, and I actually spotted it on the street when I was a teenager. How's that for a lucky find?
I believe it's a men's curb chain, the kind you could source from a gold reseller or a retailer like Michael Hill, Prouds or Angus & Coote.
The ladybeetle pendant is from Queensland-based jewellery brand YCL Jewels. They specialise in keepsake gold-plated necklaces and bracelets you can individualise with interachangeable charms, and also made my shorter chain, which has a roman initial letter pendant and an '11:11' charm.
Question 2. 'I'm struggling to find my style confidence after having a baby. Where do I even start?'
This is one of those questions that's hard to answer in a tiny message box on Instagram.
While experiences vary wildly, most women I've spoken to can relate to some feeling of postnatal fog, particularly when it comes to what to wear, and especially when your life now revolves around the needs of another impossibly helpless person, and your own needs take an enormous backseat.
Your sartorial preferences become almost trivial in that transformation, which in turn can make you feel guilty about even wanting to devote the time to your clothes. Because 'what about their clothes?!' I know, I know.
But feeling good about yourself should not be a sacrifice you make at the alter of motherhood. Perhaps it feels that way in the early days, but it doesn't need to be forever.
In the newborn days, I discovered the appeal of soft, oversized pieces. Image: Supplied.
With almost three years of experience now, I would say that in time, you will find your fashion feet again. But you might also need to give yourself a nudge. And that might mean granting yourself permission. To go to the shops — without your baby or toddler — and start trying things on again, to see what fits and feels good now on your body as it is.
Do not feel any kind of way about needing a different size to the one you had before you gave birth to a human life. Understand the form you're working with now, and be sensitive to what feels comfortable and makes you feel confident. Baby steps, here. Confidence might come down to knowing your t-shirt gives you some grace over your maternity bra.
In early motherhood I turned to oversized shirts and looser pants and I never looked back.
I live in a uniform of roomy t-shirts and knit pants. Images: Supplied.
They're easy pieces I can throw on, that still feel somewhat polished. I don't really do jeans much anymore. I always carry a chic leather bag to elevate my daily looks.
You might find solace in a uniform, like I have — it can take the stress out of getting ready when you have precisely zero time to do so.
And if you want to talk about this some more, my dm's are always open. You can message me here.
Question 3. 'Where do you shop the best oversized tees?'
Wearing a Sabbi t-shirt (left), and Mael t-shirt. Images: Supplied.
I will never get over my obsession with big t-shirts. I actually wrote a whole article on this topic last year, but I want to share some updated recommendations here.
Oversized shirts are my number one wardrobe staple because they're such an easy, effortless solution on days when I need to work from home and/or parent my toddler, and still want to feel comfortable and cool.
Although you can definitely find cheap t-shirts on the high street, I have personally found that price does tend to equate to quality in this case.
The styles I've spent more on from labels that are known for their t-shirt designs have really paid off in repeat wear, and the ones I'm recommending are those I've worn constantly, week-to-week, thrown in the wash and not seen a decline in shape or fit — rather, they just seem to get better.
As you'll see below, I like my tees sturdy, with a high neck and a wide, elbow-length sleeve, and I prefer them cut long enough to cover my bum.
JGR & STN New Standard Oversized T-Shirt, $90.
Image: The Iconic.
This brand is known for its sporty graphic tees in heavyweight cotton, and there are lots more options to choose from. I love wearing them with flared leggings and slides on casual days.
Sabbi The Very Oversized Margie Tee, $79.95.
Image: Sabbi.
Believe the hype — Sabbi's cheeky tees are the go-to mum uniform at my local playground and beyond. The roomy fit and fun prints are addictive, you can just throw them on with bike shorts and go.
Image: Mael.
The ultimate elevated slouchy tee. In a creamy butter tone, it goes with everything but works particularly well with lace or knit pants (I'm wearing mine now with the latter).
Ceres Life Liv Oversized Tee, $50.
Image: Ceres Life.
A great affordable option that has really held up. It's oversized in all the right places but super soft and lightweight for summer styling.
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Feature image: Supplied.
