From inside our mums’ wardrobes, this Mother’s Day
By Florenne Earle Ledger and Nona Dimitrova published 10/03/2024
It’s mother’s day, so naturally Team Whering are thinking about the amazing women who raised us. Being generations apart, I know I have different perceptions to my mum, but what about when it comes to fashion?
I grew up in a different time, with different ‘rules’ about what to wear, and what not to wear. Times have changed since the 80s- a lot of people feel more free to dress in a way that makes them feel good, regardless of their body type. I remember we had a copy of ‘What not wear’, and as a little girl I’d always flick through it. Now, I’m horrified that book even exists- the whole thing was blanket advice on how to dress to look skinnier.
It wasn’t only this book by Britain’s favourite fashion duo, Vogue and magazines alike popularised a rigid set of fashion rules that encouraged women to dress in the most ‘flattering’ way possible, mainly with a view to please men.
Where are we now?
Nowadays, even though social media has bought a whole new level of self scrutiny to our phone screens, TikTok and social media has also helped to empower young people to find confidence in more niche aesthetics and develop their own personal styles, steering us away from traditional understandings of fashion that our mothers grew up with.
Although, there’s new things for young women to worry about when getting dressed today - thanks to the explosion of fast fashion in the 90s. Before then, the concept of buying new clothes you didn’t need was excessive and indulgent. Now, this is considered normal for lots of people. With the birth of fast fashion, came relentless pressures to keep up with trends to fit into an ever changing book of rules.
Despite the differences in our initial understandings of fashion, my mum and I have definitely learned from each other. Team Whering opened a conversation with our mothers, asking questions to understand what we’ve understood from each other and what we have yet to learn:
Nona & her mum, Nelly
Nona, what are three lessons you’ve learned from your mother’s wardrobe?
- Well-made pieces of clothing stand the test of time much better than poorly made pieces of clothing. My mum has always exclusively bought clothes made from natural materials- not necessarily expensive clothes, but clothes which are well made. A lot of these pieces she’s had for 10, 20, 30, 40 years, and they still look great. I ask to borrow them all the time.
- Take your shoes to the cobbler! These boots were made for walking, and it’s totally normal for them to need some TLC after a few years.
- We’ve actually come such a long way in terms of body perception and how we see ourselves in the clothes we wear. My mum can be really hard on herself based on how an item of clothing fits her. I try to remind myself that maybe that item of clothing just isn’t for me, and that’s okay.
If you could prompt your mother to wear more of something, what would it be? Why?
Not necessarily more of something, but I think there is a little unlearning to be done about how clothing fits your body. I think my mum is of the school of thought that smaller = makes you look thinner, when the reality is that the clothes which fit you well and complement your shape make you look like your best self. My mum did recently get a pair of wide-leg jeans (!!!) inspired by yours truly (me) and I think similar cuts and shapes of work pantsuits would look phenomenal on her.
What are three lessons you’ve learned from Nona’s wardrobe?
- Choose your clothes carefully when you shop.
- Be prepared for any occasion. Even when she comes home for a short while, Nona has something elegant in her small cabin suitcase to wear "just in case".
- There's more in your wardrobe than you realise- shuffling around clothing combinations can unlock so many new outfits.
What is your favourite thing that your daughter wears?
I have many favourite clothes from my daughter's wardrobe. Some of them I would happily wear myself. Among them are the knitted dress in green, white, and black, and a denim dress with a dual function - it can be worn as a dress and with a shirt - like a jacket.
If you could prompt Nona to wear more of something, what would it be? Why?
I really like my child's aesthetic taste. She doesn't just choose beautiful clothes and accessories, but she has the skill and measure to combine them in the best way. I know she will continue to develop her style, but I have no reason to encourage her to wear something she hasn't chosen herself. That's her, and her style is hers. For me, it's important to respect my child's personal choice.
A funny wardrobe / clothing-related story to do with Nona? This can be from any age!
For her high-school prom, Nona ordered a dress online. When it arrived, it turned out to be at least one size too big, and there was no time for exchange it or alter it. "Great! It will fit me even when I'm bigger" said Nona and with a couple of safety pins, she tucked the excess fabric around the waist. She looked stunning at her graduation!
Flo & her mum, Carolyn
Flo, what are three lessons you’ve learned from your mother’s wardrobe?
- New doesn’t mean better! She taught me to wear clothes many times before buying new and buy things with the intention of long term wear. She always fixed things with a sewing machine if they ever ripped or frayed.
- Brands aren’t the be all and end all. I always wanted Hollister and SuperDry tops that everyone had at school and she never bought me a lot of clothes from these brands. At the time it was annoying but now I am glad because it helped me develop my own style. But whenever it was my birthday or Christmas I always used the money to get clothes from these shops anyway…
- Charity shops are great! We’d go on a day out charity shopping in a different town and it always felt so exciting.
If you could prompt your mother to wear more of something, what would it be? Why?
Anything that makes her feel happy and confident! I really like what she wears and I think she needs to realise that she does have a good sense of style that’s unique to her.
In the same breath, do you think there’s anything your mother needs to unlearn when it comes to fashion, generally?
That she can’t wear bold or girly things. I think she is starting to unlearn this and be more confident in brighter colours and 70s prints. For a long time she neglected her more feminine side when it came to fashion as she was a tomboy growing up, but I feel now she is embracing it more and enjoying both sides of her style. Also, that you don’t need to have stick thin legs to wear shorts or dresses/skirts that show your legs- you can wear whatever you like regardless of body type.
What are three lessons you’ve learned from Flo's wardrobe?
- That coordinated colours are not essential… in fact not preferable.
- To express myself rather than dressing for others. (Thank you!)
- You don’t always need a sewn hem.
- I was happy buying charity clothes but Flo took it to a new level… and we really enjoyed shopping this way.
If you could prompt Flo to wear more of something, what would it be? Why?
I would prompt Flo to buy some expensive wardrobe pieces that would last for ever.. a different kind of sustainable… she deserves to treat herself sometimes and quality garments can last for years...
Bianca & her mum, Maria
Bianca, what are three lessons you’ve learned from your mother’s wardrobe?
- Quality is queen. Nurture your clothes, save up for pieces that will last you a lifetime.
- Think of clothes as the good friends that they are. Sometimes that means seeing less of certain pieces for a while to rekindle a longing to pick them out of the cupboard and take them for a coffee!
- Mixing high and low. Mama taught me how to dress to impress in my early twenties when I had just started working in banking - it’s all about mixing quality (mostly gorgeous hand-me-downs at that stage) and the best possible quality affordable items.
If you could prompt your mother to wear more of something, what would it be? Why?
Leopard print. Mostly because it brings out her magnetic personality, and makes her look like a million dollars!
In the same breath, do you think there’s anything your mother needs to unlearn when it comes to fashion, generally?
That you have to colour within the lines, that there are rules. I’d like to see her take more risk and experiment!
What are three lessons you’ve learned from Bianca's wardrobe?
- The versatility of a capsule wardrobe (she’s a packing queen and knows how to make unlimited outfits from a couple of key pieces - and this has saved my life more times than I care to admit!).
- The art of saying ‘no’ to buying anything that is not going to serve you in the long term (30 wears test, quality, versatility).
- The absolute ‘yes!” when an item is perfect. A surefire dress sense is one of her greatest assets.
If you could prompt Bianca to wear more of something, what would it be? Why?
Fuschia - she looks absolutely divine in it, but I’ve only seen her wear it twice, once in a heavenly ball gown to a Ferragamo party in Florence, and once in a fabulous Balenciaga (pre-loved!) top in one of her Whering headshots.
Share a funny wardrobe / clothing-related story to do with Bianca
Fuschia is my favourite colour - and Bianca has been calling me the pink queen since a young age. Colour is a strong indicator of fashion identity - perhaps that’s why she’s gone the other way? Fuschia reminds her of me and she wants to be fiercely independent (she’s an Aquarius after all!).
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