Homeroom Sophie is Homeroom's creative director and resident style maximalist. A renowned Australian fashion stylist, Sophie's clients have included David Jones, Dior, Chadstone and Lexus. Her editorial work has appeared in Vogue China, ELLE France and Black Magazine.
Annie is homeroom’s editor and resident style minimalist. A public relations advisor and communications strategist, Annie's background has seen her working with organisations and brands at the forefront of the Australian arts, fashion, design and lifestyle industries. Her writing has appeared on the pages of The Age, Vice, InDesign Magazine, Broadsheet, est Living and Fashion Journal.
"When we started homeroom, we didn’t have “give birth within three months of each other” on our bingo card."
As anyone responsible for both a small business and a small human will tell you, keeping both alive simultaneously is not for the faint of heart. In fact, as anyone responsible for feeding a small human from their very own body will know, baby-rearing is not for the faint of heart, full stop.
Both of us had our own challenges on our “breastfeeding journey” – from oversupply to cracked nipples to latch issues, together we ran the gamut. Thankfully, we had each other to lean on. The experience made us all the more grateful for the women who have gone above and beyond to improve the experience of those early weeks and months postpartum, of which breastfeeding plays such an important, major part.
"When we stumbled upon Mumma Milla’s leakproof bras early on in our postpartum, we were both instant fans."
After trying a stack of other maternity bras – everything from basic staples to fancy lace versions – and feeling bitterly disappointed in the fit, effectiveness and comfort of them all, we were relieved to find an option that was comfortable AND chic. Two qualities that often don’t co-exist, especially when it comes to anything maternity-related.
We’re both such fans that we wanted to share how we’ve been wearing Mumma Milla’s bras and bralettes during the past few months of early motherhood.
Sophie – How To Feel Good When You’re Barely Leaving The Couch
Cardigan (Long): Oroton Button Detail Longline Cardigan
Cardigan (Short): Henne Solene Cardigan
Blazer: Caves Collect Fred Blazer
Tank: Elka Collective Persi Tank
Bra: Leakproof Bandeau Bralette Size M
Shorts: Friends With Frank Heidi Bermuda Short
Black Flat Sandals: Nelson Made Eva Slide
Black Heels: Alias Mae (Similar)
Necklace: Vermeer Studio Lillie Necklace
Bracelets: Dinosaur Designs Wishbone Bracelet, Saint Valentine Molto Cuff, Petit Chou Goldie Personalised Name Bracelet
The early days in postpartum are hard enough without looking like crap too. Although you do kind of have to lean into it (this too shall pass!), there are also times when you should treat yourself to pieces that you know will make you feel somewhat alive.
I would almost class a cardigan as part of your absolute essentials list, it’s up there with maternity pads IMO (that’s a joke FYI, sort of). Anything button up when breastfeeding is a godsend, added points for something especially chic like this longline Oroton number. The button detail really adds something without trying too hard, which when you’re in the depths of it, you’ll be thanking your lucky stars you invested in yourself.
Because I love an option, I’ve styled this look up for a nighttime vibe in case you’re feeling especially brave and want to leave the house past sundown (I salute you!). This cropped fluffy Henne piece looks so good with a heel; it’s that perfect mix of elevated casual i’m always banging on about. I also tried styling with a black blazer for the hell of it – it also looked epic in my opinion.
Then we add the tank top, and this Elka Collective piece feels made to pair with the Mumma Milla Leakproof Bandeau Bralette (my personal favourite MM product). The lovely scalloped bust of the bralette peeks out just the perfect amount but the strap is hidden, it’s also stretchy enough to pull down for easy access when feeding. We love.
Another unlikely hero here, these shorts. They may as well be pyjamas when it comes to comfort levels, but they look and feel so damn chic. The length and width are perfect for optimal lazing, and the waistline is very kind to a c-section wound should you have one.
To top it off, you need comfortable summer slides to shuffle around in. I have found none better than Nelson Made, I have multiple pairs and promise they are worth the investment, even for someone who really wears their shoes. I really give my footwear a run for its money. Pun intended.
Annie – The Everyday Outfit
T-shirt: Rollas Vintage-look Print Tee (similar)
Bra: Leakproof Bandeau Bralette Size M
Pants: Venroy Cotton Poplin Pant
Shoes: Havaiianas Slim Square Toe Thongs
Necklace: Anna Rossi necklace (similar)
When in doubt, an all-white ensemble will always make me feel pulled together (if somewhat precarious, especially with an 8 month old’s puree-tipped fingers). I love the crispness of these new season Venroy Cotton Poplin Pant. They take the boxer short trend but make it more wearable for the temperamental Melbourne spring climate.
I pair them with an old Rollas tee that looks like I fished it out of the back of a souvenir shop in Naples, it’s so threadbare. It’s the kind of thing I simply could not wear without Mumma Milla Leakproof Bandeau Bralette underneath, such is life with an 8 month old breastfed baby lest I be inadvertently entered into the wrong kind of wet t-shirt contest.
I’ve recently become a convert to the supreme comfort and ease of Havaiianas. The square toe, slim-line version got me over the line, and my feet are thrilled about it. I decide the outfit needs a little weight to counterbalance the sheer, cotton-ey lightness of it all, so I pull on a heavy gunmetal chain by Anna Rossi. She always nails a great staple piece of costume jewellery.
Sophie – WFHWB (Working From Home With Baby)
Top: Elka Collective Kona Knit Top
Bra: Mumma Milla Leakproof Night Bralette in Black Size L
Shorts: Best Jumpers Pleated Paul Short
Wedges: Alias Mae Aisha
Earrings: Dinosaur Designs Earrings (similar)
The time has come: we are going to attempt to respond to work emails, make zoom calls and pretend we’re fine (we’re so not fine) and nothing has changed (everything has changed). The least we can do for ourselves is make sure we are comfortable.
I just got my paws on this Elka Collective Knit Top after recommending it on homeroom relentlessly because I loved the look. I’m happy to report that It feels like the perfect antidote to my seeming inability to wear any tops-that-aren’t-tees right now, which is great timing given i’m dusting the cobwebs off my laptop. It’s sheer, yes, but i’m of the opinion that you should be able to wear what you want to work – especially when it’s from home. I didn’t think i’d be wearing anything sheer any time soon with what i’d witnessed of maternity bras of days gone by, alas, enter: the Mumma Milla Leakproof Night Bralette. It looks like it was made to be seen which I’m betting it probably was given how often it needs to come out. I prefer the night bralette for both night and day, it’s that good.
In the name of getting dressed despite no one being able to see me from the chest down, I’ve pulled on some bermuda shorts. I find putting the whole look together will always make me feel better. The shorts are a beautiful lightweight wool from Japan, made by local label Best Jumpers. They give off smart business gal from the front, while discretely withholding an elastic waist at the back. Genius.
You wont see me in super high heels these days, but a height I can get around is a wedge. A topical shoe for sure, they’re not at the top of the shoe chain but these 90’s style flip flop wedges are doing it for me. It feels like you’re wearing a slide, but the height gives Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich which is exactly the mum energy I’m wanting to channel right now.
Annie – The First Date Post-Baby Outfit
Top: Dissh Sheer Black Shirt (similar) (and another)
Bra: Mumma Milla Leakproof Night Bralette in Black Size M
Pants: St Agni Adjustable Pants Milk
Shoes: Edie Collective Harriet Summer Mule
Necklace: Anna Rossi necklace (similar)
Bracelets: Country Road (similar) and Dinosaur Designs Wishbone Bangle Bracelet
Why is the thought of dressing up so fraught post-baby? I knew, going in to this adventure, that I might feel a little lost, sartorially, in my new body. I did not realise I would feel so sartorially lost in my new brain, too. When it comes to getting dressed to go on an actual date, to a nice restaurant, with actual grown adult human people in my vicinity? You may as well have me do long division.
I settle on something black and sheer because, well, I know it’s what the old me would have worn. That has to be good enough for now. But, it turns out, I feel pretty good in this old Dissh number. It’s just sheer enough that you can catch the outline of my Mumma Milla night bralette, which is the perfect v-neckline to have a few of the top’s buttons undone. I bought this pair of St Agni cream trousers to accommodate my fluctuating waistline, which is still not quite what it used to be, even 8 months postpartum. Maybe it never will be, and I am making my peace with that. In any case, these are the perfect ‘cream’ hue to sit against the sheer black top.
Edie Collective is one of my favourite local footwear labels. All their pieces are vegan and cruelty-free and incredibly chic. No compromises. I pull on their shiny chocolate brown heeled sandals and I am starting to feel like I could convincingly cosplay as a person who got more than an average of 5 hours of sleep night for the last 8 months. My trusty Anna Rossi necklace completes the look.
Sophie – The First… Everything (meet, stroll, coffee date)
Shirt: Elka Collective Clove Shirt
Cami: Friends With Frank Pointelle Tank
Bra: Leakproof Bandeau Bralette Size M
Jeans: Elka Collective Apollo Jean
Black Flat Sandals: Nelson Made Eva Slide
Do yourself a favour and hide your pre-baby denim for a while. It’s not serving anyone having it loom over you, you will never regret buying a pair in a larger size. What you will regret is the way you make yourself feel after trying those jeans on too soon into your postpartum haze.
The first piece of denim I purchased were these Elka Collective Apollo Jeans. They are more of a rigid denim than I thought i’d be attracted to right now, but the volume in the waist and leg are what makes them work. They are loose where I need them to be and the silhouette is very cool. Really all you need is a tee to top them off, but because i’m a recovering t-shirt addict, I add a cami and a shirt: a long time failsafe combo.
The top is also from Elka Collective. You initially think it is a simple blue shirt until you turn to reveal the button detail at the back. I am all about a slight spin on the classics, so few brands do this! I’ve paired it with another white cami, but this one is by Friends With Frank and has the delicate details of pointelle. The designer Jules McCarthy literally came up with the idea after noticing how damn chic her babies looked in their Bonds Pointelle Cozysuits. Again the scalloped edge of the Mumma Milla Leakproof Bandeau Bralette pokes out as much or as little as you’d like. I’ve incorporated it into part of my look.
While this look is considered quite a minimalist capsule style, the button detail of the shirt, the proportions of the denim and the fine imprints of the pointelle cami all come together to create a much more interesting outfit without needing to try very hard. It makes a very solid argument for spending a little more time in choosing pieces that have these special little details. Or just follow homeroom and we’ll do it for you.
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Feature by Stylists - Sophie Barker and Annie Carroll from Homeroom
Homeroom was launched in 2023 by stylist Sophie Barker and communications strategist Annie Carroll. They exist to take the mystery out of fashion for seasoned experts and curious rookies alike. We do that by combining a one-of-a-kind directory of Australian fashion labels with content that aims to unravel the ins-and-outs of fashion for everybody.
IG: @homeroomau