What Mums Wear: Kate Bond, Founder of Bond Street.
"Sunglasses, handbag and shoes can do the talking for you and can turn a a very basic outfit in to one that has a bit more edge."
What mums wear is a new series that takes a deep dive into what we wear, our relationship with fashion and how it evolves throughout motherhood, just as we do. We ask our most stylish mum friends their best tips on what to wear and what they consider when getting dressed each day.
"Truly hideous" is how Kate's husband Banjo describes her beloved white Maison Margiela Tabis — a shoe staple for many a fashionable woman but a known man repeller among the mere moral male population. I DM Kate something cheeky about my husband's disdain for some items I wear, and she replies, "Honestly, it usually means it's good." I agree. This is also why I like Kate and what she shares online. She delivers honest fashion with humour and lightness, adding joy to my morning scroll.
Her appreciation and understanding of style are unmistakable from her grid. She favours the flawless formula of a well-cut blazer, classic sunglasses, great-fitting jeans and a pair of leather Khaite boots. I mention the label Khaite because it is a label all women who know fashion gravitate towards. With such a fine-tuned eye for style, it is unsurprising that she is behind the nightwear label Bond Street. An extension of Kate's wardrobe and what she saw missing in the market, blending the comfort and luxury of a silky pyjama set with timeless and compelling prints.
Read on as Kate shares what she wears daily, why she has such a deep love for denim, her journey of remission from a heel-only girl, and the most worn items in her closet.
I wake up at 6am, do my skincare routine, make the bed and get dressed. The kids are up by 6:30am, breakfast is at 7am then I get them ready and we’re out the door usually by 8:30am. Normally, I walk or drive Artie (her goes 3 days/week) to school then grab a coffee and some groceries with my youngest son, Walter. I try to make it to pilates at 9:30am if I have help, otherwise I do some form of activity with Walt or both boys in tow.
I like my kids to dress like kids. But I also don’t want to lean in to merch until I absolutely have to! I generally steer away from slogan tees and opt for block colour/striped t shirts, denim jeans or comfy shorts in navy. I’m sick for an overall moment too. Can’t get enough. Sadly my eldest has moved on from overalls but I will be putting my two year old in overalls for as long as I can!
WALK & WORKOUT.
I usually do work and life admin while Walter sleeps. Once he wakes we play together before picking up Artie. Then, it’s the usual dinner/bath/bed/tidy-up routine. A lot of the time I’ll log back in and do more work emails and squeeze in some time with my husband, before reading and falling asleep around 9/9:30pm.
When it comes to getting dressed, I’m very much a creature of habit. I lean into my regulars. I usually wear some iteration of the same outfit most days.
ERRANDS & COFFEE.
I’m obsessed with jeans! I have collected more pairs of jeans than I’d like to admit and find myself constantly wanting more. Most days I’ll wear jeans – always baggy or straight cut – paired with a transeasonal knit. I love short sleeved cashmere sweaters and vests as I find they’re versatile and slightly more elevated than basic tees. If it’s on the warmer side, I’ll do a tee or tank. If it’s cooler, I’ll layer a blazer, usually Acne or Beare Park, over the top.
To me, denim is timeless. The styles change of course but the versatility of jeans knows no bounds. I love building an outfit around a pair of jeans. You can add a few accessories and completely change the look.
Good accessories are the key to this look. Sunglasses, handbag and shoes can do the talking for you and can turn a a very basic outfit in to one that has a bit more edge. I’ll usually wear Chanel ballet flats or a minimalist sandal, a big handbag, usually my Chanel 22, and sunglasses (my second great love, after denim). A shoulder bag that you love that also fits the essentials (wipes, nappy, water bottles and snacks – duh) but that doesn’t feel like a “baby bag”.
If it’s cooler, however, I love a good pair of boots. I’ve tried so hard to be a sneaker girlie but it’s just not for me! I find this outfit and slight variations to suit my day-to-day life as a mum. I can wear it to the kids’ activities, while also dressing it up slightly for social occasions or appointments and errands.
Functionality was never at the forefront of my mind, but now it’s something that I do have to consider. I used to be that girl that was always in a heel. My version of a flat was a heeled Chanel slingback (which I wore to DEATH). But now, I usually take the boys out for a walk to get coffee, groceries and go to the park so even if it don’t stay in it all day, I’ll often start the day in activewear.
Some things I won’t relent though. I still wear white denim and all white outfits, however I’ve made peace with the fact that it won’t stay clean or make it through the day!
WORK APPOINTMENTS.
I work for myself and usually work while also going about mum life so I’ll wear some iteration of what I’ve mentioned above however on days when I don’t have the kids and I can really dedicate myself to Bond Street, I like to dress with a little more intention. My work uniform is usually Slvrlake London Jeans (they run true to size), Khaite Boots (and The Attico Shirt.
I would describe my style as classic, tailored and feminine. I’m the founder of Bond Street, a luxury nightwear brand and I mainly work from home but do go visit our manufacturers, cutters and pattern makers regularly when in production. I work alone so I do miss that feeling of getting dressed for the office. When I do have meetings I get quite excited to put my professional foot forward! The concept came from loving a matching set at the best of times but something about the timeless nature of classic pyjamas drew me to explore how they could be elevated to wear beyond the bedroom.
Elegant, supremely flattering and above all, comfortable – why should they be reserved for the confines of your home?! I loved the way I felt effortlessly put-together in a silky pair of pyjamas so I set about creating a hybrid pair that were tailored enough to wear out, and comfortable enough to wear in.
NIGHT OUT.
If I do go out, I reach for trousers and a dressy top. That’s my version of the “jeans and cute top” recipe. Wide leg and bias cut pants are the most flattering for me. My Vince Bias Cut Pants are probably my most worn item of clothing. For evening I love a sheer top and blazer or fabrics that feel a little more luxurious than cotton.
When pregnant I loved wearing column style dresses for events as these are generally something I wouldn’t get away with in my normal state as they aren’t the most flattering on a bigger bust. I lived in my Bond Street Pyjama Sets for evenings out when pregnant too.