By HTE Founder, Erin Hughes, and Founder of Charlotte Styled It, Charlotte Grigg
Let’s be honest.
Most mums aren’t looking for a complete wardrobe overhaul.
We’re looking for clothes that survive school drop-off, grocery shopping, work meetings, sports practice, coffee catch-ups and whatever else life throws at us before lunchtime.
We want to feel comfortable. We want to feel confident. Ideally, we’d like to achieve both without spending 45 minutes standing in front of the wardrobe questioning every life choice we’ve ever made.
According to Charlotte from Charlotte Styled It, great style doesn’t need to be complicated.
In fact, the simpler it is, the better.
“It always starts with a great white T-shirt,” she says.
Simple.
Timeless.
Easy.
The kind of piece that works harder than almost anything else in your wardrobe.
From there, Charlotte builds around a handful of staples that make getting dressed feel effortless.
Think:
- A quality white T-shirt
- Great denim jeans
- A denim shirt or denim jacket
- A versatile cardigan
- A belt that picks up the colour of your shoes
- Repeating the same colour throughout your outfit
Charlotte often creates outfits by connecting colours across shoes, belts, layers and accessories. It’s a simple trick that instantly makes an outfit feel more considered and pulled together.
That’s it.
No complicated formulas.
No chasing trends.
Just pieces that work together.
“It’s about having a handful of pieces you can rely on.”
And when life is busy, that reliability matters.
One of Charlotte’s favourite outfit combinations?
A white T-shirt paired with either denim jeans or relaxed drawstring pants.
Then simply add a layer.
- A white T-shirt.
- Denim jeans.
- A denim shirt.
- A cardigan or jacket layered over the top.
- A belt that ties back to the colour of your shoes.
Simple. Wearable. Reliable.
And when you’re short on time, a tonal outfit in similar shades always works and looks elevated.
Elevated casual is my go-to!
The beauty is that every piece works with every other piece, which means less thinking and more living.
Charlotte is also a big believer that styling isn’t always about buying more.
Sometimes it’s about making tiny adjustments.
“A good belt is really underrated.”
Whether it’s matching your belt to your shoes or pulling through a colour already in your outfit, it instantly makes everything feel more considered.
Another trick?
Roll the sleeves on an oversized T-shirt.
“It sounds small, but it changes the whole look.”
And if there’s one style rule Charlotte wishes mums would stop following?
The idea that becoming a mother means toning yourself down.
“Becoming a mum brings a different kind of confidence and strength.”
In other words?
Wear the colour.
Wear the statement earrings.
Wear the bold shoes.
Wear the thing you’ve been talking yourself out of.
Motherhood doesn’t mean becoming less of yourself.
If anything, it’s an invitation to become more.
And sometimes, that starts with something as simple as getting dressed in a way that reminds you who you are.
To discover Charlotte Styled It, click here.
