Those of you that follow me on instagram will know that I’ve been having a bit of a crisis of confidence of late, specifically in the summer style department.

I’ve always preferred winter and autumnal dressing to the warmer months, I just find it easier – and more comfortable. It’s a case of throwing on a cute tea dress with opaque tights or a black skinny jean with a slouchy cardigan. In summer I can’t seem to find a middle ground, I always feel that fashion is too skimpy and I end up veering towards looking as though I’m dressed for December, or for a fancy wedding. I can’t seem to do casual cool. It’s always a bit casual…”haven’t made an effort” at all.

I had some success with a couple of maxi dresses you will have seen in my Summer Staples feature a month or so ago – I swear I have LIVED in that flutter sleeve number (now only £38 in the sale!). And there lies the problem. Up until the last fortnight or so, I’ve lived in about four different items. It wasn’t so much ‘capsule” as really bloody boring.

Hilariously one of the first things I bought was another floral ASOS maxi dress that Lisa has already recommended in her “top five picks of the sales” feature on Sunday (we didn’t cross reference, we just have very similar tastes in clothes, our daughters basically have the same wardrobe). Long flowery gowns are clearly my “style” so I need to embrace it. Rather than worrying I’m potentially wearing similar pieces all the time.

With my colder season skinny-jeans-and-slouchy-knitwear favourite combination in mind, I decided to see how I could switch it up for when the sun puts his hat on. So I actually went shopping. And I mean in real life. Not just armed with my keyboard and a virtual basket.

I went for the whole day to London with my friend perfect Kelly (Pocahontas, skin the colour of caramel, one of the loveliest people on earth) and do you know what? we had a smashing experience. We took time to browse the rails and try things on at an unprecedented relaxed pace. There were several glasses of fizz throughout the trip (you know, to assist with decision making) and we both came home with quite a few bags full of beauteous bargains.

Have you checked out Oasis recently? I hadn’t. Not for years. I bought two of their long-line rib trim cardigans – one in “Coral” (more like a peachy apricot) and one in “pale grey” (a heather grey, rather than a true grey) and they are lush, a true fine knit which is ideal for rising temperatures whilst keeping you warm as the evenings draw in, and only £26 each. Oasis also have a wide range of bardot style tops which I’m loving at the moment.

I have been pairing my cardis with pretty camisoles from New Look, every time I’ve worn this white floral print button front design I’ve been asked where it’s from, and have been met with a raised eyebrow and an “oh really?” when I’ve revealed my source. I also have this lace trimmed mid-pink version and am tempted to purchase other colours. Camisoles from New Look are £15.99 each.

As well as a lack of regular daytime garments, I had also completely given up all hope of finding suitable stuff to wear to bed. Anything sexy simply isn’t appropriate for 5am wake up calls and warming bottles of milk in a cold kitchen. Yet wearing my usual nightshirts seemed well…..a bit frumpy and far too cosy for humid nights if I’m honest. I’ve recently discovered the brand Undiz via ASOS and their blush pyjama top and matching blush pyjama shorts are the comfiest items ever. They also come in black, which I’ve recently invested in too.

Motherhood brings with it many challenges, and although they are undoubtedly outweighed by joy, losing my sense of self still seems to be a daily battle. “What to wear” may seem frivolous in the grand scheme of things but feeling confident when I leave the house has a positive effect on my outlook which in turn has a positive effect on Mabel too. On a good day I feel as though I’m slowly but surely getting my style mojo back.

Alternatively on a bad day when I’m covered in my daughter’s petit filous, not had time to wash my hair and feel exhausted and beaten I just think “f*ck it”, and eat a bag of crisps whilst buying completely impractical yet lovely things like the lace dress in the slider above. The Outnet is a dangerous place to peruse but my goodness it’s addictive. Alexander Wang at 80% off anyone?

Have you discovered anything “casual yet cool” recently? Do you too prefer dressing for winter? And if anyone can recommend an excellent strapless bra then I will love you forever (I’ve tried the wonderbra ones that everyone raves about and unfortunately they just don’t seem to work for me.)