A new pair of yellow sandals

Taddy Mama down under - 20 Aug 16

I bought a pair of flat, yellow, shiny, patent leather sandals today. They make me happy and I feel about 7 again. I had a bounce in my step all day and each time I looked down I felt a little thrill of joy.

Now I love shoes (and bags and dresses and shopping in general), I live in Sydney, the sun shines most days, even in winter, so sandals are de rigueur and there’s a lot of choice for open-toed foot apparel but these little babies are extra special.

One reason I love them is that they are a break from the norm, from the oh-so-casual #effortlesssbutsomucheffort look that goes into being a Sydney yummy mummy (Syum)- and boy are the mummies yummy. Beautiful Pilates toned bods, swishy blond highlighted hair, skinny jeans, Breton top and converse. I’m not knocking the Syums, I have good friends who are Syums, they are the best. And I admit I sometimes wear the Sydney lower north shore uniform myself because it’s a good look and I like to feel on trend.

But my inner Brit just keeps whispering in my ear – ‘accessorise, break free’. And I do. Proudly. A dogtooth headband with oversized bow here, a floral dress there, clashing prints, I can’t help it, I’m a rebel in Cath K.

It got me thinking. I always wear a uniform of sorts, like back at home in York in the UK, the uniforms change more frequently with Primarni fast fashion and H&M or Topshop runway copies – but I still like to fit in and mark it with my own individual stamp.

And breaking free from that norm is healthy, it’s a show of inner confidence to strike out with a version of a trend, to mix it up and wear it boldly.  Like the way I used to customise my pencil case with my mates at school – all of us showing a bit or perhaps saying a lot about who we were – goth, trendsetter or geek – it was etched onto pleather for all to see and carried like a badge of honour (I was geek btw and still lament my fashion niche came 20 years too late).

Fashion gives me a lift, it celebrates my ‘joie de vivre’ and makes my step a little bit lighter especially after I’ve been to an all-night feeding rave with my 7 week old son.

Fashion is frivolous, it’s fun. But it’s never pointless. Not for me.

So today I urge you to put a bounce in your step, wear your ‘happy feet’, whether that’s your hair differently or a new dress. Forget about ‘making the effort’, set your mind to think about getting dressed like you would have done for a night out in your twenties.

Abandon caution. Experiment. It’s heady stuff. This is about self expression, feeling liberated and knowing deep down you’re beautiful. It’s about choosing violet over beige-that-is-chic-and-matches-everything. It’s your caffeine lift without the coffee. Give it a try and let your yellow shiny sandals dance their beat today.

p.s the yellow sandal image unphotoshopped, veiny feet as standard.

Taddy Mama down under

I'm a mum to two gorgeous boys. I live in Sydney and moved here in 2015 after my husband and I decided we'd like to experience life down under for a few years. I'm from Tadcaster in Yorkshire. I love fashion though my wardrobe is definitely more H&M than net-a-porter. I also enjoy a good cup of tea, reading my kindle, long walks, Pilates and seizing the day no matter what kind of night I've had with the kids.

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