Is there such a thing as a chic buggy?

We chat pram trends, the best colour palettes and how baby transport doesn't have to spell sartorial death with The Telegraph's Fashion Director, Bethan Holt

Photo provided by Bethan Holt

‘Chic’ isn’t exactly the first word that springs to mind when you think of buggies. Sure, some are very practical (a functional cup holder! A big basket! Light enough not to develop a hernia when navigating London’s enormous amount of train stations without step-free access alongside your small child!) But ‘chic’? Not quite.

And yet with a boom in mumfluencers and bloggers over the past decade or so, as well as high-profile celebs ripping up the rulebook on traditional images of motherhood and pregnancy (God bless you, Rihanna), there’s certainly a growing market for people entering parenthood who want to retain their self-image while also rearing children. Novel.

It’s a trend that has seen the rise in designer baby carriers by the likes of Artipoppe, for people who don’t want to compromise on style while ferrying their baby around. And who have lots of money.

Now, I am not one to either consider myself or be considered more broadly as chic. It’s OK guys, I’ve accepted it. I like my own personal style and experimenting with my clothes and fits. But that being said, I did find myself panic-texting an old friend when faced with the fairly straightforward task of picking a colour for the double buggy frame that will soon become a staple accessory in my life (I AM TERRIFIED!)

Luckily for me, that old friend happens to be Fashion Director at The Telegraph and one of the chicest mums I know: Bethan Holt. Someone who has managed to both retain her own personal style (highly curated, elegant and seemingly never ruined by toddler snot) and even elevate it after having a baby. Someone who always looks totally put together and intentional, even when faced with a dreaded sleep regression. A real-life ‘chic mum’. If I sound jealous, it’s because I am.

Anyway, as always her advice was well-received and affirming of my extremely unoriginal choice: all black. But the ensuing conversation about how to balance an appreciation for clothes and fashion with new motherhood, trends in buggies and carriers, and our speculation as to why you never see a celeb with a pram felt worth sharing. So here you go! I promise to stop using the word ‘chic’ so much now.

Rose: Is there such a thing as a chic pram?

Bethan: Of course! But as with so much that we deem as chic or not chic, it’s really all about how you wear it, or in this case, push it. If the person has a ‘je ne sais quoi, I’ve got this’ attitude then the pram itself becomes more aspirational. And by the way I’m not saying you have to care about this stuff at all, I think that’s just how it works. 

R: What’s with the snobbery around double buggies?

B: Ugh well I guess they don’t exactly exude effortless, travelling-light vibes do they? And historically if you’re a mum pushing a double buggy then stereotypes might suggest you’re looking a bit flustered. But I’ve seen plenty of mums who totally smash that out of date notion and look very cool with their double load. 

R: Are there actually any chic double buggies?

B: Totally personal but I prefer the side by side ones like a Bugaboo Donkey to the ones where the kids are stacked on top of each other. 

R: What does the colour of your pram say about you? Should you just get black?

B: Well my first choice would always be black just because I find it sleek and in tune with my own style, which felt important when I was choosing a buggy. Plus it doesn’t show dirt as easily as other colours. I also felt amazing gliding along with my Cybex running buggy, which was black too. Navy is chic as well. 

I do think one reason Babyzen YOYOs were everywhere was the Farrow and Ball-like selection of colours. It felt like a real design decision choosing which one you’d go for and I did always enjoy seeing people’s choices. 

Personally I find grey a bit depressing and a colour that corresponds with your child’s gender passé, but each to their own. 

Photo provided by Bethan Holt

R: What are some of the most chic accessories for prams you've seen or coveted?

B: So simple but I always regretted not getting those giant pram mittens that keep your hands warm for pushing in the winter, even though it feels like such a ‘mum’ purchase. A decent cup holder is essential, but haven’t found one that’s 100% spill proof yet.

A tasteful black and white patterned accoutrement of some kind feels like a nod to how seriously you take your child’s education from day one.

A Binbamba sheepskin was also one of my favourite newborn pram accessories. 

I feel instant sympathy/camaraderie when I see a Rockit strapped to someone’s buggy. 

R: Why did the YOYO become The One for so long and what’s the successor do you think?

B: Yes it’s not exactly an inspired choice any more but apart from the occasional annoying jiggly wheels, I still rate it as a buggy (find it so hard travelling YOYO levels of light though with my toddler). 

I see all the cool mums now with Cybex buggies which is also the result of a mass seeding programme — they are sleek and lovely.

I like the look of the Bugaboo Butterfly too. 

R: Is there any way to make a baby look like a hot accessory? (haha)

B: I’d point you in the direction of the Artipoppe sling for this. Honestly love my green velvet one more than lots of my designer handbags. 

But yes you can definitely style out the buggy life, I think there are styles out there now that are more helpful in letting parents find something that aligns with their personal style. Just because you’re pushing a buggy doesn’t mean you can’t look like a great version of yourself. 

R: Why don’t you ever see celebrities with prams?

B: They all have nannies?!