My Mama Wardrobe: Melanie of Sono Vaso

Maternity brand Sono Vaso has helped so many Hong Kong mamas stay stylish through their pregnancies, that we wanted to turn the tables a little to find out about the mama wardrobe of founder Melanie McInally. With her busy life, two sons and two dogs, she chooses a comfortable and practical style that works for running around town!

What is a typical day in your life like?
We are up early in my house, my boys get up with the sunrise (!!) and it’s a mad rush to get both boys and hubby off to school and work and then it’s a brisk walk with my 2 dogs. I normally work while the boys are at school so between 9am-3pm I’m either in my home office, or in our Sono Vaso office or at a meeting somewhere in HK. Then after 3pm I’m mummy again and picking the boys up from school for after school activities… That brings us up to dinner, then bath + bed time for the boys by 7.30pm, story time in bed and then it’s “me-time” again. Well most days I’ll try to finish off some work from home or if I’m lucky I can settle down with my favourite TV show or book and wind down to bed time.

What is your go-to style or uniform?
I’m a little bit addicted to my 7 For All Mankind skinny jeans and one of our Sono Vaso Modal jersey tunics, teamed with a nude ballet slipper and nude leather tote (I just bought it in Rome)… They are just too comfortable and will see me through a hectic day of mum/work/school/meeting etc.

What always makes you feel good when you wear it?
I’m in love with my new Max Mara bias cut cowl neck dress, it fits like a glove and it’s tailored beautifully, gotta give it to the Italians when it comes to tailoring!

How do you dress in the evening versus the daytime?
Well I’m trying to wear more dresses; my husband’s right when he says I’m ALWAYS in pants or jeans… So I do like to wear a classic shift dress with a nude wedge heel at night, but during the day I’m definitely a “jeans & t-shirt & flat shoe” kind of gal!

How has being a mama changed your personal style? If it has!
My personal style has definitely changed by becoming a mama – I’m much more practical now with my style choices, although I’m still in love with fashion – I tend to buy items that will last me for more than one season now and that will look effortless when thrown on…. I don’t have much time for “me” so I need clothes that work and work well.

If you could change one thing about your style, what would it be?
I would love to be more adventurous with dresses, skirts and prints… I’ve avoided these for a while but now I think it ‘s time I embraced me again and dressed a bit more femininely… I think I might invest in a personal stylist soon – and do a wardrobe makeover “Gok” style!

What are you always searching for?
Great basics: mercerized cotton tees and tops, glamorous tunics; I live in them, and the perfect skinny jean.

Where do you shop in Hong Kong?
I’m on a bit of an internet shopping blitz at the moment, Net-a-Porter and Outnet are great, and in HK I love Max Mara, Sportmax, 7 For All Mankind, Uniqlo and Bralicious for bras that are lovely and actually fit me!!!

Check out www.sonovaso.com to see the latest from the always-popular range!