Stories: Holly McCauley

Stories: Holly McCauley

At Nowadays, we’ve always believed that clothes are only part of the story. The real heart of what we do lies in the people who wear them - the parents moving through the beautiful, messy, exhausting, and tender seasons of raising children.

Parenthood isn’t just about milestones or picture-perfect moments. It’s found in the in-between: the third reheat of your coffee, the socks that never stay on, the quiet joy of catching your child’s laugh when no one else is watching. These everyday rhythms shape who we are and how we show up for our families. That’s why, alongside creating considered pieces for kids, we want to tell the stories of the people wearing them - their days, their choices, their ways of finding comfort in the chaos.

This new series is about parents, in all their variety. Not as experts, not as polished profiles, but as people in the thick of it - navigating the strange mix of wonder and fatigue that defines life with kids. We hope that in sharing their rhythms, you’ll find a little recognition of your own.

To begin, we spent some time with Holly McCauley - a graphic designer, stylist, art director (basically all round creative genius we think!), and mum of three living in the Northern Rivers with her partner Nich. Holly has built a creative, grounded family life shaped by connection to place, simple rhythms, and a thoughtful approach to what really matters (including what clothes make it into her kids’ drawers).

We spoke with Holly about the slow bits and the chaotic ones, her go-to pieces for her children, and the small surprises of seeing their personalities unfold.

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Tell us about the rhythm of what your days look like at the moment — the slow bits, the chaotic ones, and the in-between.

At the moment I am mum to an 8 year old, a 5 year old and a 9 month old baby. So there is a large spread of different needs there! I’m so lucky that their time around I am able to spend more time at home with the kids, specifically baby Sid. With the older girls, I rushed back to work quite quickly. We have shuffled our living arrangement around to be able to afford to live off one salary, but it’s been so great and a total game changer, especially with quite a sensitive baby! Our mornings are pretty rushed to get the girls to school, then Sid and I can slow ourselves down a bit, get outside and do a few things around the house. I am really loving the simple life at the moment and trying to embrace it, not making too many plans, keeping our little home feeling like a cosy and comfortable place to be. 

Are there pieces of clothing for your kids you return to again and again? Why those?

I am loving our Nowadays pieces, the basic tees as so good and go with all my five year olds other clothing, she wears them under dresses and with jeans. The hickory pants are a staple for our baby, he looks so cute in them and the dark colour is so forgiving, he’s usually in them a few days in a row. I’m lucky the girls aren’t too fussy with their clothing yet and I’m trying to keep them rocking their big baggy tees and jeans for as long as possible. They need practical  pieces for exploring our bush property, skating and playing. Being a girl mum I am also a huge fan of simple floral dresses for summer 

  • Sid wears our long sleeve t shirt in lemonade and primary pant in navy hickory stripe.

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  • Sid wears our classic t shirt in earth and sweatshort in grey marle. Posey wears our classic t shirt in chilli and sweatshort in tomato

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  • Posey wears our long sleeve t shirt in grey marle, sweatshirt in tomato and everyday short in navy hickory stripe

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How do you think about clothing for your family — in terms of comfort, durability, or design?

I am really fussy with what comes into our space. Each kid has only one draw each and the girls also share a small hanging rail for all their clothes. I try to bring pieces in that will all fit together, so their can grab anything from their draw and it will usually work with all their other clothing. Denim is great for that! I try and keep all our old clothes and am a big believer in hand me downs. Poor posey, our middle child, I think she’s had one new pair of shoes her whole life - and Sid will get all the girls old things. I can’t wait to see him in their pink overalls and vans!

What’s surprised you most about your child’s personality?

It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but I have recently noticed how kooky both the girls are. They dance to their own beat. This is really showing with our eldest, who doesn’t care if she fits in with the crowd, she’s her own person and I am so so happy about it. We’ve spent our whole parenting journey so far really letting them just be themselves, not to just do something because their peers are doing it - and it’s finally paying off. It’s something that both my partner and I are really proud of. 

Describe your parenting style in three words — or a single sentence.

Firm but fun, raising independent kids (both in thinking and doing)!

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