When newly pregnant, the first sign of the belly “popping” is an exciting confirmation that our life will never be the same. The squishy, dirty, little secret our girlfriends neglect to divulge is that same belly will be around for a while, well after the sweet little nugget is in our arms. There in lies the depressing realization that you have NOTHING to wear!
Our bodies are able to expand (generously) to fit, nourish, and birth a human being. Weird, and awesome! And for some diabolical reason, we (as women) put this unrealistic and undue pressure on ourselves to look refreshed, toned, and perfect following a 10-month transformation. We are NOT all Kate Middleton. For the rest of us mortals, the transition is not as cute.
On the days that actually require a real bra and something other than yoga pants, trying to figure out how to feel confident again can be overwhelming when the focus 23 hours and 30 minutes of the day is spent keeping a baby alive. Even after the baby weight is lost, many of us find that the shape and distribution of our body is different. And the boobs… let’s not even talk about the boobs. That is just a sad, sad story of lost youth.
So let’s cut ourselves some slack, push those doll-sized clothes to the side for a few months years, and use some clever tricks to feel confident, look put together, and rock something fabulous for those precious moments away from our babies.
Postpartum, for the weeks following giving birth:
- Nursing tanks are essential! The tanks with stretch and spandex will allow for a changing shape, while also sucking in where needed. They provide the coverage and modesty desired without the uncomfortable nature of a bra.
- Don’t pack away those maternity leggings, jeans, or shorts just yet. The expandable or fold-down waists will allow room for a changing midsection.
- Button up shirts and cardigans. This is a great way to feel like you have an outfit. A simple cardigan or button-up over a nursing tank allows for convenient access to nursing, yet looks pulled together with a necklace or colorful scarf (which also has a dual purpose as a nursing cover!).
For the return to work, a girls night out, date night:
- High-waisted is your friend. Even better, high-waisted with an elastic waist band is your ride or die BFF. No, they will not make you look like you have “mom jeans” on. They will ride high enough to cover a postpartum belly, flatten and stretch more than a button front pant. Pants that fit properly without cutting in to the waist help to avoid muffin top and are more comfortable.
A straight silhouette top that grazes over HIGH waisted shorts is great for a weekend trip to the farmer’s market, and serves dual purpose with a skirt, heels, and jacket at the office. - Remember, it’s all about proportions. Pairing fitted with flowy, will avoid a look that is either sloppy or overly tight from head to toe. Look for tops that graze the body rather than cling. This is when the proportion comes in to play, pairing that flowy top with skinny or straight bottoms.
- Stick to dark colors on top. While the “girls” are still front and center, a dark top will minimize and slim.
- Find multi-purpose items. Pieces appropriate for play dates AND the office are key to not having to invest in an entirely new wardrobe. A-line tanks can be worn with jeans and sandals on the weekend, and tucked in to a pencil skirt with a blazer or cardigan during the week.
- A few transitional pieces can go a long way. Investing in pieces that are a size or two larger than pre-baby size will expand a wardrobe. A cute pair of boyfriend jeans can be paired with heels and a tank for a date night, and a T-shirt and Converse for a play date on the weekends. A top with ruching or gathering at the waist will camouflage and can be worn casual or to work. Opt for cost effective stores like Old Navy, H&M, outlets or factory stores of J.Crew, Gap, and Banana Republic.
What to avoid:
- Maxi dresses. This is a tricky one. Fact: Maxi dresses are comfortable and flattering. They are great for an outing where the baby stays at home, or if nursing is NOT necessary. If nursing is even a slight possibility, do yourself a favor and opt out of a maxi dress. No one wants to be lifting their dress to their shoulders in a public place. Not. Worth. It!
- Wrong sizing. The right size can do wonders. Squeezing in to a garment for the sake of the size will not only be uncomfortable but unflattering. Ignore the numeric number on the inside of the tag, and be confident that fit is more important than the size!
- Bands or seams that hit in the wrong places. Avoid bands that hit under the bust and at the waist. It often will only emphasize rather than detract from unfavorable areas.
Have no idea where to start? Look here for inspiration and assistance:
- Stitch Fix. An online personal shopper will mail five items based on your personal style preferences, sizing, and requests. It is a fantastic way to avoid shopping in stores with a baby in tow. It also can open your eyes to styles, colors, sizes, and pieces that may be overlooked. The items that do not fit are sent back free of charge!
- Liketoknow.it. An Instagram based shopping tool, it allows consumers to follow style bloggers and easily shop the inspirational looks. By “liking” a post, an email will be generated sending you links on exactly where to buy each part of the outfit in a range of different price points and shopping destinations.
- Pinterest. Purchasing an entire new wardrobe based on the latest hipster trends is NOT the point here. Instead, search for post-baby clothing ideas, and mimic the ideas using pieces you already own.
Being in the trenches of motherhood can be all consuming, so hand the baby over to your spouse, grab a nice long shower, put on a new outfit, and grab your girlfriend for a drink. You deserve it! And if all else fails…reach straight for the yoga pants. You’ll be fabulous no matter what!
