How-to: COMFY Mama Style (Staples + 3 looks)
Having great style as a mom can be tricky enough once you’ve returned to your pre-baby size and adjusted to a new routine. It’s even tougher when you are still carrying baby weight. I am still 20 pounds from my goal weight and my baby is almost one – barely even a baby anymore! Dressing and going out in the beginning is definitely the hardest. Add to that a new breastfeeding relationship and possible c-section recovery and you may be temped to just throw on yoga pants everyday. But for the love of you, DON’T! This is my quick post-baby style guide, made up from a few basic items that can be rotated and thrown on quickly.
Post-partum Style Must-Haves:
- Oversize v-neck tops (Various sizes for different looks + as you shrink)
- Several nursing tank tops or tops
- Boyfriend cardigan or poncho
- Leggings
- Maxi dress
- Pretty sandals (Not rubber flip-flops)
- Baby-friendly statement jewelry (One durable necklace, bangle bracelets)
Outfit #1: Cute v-neck t-shirt, leggings, embellished sandals or ballet flats, nursing necklace. A v-neck top draws the line to your bust, likely a great asset right now! Bonus: It allows easy access for breastfeeding. Choose a top that is 2x too big so that it covers your whole butt. Slide into some comfortable leggings and slip your feet into some sexy sandals (I know it’s hard but get yourself a pedicure, even if you do it yourself while your baby is napping). If it isn’t warm where you are, opt for bejeweled flats instead. If you are breastfeeding (which I hope you are), add on a stylish nursing necklace (or any other necklace that is safe enough for Baby to tug on with supervision).
Outfit #2: Cute v-neck, belt, stretch denim jeans, embellished sandals or ballet flats, bracelets. I recommend buying a cute but cheap pair of jeans a couple of weeks after giving birth. Either shop secondhand or hit up Target or F21. (You may also be able to get away with your maternity jeans for awhile.) Pair with a low-cut top (Again, show off your best feature) or a basic tank top if the weather is warm. A stretchy rope belt adds a pop of color while keeping jeans in place on your changing body. Chunky bracelets and rings are fun for your baby to look at and give your look instant polish.
$7.80 - forever21.com
Outfit #3: Maxi dress, embellished sandals or ballet flats, nursing necklace, cardigan, belt. A maxi dress will work for most seasons and is so comfortable! Wear it alone or belted in summer, or wrap the belt around a cardigan in the cooler months. Perfect for lounging around with your newly-expanded family, running errands or even going out to dinner. There are many cotton maxi dresses stretchy enough for nursing, or you can invest in a nursing dress especially made to discreetly breastfeed in.
$28 - oldnavy.gap.com
Hopefully these ideas give you some inspiration to look great even post-partum. I was a hot mess after delivering my baby and wish I had put more effort into my looks those first few months. It is hard to find the time to ‘dress up’, but a handful of staples you can mix and match makes it a whole lot easier. There is no reason you can’t look great even with a new baby.
© 2012
Cute post! Wish I had read this right after having my baby!
With my next baby I am going to buy/plan my post-baby wardrobe while I’m pregnant. The idea of shopping + outfit planning with a newborn is truly laughable. Wish I had known!
I pretty much lived in leggings, loose t-shirts and plaid flannel button shirts for awhile after my first baby. That was a decade ago. With my last baby, I wore a lot of skirts and stretchy t-shirts.
I LOVED my v-neck tops. It’s still all that I ever wear. And leggings? Yes, please!
I wore the v-necks while pregnant (leggings, too) so it worked out. Strangely, my boobs seemed to take up the space my belly used to take up in the t-shirts. Thank goodness for breastfeeding.