Ten tips for dressing your postpartum body
Dressing you postpartum body is… difficult.
While pregnant, you have an adorable bump as the perfect accessory. Your clothes show it off, everyone admires how beautiful you are, and Pinterest boards show page after page of ideas and inspiration.
Then, the baby comes, and while it can be a relief to no longer be pregnant, you are now left to survey the results. That cute bump is still there, but there is no baby inside. And if you’re nursing, too, you now have to manage larger boobs, prepare for milk leakage, and figure out making yourself easily accessible for a hungry baby.
It is a lot.
The good news… it is not impossible. Yes, it will take some work, but you will feel better and more like yourself.
Get acquainted with your new body.
After having a baby, it can feel like you are not only meeting your baby but also yourself. Your hips have expanded, your stomach may have expanded, and you may have stretched in more places than you realized. What worked before you got pregnant may not work anymore. For example, a dress with an empire waist might have been a cuter style when your boobs were smaller, but now that style accentuates your empty bump. Take some time to notice how your body has changed.
Accept you body as it is right now.
Unless you are incredibly blessed or a Hollywood celebrity with access to a team of professionals, it is going take some time for you body to heal. You have two choices: you can put your style on hold until you reach your ideal body, or you can accept the body you have now. Give yourself the gift of accepting your body. So often, we feel as though acceptance means resignation, and then we will never change. However, acceptance gives you the ability to do the next thing…
Celebrate your body for what it has done and is still doing.
You have given birth to a human. Your body has done something incredible! You can celebrate what your body has done by dressing it well. It can feel tempting to hide behind t-shirts and blend into the background, but your body deserves to be celebrated just as much as your baby does.
Embrace clean.
This sounds like a no-brainer, but when you are deep in the throws of postpartum, it can be easy to wear the same shirt and legging combination on repeat. However, you will feel much better if your clothes are clean. Take a few minutes and plan out your clothes for the next few days. Even if it is a rotation of leggings, tshirts, and pajamas, prepare outfits to take away the mental load of planning and have things ready to grab.
Keep extra clothes in the car.
We pack everything for the baby in the diaper bag in case has a major blowout (or several). But there is nothing worse than being in public, the baby has a blowout, and you only have paper towels to try and remove milk and poop. Keep a nice change of clothes for yourself in the car in case of an emergency. Ask me how I know….
Invest in undergarments.
I may have learned this years ago when watching episodes of “What Not to Wear”, but the right undergarments can make or break an outfit. For some reason, when the boobs feel supported and the panties feel comfortable, you have more confidence to enter a room. However, old nursing bas that are worn and stretched out, or panties that add extra rolls can really deal a hit to your confidence. Again…. ask me how I know.
Remember, your body is never as bad as you think.
Yes, it may not meet your standards, but remember, we are our own worst critics. No one will ever be as hard on you as you are on yourself. When you look in the mirror, smile at yourself and be proud of what you have accomplished.
Focus less on trend and more on timeless
It can be tempting to try and keep up with trends while you are postpartum. However, now may not be the time to incorporate satin fabrics and barrel jeans. Instead, focus on pieces that are class and timeless… a comfortable pair of jeans, a denim jacket, a v-neck cotton shirt, a simple sundress… pieces that do not go out of style and will help you feel classic and less clown.
Highlight areas where you want to draw attention.
Think pops of color or pretty jewelry around your face. Add fun shoes. Use a belt to add shape to a dress. Use a darker color where you want less attention and brighter colors in places you don’t mind. Also, think about your prints. Horizontal stripes, for example, are typically flattering for all types, but vertical may not be.
Remember… high waist and lots of grace.
Ok, so maybe this is my personal mantra. But as someone who came of age in the low-rise purgatory of the 2000s, high waisted pants feel like a breath of fresh air, and they help keep everything in place. I prefer my muffins on my plate and not the top of my pants, thank you very much. Also, have grace with yourself. Your body has changed and is going to continue changing a lot in the next year (or several years). Have grace for your body as you get dressed, and remember, your body does not hate you.
Above all else, have fun! Clothing is supposed to be fun and an area of exploration. You are on a journey with your body, and this is another challenge. Have fun getting dressed!
Ps. Let me know some of your favorite postpartum clothing items or tips and tricks.
