A New Mom’s Guide to the Best Postpartum Clothes
As a new mom, I’ve had to go through a lot of changes when it comes to fashion. From dressing a rapidly changing body for 9 months to taking into consideration things like nursing and spit-up stains. I’ve also for the first time in my life, not wanted to deal with considering what to wear in the morning. With all the things new moms are dealing with (i.e. sleep deprivation, colicky newborns, breastfeeding, taking care of a tiny human) the last thing on their mind is postpartum clothes.
However, I noticed how much better I felt when I took a little time (even if it was only 5 minutes) to put myself together in the morning. I’m not alone-studies have shown that things like showering and getting dressed can help with postpartum depression symptoms.
But it isn’t easy to dress a still healing postpartum body. Your hips may have widened as mine did, your breasts may be enlarged, and let’s not forget that it takes 6 weeks for your uterus to shrink back to its normal size (which is what creates that ‘still 5 months pregnant’ look that new moms have come to expect). So this one is for all the new mamas like me out there, I’m discussing all the postpartum clothes I’ve been living in during my 4th trimester.
Postpartum Loungewear
The category of postpartum clothing that you will be wearing the most is undoubtedly loungewear. Comfort is key when you are spending your days either on the couch holding a snoozing babe or taking laps around the kitchen bouncing them around. However, that doesn’t mean you should have to wear the same worn-in sweatpants and one of your husband’s t-shirts every day. There are plenty of postpartum loungewear items that can still make you feel put together.
Joggers
Say it with me “Thank god for the athleisure trend.” These days, joggers are perfectly acceptable, even stylish pants to wear in public. Select a soft jersey or cotton version in a neutral color to give you the most wear and versatility. You can wear it with a v-neck t-shirt at home and throw on a moto jacket for grocery store pickups.
Leggings
Another wardrobe basic that will be pulling double duty during maternity leave is leggings. Instead of your pre-pregnancy compression leggings that may feel too constricting right now, opt for a cozy knit option. Wear them with an oversized sweater in the fall/winter or a short sleeve striped shirt in the summer.
Biker Shorts
Probably the most worn item currently in my wardrobe. My biker shorts are comfortable enough to wear around the house but still feel current and trendy enough to feel good during a stroll around the neighborhood. I wear mine with either an oversized graphic t-shirt or a utility button-up. Add a baseball cap and sneakers to up the sporty factor.
Postpartum Bras/Underwear
Underwear is perhaps the most important postpartum wardrobe category, especially if you are nursing. I wasn’t prepared for just how much support I’d need after labor. My flimsy t-shirt bras just didn’t do the job and prepregnancy undies were cut in all the wrong places. Do yourself a favor and invest in yourself with a new set of bras and underwear built with your new needs in mind.
Sleep/lounge Bra
A set of cotton lounge bras with no wiring or padding helped keep me comfortable during multiple wake-ups through the night. A crossover style makes them great for nursing as well.
Nursing/Maternity Bra
These soft no wire bras unhook to make daytime nursing convenient while still offering the support needed to go out in public.
High Waisted Cotton Underwear with Tummy Control
My son was delivered via Cesarean so I had to deal with an incision that was painful to the touch. Which made any bikini-style undies a no go. High waisted cotton underwear gives the advantage of being comfortable while also providing a subtle amount of compression so clothes fit just a little bit better.
Postpartum Fashion Items
In addition to a great postpartum loungewear and intimates collection, you need a few go-to pieces for when you feel brave enough to venture out of the house. These are the items that I swear by and have served me well these past few months.
Button-up Blouses
I have been wearing button-up blouses with everything from bike shorts to elastic mini skirts. They make feeding easy and the flowy silhouette of a utility or chambray button-up blouse means they are instantly flattering.
Big Billowy Dresses
Another postpartum clothes staple that I’m thrilled about also happens to be a trend. Tiered billowy dresses. Whether it is a button-down puff sleeve option or a sleeveless midi style, they conceal your midsection while also feeling feminine.
Pull-on Shorts
Buttons and zippers are the enemies of postpartum bodies. Not only are they uncomfortable but they also mean a fluctuating waistline isn’t taken into account. What luck that elastic pull-on shorts are all over the shelves of retailers. I wear a pair in black with a ribbed tank or white t-shirt for a foolproof outfit combination.
Paperbag Pants
Another pant that grants a lot of tummy forgiveness and instantly slims are paper bag pants. Instead of a cream or linen pair, opt for a utility green option that hides unavoidable new mom stains with ease. They can be worn with a boxy cropped sweatshirt for a fun sporty look or a graphic t-shirt for an edgy errand outfit.
Scrunchies
The last item on my list is a bit of an outlier. But without a doubt, the most used item in my closet is my scrunchies. Any new mom will know that newborns love to grab on and pull hair. Every night I find myself reaching for a scrunchie before bed. Bonus points-they make beachy waves last an extra day.
Wrap-Up
Motherhood has enough challenges without adding fashion to the mix. Stock up on the essentials and keep your closet to a curated minimum. Having a handful of go-to items will leave tired mamas less stressed and with more time for taking care of little ones. Need help creating your dream postpartum clothes wardrobe or know someone who does? Reach out and schedule an appointment with A Style Breeze Stylist, we’d be thrilled to make your fourth trimester just a little bit easier.
Author: Stylist, Lotte