Getting Dressed When You're Growing (Just Grew) A Human - #5
Part 5 - Postpartum - You're still growing that human even though they're outside your body - here are five outfit recipes to follow when you want to get dressed after having a baby
This is Part 5 in a series about how to maintain your sense of style, curate the right pieces and feel like yourself when you are growing a human. You can read Part 1 here, Part 2 here, Part 3 here, and Part 4 here.
Man. Getting dressed postpartum is so hard. For so many reasons. You are recovering from pregnancy and birth, your body is changing constantly, pre-pregnancy things don’t fit, you might be nursing or pumping and need to dress to accommodate that, your maternity go-to’s might not feel comfortable on your newly not-pregnant body, your clothing needs and sense of personal style may have changed or started to evolve now that you are a parent (or parent of multiple kids), you are going through a huge hormonal and emotional shift, you are tired, you are getting to know and learn how to take care of a brand new member of your family. Just to name a few (ha!).
At the same time, getting dressed can be a small way to feel like yourself, boost your mood, and channel your pre-baby/pre-newborn self. Especially as you start to feel ready to go out into the world and do things with your new baby (even things as simple as going for a walk or getting a coffee), or by yourself, having clothes that you feel good in and are a reflection of yourself can make a huge impact!
Body image and a changed body can be extremely hard to grapple with postpartum. Especially in the internet and social media age, it is extremely easy to believe that everyone is returning to their pre-pregnancy bodies in a matter of days. And while that certainly might be true for some people, it’s not true for everyone - certainly not for me! Something that I’ve learned over the course of three pregnancies is that your body is on a program when you are pregnant - you cannot control it - your body is just going to do what it needs to do to grow a baby! How and when your body In the same way, you really can’t control how your body is going to recover. It’s highly genetic and definitely outside your control. Some women return very quickly to their pre-pregnancy size with little effort, some women have to work very hard and be very patient to return to their pre-pregnancy size, and then there is every flavor of in between. I know it’s cliche - but it did take your body 9+ months to grow that baby, it’s very normal for it to take a long time to recover from all that work!
Give yourself some grace. Say thank you to your body over and over again for growing and delivering a baby. Be proud of everything you and your body did and are doing. Your body has been through a lot! Nourish yourself - you just had a baby and your body is rapidly working to recalibrate, and build back up all the resources that you have been leveraging to grow a baby, but that now you need for yourself. Make sure you rest. Sleep when you can. Lie in bed with a sleeping baby on you (bonus is that this is one of the best feelings in the world!). Watch all the TV that you never have time to watch. Or Movies. Read your book. Listen to an audiobook.
When you are ready to start getting dressed, my best tip is: you don’t actually need that many things to wear! Not everything in your closet is going to fit - who cares! You can find 5-6 outfits and were them on repeat! Let’s call it the postpartum uniform.
Most people with a great sense of style are following a uniform of their own - they are wearing things on repeat, and leveraging the same couple formulas over and over again to successfully get dressed every day. And we admire and lust after their style and taste! So, why not borrow the approach and take advantage of it during this time when not everything fits and you have some specific clothing needs? Mentally, having a small selection of clothes can be hard - we are conditioned and exposed to things everyday that make us feel like we need to have these huge wardrobes from which we can always select something new to wear. But, we actually don’t need to have a huge wardrobe. And it’s certainly not true when your body is changing! And this is coming from someone who doesn’t have a capsule wardrobe and loves clothes!
As your body continues to change, you can re-evaluate the pieces and outfits that you are wearing and see if they are still working, or if you need new pieces. The key is that you should be wearing things that fit and that you feel good in. I mentioned in Part 1 of this series that when you think about budget for your maternity wardrobe, you should include postpartum in your overall budget — don’t spent all the $ on clothes that you will only wear while you are pregnant, because you are going to want some things to wear afterwards as well! Be ready to buy a pair of jeans, or a couple shirts, or a new pair of leggings.
So, here are the outfit recipes that I think work the best for postpartum. And the pieces (at a variety of different price points!) that make up these outfits — to inspire your shopping or a search through your closet to find something you have! Maybe you love them all, maybe you love a few - either way, I hope this helps you get a little inspiration to get dressed. Oh, and if you aren’t postpartum, this applies to you too! These are just some of my favorite looks I’ve been inspired by this summer!
1: BIKE SHORTS + OVERSIZED BUTTON DOWN - Depending on weather or preference, you might sub in a bodysuit, full-length leggings, and/or add a sweater or cardigan!)
This is what I have been reaching for the most. Most of my outings are going for a big walk every morning, so that’s my big occasion to “get dressed” for. Bike shorts with an oversized button down feels slightly elevated but also practical, easy and nursing-friendly. Plus, it fits! On cooler mornings, I’ve been adding a sweater or oversized sweatshirt. It works with running or other casual sneakers or Birkenstocks/other chunky sandals!
Bike Shorts: $ (can’t beat the price and Old Navy does activewear very well!) / $$ (I just got these and they are incredible! They would also work during pregnancy!)
Oversized Button Down Shirt (hot tip - wear the same one you wore during pregnancy!): $ (looks SO LUXE) $$ (great especially for summer!) / $$ (objectively perfect!) / $$ (I have one of these and I love the thickness!) / $$$ (this is on my wishlist - I love the thickness of it!) / $$$
Shoes: Sneakers - 574s are my New Balance of choice at the moment! Would also look great with Sambas or Onitsuka Tigers if you can find them in stock!!
Or Birks - comfortable and chic - what’s better? Plus, slip on, which is great if you are holding or wearing a baby! Love this subtle pink pair!
Sometimes I’ve been switching it up a little and wearing a jumpsuit romper (the look for less) or an athletic dress in place of the bike shorts, but still reaching for the same tops!
2: SHIRTDRESS or POPOVER/BUTTON-DOWN DRESS: If you like to be a little more dressed up - this is the solution! These dresses are roomy enough to move around, play and sit on the ground, all while staying cool and comfortable. The buttons make it nursing/pumping friendly! If the weather is cool, add a sweater or cardigan as a layer!
I have a few dresses that fit the bill here, and have been reaching for them a lot. This dress is AMAZING — bought it pre-pregnancy, wore it throughout this pregnancy and I’m still wearing it now. I love it! I’ve been so impressed by the variety and wide selection of amazing shirt dresses available right now. When I had my son in 2018 I was searching for dresses like this, and it was hard to find pieces that fit the bill.
Shirtdress: $ / $$ (this is insanely chic, and also on my wishlist!) / $$ / $$ / $$ / $$$ (this is pricey, but I see this as an investment piece that will be in my closet for years!)
Button-down Dress: $ / $$ / $$ / $$ / $$$ (wear for pregnancy and postpartum and beyond!) / $$$
Shoes: Pair with a simple slip-on sandal! Partial to this pair right now!
3: EASY, HIGH-WAISTED LINEN SHORTS + T-SHIRT or BLOUSE: Obviously shorts & a shirt are one of the most breast-feeding friendly outfits that you can find.
Shorts will be one of the last pre-pregnancy clothes to fit - along with hard pants in general, so I’m partial to elastic waist styles! And, it’s a no-brainer to buy a couple pairs that fit so I have some to wear this summer! If the weather is cooler, pair with a button down for a matching set look, or add an oversized sweater on top! Throw on a baseball cap and you’re good to go!
Shorts: $ (I’ve been singing the praises of this pair, pictured above and they are currently $14!) / $ / $$ / $$ (especially love the gingham!) / $$ / $$
T-Shirt: $ / $ (this is my favorite, slightly-cropped t-shirt!)
Blouse: I am so into an oversized, billowy blouse right now! Great for the heat, and great for nursing! $ / $$ / $$$ / $$$ (Dying to add this to my wardrobe this summer!)
If the weather is much, much cooler (or you’re reading this in the winter, swap the short out for a wide-leg, easy pant (not a hard pant, more of a lounge or linen pant, like below.
Wide-Leg Pants: $ / $$ / $$ / $$$ (I have and love these!)
4: MAXI SKIRT + T-SHIRT or BUTTON-DOWN or TANK - I am excited to embrace this all summer and into fall. Maxi or mid-length skirts are so great, especially in the heat, and this is a really easy outfit to nurse in. In the fall, I’m imaging taking the inspo for this recipe and transitioning into easy slip skirts with sweaters!
Skirt: $ / $ / $$$ (a great piece to be able to dress up if you have something more formal!) / $$$ / $$$ (I love this one so much!)
Tank/Tee: $ / $ (love that this buttons up but is also casual and soft!) / $ / $ (this is hands down my favorite tank - thick fabric, great fit. I have in multiple colors!)
5: SMOCKED or TIE STRAP DRESS: I have a strong collection of dresses that fit this bill in my closet and they will be on heavy rotation this summer! The smocking is accommodating and there is enough stretch to pull down to nurse. Same with tie-strap dresses - you can easily pull down to nurse, and the style tends to be more flowy which is great for postpartum and the warmer weather. If you don’t have a Nap Dress, this is where I tell you that if you treat yourself to one piece postpartum, you should consider this - flattering, feminine, comfortable and practical!! You can use this link to get $20 off your first order!
Smocked Dresses: $ / $$ (the back!!!) / / $$ (another popular Nap Dress Style!) / $$ /
Tie-strap dress: $$ / $$$ / $$$ (on my personal Lust List)
Pair any of these dresses with a super minimal sandal, or a white sneak and a tote you can throw a million baby things into and you’re good to go!
Thank you so much for reading! If you are looking for more maternity and/or postpartum shopping inspiration - check out some of my closet favorites here and here!