Getting Dressed When You're Growing (just grew) A Human - #7
Part Seven: A little check in and update on my postpartum uniform for fall
This is Part 7 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 (and after). You can read Part 1 here, Part 2 here, Part 3 here, Part 4 here, Part 5, and Part 6 here.
ICYMI, I had a baby in June. She’s my third, so I have a bit of experience in the pregnancy and postpartum department. Getting dressed during both of these stages of life can be really hard, for so many reasons. I would like to make it easier!
There are SO MANY women I know in real life and from the internet who talk about how hard it is to get dressed when you are pregnant and postpartum. I agree. Your body is changing constantly. You might feel like crap (been there!). You are grappling with a new identity and a huge new responsibility once the baby comes. It’s hard!
If you are pregnant, you should start here & read some of my recommendations on how to approach & what to buy/what you need throughout your pregnancy. Some of the links may be old, but the tips & the pieces themselves are tried and true!
The series about Pregnancy & Postpartum style is full of (streamlined!) recommendations at every price point, ideas for what to wear, and how to style specific pieces. The whole goal is to show you that you can maintain your personal style, and use getting dressed as a way of taking care of yourself and staying connected to who you are during these major transition periods.
This summer, I wrote about my postpartum uniform, 30 days out from having a baby. Now that I have a 4 month old (sob!!! time is a thief!!) I thought it would be fun to provide a bit of an update on that uniform - what I’ve actually been wearing, how it’s changing now that I’m out of the first trimester, but still very much postpartum, and how I’m evolving some of the “uniforms” as the seasons change.
First - a little update - 4 months out, I physically feel good. This was a tough pregnancy for me. While I wasn’t technically diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, I threw up nearly everyday for almost 8 months. Besides sucking on so many ginger candies that I can now no longer stand the thought of a ginger candy, nothing really helped. I ate a lot of ice cream just to eat something. Drank a lot of ice-cold seltzer & water. Plus, it was my third pregnancy, so I feel like the physical aches & pains of pregnancy set in earlier each time. While I was extremely active in my first two pregnancies, I stopped running (I was running 3-4 times a week), around 7 weeks when I vomited whilst on a run and never tried again, and weightlifting started to feel pretty bad around 7 months, so I stopped.
So, to have a normal appetite, eat without feeling nauseated, and sleep on my back again - that felt amazing. With my previous pregnancies I was always chomping at the bit to get back into a workout routine; I didn’t feel the same way this time. It probably had a little to do with the fact that I had gone so long without regular workouts, and also because I’ve done a better job of reminding myself to take my time. When I felt good enough, I started daily walks, and am still walking a ton with my daughter - I love wearing her, getting outside, breathing fresh air, letting her nap on me, or (now that she’s a little older), holding her hands while she gets to look out, and listening to an audio book or podcast. When I feel weird, I do it and feel a little better. When I feel good, I go for my walk and feel better. It is my #1 tip for postpartum moms— walk OUTSIDE EVERYDAY. Can be 5 minutes, can be 2 hours. Put your baby on your body, in the stroller, whatever you prefer - listen to music or an audio book or your favorite podcast, or your breath - and get outside. It’s great for your mental health, your mood, your baby, plus, it’s incredible exercise!
(PS: On the topic of baby carriers, I treated myself to this one and I love it. It is ridiculously expensive, but I love it anyways. I have a code for $50 off, which I can share with you, just leave a comment). I also love this one from Colugo ($145) - a much more reasonable price point and you can wear facing out or in without having to make any adjustments to the carrier which is an awesome feature, it also has a zipper pouch on the waistband (truly don’t understand why the Artipoppe doesn’t!), as well as a sun shade! I highly recommend.
I have slowly gotten back into a weight training routine in the past month. It is slow but steady. I feel pretty good. I am anticipating a hormonal shift and that I will feel weird soon - sometime around 4 months this typically happens for me, and if it doesn’t now, I know it will when I go back to work in about a month. My body is still completely changed, but I reminding myself of my own advice, “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.”
As far as getting dressed, my uniforms are kind of still the same. Which I am actually happy about! These formulas do really work throughout the postpartum period (also, once postpartum, always postpartum, IMO, but I am also referring to “postpartum” as the year or so after you have a baby). I am still nursing, so pretty much everything I wear, unless it’s to go out to (an adult) dinner or something like that, has to be nursing-friendly. The biggest change is that I have reintroduced jeans/pants into the rotation. Both because I missed them, and also because it’s getting cooler. Most of my normal jeans don’t fit/are tight or uncomfortable, so I bought a new pair that I love. And, the weather has cooled down so I’m dressing for fall (my favorite season!), and wearing many more layers!
So, here’s an updated take on the outfit recipes that are working best for me postpartum, the things I have been wearing and loving, 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 fall!
1: BIKE SHORTS + OVERSIZED BUTTON DOWN: I am still wearing this A LOT (as the pictures show). Most days, I am getting in a brief weight-based work out, and going for a big walk, and so all I want is something that I can wear to be comfortable, sweat a little in, but feel like I am “dressed.” This really fits that bill.
As the weather has slowly cooled, I am reaching for full-length leggings, or wearing my one-piece romper (although be warned - if you are wearing a baby and a one-piece and need to go to the bathroom…it’s…not ideal - proceed with caution.)
I’ve also worn my oversized denim shirt A LOT. Putting this on over a leggings-centric/athleisure outfit makes me feel like I am wearing something I can run errands in in too, while being super comfortable.
Bike Shorts: $ / $$ My favorite pair are the Aligns, I also have a pair from Sweaty Betty that I really like (especially because they have a pocket) - they are especially great for running.
Full Length Leggings: $$ / $$$ - I love the Nike 7/8 leggings - I wear them to run and for other activities. For something “dressier” (lol, can a legging be dressy?, I am loving my Align Ribbed pair.
Romper: Short + full-length version. I try not to buy on Amazon, but these are two very good finds. TTS (my full length is a size up - L - and I wore throughout my pregnancy). Have heard great things about the Old Navy one also!
Button Down: $ / $$ / $$$ I really love this white one from Sezane. It’s a great weight, and I’ve worn it a million different ways.
Oversized Shirt: $ / $$ / $$$ (great if you prefer dark denim!) Unfortunately, mine is sold out - it’s from Gap, if they bring it back it’s totally worth it! I would try the Good American one! If you’re not into denim, I love this.
2: SHIRTDRESS or POPOVER/BUTTON-DOWN DRESS: As the weather has cooled down, I am reaching for dresses less and less, but I did get a lot of good wear out of two great shirt dresses throughout the summer and well into September. I do plan to wear the denim one through fall.
Shirtdress: $ / $$ / $$ / My dress from Sezane was sold out for awhile, but is now back in stock!
Button-down Sweater Dress: $$ / $$ / Typically I love wearing sweater dresses throughout the winter, especially for work - just add tights, a boot, a blazer, and you’re golden (this was my pregnancy uniform for work). Unfortunately, nursing/pumping with a sweater dress is kind of a nightmare; but there are some really nice looking button-up knit dresses that look amazing - the selection from Faherty is especially good!
3: EASY, HIGH-WAISTED SHORTS / PANTS + T-SHIRT or BLOUSE: When I am not wearing athletic clothes, this is the type of outfit I have been reaching for the most. I wore a black pair of linen shorts A TON this summer (on super sale if you are still shopping for shorts), and also ended up buying a pair of my favorite denim shorts in a size that fit.
I’ve been transitioning these pieces into fall by swapping out the high-waisted shorts for linen or gauze pants or adding a sweater. As it continues to cool down, I’ll swap the gauzy pants for a knit pant, or relaxed sweat pant, and swap out t-shirts for long-sleeve shirts and sweaters.
T-Shirt: $ / $ (this is my favorite, slightly-cropped t-shirt!) / $ (I’ve been wearing this one on repeat!)
Long-Sleeve Shirt: $ I truly cannot recommend this ribbed long-sleeve from Gap enough. It is the perfect length, the ribbing makes it feel extra luxe, it’s so soft. I tried the white first and then immediately bought in black, and I think I’m going to also get the blue. It’s a gem!
Knit Pants / Relaxed Sweatpants: $ (I really try not to buy on Amazon, but this is a great set and the pants are so cute!) / $$ / $$$ (I’ve had these for years and they are amazing. As comfortable as a sweat pant, but look chic - I regularly pair with a button-down!) / $$$ / $$$
3B: JEANS + T-SHIRT/BLOUSE OR SWEATER: Okay, so this is the most obvious choice - nursing friendly, simple, a million ways to change up the combination to match how you’re feeling/how you want to style your clothes. However, I basically have no interest in wearing jeans until I’m at least 3 months postpartum, so I didn’t include this as part of my original roundup of postpartum uniforms. Luckily, the weather was on my side with this, so I rarely have worn pants (besides flowy linen ones or leggings). But, I bought myself a pair of jeans that I love and fit, and I’ve been wearing them on repeat. This is an outfit formula that just feels like me, and that feels really great!
Jeans: $ (The H&M Vintage jeans are great!) / $$ I’m obsessed with these jeans, and have been wearing them constantly! / $$ / I am leaning towards a high-rise, ankle length, straight leg with a tiny bit of stretch - especially important while in between sizes. Gap is a great place to investigate - the price is right and there are lots of styles available.
Blouses: $$ (I hope this is restocked!) / $$ / Blouses with buttons are super easy to nurse in, and help me feel a little more dressed up when needed
Sweaters: $ / $$ / $$$ I am a La Ligne Devotee, and particularly love this Marin style. I have both the pullover and cardigan. In general, a great cardigan + a nursing tank is such an easy formula to wear on repeat for comfort and chicness! Find more fall/winter knit inspiration here!
4: MAXI SKIRT + T-SHIRT or BUTTON-DOWN or TANK - I haven’t worn this much since we’ve seeped into fall, mostly because I don’t have many skirts that feel casual enough for everyday. If you read about my fall wishlist, you know that I am eyeing a maxi slip skirt, so this is something I plan to wear this fall and winter, especially as we head into party season!
Maxi Skirts: $ / $$ / $$ (Have not tried personally, but have heard great things - this is on my wishlist!)
5: SMOCKED or TIE STRAP DRESS: I wore these dresses CONSTANTLY this summer. I was just talking to a friend who is also postpartum and thinking about adding some pieces into her closet that are comfortable, look great, and also accommodate a changed and changing body, and a smocked dress was my #1 recommendation. I’m excited about Hill House’s upcoming launch, and am planning on adding a new nap dress to my collection for the holiday season!
Smocked Dresses: $$ / $$ / $$$ - Obsessed with this one!
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