We have THREE, count ‘em THREE friends who’ve had brand new babies in the last few weeks, and THREE more about to follow suit in the next month or two. We’ve been mooning over the pictures of the tiny bundles and singing the praises of those women who heroically brought new people into this world. If you do stop and think about it for a minute, it’s really quite astonishing.
Finding a cute outfit for the baby is no problem.
It also made us flash back to our own first months as mamas, and to how daunting it was to get ourselves out the door fully dressed, much less looking stylish, during those early days. Since we happen to be in the business of dressing folks, we didn’t feel like we could skip it entirely ourselves, but we admit to being seriously, seriously tempted.
We did learn a few things, some tips and tools that we’ve tested working with clients who have small kids and a need and desire to still feel good about themselves. There is such a thing as fashion in the “fourth trimester.” Fashion, you say? You think we’re crazy to even talk about it. You slept 3.2 hours last night and someone just puked on your shoulder. You haven’t showered in days and you deserve a medal for making it all the way into a pair of sweatpants, right? We hear you, really we do. We’re not going to suggest you go spend a fortune on heels and silk blouses. We have some real world solutions for you.
We did learn a few things, some tips and tools that we’ve tested working with clients who have small kids and a need and desire to still feel good about themselves. There is such a thing as fashion in the “fourth trimester.” Fashion, you say? You think we’re crazy to even talk about it. You slept 3.2 hours last night and someone just puked on your shoulder. You haven’t showered in days and you deserve a medal for making it all the way into a pair of sweatpants, right? We hear you, really we do. We’re not going to suggest you go spend a fortune on heels and silk blouses. We have some real world solutions for you.
 It doesn’t make sense to spend piles of cash (as if spare money is just laying around) on a wardrobe for a body that is in such transition. This is the time to get crafty with discount options—heed the siren call of Target, H&M, Nordstrom Rack, and your local consignment store. When you’re discount shopping, stay out of the junior’s section Unless you happen to be very petite (and even then it’s risky). Those clothes are cut for pre-pubescent girls, for the most part, and they don’t have the seaming or shape to work on the maternal curves. We always preach investing in better quality items that last in your wardrobe, but you get a pass for the immediate time post baby. At this unique moment, it’s fine to get the cheaper stuff so long as it flatters. Your body is in a state of major evolution, and you’ll need different sizes and cuts this time next year. |
H&M textured jersey cardigan, $17.95 Layer it over a tank and throw a stretchy belt on top.
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Ingrid and Isabel Bella Band
Too short versions benefit from leggings underneath
| The maternity clothes you were wearing at the very end are done—pass them on to a friend, consign them, donate them, or pack them away if you plan on having another child. Just get them out of your closet. You don’t have that silhouette anymore, and they’ll just look stretched and lumpy now. What you CAN do is scrounge out those early pieces, the ones you put on when you first stopped being able to button your real jeans. Break out the bella band for the pants you can almost but not quite close (it also gives you some tummy coverage for nursing if need be). Your early pregnancy leggings are a great resource—just remember they are more like tights than pants (the top you wear with them has to cover your rear and upper thighs). Want to get really creative? Grab a fuller cut men’s cotton dress shirt (maybe in your husband or partner’s closet?) and put a belt over it with those leggings and some flats. Voila—you have a modified shirtdress on the cheap. |
| Look for tops that are cinched or defined at the waist but draped underneath. These are less of the empire-waisted wonders that took you through the end of pregnancy. Those just make you feel, well, pregnant now, and that’s just not appealing at all. We’re after tops nipped in or with tie waists that hit just above or at your belly button. In general, V or deep scoop necklines will flatter best. Side ruching is a great trick to accommodate a post-partum belly, especially in a straight tank or tee. When it comes to pattern, prints are a great idea, so long as they are in proportion to your overall frame (petite people need smaller prints, taller and/or fuller figured folk can go bolder). They hide random spots of baby drool and can help draw the eye up to your face. Go for richer, more saturated colors where you can. Vibrant hues help even the most sleep deprived mama look more awake. You can layer longer open front cardigans or over your tanks and tees to help reinforce a long, vertical visual line, and they’ll double as a swaddling option in a pinch (true story). | 
Striped top from Isabella Oliver, features ruching, contrast piping, and a scoop neck, all in easy care jersey
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Banana Republic mid-rise denim trouser, $39.99
| For the bottom half, consider an easy, a-line skirt. They balance a fuller hip or tush and lengthen your legs, and they look good with flats. You can even tuck in your top and put on a stretchy belt at your waist (hey, you have one again!) Otherwise, work the legging under tunic top look, and then grab yourself a pair of dark wash higher rise trouser jeans from the sale rack in a size that works now. (If you get a pair with at least 2% spandex, they'll stretch to fit you longer). Sport them with those flattering tops we described, or try them with a button front cotton shirt knotted at the bottom. Wear the heck out of ‘em, then pass them on when they don’t fit right anymore. |
When in doubt, a cute pair of shoes can always help perk things up.
Mama, you’ve done something magnificent, and you deserve to be celebrated. Carve out a few minutes to do something for you. When you’re up at some bizarre hour, feel free to send us a message or email with any questions (we know you’ll be typing them one-handed pinned down by a wriggly infant). We get it, and we’re here to help.
