Getting dressed as a mom might as well be its own Olympic event. There are so many different life stages that fall under the purview of “motherhood”—and each one calls for its own outfitting considerations. While of course many of us realize that dressing for pregnancy is a strategic undertaking, getting dressed in postpartum outfits is a unique challenge in and of itself.
For one thing, postpartum encapsulates many phases. There is the raw, fresh-from-the-hospital phase, followed shortly after by the “nothing fits and my baby wants to nurse 24/7” phase. Then there’s the phase that includes slowly emerging from your maternity leave and heading back to work and your social life.
During any or all of these stages, both your pre-pregnancy and maternity wardrobes are likely off limits. On top of that, it’s also possible (likely) that throughout this wild season of change and transition your personal style has changed as well. It’s a lot to consider. Especially when your mental and emotional plates are already full. I’m currently eight and a half months pregnant with baby number three. I’ve been there and done that twice—and I’ve learned a few things along the way.
What to Consider When Getting Dressed Postpartum
While everyone is different, it’s safe to say that most of us aren’t jumping back into our full pre-pregnancy wardrobe immediately after we deliver a baby. For many, our bodies are a different shape and size. If you’re like me, you may even be wearing a different shoe size for a while.
Because our bodies tend to remain in a transitional state for a while, I’ve found the most important styling consideration to be flexibility. Styles that adapt as your body changes in the twelve months following your baby’s birth are the ones that will serve you best and, subsequently, be the ones you reach for most.
If you’re breastfeeding, it’s also important to consider tops that allow you to easily feed your baby at a moment’s notice. Some other factors I take into consideration include comfort (if you’re not sitting, feeding the baby, you’re likely running around doing a million and a half daily tasks) and easy care (the last thing you want to do while sleep deprived is worry about dry cleaning).
7 Tried-and-True Postpartum Outfit Formulas
As I mentioned, I’ve navigated the postpartum period twice. While personal preference, geographic location, trends, and seasonality will always influence what we reach for as individuals, there are a few tried-and-true formulas I’ve found myself coming back to time and again. As I await the birth of my third child in the coming month, these are some of the postpartum outfits I know I’ll be wearing on repeat.
Button-Up Shirt + Pull-On Pants
Button-up shirts are great postpartum because they’re breastfeeding-friendly and also help you feel put together with little effort. Similarly, pull-on pants are comfortable, flexible in their sizing, and versatile. They’re as suitable for the beach as they are for the office. Style the duo with clogs, flats, or—if you’re a self-proclaimed Coastal Grandma like I am—boat shoes. Simple pearl earrings add to the quiet, coastal luxury of the look.
Elastic Bodice Dress + Cowboy Boots
When I need a comfortable outfit formula that also feels elevated, I love reaching for a dress and a pair of boots. Dresses with elastic in the bodice are particularly wonderful for their flexibility, fitting both during and after pregnancy. I’m personally partial to cowboy boots and have been loving the popularity they’ve maintained over the last several years. They’re sturdy (ie: practical when you’re toting the baby around and potentially chasing after additional young children) and tend to be forgiving in calf circumference (something I’ve had to personally consider in the past with third trimester swelling).
Rugby Polo + Loose Denim + Clogs
I love a good polo top or dress. They’re a balanced and appealing combo of casual and preppy. Style one with a pair of laid-back, loose denim and a cozy shoe for a cute, practical on-the-go look. If your postpartum period also includes adventuring with older kids, this fit is particularly well-suited for a day out of the house, bringing the whole crew to the park, playground, sporting events, and the like. Grab a reliable diaper bag for practicality and a film camera for romanticism.
Boxer Shorts + Oversized Sweater + UGGs
Boxer shorts are a postpartum mama’s dream—literal pajamas that are not just socially acceptable for public consumption but actually trendy. An oversized sweater, slouchy socks, and UGGs all add to the comfy-but-cool aesthetic. This outfit is well equipped to handle a day of cluster feeding (keep your e-reader and water bottle close by) or running errands around town.
Tennis Skort + Sweatshirt + Sneakers
Whether you’ve only been home from the hospital a few days or are coming up on baby’s first birthday, there’s nothing quite like a stroller walk to reset the old endorphins (favorite coffee in hand, of course). I’m not personally one for athleisure as a general rule, but have really been enjoying tennis skorts since becoming a mom. They provide the comfort of athletic wear while simultaneously adding femininity to an outfit. Style with a cozy oversized sweatshirt and a pair of cute sneaks.
Sweater Dress + Riding Boots
Everyone’s body and postpartum journey is different. But for me, it’s historically meant not being able to fit into my pants for quite some time. All of my kids have been born in the fall, which has meant cozy fits on repeat those first three months especially.
Sweater dresses are a particular favorite of mine because they deliver on the cozy factor without being too warm (the hormonal, postpartum sweats are real). I love styling them with riding boots (ideally ones with some stretch), a blazer, and a chic bag for a frazzled English woman effect.
Coordinated Knit Set
I know I’m the outlier when I say this, but I’m not a big fan of sweatsuits. That said, I do appreciate a chic, cozy knit set. It accomplishes the same goals but in a way that feels a little more refined and (maybe it’s just me) a little less sweaty. Slides sandals are my hospital footwear of choice and—once you’re home—serve as an easy option when your hands are tied up with the carseat and diaper bag.
1. knit pants
2. cardigan
3. cami
4. headband
5. sneaker mules
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Emilee Janitz, Contributing Writer
Emilee is an accomplished communications strategist and lifestyle journalist. She currently works on the content team at Enterprise SEO company Terakeet where she creates and executes reputation management strategies for Fortune 500 companies. She is a Contributing Fashion Writer for The Everygirl and has additionally been published on POPSUGAR, Motherly, MSN, and Yahoo.
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