We brought Ben home from the hospital in mid-October. We were heading in to winter and about to spend most of our days inside. A lover of leggings and cardigans, nothing about dressing postpartum during that season really intimidated me. I knew it wouldn’t be my most stylish season of life and that was okay with me.
Immediately after my c-section, I felt most comfortable in high-waisted compression leggings. The more compression the better. It felt like they were holding me together. My favorites were actually this $19 pair from Amazon* (this is an affiliate link and all links with a * are also) that are hands down the most suck-you-in leggings you’ll ever wear (and though they’re good quality, I wouldn’t wear bright or patterned undies with them cause you might see them but if you’re planning to cover your butt, they’re THE BEST). I pretty much wore leggings with long tees and cardigans for the first four weeks or so.
Once we were home and I was a bit healed, I wound up deciding that I felt much better about myself if I put real pants on. If I threw on some concealer and mascara and put a few waves in my hair. I was ready to feel all those feelings about my postpartum body but then I kind of didn’t. I felt like me and wearing my usual jeans, tees, and cardigans felt good.
Then spring approached. When we moved recently, I took the opportunity (it being the end of April and all) to swap out all of our winter clothes for our summer clothes. City living lacks closet space so we have big plastic bins in the basement to swap out seasonally.
As I dug through my bin I suddenly realized – all of my summer clothes from last year are maternity. Digging further, I realized that nearly all of my other summer clothing is professional, save a few t-shirt dresses. Did I really not have any warm weather clothing that fits my current lifestyle? I guess not.
For a while I just felt that I needed to find my Mom style. But it’s more than that. I’m finding my style now that it’s no longer dictated by what is appropriate for an office environment.
My working from home has a much bigger influence on my current personal style than the fact that I’m a Mom. Sure, I need my items to be breastfeeding friendly (so lots more buttons than usual).
But my need for ruffly blouses and pencil skirts is at an all time low. I can justify buying two pairs of destructed jeans. I can buy clothing because I truly love it. Because it feels like me and not just who I want people to think I am in the office. It feels really good.
It’s been a fun time for me and I’ve enjoyed getting to wear the casual clothing items that I love more often than just the weekends. I’ve carefully chosen a few things to splurge on because I know I’ll wear them all the time.
I always go back and forth about bigger purchases for days or weeks before taking the plunge. But now I’m the proud owner of two Madewell tees (this one* and this one* – literally double the price of what I’d normally spend on a t-shirt but I’ve already worn them so much!) and I bought some Levi’s shorts (Did you know you can get them on Amazon for way cheaper? I have these*) and a few Gap pairs (these* and these*).
But since I’m still me, I picked up some Mom jeans (top photo, center) at H&M for $12 (couldn’t find them online) and I think they’re a fantastic dupe for the Madewell Perfect Summer Jeans*. I scooped up the top I’m wearing with it for $5 at a thrift store. The white sandals featured in the first row of photos are from Payless (and they’re super comfy!). The twist front olive green top and the beige henley tank* are both Aerie, on sale.
Anyway, I all this to say, postpartum or Mom style doesn’t have to be scary or less fun. I’m having more fun than ever.
