After you have a baby, your wardrobe can feel like it belongs to a different version of you. The jeans don’t close. The bras fit differently. Even your favourite dress somehow feels… off. And that quiet frustration can chip away at your confidence and cause you to burn out.
A postpartum wardrobe reset isn’t about “bouncing back.” It’s about adjusting. Your body has changed, days look different. Your priorities have shifted. This reset helps you dress the woman you are now , comfortably, practically, and still stylishly.
After birth, you may notice that your body has undergone a lot of changes that you barely even recognize. You’ll probably struggle with getting a perfect size for your new body. This is not the time to hate your body.See it that your body has done such a great job and should be rewarded with proper love and attention.
Don’t fall into the temptation of trying to squeeze into your old clothes and complaining of your body being fat. Work with your body. You need a modern wardrobe that maximizes both functionality and style. Understand and also accept that your body and your lifestyle has changed so your wardrobe should help you ease into this phase and not frustrate your transition.
After birth, you’re dealing with the pressure of taking care of your baby coupled with work pressure. So you’ll easily be tempted to bury yourself in oversized tees and joggers or even maternity wear that feel very easy and comfortable. Well, you should know that not catering to your dressing can negatively impact your self image and may lead to post partum depression. A good wardrobe reset will help you to:
Wardrobe reset also involves letting go. Clear out your space, take out what no longer works. Get clothes that suit your body and make your life easier.
I know you have that urge to stay trendy, to dress in pieces that are in vogue. While this is good, your major focus should be on comfort and functionality (in a fashionable way). There are some wardrobe essentials that will help you ease into your new body.
These are the basics you need to rock your new mom body. You really don’t need a lot of new purchases.
You really don’t need to face the anxiety of returning to work and being unsure of what fits. Let’s work this out together, shall we? First, start with the basics. Invest well-fitting high waist trousers. Add a few comfortable blouses. Top it up with a blazer that sits well on your shoulders. You are good to go!
Also, you can pair a flay skirt with comfortable tops. Or a flay skirt with a camisole and blazer. On busy mornings, an easy choice is a well tailored flay gown. You can throw in a blazer for extra style. You don’t need so much. Get these few staples, then mix and match, play around with colours and viola, you have a full work wear wardrobe that is stylish and works well with your body.
For your casual and social meetings you can do better than plain tees and joggers. You just had a baby, life is not yet over. Try out this combinations:
New mom fashion doesn’t have to be old or boring. You can be a mum and still slay in your outfits.
You can’t escape the changes that happen in a woman’s body after childbirth. They’re bound to happen, that. It’s best to structure your life and wardrobe around your new body. Get to know your new body, love it and dress for it. Bodily changes vary from one woman to another. For some, the midsection becomes bigger and softer. That’s okay. You’d just probably need to choose clothes that have a strong or thick texture.
For some women, their breasts get fuller. The hack is to invest in comfortable new mom bras. Also, go for clothes with a v- neck. They leave you with a flattering look for your upper body. For women whose hips got wider, you’d feel more confident in straight-leg or wide-leg trousers. You should also try out wrap dresses. The best fashion tip is to love your body. See dressing for your body as a way of rewarding it. If you imbibe this mentality, dressing for your body becomes more fun and refreshing for you.
“At the end of the day, I want my clothes to work for me, not against me. To honour this beautiful, hardworking body – not punish it. To remind me of who I am, and the woman I’m becoming, not the one I was before!” – Eleanor Cripps
Accessories have a way of taking an outfit from zero to one hundred. So you shouldn’t sleep on it. Play around with it. You can elevate your look with simple accessories, you don’t need to do so much. A gold necklace, wristwatch, sunglasses, belts, scarfs, hair clips, rings, bracelets, face cap can turn the fortune of an outfit for the dazzle.
Also, be intentional in choosing your shoes. Ensure to swap old ones with new and better looking ones. Also pay attention to comfort not just style
Frankly, there’s no looking good or wardrobe reset without money. You certainly need money to buy new clothes, shoes and all. It is inevitable that you’ll spend a few pounds but the effective way to do that is to shop smart.
Here are some smart shopping tips that you may find helpful:
Don’t be in a hurry to do it all, all at once. Take it step by step. Postpartum body change is a continuous process. Your body continues to change even months after childbirth. Your hormones are still adjusting,so stability will ease gradually.
What you need to do is to buy a few transitional pieces per time. Observe your body and your routines and gradually adjust your style to suit each season. Don’t rush to follow trends. Ask yourself if the current trend suits your life at the moment ? Don’t put yourself under unnecessary pressure to fit in. I dare say, create your own trend. Live in your own moment, not what trends say. Following your own timeline and taking your body changes slowly will definitely feel less overwhelming. It’s your process, your pace, ride it.
When you look put together, even in simple clothes, you carry yourself differently. You show up differently. Girl, you deserve to feel like more than just “mum.” Looking put together will get you feeling like that girl again. Find a comfortable style that works for your body per time. It’s okay if you’re still figuring things out, take your time, just don’t give up.
Dressing well is a kind of self-expression that may have a big impact on your mental and emotional state. It also plays an important role in having a positive body image because wearing an outfit that makes you feel good boosts your confidence and translates outwardly.
Don’t buy only “nice” items that only work with one outfit. Versatility should matter more to you now. Don’t stay in maternity clothes longer than necessary if they no longer make you feel good. Transitional pieces exist for a reason.
And don’t pressure yourself to dress like influencers who have stylists, lighting, and uninterrupted sleep. Your version of stylish will look different. That’s normal.
Wrapping up, a postpartum wardrobe reset is all about supporting your new life (body and routine) and it starts with accepting and loving your new body. With few reliable staples, and realistic expectations, you can build a wardrobe that fits your body, your budget, and your daily life. You are allowed to evolve. Your clothes should evolve with you.