Young Mum: What To Wear
Attempting to balance the novelty (and accompanying exhaustion) of sudden parenthood while trying to regain some normality can leave you feeling at a loss when it comes to deciding what to wear. When you’re busy looking after your little one and adjusting to life post-pregnancy, having to think about outfits, especially when you still have a post-pregnancy bump, can seem a daunting task.
After birth, lots of new mums expect their bodies to go ‘ding!’ and bounce back to its pre-baby state. Unfortunately, a bump doesn't simply disappear the minute your baby is born and it will still show slightly for a while. This is not surprising when your body has undergone a huge transformation over the last 9 months in preparation to bring a new life into the world. It’s an amazing achievement and experience to have gone through. Give your body some time to get back to where it was.
But that doesn’t mean that you should live in loungewear. By getting dressed (even if it’s in the afternoon), and feeling good about yourself and how you look in the first few weeks or months after pregnancy, you will start to feel more like you. And finding flattering postpartum clothes is one step towards making this feel possible.
‘Loose, simple and washable. Elasticated waistbands. Shirts that you can unbutton easily rather than having to pull your top up for breastfeeding. Clothes that you can easily put in the washing machine, forget dry cleaning!' – Tessa Weale, Creative Director at Archie Foal
Ace Layering
The secret of putting together stylish postpartum outfits is to become a master at layering. A layering Jedi no less. You don’t need a whole new wardrobe to create flattering outfits; by layering your clothes you can create interest in your look without needing to own lots of different clothes. Cardigans, kimonos, ponchos and jackets are all great additions to a t-shirt and jeans or leggings combo, creating multiple outfit options from the same basics!
Maternity Trousers Are Your Friend
Do not go throwing away your maternity bottoms just yet. As much as we’d all love to go back to our favourite pair of skinny jeans, any kind of trousers – be they jeans, leggings or maternity bottoms – with an elastic waist are going to be your new best friend when it comes to postpartum outfits. They will need to be stretchy enough to be gentle on your stomach, while still allowing you to put together stylish outfits with ease. The good news is, that you’ll have probably accumulated these types of trousers during your pregnancy, so won’t need to go buying any new ones!
Think black leggings and eye-catching yoga pants for endless outfit combinations which are comfy yet stylish ensembles. High-waisted, comfortable trousers like our Astrid Button Wool Trousers can give you support around your middle while also keeping you covered. Plus, they can come in more structured designs for smarter looks if you’re heading back to work or want something more formal than jeans.
Get the right support
Aside from your bump, no one enjoys the post-birth undies. But after the uber-glamorous postpartum phase of mesh pants, you need to think practically when it comes to your underwear. Opt for reliable underwear that will give you the support that you need while you’re nursing your newborn. Non-wired sleep bras provide ultra-comfort while you are in the post-hospital phase. These types of bras are easy to wash too – great for when you need a quick change or want clothes that’ll dry quickly.
A few weeks after birth, you can bring in the nursing bra. Again, comfort is key. Ill-fitting nursing bras are just going to be an added annoyance when your tolerance level is at an all-time low. Make sure you buy one (or three) that you feel good in. Find a nursing bra that fits like a dream and does what you need it to!
Think Functional
When it comes to finding flattering postpartum clothes, go for functionality. Opt for nursing tops, oversized styles, soft, button-down shirts and loose, flowy tops to make breastfeeding, even on the go, a lot easier. Any style that has a slight structure but is not too restricting will be gentle on your stomach while accentuating your figure.
Styles like peplum, V-neck and wrap tops are naturally forgiving while still resembling normal, pre-baby outfits. The same goes for dresses – think stylish but comfortable looks. Dresses such as shirt, t-shirt and A-line styles will be more comfortable but can still look trendy and are easily dressed up or down. Skirts with elastic waistbands are a solid option, particularly A-line styles which are more forgiving while still having a feminine cut.
Black is the new black
There’s a reason (besides comfiness) that black leggings are a staple of many women’s wardrobes, let alone those of new mums. Dark colours, particularly black, helps to make your body appear longer. Any remaining bump after birth can be disguised by dark apparel, creating a smoother silhouette. But that doesn’t mean you have to look like the latest addition to the Addams family. Break up dark shades with bright accessories such as textured, patterned scarfs, statement jewellery or bags. If black is not your colour, other dark shades can also do you a similar favour, such as navy, grey, brown and purple. Not only can dark shades be flattering, but they also hide stains much better than lighter colours (read: almost baby-proof).
Be a lightweight
When you are going through the motions of life after the arrival of your little one, the last thing you want is to feel constricted by your clothing. Keeping to lightweight, easy-to-remove clothing can be a lifesaver if you need to quickly change, or to take off or add another layer to your outfit. Clothes that are made out of natural, soft materials such as cotton and silk will be gentle on your skin (and your baby’s) and will not make you feel like you are drowning in heavy textiles.
Embrace the pram-walk
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what size jeans you fit into, or whether you’re wearing yoga pants seven days a week. What’s important is that regardless of how stylish your wardrobe feels, as a new mum you have gone through a life-changing journey to bring your newborn into the world. Size doesn’t matter, every body (postpartum or otherwise) is different, and no one should feel pressured or guilty for not fitting into a standard off-the-rack size. Certainly not mothers, whose bodies have nurtured, grown and birthed another human (or humans). If you have to buy a slightly larger size after pregnancy, so be it! What’s important is that the clothes fit you, and help you feel comfortable and confident so that you can embrace the pram-walk and focus on your little bundle of joy (and exhaustion).
Most people, including mothers, choose clothes that are comfortable over those that are stylish. But the best brands don’t make you choose. They combine both style and comfort to create clothes that make us feel stylish and put-together, but can also be worn off the catwalk. Comfort and style are two of the core principles behind all of our clothes. We believe in practical luxury – feeling good in what we wear not only because the clothes are comfortable, but because they make us look and feel good too. See for yourself by exploring our collection.
