Pregnancy and childbirth bring a million different changes to our bodies. Our perception of ourselves shifts, and so can our wardrobes and our mom style. Some moms may have the same taste in fashion after their baby is born and feel confident wearing the same things they did before. Other moms may have a hard time dressing their new mom bodies. Combined with the demands of a new baby, it can be easy to lose track of trends and forget how we like to dress.
For me, it was the latter. I had my first baby in January of 2017. My maternity wardrobe consisted of any items in my closet that fit my bump, and a couple maternity staples. After my baby was born, I pretty much wore the same things, minus the maternity pieces. And then, that summer, I found out I was pregnant again! Soon it was back to my maternity wardrobe.
Since my second baby’s birth in April (and deciding that we are not having more children anytime soon), I’ve had a bit of a fashion crisis. With two pregnancies and two babies back to back, not only have I lost track of the trends, but I’ve completely forgotten what I like to wear. I had gotten rid of my pre-pregnancy pants (my baby-bearing hips simply weren’t going to fit in them again). My reliable t-shirts were all stretched out around the waist. I had basically worn the same wardrobe for two years. It doesn’t seem like a huge deal, but I know that how I dress affects my confidence and how I feel about myself. It is time for a change!
Tips For Finding Your Mom Style
1. Out with the old.
It’s time to pack up the maternity clothes. Get rid of everything that doesn’t fit right, that you don’t like anymore, or that you simply don’t feel good in. My favorite tip is to ask myself, “If I saw this at the store, would I buy it?” And if the answer is no, it goes. You might also end up finding pieces you haven’t worn in a long time that you can re-incorporate into your wardrobe! Also, do not hold onto pre-pregnancy clothing that you “might” fit into again someday (unless you’re already about that fit life). It’s not worth the guilt.
2. Identify what needs to change and prioritize.
Where do you see a gap in your wardrobe? Start with your staples. Jeans are a huge go-to of mine and always have been. I knew that finding new jeans would be my number one priority. (Fun fact: because I had gotten rid of my pre-pregnancy jeans, every pair of jeans I owned had an elastic waistband. For two years.)
3. Try on with perspective.
Going into a fitting room and spending the whole time wishing your body were different is not productive. If a piece of clothing isn’t working, it’s not you, it’s the clothing! Focus on finding clothing that makes you feel good. If you like it, and you feel good wearing it, it is worth buying.
