It’s been just over six months since I had my first baby and (of course) my whole life has completely changed.
I knew I had signed up for the nappies, the playdates and the teething grizzles, but what I perhaps hadn’t anticipated was quite how differently I would feel about so many of my own clothes, and therefore how much my style might change.
At six months in I personally feel at peace with my new post-baby body shape. But the way I want to dress it is specific – and there are four formulas for postpartum clothes that I seem to be wearing on repeat.
Higher waists, maxi skirts and jersey tops are just some of the items making me feel good now. They won’t work for everyone but they do for me; here are my style solutions…
High-waist jeans with a vest
A lot of my friends have described denim jeans as the last item they wanted to put back on after giving birth. Admittedly, it took me a few months, but now I love a couple of high-waisted styles that I’ve found in a perfect feels-soft-looks-rigid material.
Marks & Spencer’s ‘Lily’ jeans promise some sort of ‘magic shaping’ within, and while I don’t usually believe in over-hyped fashion wizardry I must admit I love the cut of these for postpartum clothes. The waist gives a secure hold, and the legs are slim, not skinny. The other high street pair I would rate is Mango’s ‘Mom’ style – the cut is more relaxed, and they are available in eight colours.
After establishing that high-waisted jeans were my new go-to, it was simply a case of tucking in every vest top and classic T-shirt in my arsenal. That, and throwing on bright accessories.
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Non-stick dresses with big sandals
The dress silhouette for me at the moment is anything fitted around the top, but which flares out, skimming over my waist rather than sticking around it. This H&M smocked top dress would be ideal, with a stretchy clingy bodice (plus adjustable straps) and a kicked-out skirt.
To counteract the prettiness, I might layer a T-shirt underneath or wear it with chunky sandals such as these from & Other Stories.
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A midaxi skirt with a tank tucked in
I find that a high waisted midaxi skirt now gives me a great silhouette – elongating my legs while showing some ankle, and skimming over my waist. There are so many great floral prints flooding the high street at the moment but this sage striped skirt by Aligne feels really fresh. I would wear it with a basic tank top tucked in, and a pair of strappy minimalist sandals.
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Tailored trousers and jersey top
On the admittedly few occasions that I’ve got dressed up to go out for dinner and drinks with friends since having a baby, I’ve always opted for trousers. Tailored trousers with a high waist offer hold and sharpness, especially with a thick jersey top tucked in.
This is an outfit that I would have worn pre-baby, and that I would still love now for postpartum clothes. It’s a formula that makes me feel pulled together and like a grown-up when I’m out for drinks without my daughter – even if the reality is that I will show my friends pictures of her the entire time I’m away.
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