Our stylist Jen Clyde shows us how to dress post-baby to hide some of those new mom trouble spots.
Here is her blog:
"Being a stylist and having 4 kids of course this show has to come up! I have a ton of questions and emails on post baby fashions. We all know how blessed and excited we are to have those bundles of joys here and out of us, but then the other half of us is excited to jump right back into our closets and start wearing our old favorite fashions.
Then the truth hits!...We can't fit them over our hips yet! So here is the thing...be patient and understand that it takes time...and spend that time holding the bundle of joy and try not to beat up on yourself. This will cause you more emotional issues when already you will be struggling getting your hormones back together. So I have brought up some tips that can help you as they did me! Understand your assets and your
problem areas and dress according!
• Understanding Sizing: First thing understand that most people will go up sizes. I was a size 2 when I started on my first and went up to size 12! Yes! Understand if you are going to have more then one kid it’s a investment to buy sizes in-between. So I had a shelf when sizes 4/6/8/10/12! Each time I would have a baby I was size 12 then it was a goal of mine to keep putting on a size down ect...I kept these jeans
until I quit having kids! It’s worth it and helps you really feel your best and look your best and be able to have goals. Then with tops always have a large/med/small same idea.
• Dress comfortable: Start your postpartum wardrobe by creating a “home from the hospital” collection of loose fitting dresses. Try choosing dresses that are feminine, flowing and highly forgiving. Select beautiful colors that will brighten your mood. You want to look and feel presentable when visitors stop by to see the new baby, but also be comfortable for the first few weeks. For breast feeding and baby duty, I buy several deep v-necks to be layered over other tees, shells or blouses as a cheap alternative to nursing tops. Those elastic waist slinky skirts in different lengths add versatility and comfort. Really less is more when your a new mom there is just too much stress with the amount the baby needs that cute Chaser T shirts or Wildfox are cute and comfortable. I lived in leggings and long t shirts or tunic dresses. Plus Maxi dresses should be your staple for a night out and comfort. But bring a cardigan!
• Top ideas: For breast feeding and baby duty, I buy several deep v-necks to be layered over other tees, shells or blouses as a cheap alternative to nursing tops. Just think cardigans and loose so that you can stick that babies heads under them and still have room for them to breath. Also cardigans are great because they can be easily removed and used has a cover or a blanket..so nice did this all the time.
• Bottom Ideas: Look for straight leg dark wash or wide leg dark wash to make the legs slimmer. Stay away from high waisted or even way low cut because that will push out your muffin top even more! It cuts right into it. So really needs to be right above those hips but not too high. Wear wedges on a hot date to make your leg look even longer and leaner with a blouse top to hide your muffin top.
• Color is your friend: Try to use vibrant colors or color blocking. Deep colors are great at hiding nursing “leakage” issues. Black is slimming and normally hides all stains (except those white cheesy baby reflux stains)! So try to keep it for bottoms. One big drawback of black is that it can make you look tired, so if you do wear it….then have a bright shoe or sandal. Also White is danger zone! Shows everything like spit up,nursing leaking, and other major down their issues...stay away from this ...if you need to bring this color in then do it in a cardigan sweater or none at all.
• Undergarments. Don’t forget to change the size of your undergarments. Also invest in some “shape wear” – it will give you support, help smooth your silhouetteand help with clothing fit.
• Money Saving TIP: Keep a good stain remover spray on hand as that yellow poopy residue is very hard to remove once set. Make your own solution for colors by mixing equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and water in a spritz bottle. For whites use diluted bleach or oxy spray.
Having unrealistic expectations post partum can result in negative self image, insecurity and even depression. As a stylist I have seen two style camps : some women cope by shelving style for a few months and walking around in shapeless robes and the like while others walking around in obvious denial sporting “muffin tops," too tight items and other fashion faux pas, understand your body type..understand you are not
going to bounce back right after so really just start planning now those cute maxi skirts/blouses/maxi dresses/leggings/slip on sandals/and much more. Your life is always on the go and you know get dressed second in the house and someone else is
first so you need to make your dressing period fast and simple as possible."
For some more photos of what to buy and where go to:
http://www.jenclydestylist.com.
