Yes, of course, having a baby is a wonderful, miraculous experience…. My two kids mean the world to me! I’m blessed, lucky (insert more happy words here)… BUT…let’s be real, besides robbing you of sleep, the little ones can also wreak havoc on your body and style.
The style struggles are so fresh in my mind because I gave birth to my daughter, Elizabeth, a little more than a year ago. I remember crying several times: Once in the closet because I didn’t have anything to wear, another time I cried while looking in the mirror at a body I didn’t recognize. I cried again while exercising, realizing how incredibly out of shape I was.
I started thinking if I’m having this much trouble and I’m a stylist… I can’t imagine how tough this is for women who already struggle with their personal style. LONG story short, I want to help all of you new mommies out there… SOOOO I’ve put together a list of things that I believe can get you through this tough style time.
It’s called, the new “Mommy Survival Wardrobe” or MSW for short.
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MOMMY SURVIVAL WARDROBE
1) GREAT JEANS
The first essential item in your Mom Survival Wardrobe or MSW is jeans. But, not just any jeans. You need great jeans that are dark wash to help you look slimmer, high-waisted to tuck in all your jiggly bits, and also soft so you can wear them comfortably. You will not fit into your old ones right away unless you are freak of nature.
I like “Not Your Daughter’s Jeans” for my curvier mommies. These jeans are touted to make you look a full size smaller. The “Barbara” bootcut is fail-safe way to go. The bootcut leg will balance the wider hips.
For smaller mommies, try AG’s Prima (pictured). I could literally sleep in these they are so comfortable!
2) V-NECK T-SHIRTS
This is another must have item for new mommies. The T-shirt is cute. It’s baggy enough to allow breathing room for your tummy. It’s soft enough to hold the baby close. It’s washable so the baby can throw up on you, no problem. And, for the nursing mommies, it has easy boob access because of the v-neck. I really like these vintage style v-neck Tees from OldNavy.com. They are inexpensive and look great!
3) BLAZER OR FAUX LEATHER JACKET
Since we are living in T-shirts and jeans, you need something to dress it up in a pinch. Nothing works easier or faster than a jacket. Now, for new moms, again, you need softness, so I recommend a knit jacket. This one is a ponte knit. You can wash it. Clump it up into a ball, and it won’t wrinkle. It definitely adds some polish to your look. If you want something a bit more fashion forward, opt for a faux leather jacket. This will add style to your tees, and if your baby spits up on you, you just wipe it down!
4) STATEMENT NECKLACES
These are key…again to add some style in a hurry! You can’t really wear long necklaces because they will hang in the baby’s face. When you wear earrings, you run the risk of the baby ripping it out of your ear. A bib necklace is the way to go! It can easily dress up your look.
5) COMFY SHOES
Comfy shoes are an absolute must! I have polled my blog readers and clients to find the most comfortable and affordable ballet flats and the “Felicia” flats by Sam Edelmen are it! You can also opt for a flat riding boot for fall/winter, like these “Jersey” Riding Boots by Naturalizer. which come in wide widths too.
6) OVER-SIZED BAG
Your dainty bag days are done…for a while. Every new mom needs a giant bag! You need to be able to carry bottles, formula, wipes, diapers, change of clothes, pacifiers, snacks, toys, etc. I personally do not like the way diaper bags look, so I just carry regular bags and put anything that could spill out into a cooler bag or a giant Ziploc bag.
This “Asher Tote” by Brahmin in pecan is great because it’s over-sized. It’s classic so you can carry it everyday and it will work well into your wardrobe well into the toddler years. It will also work with both browns and blacks. And you can wipe down any spills or messes baby makes.
7) SHAPEWEAR
And, last, but certainly not least in the mommy survival wardrobe…Shapewear! Yes, this is kind of a given, but it is worth a reminder. I also suspect some mommies aren’t sure which type of shapewear to buy. Spanx is the bomb for new moms. You should try them on and make sure they are comfortable. If they are uncomfortable, you are wearing the wrong size. You can try the short shapers or a brief shaper like this by also by Spanx. There are also tanks with tummy control like this one by Yummie Tummie. The tanks can be easier to wear and less time consuming during your speedy bathroom breaks.
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