Have you just had a baby? Congratulations! But if you’re anything like most new mums, you probably feel a little self-conscious about your post-pregnancy shape. Here are 7 simple tips for after pregnancy style, for how to look and feel great with minimal effort.
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It took the best part of a year to get your body ready to deliver your baby, so don’t put pressure on yourself to “get it back” in those first weeks and months. Your body is in a state of transition that can be genuinely tricky to dress. You’ve gone from a glorious bump to a different kind of shape altogether, and that takes time to adjust to.
Very few of us snap straight back to our pre-pregnancy shape, and it’s completely normal to feel self-conscious in those early months. To make things trickier, the time you used to spend choosing an outfit each morning now feels like a luxury — you have about five minutes to get dressed, and nothing seems to sit right.
In the early weeks with your baby, you’ll spend a lot of time at home, cocooning and getting to know your new family. During this time, loose, easy shapes are your friend. It’s tempting to stay in your pyjamas all day, but try to resist — you can have all the comfort and ease of loose shapes without reaching for the tracksuit every time.
Tips for Dressing After Pregnancy
As you settle into more of a routine and start getting out and about again, a few simple styling tricks can make getting dressed much easier.
1. Focus the eye away from the area of the body you feel most conscious of
If your tummy is the area you feel most self-conscious about, draw the eye upward with sleeve detail, like these smart tops designed especially for new mums. They’re a longer length too, so they drape nicely over the tummy. Notice how your eye is drawn straight to the sleeve?
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2. Your hemline and neckline deserve attention
It doesn’t need to be deep or plunging, but a V-neck or scoop neck that shows a little skin helps elongate the neck. Don’t be afraid to show off your décolletage too.
A wrap-style top is a great option here — it can be easily opened for breastfeeding, and works just as well over jeans as it does over a skirt.
3. Opt for tops and dresses that drape
Choose tops and dresses that drape over and away from your tummy, rather than clinging tightly. Ruching and gathered detail are great things to look for, as they drape over the tummy and can create the illusion of a waist, even on days when you feel you don’t have one.
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4. Go for larger jeans or stretch leggings
Your old jeans will likely be one of the toughest items to get back into, so be kind to yourself and size up rather than squeezing into your old pair. Since your body will keep changing over the coming months, stretchy denim jeggings are a smart, forgiving option.
Paper bag-style trousers, popular in some seasons, tend not to work well for most post-maternity bodies, since the focus falls right on the waistline. Stretch leggings in different colours, patterns and styles are a comfortable, flattering alternative.
5. Avoid clingy fabrics
Look for fabrics that softly drape rather than cling to the body. A long, loose cardigan is a great addition to any post-pregnancy wardrobe — easy to throw on, forgiving, and stylish at the same time.
6. You can transform some maternity items
There may be a few pieces you bought during pregnancy that are worth keeping in rotation. The exceptions are maternity jeans and anything with an adjustable waistband — these are best passed on once you no longer need them.
A cotton or jersey maternity dress, on the other hand, can be cinched at the waist with a belt and still look stylish after pregnancy. Add a cropped denim jacket or a simple belt to reshape it for your new post-baby wardrobe.
7. Scarves come in handy
If you’re breastfeeding and using nursing pads, a loose scarf is a genuinely useful addition to your outfit. Pads can leak or become lumpy through the day, and a drapey scarf is an easy, stylish way to disguise this.
Enjoy your changing shape and your amazing new body. Look at what you’ve achieved, and let that confidence carry through into how you look and feel every day.
Did you find these tips for after pregnancy style useful? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly should my body “bounce back” after pregnancy?
There’s no set timeline, and you shouldn’t put pressure on yourself to lose your pregnancy shape in the first weeks or months. Your body has just spent the best part of a year growing and delivering your baby — it needs time to adjust, and very few mums snap straight back to their pre-pregnancy shape.
What should I wear in the first few weeks after birth?
Loose, easy shapes are your best friend in the early weeks at home. You don’t need to dress up, but comfortable, relaxed pieces will help you feel more put-together than staying in pyjamas all day, without sacrificing any comfort.
What’s the easiest way to dress to feel more confident after pregnancy?
Draw attention away from the area you feel most conscious of using necklines, sleeve detail or drape. Choose fabrics that skim rather than cling, size up on jeans or go for stretch leggings, and keep a scarf handy if you’re breastfeeding.
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