Here we are, 3 weeks and 5 days postpartum, and outfit posts are making a come back! I know the topic of this post is probably only going to be relevant to a few of you, but this is a subject I really want to delve into ~ dressing a postpartum body.
The reason for that is, and I’m shooting straight from the hip here, wearing clothing postpartum pretty much sucks.
Yes, there are all the obvious statements like: “But you JUST had a baby.” Er, yeah, despite the sleep deprivation I think I know that! Or: “It takes 9 months of your body changing while carrying a baby, it takes 9 months for it to change back.” While the 9 months to get back to normal may be give or take a few months depending on your body, this statement is also a “Yup. It figures.” type thought.
The fact of the matter is, unless you like parading around in your birthday suit, you still have to clothe yourself for those weeks following the birth of your precious bundle somehow. And that’s where it gets tricky.
Dressing a baby bump can be a challenge, but it’s made relatively simple by the fact that you don’t have anything to hide. Babies are wonderful, and baby bumps are awesome! They are a celebration of the little life growing in you, and look really cute no matter how you dress them.
Honestly, I find styling postpartum fashion to be far more challenging than styling maternity fashion. No longer do you have a cute bump to hide the fact that you have no abdominal muscles, waist, or shape from your chest to your hips. ‘Coz when the bump is gone and the baby has arrived you still don’t have any abdominal muscles, waist, or shape from your chest to your hips! (￣。￣)
I’m not going to beat around the bush ~ this is where supportive undergarments really come into their own. Whether you’ve had a natural delivery or a cesarean section birth {Because of some complications, Charlotte was born via cesarean section}, wearing some sort of support is definitely helpful. It could be it a bandage, a wrap, a foundation garment such as shape wear, or a waist cinching girdle.
Not only do support garments help your clothes to sit nicely, they also assist with recovery for postpartum muscles. I know for myself I feel so much better with something on. I’ve been wearing a tube bandage nonstop since the day after Charlotte was born, and it’s been a real help. My posture is better, I’m not as sore in my abdominal region, and my back doesn’t hurt as much when I am wearing some support.
The challenge for dressing still remains despite this foundational trick. Maternity clothes are too big in all the wrong places, pre-pregnancy clothes are too small in all the wrong places! Nobody wants to buy a wardrobe for such an in between phase though, so here are my tips for postpartum vintage style.
~ 6 Tips for Vintage Postpartum Outfits ~
- Belt it! Wide belts are your friend. They help to cinch in loose clothing and define your waist. Narrow belts don’t work as well because you don’t actually have a waist yet, you are just pretending. ; )
- 1950’s full skirts are comfortable and look great with those wonderful child bearing hips. I personally find 1950 styles to be the only vintage fashion that really works with the post-baby body in those first few months.
- Shirtwaist dresses with full skirts win the “easiest to throw on” award ~ you have your fashion sense covered with beautiful vintage style and your baby covered with easy nursing access. Two birds with one stone.
- Loose, blouse-y styles will sit better than clothing requiring a tight fit. Then add that wide belt for waist definition, and you’ve got yourself a cute look.
- Prints are great for skimming over your shape, and creating interest aside from the cut of the clothing.
- Finally, don’t forget your support garments! There are many different kinds available online; I personally favour Tubigrip, or a torso support bandage, for wearing 24/7 around the home, and a Waist Cinching Girdle for when I’m going out.
༺ ♡ ༻
Of course, all the frustrations of getting dressed are nothing compared to the gorgeous feeling of snuggling that little baby bundle in your arms. The soft, silky brush of baby hair on your face, the satiny warmth of pudgy baby cheeks and that delicious, one of a kind, milky newborn scent… (✿◡‿◡) ~❤
For those that have had babies, what would be your fashion advice for postpartum mothers? Would you dress in vintage style if you just had a baby?
xox,
bonita
༺ ♡ ༻
50’s Tea Rose Dress in Aqua | eBay
Mint Satchel | Typo, Current
Lacey Daisy Ballet Flats | Target, Current
༺ ♡ ༻
Find me:
Instagram | missbjvear
Pinterest | bjvear
Ravelry | BJVear
Twitter | bjvear
Youtube | Bonita Vear
