If you’re very new to Chic Critique, you won’t have read anything from me yet because I’ve spent the last three months on sabbatical for baby-having.
Hi, my name is Moriah, I just had a baby and NOTHING FITS.
So, since I’m sure I’m not the only one who might be trying to lose some weight (it being January and all), I thought I’d share some shopping tips I found useful for this in-between stage.
Get two pairs of jeans (or so) that actually fit and look good. I’d recommend going to discount stores (such as TJ Maxx or Marshall’s) and look for designer, quality jeans at greatly reduced prices.
For example, I recently found some Calvin Klein jeans that fit perfectly for $29. I did what any self-respecting woman would do upon noticing such a bargain and bought TWO. I wear those jeans almost daily. They look very similar to this (except not so, um, small):
Winter is great because it’s sweater weather! You can hide your in-between tummy in the extra layer of a sweater, still look good and feel pretty.
(Because it’s all about feeling good and looking pretty.)
Also VERY convenient is the A-line or babydoll style that is very forgiving of a post-partum (or post-Christmas) tummy:
So is the banded-hem, like this:
I happen to have that last shirt in two colors and it’s one of my favorites. I plan on wearing them even after I’m back in my skinny jeans. (You know, in 2020.)
And, as always, accessorize! Great jewelry, shoes, and handbags don’t depend on your pant size!
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Wonderful post, Moriah! (Does it still count as “in-between” if your baby is 17 months old?)
Thanks, I had a mini-meltdown last night when trying to dress for a date with my husband. (My baby is 3 and half weeks old). So today I started re-thinking how I could put some of the things in my closet together and came up with several cute outfit options……..and you are so right, a well fitting pair of jeans (even in a larger size) is such a lifesaver!
Great tips. I do have to say that I tend to avoid the baby-doll style tops. I’m in sixth pregnancy, and in between pregnancies, when I have tried that look, someone inevitably asks if I am pregnant again. It is just too hard to tell sometimes, I guess, and I don’t like making people wonder. My husband doesn’t like it either. But I wish that wasn’t the case because it is such a cute look.
great post, Moriah!
I love that last shirt particularly. I need to get one of those! Of course it will be three months before we are wearing short sleeves up here. Great postpartum tips!
I agree with the jeans – I bought some jeans in a bigger size as well as some nice pants in a bigger size after my daughter was born 2 years ago. They were great transition clothes and I was able to wear them through the first half of my current pregnancy during that awkward stage where your clothes don’t fit but maternity clothes are still too big. I’m going to check out some of those shirts for after my little girl is born in May!
Great tips, Moriah…and congratulations on the birth of your baby!
I agree about the jeans. It’s so nice to have a pair or two that fit “just right” – until you can fit back into the clothes in your closet.
I also want to piggyback on what Nicole said. I haven’t found babydoll-style tops to be particularly flattering postpartum. When I try to wear them, they just make me look pregnant again. Perhaps it depends on your body type though…
Oh, and I really like that Ann Taylor LOFT top! So pretty.
I really wish that this had been covered more when I was pregnant! There is lots of discussion about maternity options, but hardly any coverage of postpartum solutions. I had figured on wearing my maternity clothes postpartum for a bit, then going back to my old clothes- that was not at all how it worked out! I had a c-section and the bands on my maternity clothes were uncomfortable. Then, I lost weight in every area except my tummy, so maternity clothes didn’t even fit after a few weeks.
BUT, my shape continued to be “not right” even when my weight was fine. They really don’t make size 4-6 jeans that work with a baby pooch! And then there’s the whole breastfeeding situation. Now I’m really keeping my eyes open for next time, so I will be better prepared…
And I have to agree with the comments about babydoll/ empire waists. It’s probably because I am very short-waisted, but if I wear a babydoll top when I’m breastfeeding, I look very pregnant. I ended up not wanting to cover up my figure in lots of fabric, just in enough structure and coverage to give me something of a waist.