How to Dress Postpartum | 21 Tips to Feel Confident Again - Beautifully Busy Mom (2024)

Learning how to dress postpartum definitely comes with it’s challenges. It’s a bit of a learning curve every time, no matter how many times you’ve been through it. Luckily these 21 tips should help jump start you in the right direction and get you feeling confident in your body.

This post is all about teaching you how to dress postpartum so that you can quickly start feeling like yourself again!

How to Dress Postpartum | 21 Tips to Feel Confident Again - Beautifully Busy Mom (1)

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First of all, I want to start by saying that YOU ARE NOT YOUR WEIGHT. We should all strive to eat well and exercise to keep our bodies as healthy as possible but whether or not you have the perfect figure does NOT add or subtract anything from your value.

Your body created life and birthed a little human. Don’t expect yourself to spring back the next day and just ignore the people who claim they did bounce back that quick. Eat well, move your body, and appreciate all that your body did for you and your baby.

This post is intended to help you learn how to dress confidently now rather than waiting till you get your pre-pregnancy body back. I hope these tips help you celebrate your body and all that it’s done.

Embrace Your Maternity Clothes for the First Couple Weeks

You just pushed out a baby and will essentially be wearing diapers for the first few weeks. Don’t stress over your outfit. Diapers don’t look great with anything anyways. Rest and recover, snuggle your baby, and get cozy in nightgowns and comfy pajama sets. I personally lovedthis button up nightgownfor postpartum and it’s also completely nursing friendly.

How to Dress Postpartum | 21 Tips to Feel Confident Again - Beautifully Busy Mom (2)How to Dress Postpartum | 21 Tips to Feel Confident Again - Beautifully Busy Mom (3)

Temporarily Hide Clothes that Don't Fit

Postpartum emotions are hard enough to deal with without your pre-pregnancy jeans staring you down every morning. I highly suggest gathering up all those tight fitting clothes from pre-pregnancy (resist the urge to try them on) and either putting them in a drawer that you don’t look in or storing them away in a tote.

Don’t open that drawer or tote until you are at least 6 weeks postpartum. If things still don’t fit (and they probably won’t) put them back away in their drawer or tote for another month. Don’t let yourself check more than once a month.

There is no use in taunting yourself or making yourself feel bad. You grew and pushed out a little human. It took 9 months to do that and it is going to take some time to get back to your pre-pregnancy clothes.

Buy Jeans a Size or Two Up

Jeans are one of those things that automatically make you feel more put together. Jeans are also a staple to put together tons of outfits. However, your pre-pregnancy jeans are probably one of the things least likely to fit at the beginning of your postpartum journey. Instead of trying on your favorite pair of jeans over and over and losing confidence each time, head to the store and buy a new pair of favorite jeans (or two).

I personally suggest getting them at a thrift store or off a clearance rack so you don’t have a lot invested if you don’t end up wearing them for very long.

Invest in Bras That are Comfortable AND Supportive

A well fitting bra is a staple for a flattering outfit. Since your breasts have probably changed size, especially if you are nursing, you may need to invest in a few new bras. A supportive well fitting bra will give you a great silhouette, smooth lines, and enhance the look of every outfit.

Avoid Styling with Belts

Belts can actually make you look shorter by separating the two halves of your body. Plus they tend to draw attention to your waistline, which most of us are trying to avoid postpartum.

While lighter colors tend to make people look wider, dark colors tend to have a slimming effect. Since darker colors hide shadows they tend to minimize any lumps and bumps and leave a flattering silhouette.

Opt for Jeans with Zippers Rather Than Buttons

While a zipper is standard on jeans, buttons are meant to draw attention to your waistline. If you aren’t confident in your waistline yet, you may want to shop for jeans with a zipper instead of buttons.

Make Sure You Have a Few Good Leggings

The stretchy and forgiving nature of leggings makes them some of the best clothes to hide post baby belly . TheMothers Essentials Postpartum Legging is specifically designed to provide compression to your belly to support recovery and help you look slimmer. I also highly recommend getting leggings that have a crossover waistband so they fit great on the good days AND the super bloated days.

Biker Shorts are Key for a Summer Recovery

Since having a baby right in the middle of the summer, I am quite literally living in biker shorts. I highly recommend getting a pair of biker shorts with a crossover waistband and/or a pair with no seam in the front. Aerie’s Offline 7″ Biker Shorts are a seamless, quality, and affordable option.

Get a Few Pairs of Comfortable Shoes

If you’re also one of the unlucky ones that have to get rid of shoes every time you have a baby cause your feet grew, this one is for you. Since foot and ankle pain are very common postpartum due to the hormones still wreaking havoc on your body, good shoes are a must.

Order Some Nap Dresses

A nap dress is relaxed or stretchy around the torso and/or chest and then flowy and on the longer side. Nap dresses are known for being comfortable enough that you could take a nap in them. They are the perfect flattering style for postpartum and can easily be slipped down to breastfeed if you are nursing. If you are looking for postpartum dresses for weddings or special events these will give you both comfort and fashion.

Go High Waisted

Whether it be leggings, biker shorts, underwear, swimsuits, jeans, or really anything…go high waisted! Not only will it look better but it will definitely feel more comfortable too.

Use Prints as a Distraction

Patterns and designs can actually act as camouflage for any lumps and bumps you may have postpartum and create a slimming effect.

Wear a Light Colored Jacket Overtop a Dark Color

Wearing a light colored jacket (or shacket) over a dark color creates the appearance of an hourglass figure, especially if the jacket is left open. This is also a great way to add light colors into your wardrobe while still getting the slimming effect of the darker color underneath. This Corduroy Shacket is an adorable option if you are postpartum in the fall.

How to Dress Postpartum | 21 Tips to Feel Confident Again - Beautifully Busy Mom (14)How to Dress Postpartum | 21 Tips to Feel Confident Again - Beautifully Busy Mom (15)

Celebrate Your Assets

When you are learning how to dress postpartum, the key is to focus on the things that you like about yourself rather than the things you want to improve. Most of us are trying to hide our stomachs while we are recovering postpartum but that doesn’t mean you should try to hide your entire body in baggy clothes!

Find a part of your body that you love and draw attention there to celebrate it. Accentuate your legs in cute dresses, use neck lines and jewelry that show off your collarbone and shoulders, or show off gorgeous hair in an adorable hair do.

Avoid Paper Bag Pants

Paper bag pants have a ruffled high waist band and loose legs. Since they draw attention to your waistline, they may not be the best choice when you are newly postpartum.

Consider Shapewear

Whether or not your wear shapewear is totally up to you, but it is an option that may help you dress more confidently postpartum. Shapermint Body Shaper Shorts are great for smooth lines under dresses and this ShaperX Bodysuit works great in combination with any bottoms or under any outfit.

Consider the Half Tuck or French Tuck

Sometimes tucking in shirts fully can cut your body in half and draw attention to your waistline. A French tuck where you tuck in just 2-3 inches in the front or side of the shirt or a half tuck where you tuck in one side in the front will both give you some shape and also make your legs look longer.

Go for Flowy Button Up Tops

With the French tuck and half tuck in mind, flowy button ups can provide shaping while also being relatively forgiving. They are also the perfect easy option for nursing moms.

Pair Leggings with Asymmetrical Tops

Asymmetrical tops create soft slimming elongating lines that are highly flattering to your figure. Asymmetrical tops also pair super well with leggings for a comfortable outfit that looks good on any postpartum body.

How to Dress Postpartum | 21 Tips to Feel Confident Again - Beautifully Busy Mom (26)How to Dress Postpartum | 21 Tips to Feel Confident Again - Beautifully Busy Mom (27)

Try Shift Dresses

A shift dress is a short dress that hangs straight down from the shoulders. It does not have a fitted cut and generally hangs very loose. The forgiving nature of a shift dress is a great option while you are still gaining back your confidence postpartum.

This post was all about the best styles, products, and tips to help restore your confidence in your postpartum body. I hope you are able to walk away from this post ready to celebrate your body and all it has done over the past 10 months. You are strong. You are beautiful. You deserve to feel confident. Have patience with yourself. You’ve got this!

-Beautifully Busy Mom

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How to Dress Postpartum | 21 Tips to Feel Confident Again - Beautifully Busy Mom (2024)

FAQs

How to feel beautiful again after having a baby? ›

10 Ways to Feel Beautiful After Baby
  1. Invest in a stylish maternity bra. Trust us, it's worth forking up the dough. ...
  2. Embrace dry shampoo. ...
  3. Get your walk on. ...
  4. Give your legs a bear hug. ...
  5. Make your home a sanctuary. ...
  6. Buy some new undies. ...
  7. Get some new makeup. ...
  8. Eat healthy.
Mar 26, 2015

What is the best dress style for postpartum? ›

One of the top styles of dresses we recommend for a postpartum wardrobe is a wrap dress. These dresses complement curves and define waistlines. On top of that, they're more breastfeeding-friendly than other styles of dresses.

What to wear postpartum to look slim? ›

Go for darker colors

Darker colors absorb light and make bodies appear slimmer than they actually are. Colors like navy blue, black, deep browns, and charcoal should be your go-to when dressing the postpartum body. Apart from making you look slimmer, they make your silhouette appear more curvy and sensuous.

How to regain self-confidence after giving birth? ›

There are many positive things you can do to help you remember who you are and embrace the changes in your life.
  1. Think about all the positive ways your baby has changed you. ...
  2. Make sure to have a break every now and then. ...
  3. Make time for self-care. ...
  4. Don't compare yourself to other parents. ...
  5. And stop comparing yourself to…
Feb 2, 2021

How long does it take a woman's body to fully recover from pregnancy? ›

You will notice a variety of physical changes during and after pregnancy. Odds are that what you are experiencing is normal. While everyone is different, you can expect to feel “normal” again in about six months.

How do celebrities look good after pregnancy? ›

To amend the drastic changes in your body after pregnancy, a mummy makeover targets different cosmetic concerns through multiple surgeries in one – usually a breast augmentation or breast lift, tummy tuck and liposuction.

How to dress as a new mom? ›

“Moms can be so self-conscious during those first few months.” And as comfy as they may be, sweatpants only make you look worse. Instead, Koch recommends wearing tops and dresses that drape over and away from your tummy, rather than fitting tightly. “Ruching and gathers are great details to look for,” she says.

When should I start wearing postpartum support? ›

Experts agree that it is completely fine to begin wearing a postpartum belly wrap right after birth. In fact, that is when it's likely to provide the most needed support.

How can I tighten my waist after having a baby? ›

Stomach exercise

Let your tummy relax and breathe in gently. As you breathe out, gently draw in the lower part of your stomach like a corset, narrowing your waistline. Squeeze your pelvic floor muscles at the same time. Hold for a count of 10, breathing normally, then gently release.

What do you wear postpartum in the summer? ›

Popover Shirt: Cotton gauze is a summer must. Striped Tee: Simultaneously casual + put-together. Swing Top: We love the floral print for this breezy top. Linen Tee: You can wear these with jeans, skirts, even sweatpants.

How to hide mom pooch in jeans? ›

In terms of hiding belly fat, high-waisted jeans could become your new best friend. Simply put, high-rise jeans help you hide belly fat by covering and smoothing the area. Wide Leg: In response to the skinny jeans phenomenon, wide-leg styles have become more popular as a way to offer something different.

How to hide a C-section pooch? ›

There are a number of procedures that can be used to improve the appearance of the area, including: Tummy Tuck: A Tummy Tuck removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles. This is the most definitive procedure to get rid of the C-section scar and pooch.

How do celebrities look good after birth? ›

Generally speaking, a mommy makeover includes multiple breast and/or body contouring procedures all tied into one. Many women choose some combination of a breast lift or augmentation with a tummy tuck and liposuction for their mommy makeover.

How do celebrities bounce back after pregnancy? ›

Liposuction. Liposuction is a very popular stand-alone procedure for women with exercise resistant pockets of fat post-pregnancy. As a part of a mummy makeover, liposuction works to create greater definition and contour in the abdomen, sculpting a flatter, more athletic looking stomach.

Will I ever feel normal again after having a baby? ›

Fully recovering from pregnancy and childbirth can take months. Although many women feel mostly recovered by 6-8 weeks, it may take longer than this to feel like yourself again. During this time, you may feel as though your body has turned against you. Try not to get frustrated.

Why do I look older after having a baby? ›

The length of telomeres has been associated with long-term physical health. The more children women have, the shorter their telomeres will be and the older you will look. But having nutritional food, regular exercise, enough sleep and water will keep their radiance.

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