Top Tips for Staying Stylish as a New Mom!
Life as a parent can feel like one, long juggling act; with so much time spent as a mom, taxi service, cook, housekeeper, teacher, and turn down maid, as well as a wife and worker, at what part of the day are you free to be yourself? Of course there are sacrifices to make when you become a parent; your date nights with your significant other will probably become a little more few and far between, your days will be longer and busier, your schedule is no doubt filled with play dates instead of meetings and brunches, and your evenings will probably consist of clearing up building blocks and crayons before you can, finally, collapse into a heap and enjoy a glass of wine. So, ohmygosh, why do we do it to ourselves?! The thing is that the benefits of having children, such as sticky smiles, gooey kisses, lisped ‘love yous’ and the joy of seeing an actual, proper person develop in front of your eyes far outweigh those hairier moments, and they’re certainly worth a little extra hassle each day.
So, what of style? Surely that’s going to suffer once you’re a mom, right? During your pregnancy, immediately after labor, or even pre-conception, there’s a good chance that friends, family members, and not-so-well-meaning strangers took every opportunity to tell you that your identity would suffer as soon as you had children. Yep – who has time for a sense of style, and self, when there are children to take care of? The thing is, though, that those people couldn’t be further from the truth. You see, while being a mom does add a million new dimensions to your role as a woman, it by no means takes anything away from what you once were – and still are. Staying stylish as a parent perhaps take a little more forward planning or late-night rifles through underwear drawers, but your life as a mommy doesn’t need to be one filled with unflattering smocks and pant suits; you simply need to know how to hone your skills.
Top tips for staying stylish
When it comes to dressing for parenthood the key is practicality; your clothes need to be easily changeable, allow for plenty of movement as you bend, stretch, chase, carry, and repeat, and hide a multitude of sins and stains. Breastfeeding mommas may also need to think a little more carefully about what they’re wearing, and keep clothes easily accessible and light. The most important thing to remember, though, is that becoming a parent isn’t going to take away your ability to accessorize or color-match overnight. You’re still you, after all. Here are some top tips for regaining, and retaining your style, while not compromising on being the awesome momma that you are…
Create a capsule wardrobe
It’s time to learn how to shop properly, and to create the perfect capsule wardrobe that you’ll be able to dip into every day. Invest in a few key items, including a great pair of jeans, some pants that will suit every occasion, a dress that can be worn casually or out for the evening, a top or two, and a jacket – essential items that can be worn a myriad of different ways. Motherhood is also a great excuse to treat yourself with some statement items, including a scarf, some jewelry, and a handbag that will always make you feel good.
Learn how to accessorize
As you venture into motherhood you’ll soon learn that less is more in the style stakes, but that accessorizing is vital. Breastfeeding moms, for example, are going to need a stylish scarf, wrap, or bib in order to feed their little one in comfort, while your tot’s many accompaniments are going to need to be shifted from A to B some how. The great news is that diaper bags come in so many different styles these days that you’re never going to be short of a little inspiration. The diaper backpack, which can be found via online store Skip Hop, is a great choice for moms on the go, and is available at http://www.skiphop.com/diaper-bags/by-style/backpacks. It is so cute!
Then there are the essentials. For moms who wear eyeglasses, why not pick something stylish and modern, or something that really shouts about who you are (something that can easily be forgotten in among all the diapers and toys and play dates and dinner demands)? There are dozens of designs to choose from at eyeglasses.com, so take your pick!
Think fashion, think fun
So, you’re a mom now and it’s time you discover a new you. Yes, there will be days when you stay in your pajamas for longer than you’d care to admit, and weekends when you crave baggy sweat pants and a jersey, but that doesn’t mean you’ve given up on style altogether. Learn to recognize that it’s okay to have off-days, and treat yourself with indulgent items every once in a while. Funky colors, patterns, and different textures aren’t off limits just because you’re a parent now, so explore clothing trends you’d always avoided before. Try and remember what it feels like to look good, even if it’s just one day a week.
Accessorize your outfits with hairstyles that are easy to perfect, choose a subtle makeup look or go barefaced, and always, always, ensure that the day’s outfit is laid out for you the night before so that you’re able to get dressed with speed and confidence. Retaining your style as you balance motherhood and everything in between isn’t impossible, and you may even discover you love the way you look even more now.
Aw, these are awesome tips! 🙂
Thank you Abbey!
Great ideas! When I first became a mom, my fashion went right out the window. I was in yoga or sweatpants for a good 6 months. the second time around, I got better. I love the idea of a capsule wardrobe, and also laying clothes out the night before is a must.
Love all of these tips! I’m not a mom (yet) but honestly these would help with my busy lifestyle anyway.
Great post as ever 🙂
xxox
Really great tips! I remember the struggle with dressing myself after having my daughter. It was really hard because I felt so uncomfortable in yay own skin.
I’m not a mom yet, but as a nanny I tend to dress down and I have been wanting to get better at fixing up a bit. Nothing fancy, but maybe so flow-y, feminine shirts that go well with leggings. That is what I prefer, but their are a lot of different ways to stay stylish. A capsule wardrobe is probably a good idea.
These tips are great! I love having classic items ready to go. White top and jeans and a black dress. Both outfits make me feel sexy which is hard to come by after having a baby and not being able to take a shower every day haha Thanks for sharing!
I remember those days of limited shower time LOLOL 🙂
This is perfect for me. Becoming a new mom this February
Congratulations and good luck Neely!
These are great tips. I’m 7 weeks postpartum and am rather excited about creating a capsule wardrobe. I had dwindled down my closet quite a bit before I got pregnant but my needs are different now that I am nursing.
These are really nice ideas.
Thanks Steph!
Love, love, love, LOVE! When I became a new mom, my sense of fashion just sort of… vanished. I think I just got so busy, I stopped thinking of being cute or whatever. I recently got back on the wagon, though. the kids are old enough now that I can start to focus on me a little bit more.
I am so glad that you can start to focus on yourself a bit Paula! When you feel good, everyone else around you will feel it as well!
These are all such wonderful ideas! When I first became a mom about a year ago, I had a hard time figuring out a way to feel comfortable yet put together. I absolutely agree with all of these suggestions!
Thank you Libby! I agree with you – when you first become a new mama, you don’t know what is “normal” – you’re still changing.
It took me a while, but I finally learned how to shop properly and not make impulse purchases. I usually stick to the classics and add a few trendy pieces each season.
Alli, I am still working on the impulse purchases a bit but I have gotten better! I like your philosophy of classics and then peeks of trendiness here and there!
Really awesome tips here! It’s amazing what accessories can do. You can wear something so plain and throw on a cute necklace and your set!!
Thank you Jehava! Exactly – that necklace transforms the outfit!
I need to learn to get myself back into some kind of a fashion. After I had my child I literally would just throw on what ever and run out the door. I still do that to a degree although it is getting slightly better. Great tips.
Jeanette, it takes time!
For me, a really good pair of jeans and the perfect comfy tee with a cute necklace is my momiform! I wear that pretty much every day!
I love the phrase “momiform”, Esther! I think your momiform sounds GREAT!
These are such fabulous tips for new moms. It’s so important to add stylish accessories to stay on-trend. Surprisingly., it doesn’t take too much effort to make a big impact.
Thank you Jenn! I completely agree 🙂 just little accessories go a long way!
These are great tips for new moms!! I’m not even a mom and plan on using some of these fps for myself…LOL!! Great post!
Thank you Ricci! I hope you do when you are a new mama!
Just be you. That is always a way to stay uniquely beautiful.
Beautifully said, Stephanie!
These are great tips and I personally would love to create a capsule wardrobe. One day when I have money I will for now I deal.
Gwendolyn, I hear you! All in time 🙂
It is such a smart idea to create a capsule wardrobe as a new mom, especially since your body is constantly changing. Loving this post and will share it with some new mom friends.
Thank you for sharing Amanda! The capsule wardrobe is key – your body will continue to change for a while so it’s best to have those key pieces and add accessories. As you get back to your comfortable weight, you’ll just have to change out the pieces that don’t fit!
This is great tips for staying stylish as a new mom. There is sacrifices we make as moms but in the end it is truly worth everything we give up. Staying stylish is something we all can do for yourself since we are always thinking of others first. Thanks for sharing the tips.
I agree Rebecca! Just adding 2-3 more minutes into thinking about what you’re going to wear or adding a cute necklace can make you feel so much better!
As moms, our focus will always be on our kids and never on ourselves. We tend to forget about being fashionable or looking good. But what we don’t realize is that it’s going to help us in the long run. I am loving these tips!
I completely agree with you Amanda. Thanks for stopping by!
This is a great way to get me in gear and thinking more about how my appearance affects my mood. I need to take these tips and implement them with my own mom fashion that is not something to be proud of. Thanks for sharing.
It’s so true Melissa! When I get out of my PJs and put on a normal outfit (not PJs LOL) I feel a lot better. It sets the mood for the rest of the day!
Love these tips! It’s so hard to lose yourself after having kids (I know I did). But it’s worth it to invest in you and taking time to make sure you feel good!
Thanks Kendall! I let myself go too after each of the boys arrived.
Thank you for these tips. My daughter is a new mom and she looks as if she’s had 7 kids already. I keep on encouraging her to choose the right clothes that would suit her “mom bod.” I will share this post with her.
I learned this after my first one and was living in sweats. I just had baby number 4 10 days ago and it is so important to dress comfy but nice it really helps the mood especially when you are getting no sleep
I agree – the no sleep doesn’t help the situation! Congrats on #4!
These are the best tips for new moms (and old ones). I work from home and don’t always think fashion like I should. I need to apply your tips into my life.
A capsule wardrobe is great for new moms. You want versatility, comfort and style for the perfect look.
I am learnign how to accessorize myself. But also, be you. It is not about the wardrobe. It is about how you wear it.
Hello Dana, I agreed after giving a birth to the child, it is not possible to stay in fashion for women’s. By using these tips they turn out to be once again fashionable. Thank you so much for sharing these amazing tips.
I am glad that the tips helped out!! 🙂