How to Dress with a Post Partum Figure

Naomi Watts understands flattering layers.

Dressing a post-partum figure can be a difficult process, especially after nine months of pregnancy and change. Although schedules may be tight, energy low and all around exhaustion high, every new mother can enjoy fashion right along with her new baby and body.

Things You'll Need

• Loose fitting and flattering dresses
• Empire-waist tops or ballet wraps
• Bootcut jeans and comfortable pants
• Dainty accessories and cute flats
• A stylish diaper bag
• A stylish sweat suit in one color

Instructions

Instructions

1. Be prepared for postpartum body changes and keep an open mind when trying on clothes. You may need to go up or down in size, take favorite items to a tailor for small changes or simply start from scratch with fitted clothing. Regardless of weight gained or lost in the first couple of weeks, the uterus still takes upwards of 5 to 6 weeks to decrease in size, which means that clothes may fit you differently than before.

2. Start your postpartum wardrobe by creating a “home from the hospital” collection of loose fitting dresses (that can second as comfortable night gowns). Try choosing dresses that are feminine, flowing and highly forgiving. Select beautiful colors that will brighten your mood. You want to look and feel presentable when visitors stop by to see the new baby, but also be comfortable for the first few weeks postpartum.

3. Swap baggy T-shirts or loose sweatshirts for delicate empire-waist tops that conceal stomach bulges. If you want to conceal heavier arms, try adding feminine ballet wraps or cropped sweaters to an empire-waist dress. If you have a short waist and need to create shape (for fear of looking like a post-partum marshmallow), try adding a thin belt to the highest part of your waist to create an hourglass shape.

4. Create balance when dressing your post-partum figure by keeping an eye on proportions. If wearing a loose fitting top, try adding tailored or bootcut jeans with a small amount of stretch (but nothing that is low-rise or pinches your skin in any way). Pants should smooth the lines of your body instead of accentuate lumps or bumps. If wearing a flowing skirt to hide heavier hips or thighs, try topping with a tailored button-up shirt or slim-fitting top that skims the length of curves (without being skin-tight).

5. Choose tops and outfits postpartum that make breastfeeding or movement easy. For example, complicated necklines can make wearing a nursing bra difficult, so stick to classic shapes whenever possible. Try to skip extremely tight or constricting clothing that will make diaper changes and errands an uncomfortable process. Make sure to wear accessories that are conducive to raising a new baby, so skip long earrings or necklaces (which can be pulled) or extremely high heels (which are hazardous when carrying heavy babies, diaper bags or car seats). Simple eclectic jewelry like bangle bracelets can both entertain your baby and dress up any outfit, while simple ballet flats or supportive wedge heels are stylish and practical.

6. Feel beautiful without showing tons of skin. For example, newfound cleavage is beautiful in a sweetheart neckline--but not on complete display. Its important to make sure that the hemline of your skirt is low enough that the bending and lifting required in motherhood does not result in accidental flashing. Instead of showing too much skin postpartum, simply try showing off the body parts that you love, like the (always slender) décolletage in a low neckline or long legs in a simple breezy skirt.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to choose diaper bags that look like small purses or add to your outfit, and skip varieties with loud cartoon characters or shiny reflective surface (they can ruin the best of outfits.)

• Choosing appropriate nursing undergarments can make or break an outfit, so try a variety of nursing bras that create smooth lines underneath clothing.

• It is easy to throw on frumpy sweats and large outfits when running errands or feeling tired, so create a “go to” outfit that can be thrown on in a hurry instead. For example, a simple track suit in one color can be slimming and chic with dainty sandals and petite earrings.