Building Style Confidence Postpartum
It has been ten beautiful weeks of enjoying our new bundle of joy, Zoe.It has definitely been an adjustment. Relearning how to be a mom to a small baby again.We are also balancing the last few weeks of virtual school. They say things get easier the second time around and it is true in some ways, but in some ways it's literally the same. The area that is exactly the same is navigating postpartum style.
So many things run through my mind when it comes to postpartum style. I get scared to invest in this body shape, not really sure what my style is any more and not sure what the style outlook is with the pandemic. If you are in the same boat then don’t fret! I think I figured a few steps to make my way back to life after the early newborn bliss pajama phase.
Step One: Write Out Your Life
It is important to be honest with yourself, life after having a baby is going to be different. There will be some changes to your schedule, like feedings every few hours and fussy moments. So pull out a pad and pen and jot down your CURRENT priorities. You may notice that they have changed. Like me for instance, breastfeeding has become a HUGE thing in my life. Zoe’s nutrients come solely from me. When she’s hungry I have to provide the milk and the time to breastfeed or pump. So this item climbed my priority list. I also learned that with breastfeeding there are some wardrobe changes like nursing bras, coverups, breast pads and being able to be topless at the drop of a hat. So write down your weekly schedule. Work, gym, home, Saturday errands, church services. This will allow you to see from a birds eye view what you need to be wearing every day.
Step Two: Make A List
This step is simple after you have written your life out. Next to your life categories write the number of outfits you need per category in a week. How many work outfits do you need per week, gym outfits, at home outfits(some of us still work from home) etc.
Step 3: All The Feels
How do you want to feel in your clothes in this stage of your life? Write down 5 top emotions you want to feel while you are wearing your clothes. Be extremely descriptive. Where are you? Where are you going? You can even use a style icon, movie icon or even a cartoon.
For me, I want to feel stylish, sporty, comfortable and like I’m having a European summer.
Examples: powerful, sexy, sporty, smooth, stylish, comfortable, well put together
Step 4: Shop Your Closet
Go into your closet and pull out outfits that line up with your life categories. For example, Find 5 workoutfits, 3 gym outfits and 2-4 church outfits. These outfits HAVE to be your favorite. Do not worry about if an item fits you or not, we will get to that later.
Step 5: Face the Music
It is time to try on your clothes that you wore before you were pregnant. Yup. JUST DO IT. It is vital that you find out where you are size wise in your current closet. You may find out that you CAN wear that maxi dress or your favorite top. Try on all the outfits you picked out from the previous step.
Think of it as you are doing it just for fun and there is no pressure. This is your own personal fashion show. Place items that you do not fit but you love to the side. Place the items that do not align with step 3 into a pile.
Step 6: Time to Shop
Before you pull out your credit card, stop and make a list. Write down the type of items you put in the pile that do not fit you but line up with step 3. You will replace the item that you love, but do not fit with the same item in your current size. THIS WILL BE LIFE CHANGING! It will free you to live your life and style in the present.
Next, write down items that you may be missing from your closet that line up with step 3. This is your shopping list. Use this to find multiple items online that work for you! Don’t forget to measure yourself and check reviews to purchase the right size for yourself.
You Got This
I know you may have questions or need a bit of support! Please comment below and I will be sure to answer them. I hope you enjoyed these little tips and I was able to to buy a few things using these exact steps. Ciao!