When you are pregnant, you’re excited to see the first sign of a baby bump—and for good reason. It is the first opportunity to see your little one growing inside of you. For most women, it resembles the beginning of the challenging but empowering journey to motherhood.
But once your body has nurtured, grown and birthed another human being, that postpartum belly pooch is likely to linger. Attempting to balance the novelty of sudden parenthood while trying to gain some normality can make it difficult when it comes to deciding what to wear. When you’re busy looking after the needs of your little one and adjusting to life post-pregnancy, choosing an outfit can be a daunting task, especially for new mothers.
Following childbirth, lots of mums expect their bodies to immediately bounce back to its pre-baby state. But unless you’re some sort of super human, this can take time. Unfortunately, a bump doesn't simply disappear the moment you give birth. It is important to give your body time to recover and return to where it was.
What’s important is finding flattering new mother clothes that are comfortable and stylish so that you can confidently embrace the pram-walk and rock your new look! Forget the loungewear—here are 15 useful clothing tips for new mothers wanting to revamp their post-baby wardrobe.
Stylish Clothing Tips For New Mums
1. Wear Dark Colours
Dark colours (especially black) help to absorb light, minimise shadows and conceal curves. Any remaining bump after birth can be disguised by dark apparel. The Henry and Grace Ebony Wrap Dress creates a smooth silhouette for an elegant look. Made from 95% ultrafine merino wool, they are sumptuously soft and incredibly comfortable. If black is not your preferred colour, other dark shades including navy, grey, brown and purple perform similarly. They also hide stains much better than lighter colours.
2. Think Functional
When it comes to finding flattering new mother clothes, functionality is extremely important. Opt for oversized styles, loose button-down shirts and flowy tops to make breastfeeding a whole lot easier. Styles like peplum, v-neck and wrap tops naturally resemble normal, pre-baby outfits.
The majority of new mums live in soft, stretchy clothing for the first few months post-delivery. The Henry and Grace range of stylish and versatile maternity dresses, tops and leggings are gentle on the stomach and accentuate your figure. Perfect for the fashionable, stylish mum, the range is carefully designed by mums who understand the needs of new mothers.
3. Get The Right Support
Finding supportive underwear while nursing your newborn is essential. Non-wired sleep bras are incredibly comfortable, supportive and easy to wash. Avoid ill-fitting bras that are going to cause discomfort, especially in the early hours of the morning when you’re tired and sleep deprived. Once you find a bra that fits like a dream, buy two (or three) to ensure you remain supported at all times of the day.
4. Wear Print
Prints not only look great, they conceal the details of your midsection by creating a distraction. They also do a wonderful job at hiding food spills and unwanted stains. Besides, if you can’t avoid them, you may as well disguise them!
5. Keep Your Maternity Trousers
As much as you’d like to throw away your maternity bottoms and rock your favourite pair of skinny jeans, an elastic waist is exactly what you need. The good news is, you’ve probably already accumulated these over the duration of your pregnancy! Your maternity trousers should be stretchy enough to be gentle on your stomach but also eye-catching enough to create stylish outfits with ease.
6. Master The Art Of Layering
You don’t need a whole new wardrobe of clothes to create flattering postpartum outfits. Layering is a clever way to create interest and texture in your look without needing to own lots of different clothes. Mix and match cardigans, ponchos and jackets with t-shirts, jeans or leggings to create multiple stylish outfits from the same basics.
7. Leggings Are Your Friend
Every new mum needs a killer pair of leggings. Whether you’re home nursing your little one, at the supermarket or out for a walk around the block, leggings are a stylish, versatile clothing option for new mums. The Henry and Grace ultrafine merino leggings are super soft and stretchy, perfect for mums serious about comfort. Featuring superior thermal and moisture management, they’ll make the perfect addition to your postpartum wardrobe.
8. Be A Lightweight
As a new mother, the last thing you want is to feel restricted by your own clothing. Opt for lightweight, easy-to-remove new mother clothes made of natural, soft materials such as cotton and silk. These will allow you to change quickly after a spill or add another layer to your outfit with ease.
9. Embrace The Mums Jeans Trend
Jumping on the high-rise denim train can be daunting for new mothers. Besides, being squeezed around the middle doesn't sound very appealing. Luckily, some genius created high-waisted denim specifically for mums like you! These gorgeous straight leg relaxed jeans from Zara provide comfort and support and will keep your belly tucked in and secure.
10. Wear Jumpsuits
A jumpsuit is the perfect silhouette for your postpartum days.These one-piece wonders make an excellent addition to any mothers wardrobe. Perfect for those last minute coffee dates with friends, jumpsuits save you time and effort by eliminating the need to match tops and bottoms. Opt for jumpsuits with hidden nursing access to make breastfeeding a whole lot easier.
11. Don’t Underestimate The Power Of Sneakers
A pair of stylish white sneakers like the women's Superga Leopard Sneakers instantly add a touch of class to any outfit. Not only are these white sneakers fashionable and versatile, they offer much needed comfort and support for busy mums who are always on their feet!
12. Accessorise
To complete the look of any outfit, it is important to choose the right accessories to complement your stylish, new mother clothes. Wearing longer necklaces and dangly earrings attract attention to your face rather than your baby bump. Jewellery has the power to enhance natural beauty and create an elongating illusion, making you look slimmer.
For the cooler months, the Henry and Grace merino wool scarves are a great way to add a pop of colour to your plain black or dark coloured outfits. If preferred, choose longer styles that end at your thigh to help hide your stomach.
13. Get Organised
Let’s face it, getting ready in the mornings is completely different to how it was pre-baby. There is no longer time to sort through your closet when you have nappies to change and a hungry baby to feed. As much as you’d like to hold onto those clothes you hardly wear, they’ll just slow you down. Either dispose of clothes you no longer wear or put them into storage. That way, you won’t get sidetracked by all the clothes that don’t fit you. You’ll thank me later!
14. Splurge On Something Fun
So you’ve been wearing loungewear and oversized clothes for the majority of your pregnancy. Why not treat yourself to something cute? A pretty nursing dress is the perfect outfit choice for the busy mum who wants to impress her lover on date night.
15. Rock What You Wear
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what size jeans you fit into, or whether you’re wearing yoga pants for the third consecutive week. What’s important is that you rock what you wear! Regardless of how stylish your wardrobe feels, as a new mum you have performed a miracle and brought new life into the world. Motherhood is a beautiful thing and you should not feel guilty or pressured for not fitting into a size eight. What’s important is finding new mother clothes that are comfortable and supportive, so that you’re ready to tackle the challenges and joys of motherhood.
The Henry and Grace ultrafine merino maternity range has been exclusively crafted and lovingly perfected over generations at our family farm. Our dresses, tops, leggings and scarves are perfect for new mums wanting to revamp their post-baby wardrobe. Browse our incredible range and experience the Henry and Grace difference today!