The Budget Fashionista

It is hard to be fashionable after having a baby! My daughter was born 4 months ago and I need some tips of how to look stylish even though I don’t have much time for myself anymore! I got some great tips when I saw an episode of Jen and Barb Mom Life online. These two moms seemed like they were concerned about the same thing, and wanted to help other moms. I would recomend that episode to anyone who is in the same place as me.

I was going to put up something about this after I delivered my baby, but since someone asked… Anyway, I’ve been there twice already.

First, congratulations on the baby. Focus on your health and your baby’s health, and things will get a tiny bit easier.

Second, in terms of fashion…
1) Don’t expect to get your figure back for at least a few weeks, if not longer. You may have eaten perfectly and exercised, but you’ll still have some extra weight and extra skin left. Don’t go crazy over it. Wear your slightly oversized clothes that you wore in the first trimester. And for the first week or so, focus on comfort and don’t worry about looking fabulous.
2) After the first week or so, once you’ve gotten some kind of routine going, do start working some fashion and beauty into your routine. Take a few minutes to wash your face and apply moisturizer. And do get dressed each day, even if you have to wear the oversized first trimester clothes.
3) Surplice/mock wrap tops are some of the best tops for new mommies. They’re less cumbersome than real wrap tops, so they accommodate breastfeeding better, but they also flatter your large breasts while camouflaging the residual tummy bulge. Fitted stretch button-down shirts are also some of the best, simply because they’re so easy.
4) Get fitted for a new bra ASAP. You’ll need it.

I hope this helps.

Congratulations!  I thought the tips were great, esp about little habits over time.  Keeping up on basic facial care and keeping the wardrobe a bit simple for at least the first month(s) is sound advice!  I would recommend using color whenever possible, it will perk you up.  And if you are nursing, invest in a good sturdy skin-tone nursing bra.  The white ones will limit your shirt options!

I don’t wear make-up, so I couldn’t help you in that dept. The first thing I did post baby was invest in a great sports bra. then I got my butt on the treadmill. Working out and taking my daughter on long walks was the best thing that I could do for the both of us. Once I was close enough to my pre body (took me about 4.5 months), I scoured my wardrobe, donating what no longer fit (I’m thinner post baby) and hit up Macys, Nordstrom Rack, Old Navy to invest in a couple of fun key pieces.

Crystals - 06 May 2009 09:42 AM

It is difficult to maintain after baby.So it is difficult to do fashion.

Difficult, yes, but only at first, and not impossible.

I’ve been doing yoga for almost seven years now, and it’s the best exercise in the world. It kept me in shape before, during, and after all of my pregnancies. And my newest baby was less than 2 months old when I got back into my old clothes.

In terms of clothes and grooming, a little effort goes a long way. You don’t have to wear makeup every day, but you should get slowly back into good skin care habits. And do get dressed every day- it will make you feel better.

The Bellaband is an indispensable “tool” for post-pregnancy, while you’re still trying to get back in your jeans!

http://www.ingridandisabel.com/

I’m 22 months post-partum, so I’m not exactly just out of pregnancy anymore.  But I do remember the funkiness of not being pregnant but not fitting back into my clothes yet.  Someone mentioned the Bella Band, which you can wear with your jeans so you don’t have to button them all the way.  If you have a long shirt or tunic no one will know the difference.  I used mine all the time.
A good haircut always perks me up, so if you haven’t gotten one in awhile do that.  And it doesn’t have to be short just because you’re a mom - I like long layers because you can pretty much wash your hair and let it air dry, then put some product in while it’s damp to give it some shape.  Lastly I would suggest investing in some good accessories, maybe a cool necklace or scarves, or whatever kind you like.  Accessories are so much fun and you can avoid the plain Jane look with them.

Congratulations on your baby!  Before you know it yours will be turning into a toddler.  Treasure these early months.

About hair- be warned that you may get post-partum damage and hair loss. Pregnancy hair is the best hair you’ll ever have because of the hormone surge, but the post-partum hormone drop leaves you with the worst hair of your life. Don’t worry- it’s perfectly normal. Just wait it out.

Meantime, take very, very careful care of your hair. You absolutely do NOT have to cut it short unless you like it that way, but you must take care of it properly. And work with the natural texture and movement as much as possible. That is, if it’s naturally curly, wear it curly and don’t straighten it. Not only is that easier on your hair, but it’s easier on you, leaving you more time to focus on your baby.

I was looking up for such tips and Thank God I found few. Its absolutely necessary for a mother to stay fit and get back to normal shapes after childbirths. Just keep up your routine exercises, eat healthy and avoid fatty foods. Looking good is always a plus for you when you are back to your work.