My name is Megan and I author a blog mostly about my obsession with fashion, entitled Pretty in Pink Megan. I have been blogging for two years and have really grown to love everything that it entails. I know Brit from waaaay back! We both attended the University of Kentucky and we were the all blonde ticket that ran for Student Government Senator positions. We both won and suffered through the long and boring meetings together, mostly goofing off and being silly.
Brit contacted me recently to do a guest post about New Mommy clothes that are both fashionable and comfortable. I might not have any children, but I do know a thing or two about dressing people as I have worked in a high-end boutique for the past two years. The thing I love about Brit is that she is a hoot and I love her for being straight- up about everything!
The need for New Mommy Fashion according to Brit:
“Being a new mom you struggle with fashion. You go through 9 months of a fashion curse growing right under your shirt where all you know is big underwear, pants with stretchy waistbands and shirts and dresses that look like moo moos.... so you go from that to being a good 10-20 lbs larger than what you were when you began. It's depressing. All of my clothes from last winter were maternity and before that are too small so seriously.... when I do get the opportunity to shop I have NO idea where to begin. I can't turn to my closet, I can't rely on my sense of fashion (because I lost it the moment I saw a plus sign on the pregnancy test) I'm desperate. I have discovered that I'm not only one. It seems like there are a ton of new mommies that want to feel pretty, want to feel the way they did before they pushed a BIG miracle out, want to be the hot lady their husband use to fantasize about again....but fear they lost it! I think new moms struggle with insecurity and lack of fashion has a HUGE play in it.”
Okay, first off, let’s talk shoes. There’s someone you all need to meet, and her name is Tory Burch. She makes THE BEST flats, and they are fashionable too! I have so many pairs of her “reva” flat because they are the best for the marriage of fashion and comfort. I promise it will be the best 200 dollars you ever spent on shoes. You will get your money’s worth!
She also makes a great thong sandal for summer. It’s easy, comfy, and stylish.
Next, let’s talk jeans. Jeans are ALWAYS an issue with new Moms because you all are trying to lose your baby weight, so jeans are probably your worst enemy. I always recommend the Citizens of Humanity “Kelly”, “Amber” , or “Ava”, depending on your stlye preference. The “Kelly” is the Citizen low rise bootcut. The “Amber” is the high-rise bootcut. The “Ava” is the mid-rise straight leg.
For summer, you cannot go wrong with the basic cotton dress. The cotton dress will be your best friend when it comes to just throwing something on , but still being fashionable. My favorite cotton dress designers are Splendid, Rachel Pally, and Michael Stars.
Leggings. Most people are scared of leggings and don’t realize their full potential. Leggings can really be your best friend. They are comfy, versatile, and can easily be dressed up or down. Just make sure you pair them with a top that is long enough to cover your bum!
Here is my idea of fashionable, yet comfortable Mommy style for daytime:
{Citizen Kelly Jeans, Splendid Turtleneck, Forever 21 sweater, Tory Burch black Reva flats, Burberry Diaper Bag}
Here is an idea for easy summertime Mommy fashion:
{Splendid Cotton Dress, Tory Burch Thora Sandals, Gucci Diaper Bag}
And that’s all I’ve got, ladies! Feel free to visit my blog at www.prettyinpinkmegan.com for fashion inspiration.
20 comments:
Thank you so much for doing this :) you are exactly right.. I'm in such a fashion slump and i don't know where to begin or what looks good anymore.. it's hard after you have a little one!!!
Okay but those jeans she recommended are like 100-200 dollars!! Way too expensive, but great ideas!!
Thanks for the insight but what about those of us that would NEVER spend that kind of money on clothes? $200 for a pair of shoes?? That's not realistic for the majority of new mommies and is also why I tend to not look at blogs about fashion. I work full time and my husband is an engineer so it's not like we struggle but he would think I had gone crazy if I came home with that receipt!
So with that said, what about suggestions for the rest of us? Say items $50 and under?
What a great post and just in time for Baby H.I.T.
What a fun post. I like so many things I see.
What a great post PIPM and Brit! I too am a new mommy, was a new mommy. Well, she' 2.5 yrs old now and until I discovered PIPM. Now, I wear leggings, long shirts, cotton dresses, skinny jeans, TB's, the list goes on and on! My husband loves that I'm the hip, trendy mom! Who said mommyhood has to take away your own sense of identity? They were wrong! Love this!
I know the jeans are pricey, but you buy them ONE TIME and they last for years. It's great to have good jeans that will last a long time. They will never go out of style and you will get your money's worth. For a cheaper option try GAP jeans. They are just as fashionable and run around 50-60 dollars.
Also, I am just saying that flat shoes can be comfortable and stylish ... you don't have to wear the 200 dollar ones to be stylish. Just get a pair of cute flats that are in any price range and you can be comfy & cute!
Put it this way- Yes, I thought spending $200 on a pair of flats was silly...but after buying 3 pairs of other flats that were on sale and fell apart not too long after buying them...why not just spend the $200 knowing that you are getting a better quality and much more comfortable shoe? I learned this with my work shoes a long time ago...I would go to the department store and spend $70 on a pair of black patent Nine West shoes...a few months later, they were bending in weird places, REALLY uncomfortable, scuffed, etc and I had to go out and buy another pair. I realized it was worth it to buy a GOOD quality pair of black shoes for a little more money because they held up so much better and felt better. Yes, it's more money now, but in the long run..it makes more sense.
And when you're a new mom, you need to treat yourself once in a while. It can't always be about your new baby. YOU DESERVE SOMETHING. And trust me...those little Revas poking out from under sweatpants will make you feel LOADS more glamorous! (I know from experience...)
I am in love with this post! LOVE! Obviously these fantastic polyvore sets are simply visual guides to show some easy looks that you can pull together at any price point.
PIPM isn't saying "You have to buy Reva's" or "This is the only way to look good post baby", these are simply suggestions. Visual suggestions, so that when we Mom's are out shopping we can look for fun, pretty, similar items, that fit within our own budget.
As a mom of three, I love my Reva's, but I also have a few cute flats from Target that were all under $15.00.
I remember how hard it is to have one minute (err, one second) to try to put on a little mascara, but I also remember that I felt more like me pre-baby when I took a few minutes to put myself together. I'm not going to lie, the days when I was covered in spit-up and sleep deprived, I could care LESS about how I looked. I am talking about the bigger picture as a Mom and I believe that PIPM was too. My Mommy self just feels BETTER when I take care of myslef. We spend so much time taking care of our families that it is hard at first to take a moment for yourself. There is always that horrid Mommy guilt in the back of our minds, when we do something for ourselves, but I FEEL BETTER when I do.
Thanks PIPM for the delightful post and suggestions.
Britt, I hope you are well! Your little girl is getting so big!
OH, what I would have given to read this post 20 months ago!! :)
It is definitely hard to be fashionable after poppin' out your baby!
In regards to some of the comments, I think there's a point where you can take expensive pieces and pair them with something more inexpensive. My favorite post-pregnancy dress-up outfit is my black a-lined dress with Target, with my Burberry tote!
Great post, Megan. As a (fairly) new mom, I appreciate your fashion advice!! :)
Hi, I found you r blog through Megan's blog, and just started following you.. and I loved this post!!!
all the outfits are so cute! and I know the jeans are a bit pricey but I have a pair and they are soo worth it!!!
btw you have an dorable family!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post. Its nice to see what is fashionable and put your own spin on it. You can always find these same pieces at cheaper prices. I love to see whats in style and then find the same thing in my price range. Thanks so much for doing this and Im not even a mom but I still like to be a fashionable wife :)
What a great post to both you PIPM and Brit!! I will be saving this for after the baby is born to remind myself what the heck is going on! LOL! :) No in all seriousness, great thoughts and of course since I'll be staying at home (aka, 1 income!) I'll splurge where I can (jeans & shoes) and hit up Gap, Target and TJ Maxx (cotton dresses!) for the rest - it's all about balance!! Thanks Loves! xoxo
What a wonderful post, Megan! It is funny, but the little pieces can make a big difference. Just buying a nice handbag made me feel much more "together." As a new mom (and a pregnant one to boot), I find going to the closet is a daunting task. Finding little ways to dress up your casual can make you feel so much better. And you may have just sold me on the Tory Burch flats. I've wanted them for so long, but I think it's time to buy soon!!
My two cents..
Most 'new moms' want to steer clear of any sort of tight jean or dresses. I don't know a single 'new mom' that would be caught dead in a pair of leggings. And most 'new moms' have to wear their maternity clothes 1-3 months AFTER baby. And then there's the 'in between' sizes you have to deal with. I'd save the big spending on clothing items when it's a bit closer to the 1st Birthday mark. :)
peace.love.applesauce,
We are almost at the 1 year mark so that's why I asked and that's who PIPM did direct her post too... to women/new mom's like myself... I still consider myself new! ha
I definitely wouldn't buy any type of expensive staple item unless I was at my goal weight after having the baby.
and lastly, I disagree with the leggings comment. I wore leggings while pregnant! I wore maternity leggings with an adorable sweater dress and flats. I got so many compliments on it. I didn't wear them after because it was warm and summer time but I would have if the weather would have been different. To each his own... I think with any outfit... what you feel comfortable in may not make someone else feel comfortable. Leggings are definitely popular and I find that they are so comfortable when chasing after my little one and being on the move.... I just gotta make sure I'm not exposing my big butt! haha Everyone has their own opinion though and that's okay! I just wanted to give people some great ideas with the hope that they would find what works for them and their body type and ultimately what makes them feel good about themselves.
I subscribe to Vogue magazine.
But I don't use it as a catalogue.
I use it as inspiration.
Some people can use PIPM as a shopping guide for their weekend trip Saks.
Some use it as inspiration for their weekend trip to Old Navy or Target.
Whether your TB's are a one time investment flat or something you "pick up" at the mall when your Jimmy Choo's are giving you blisters- they are a must have.
One pair of TB Revas will outlast 10 pairs of cheaper flats.
One pair of well made jeans will make you feel like you've had a tummy tuck, butt lift and make you stand a little taller.
Good-no Great-advive PIPM
Hello!
I found your blog through PIPM. Both your blogs are new to me, and they're great!
For those balking at the price points, visit your local TJMaxx, Marshalls, and Filene's Basement. They carry seriously discounted premium denim brands, and you could find Citizens in there for a lot less than you would anywhere else. PIPM was presenting a template that you can use to pick out a nice mommy look for you when you go shopping.
Good luck, y'all!
I found your blog through PIPM and I am loving it- and this post as well!
I have an 11 month old and I am right there with you on the fashion debate of what to wear, etc. etc.
Sometimes I feel like I put more effort into dressing my son then I do myself! So when my birthday came around, I did something nice for me! I bought a pair of Revas!!! And I never looked back! Best money ever spent. I wear them almost every day and they have worn VERY well! And best part is, they make me feel good when I see them peaking out from beneath my jeans!
Great post, look foward to reading more of your blog!
Brit!
I'm really big into the retro look and some websites with VERY cute dresses that I enjoy are Tulle www(dot)tulle4us(dot)com and ModCloth(com). All retro but that have some very cute drapy tops for relatively inexpensive.
Cheers,
Melissa
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