Reader Question: Post-Partum Style Ideas for a Cali Bound New Mama?

Reader Question:

Hello!  I have been following your blog ever since getting pregnant with my son who is now 2.5. I love how you made me feel put together even when I was 40 pounds overweight with a baby no longer in my belly. My husband is military and we have some new orders to land us in a beautiful part of CA! I will either be hugely pregnant or newly post partum when we get there, and would love some post partum ideas for mild 60-70 weather all the time.. lots of exploring/walking/chasing after a toddler with a baby in tow, outfits!

Your blog is amazing, I seriously can’t tell you how much you lifted my post partum funk by showing me ways to dress and be happy and confident in my new not as fit body;)  Thank you!!!

-A

Answer:

A, thank you so much for your kind words!! (And for the reminder that we haven’t focused specifically on post-partum outfits in a while.)  I’ve found that the key to CA and that constant 60-70 degree weather is layering.  I’ve yet to visit Cali and be genuinely, honestly, warm 100% of the time.  Typically I start and end each day freezing, with a wide range of comfortable in between.

So.  I have some ideas, but just for fun, I asked Cam and Scotti to play along as well.  Different perspectives are always good, right?

Breezy Tanks and Fancy Sweatpants

This is pretty much my idea of perfect post-partum outfit:  a swingy tank that helps to hide a post-partum belly, and elastic-waist pants.  Throw a cozy boyfriend cardi and/or scarf on top for cool mornings or nights.

I’d layer these tanks over a nursing cami (with tummy control) or a beautiful nursing bra, letting the straps peek out.

Left:

1 – House of Harlow Sunset Seamed Muscle Tank in Stripe (almost sold out – all sizes available at PacSun)

2 – Easy Sweat Pant at ShopBuru, or check out their entire selection of elastic-waist pants (three pages worth!).

3 – Kenneth Cole Ankle-Wrap Espadrilles, aka the shoes I’ve been coveting for summer.  Love the bright pop of orange.

Right:

4 – Splendid Light and Fashionable Tank – suuuuper easy to nurse in.  And so pretty over Le Mystere’s Sexy Mama nursing bra.

5 – River Island Joggers – this exact print is sold out (River Island tends to sell out quickly), but the green floral jogger is very similar, or the gray smudge floral print is just plain cool.

Have A Little Kimono With Your Coffee

If you haven’t guessed, this was Cam’s take.  She’s all kimono crazy and it’s catching (I’m totally obsessed now too).  But new mamas may appreciate the longer length of the shorts (all of that bending down and over and picking up baby) and how easy it is to use a kimono as an impromptu nursing cover.

Left:

1 – Kimono is sold out!!  But Cam also liked Forever 21’s version.  So pretty!

2 – Everlane V-Neck tee (I can vouch for the nursing friendliness of these tees)

3 – Levi 501 Shorts

4 – The Sak Iris Crossbody

5 – Dolce Vita Veya Sandal

Right:

6 – Free People Kimono (of my dreams)

7 – Splendid Vintage Whisper Tank (all of Spendid’s tops are seriously stretchy, and very nursing-friendly)

8 – 7 For All Mankind Relaxed Denim Shorts

9 – Lily Jade Diaper Bag

10 – DV by Dolce Vita Daffodil Gladiator Sandal

Pretty Date Night Layers

This is Scotti’s take.  She’s doing that thing that drives me nuts:  showing one pair of jeans with two different heel heights because that does NOT WORK IN REAL LIFE…but she has promised that these jeans are so freaking fabulous that she has two – one for heels, one for flats.  (Knowing Scotti she prob got them – gleefully – on super sale.)

But I love the layered blouses and tanks.  That’s kinda genius.

Left:

1 – Madewell Dot Print Shirt (hey – Madewell is now available at Nordstroms!)  Or at Madewell, since Nordies is sold out of L and XL.

2 – LOFT Floral Print Cami

3 – Dirty Laundry Camden Platforms

4 – Express Mid-Rise Slim Flare Jeans

Right:

5 – Michael Stars 3/4 Sleeve Peasant Top

6 – Urban Outfitters Draped Cami (on sale!)

7 – DV by Dolce Vita Gold Flip-Flops

Wasn’t this fun?  I love this trip down new-mama memory lane.  I think we should start doing this once a month, don’t you?  Helping those new mamas out with a little bit of inspiration.  The thing I like best about post-partum style is that it’s so darn comfortable and practical. #postpartumstyle4eva

A, I hope this helped.  Best of luck on your move to CA!

xo,

S

ps.  Scotti will be featuring those Express slim flares soon. I’m torn between those and some with a higher rise – like Madewell’s Button-Front Flea Market Flares or – I DIE – Rag and Bone’s Skinny Cropped Flares.  Two completely different looks I KNOW.  But this is the decision that is currently keeping me up at night.  Remember when I couldn’t find a perfectly faded jean to save my life?  Now I’m drowning in choices.  #poorme #eyeroll

Also, some of you have asked me about Spring Break options for mama.  I haven’t made any final decisions, but am happy to share where my head currently is.  Coming soon.