So it was about the fourth time I went into my husband’s closet, reaching for his big orange sweatshirt to wear with my leggings and Uggs that I realized something needed to change. His big orange sweatshirt was super comfy and it covered my butt in leggings, buuuuttt . . . I don’t think I need to tell you this outfit (if it can be called that) was not flattering. I literally had a closet full of my own clothes with nothing to wear. This was partly because I wanted so badly to feel comfortable after having Greenlea (via c-section), partly because I had grown out of my pre-pregnancy clothes (uh . . . buh-bye pre-pregnancy body) and partly because having so many options can just be super overwhelming when you’re just trying to get out of the house without looking like a slob.
So. I tried on a bunch of things I already owned, took note of what I needed to buy and put together a general post-partum “capsule wardrobe” that would make it easier to get dressed each day. This wardrobe is all about affordable, flattering post-partum pieces that are comfortable. The idea is that you should be able to mix and match these items easily in a number of different ways to make getting ready less of a chore. I can grab the flare jeans, striped t and blanket scarf or the leggings, tunic sweater and fur vest just as easily as that big orange sweater and be just as comfortable . . . and look much better.
SHORT-SLEEVED SWEATER OR BLOUSE: A blouse or sweater that has a nice drape to it and can be layered easily over or under other pieces.
PORTOFINO BLOUSE IN LONGER LENGTH: My prayers have been answered! Ok, maybe that’s an overstatement, but so many times I’ve wished I could throw on one of my Portofino shirts over leggings and now I can! Woot!
LONG CARDIGAN: This is a perfect layering piece to put on over jeans, leggings, whatever, really . . . it adds some warmth without adding bulk and it covers your bum if you’re wearing leggings with a top that’s a tad too short.
TUNIC BLOUSE: I live in these. They’re flattering because they drape so well and they can be worn in so many different ways. (They hide a PP pooch really well).
TUNIC SWEATER: Sometimes you just want to put on a really comfy oversize sweater and call it a day, amiright? Get one that’s soft and comfy and you can wear it anywhere . . . from watching a movie on the couch over pjs to a dinner out over faux leather leggings.
LIGHTWEIGHT V-NECK SWEATER: I love this particular sweater. It’s soft, lightweight, layers well and comes in a bunch of fun colors. I find myself reaching for it more than I anticipated . . . and I can nurse in it.
CHAMBRAY BUTTON-UP: This is a perfect layering piece . . . under sweaters, over graphic tees, with jeans, with skirts, over dresses . . . an essential wardrobe piece.
LOOSE LONG-SLEEVED LAYERING SHIRT: I love those soft, oversize, drapey long-sleeved tees and the stripes make this one even more interesting.
PLAID BLANKET SCARF: I put this on top of everything. Like hot sauce. (Plus I can use it as a blanket if G gets cold or if I need a nursing cover).
FAUX FUR VEST: Just like the blanket scarf, this pretty much comes with me no matter what I’m wearing . . . it’s an easy way to add some warmth and style to any outfit.
MID-RISE OR HIGH-RISE FLARES: After my c-section, low rise jeans felt awful. Luckily for me, the rises on jeans were . . . well, rising. Instead of a muffin top that can be created by low-rise, mid or high-rises hold your belly in and are so much more comfortable.
BLACK MIDI SKIRT: Sometimes you want to wear a skirt. In this case, this one is super comfy and can be worn higher or lower depending on what you wear it with.
PARKA: I’m drooling over this jacket. When the temps fall the vest and scarf aren’t going to be warm enough . . . this parka can be dressed up or down and is warm. It would look as cute over a dress as it does over jeans.
FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS: I made my case for faux leather leggings a year ago, and I’m standing by it. When I want to be comfy but feel a little sassier, the leather leggings come out. You can wear these with a simple t-shirt and feel super stylish. (And comfy!)
HIGH RISE LEGGING JEANS: High rises are so much more comfortable and after my c-section I needed to invest in a couple of pairs of these. The low-rise jeggings I had just weren’t cutting it anymore.
ANKLE BOOTIE: If you buy one pair of shoes this year, it’s a toss up between ankle boots and over-the-knee boots. But, ankle boots can be worn with jeans, dresses, skirts, leggings, etc. and are more fashion-forward than tall boots.
COMFY LEGGINGS: I pretty much always want to wear leggings. The challenge is to find ones that are opaque, wash well, are soft and flattering. These have some rave reviews . . . let me know what your favorite leggings are in the comments because I’m on the hunt for some!
OVER-THE-KNEE BOOTS: If you buy two pairs of shoes this year, these should be on your list! They’re surprisingly versatile and we’ve listed our favorites here.
Here are some more options that would fit perfectly into this wardrobe:
XOXO,
Scotti
PS – I’m on the lookout for some amazingly comfortable leggings that hold up wash after wash and don’t pill or fade . . . anyone has any favorite leggings to share?? I had a pair from Zara for ten (literally TEN) years that just finally got a hole in them last year. I had cut out the tag that listed what they were made of, however, and just can’t seem to find a replacement! Can you help?
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