Every time I do a capsule-wardrobe post, I’m reminded how freaking fun they are to pull together. And how inspiring they can be, even if they only motivate you to reconsider long-lost items in your own wardrobe. (Though, let’s be real, I’m now jonesing for every single item on this list, plus plenty of other finds in this year’s surprisingly motivating Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.)
This New Moms capsule, in particular, melted my heart just a little. Maybe it’s because I’m still on the cusp of this postpartum phase. Not a new mom, technically speaking (we have two girls, aged 8 years and 16 months), but since the little one is still nursing, and I still feel like I’m learning how to be A Mom of Two, it’s new enough.
And maybe I’m mourning just a little bit the fact that I’ll very likely never be a new mom again. Bittersweet, that feeling of contented doneness.
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Postpartum Capsule Wardrobe: For Casual + Playful New Moms
But I begrudgingly digress. You’re not here for my hormone-fueled sentiments; you’re here because this year’s NSale has a dizzying 85 pages of products, and you’re wondering which, if any, of those products are worth your Very Limited New Mom Time.
I can’t possibly relate more.
So, here are my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale picks for postpartum and new moms, curated in such a way that, yes, they happen to make a nice little capsule wardrobe that’s both very satisfying to my eyeballs and tempting to my Nordstrom card. There are some gems here, friends, whether you’re a new mom or not — or a mom at all, for that matter.
The vibe is unapologetically casual and playful, edged with just a few smart details that add an air of intentionality to the whole shebang. Of course, comfort is front of mind too. As is nursing, if you’ve chosen to go that route.
It’s a good one, if I do say so.
Shopping The NSale As A New Mom? Here’s Everything I’d Scoop Up
This capsule wardrobe has me so delighted. It’s basically everything I want to be wearing this fall — from the coolest New Balance trainers (I love the back view) to a cotton poplin dress that gives Reformation or STAUD a run for their money.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18
A couple of notes:
1. Clearly, a car seat is not a wardrobe item, but we treasure our Doona convertible car seat so freaking much that it’s a must-mention in this post. If you haven’t yet chosen a car seat, I can’t recommend the Doona enough. If you don’t attempt to view it as a complete stroller replacement, you’ll find that it’s really an invaluable system that makes getting around with a babe exponentially more convenient. No more lugging a carseat. Like, ever. I wrote an entire post on it, but after an additional six months of daily use, I find myself recommending the Doona with fewer and fewer reservations. The one sticking point would typically be price, and the NSale discounts it by more than 25%. So, yeah. Don’t snooze on this one.
2. The one thing you might notice missing from this capsule wardrobe is…leggings. It’s not because I don’t love leggings. I do. And, in fact, leggings (or running tights) would be only too at home in this capsule. But I’m going to bet you already have leggings — probably more than you need — so imagine your favorite black pair in the mix here. Don’t have leggings, you say? These are my top pick if you’re after pockets, or these if you can do without. Love the stitching.
OK, let’s dive in. And when you’re done here, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, where we’ve got everything NSale 2023 outlined, soup to nuts.
1. Free People Movement Rocky Ridge Pullover
Look what a fun mom I am! Ha. This cool Free People pullover is easy to throw on over everything, with a pattern that camouflages stains/spit-up and plenty of pockets.
2. Le Specs Armada 54mm Gradient Cat-Eye Sunglasses
Le Specs are my favorite designer-quality, non-designer sunnies out there (I particularly love that there are no logos on the lenses). These cat-eye sunglasses are classically oversized to hide however many hours of sleep you didn’t get.
3. Madewell Nest Stud Earrings
These gold earrings from Madewell are tiny little knots that are sweet and playful, but not overly attractive to grabby hands.
4. Jenny Bird Wallace Chain Bracelet
Jenny Bird’s gold chain bracelet is just bold enough to suggest effort and robust enough that tiny hands can’t break it. Perfect for every day (and available in silver too).
5. Nordstrom Signature Smocked-Bodice Cotton Poplin Dress
Oh, Reformation or Staud vibes on this cotton poplin dress! I’m very optimistic that the elasticized sleeves and smocked bodice mean that you could slip a shoulder for nursing. I love the elevated details on this one too. And cliché as it may be: pockets!
6. Treasure & Bond Wide-Leg Pleated Pants
Treasure & Bond’s wide-leg pants are as easy to pull on as a pair of sweatpants, but more “Hey, Look, I Got Dressed Today!” Love the idea of these with the graphic tee and flats for a chic, casual look.
7. Re/Done ‘Can You Not?’ Graphic Tee
This is admittedly a spendy graphic tee, even on sale, but I can’t adequately express how much I love the text. And the quality of Re/Done’s clothing makes it feel like a standout of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Would she wear it with those low-rise jeans and heels for a rare date night? She sure would.
8. Free People Movement Ten Laps Asymmetric Long-Sleeve Cotton Top
Give me a little asymmetrical edge any day of the week. Familiar comfort, instant interest. (With those joggers and New Balance, especially.)
9. New Balance 327 Sneakers
I saw someone wearing these New Balance sneakers at the airport, and the way the soles ride up the back is just so cool. I looked them up on my phone on the spot. (Love the black-&-white too.)
10. Free People Camilla Suede Backpack
I’ll always choose a backpack over a traditional diaper bag. This suede bag from Free People is the right size (you don’t need 12 diapers, three changes of clothes and the baby nail scissors for a run to the grocery store, I promise), plus it’s gorgeously drapey and feels like it would just get better with use.
11. Charles by Charles David Bryce Flats
Instantly added these Charles David flats to my wish list. They’re so much more chic than knit flats, and with an on-trend loafer vibe. And they look far more expensive than the price point.
12. Doona Convertible Infant Car Seat + Stroller
This Doona convertible car seat and stroller is the only piece of baby gear I severely regret not having with our first one. I can’t overstate how luxurious it is not to have to lug a car seat to and from the car. Almost never on sale, so the 25% NSale discount feels huge.
13. Zella Compass Pocket Cargo Joggers
The ease and comfort of joggers with the current look of cargos. And in a color that can only be described as timeless.
14. Nordstrom Signature Cashmere-Blend Hoodie
My number one New Mom Hack: Wear spit-up-colored clothing. (No, really.) In this Nordstrom hoodie (the cashmere makes it fancy), everyone else will think you’re the mom who’s chic — and even daring! — enough to wear ivory when really you’re a head-to-toe barf bag. Everyone wins! (Bonus points for uber-soft fabrics for those presh baby snugs.)
15. Treasure & Bond Stripe Cotton-Blend Rib Cardigan
Pop this Treasure & Bond ribbed cardigan on over a tee or wear it alone as a nursing-friendly top. In an approachable, playdate-friendly stripe that screams “be my mom friend.”
16. Zella Racerback Swing Tank Top
I love lightweight tanks like this Zella racerback. The performance fabric dries quickly (hi, spot-cleaning) and looks dressier than a ribbed cotton. Drapey enough for nursing too.
17. rag & bone Dre Distressed Low-Rise Slim Boyfriend Jeans
I lived in low-rise jeans when I was postpartum, and that hasn’t changed 16 months out. So much time is spent curled up and cuddling, or slouching and nursing, or sitting on the floor. There’s a time and place for high-waisted jeans, but this isn’t one of them. These rag & bone boyfriend jeans are ideally slouchy and cool and, perhaps worth noting, husband-endorsed. (He’s…selective, let’s say, about women’s denim.) The biggest endorsement of all? I own this exact style in five washes. 😳
18. Treasure & Bond Oversized Cotton Button-Up Shirt
Shana wrote an entire post about the magic New Mom Uniform that is a white shirt + jeans, and it reminded us all why she does what she does. It’s so classic, pretty, at once masculine and feminine. This oversized button-up from Treasure & Bond is 100% cotton, so it’ll wash easily — and get softer all the while. Love the easy proportions too.
Phew! I’m not going to say that’s the full 85 pages whittled down to 18 picks, because we haven’t even talked men’s, kids’ or beauty, but fear not — we have recs for all those things too. Pop over to our Ultimate Guide to the 2023 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for a guided tour of all things worth your time in this year’s sale (or bookmark it now for an after-baby-bedtime deep dive).
Oh, and if you do intend to shop, we would so appreciate your support by clicking one of the links in our posts before checking out. S explained a little about how NSale affiliate links work, if you’re interested in a little behind-the-scenes peek — but the short story is, yes, it has to be like, right before checking out, even if you’ve been browsing The Mom Edit for weeks. Thank you so much!
Still want more? (Yes, yes, you do…) Sign up for our newsletter and select “I’d like to receive all things Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.”
Have fun out there, gang!
xo,
Em
Friends! Follow me on Instagram for accessible, easily adaptable recipes; sneak peeks of The Mom Edit content (and sales!); and more snippets of our life on the Northern California coast. And if you feel so inclined, pop over to my personal food + lifestyle blog, The Pig & Quill, where I share salty scribblings from my kitchen and home life. Byeeeeee!
This one’s for the Pinners!
