Postpartum fashion can be tricky, especially when your body has changed dramatically after having a baby. If you’re looking in the mirror wondering how to dress your new shape, you’re not alone.
So, you’ve had a baby a few months ago (or maybe a few years ago) and you’re looking at yourself in the mirror.
This is not a body shape that you recognize from your past, especially after postpartum changes that affect your waistline, hips, and shoulders.. It has changed by leaps and bounds. It does not seem to fit into any of the typically defined body shapes (H shape, pear, triangle, etc.) there are! Could you now be some combination of pear and apple?
Whatever your body type was before, you now have to contend with the “mommy pooch” – a third dimension that has blurred your waistline (learn more about Diastasis Recti).
Oh boy!
As someone who has always been a bit of an H shape, this mummy tummy has posed quite a problem for me.
H shapes are defined by “gentle curves”, I.e. there isn’t as much contrast between the size of the waist versus the shoulders and hips.
To create the illusion of a more defined waist, one of the key recommendations is to wear garments that come in towards the waist (think wrap dresses, using belts to cinch a shapeless dress, etc.).
Basically, bring it in around the waist and allow for volume to exist elsewhere – either at the top or bottom.
But what happens when I cinch the waist now, mummy tummy in tow? I look like I’m, once again, pregnant. Quite the opposite of how I’d like to look.
There’s the option of wearing shape-wear of course – but I have yet to find shape wear that works and that’s comfortable enough for daily use in sunny, humid Singapore.
So I have had to find more creative solutions.
Here are one’s that have worked for me:
1. Peplum tops –
Peplum Tops: A Stylish Postpartum Fashion Solution! Gives definition around the bust area while also concealing the tummy. Longer peplum styles work especially well since they provide more coverage. Just pick tops with necklines and sleeves that work for your frame.
Balloon sleeves can be a great way to conceal chunky arms and add a touch of femininity to your look.
This one from Zara is great for those of us with narrower shoulders because of the wider neckline.
2. Smocked Dresses: Flattering Postpartum Styles for the Tropics:
The same concept as peplum tops applies to dresses with a smocked elastic bodice followed through with gathers and pleats. These dresses have what I like to call the modern empire waist – you get a fitted look around the chest and shoulders, and yet lots of room around the belly for a breezy, comfortable summer look. What could be more perfect?
Th ruffles around the sleeves on this one also help widen the shoulders and add visual interest.
3. High-Waisted Bermuda Shorts for Postpartum Comfort:
Ohhh yeah! The pleats on these shorts mean space space space for that belly! At the same time, they’re chic, feminine, and fun. What’s not to love?
4.Agolde Denim: Postpartum-Friendly Button Fly Jeans:
Not many jeans or shorts use button closures, but Agolde does and to great effect! A button fly holds everything in far better than zip closures do. They’re on the pricey side for denim, but their quality is great and so worth it.
5. Dark, Flare Pants: Postpartum Everyday Solutions:
For daily solutions, I find dark-colored high-waisted flare pants useful. The dark color is good at making the pooch appear smaller, and the high rise recreates that waist definition we so seek.
Looser high waisted styles are wonderful casual wear, provide more space, and the comfort factor wins.
6. Looser Fits: Easy Postpartum Outfits:
if your shoulders are broad enough, this should work for you! The key is to find definition somewhere and with a looser fit overall, what’s really getting defined in some way is your shoulders because that’s where the dress hangs.
With shoulders on the narrower side, this solution typically doesn’t work for me.
7. Sizing up when buying garments to make room for the tummy, and then altering the bust / shoulders / legs to fit:
Although the least ideal option, sometimes this is what’s needed to make an outfit work. If it’s a look I’m particularly keen on, I’ll make the effort.
This Syna co-ord set from Faithfull the Brand has my vote for such an outfit!
