Learning How to Dress My Postpartum Body

Embracing self-care and self-love.

Learning how to dress my postpartum body has been a mind-opening journey. After years of criticism, I learned to push aside the nasty comments, unsolicited questions, and overall, very toxic peers.

Pregnancy and childbirth causes tons of changes to a woman’s body. I know this first-hand.

My pre-baby body was always on the smaller side. Before becoming a mom, I carried a rather petite frame, standing at 5’2” and weighing in at just over 110 pounds.

I can’t justify or explain what happened to my body after giving birth. All I know, that in the course of four years, I gave birth to two beautiful babies. Sure, I gained more pregnancy weight than recommended. However, the fierce criticism I received for the weight gain took over my self-confidence – or whatever was left of it.

Fashion Forward & Pre-Mom Days

Before becoming a mom, fashion was everything to me. After years of work in the fashion industry (both in the retail space and head offices), I breathed, ate, slept the art of ready-to-wear collections.

I purchased new pieces nearly every week, and even started a fashion blog in my late twenties to document the outfits that I loved most.

Maternity Fashion

Eight months after tying the knot, my husband (Joe) and I were thrilled to announce that we were expecting our first child. I was eager to dress up in cute maternity-wear, while also taking non-maternity clothes and turning them into pregnancy-friendly outfits.

That’s exactly what I did.

Fast forward nine months later, I was a mom: thrilled, scared, filled with joy, and exercising a side of cautiousness. I was a whole bag of emotions, and for good reason. Jumping into motherhood is a wild ride.

My eating habits changed drastically. I didn’t have as much time to exercise and stay active as I used to. I never shed off the pregnancy weight and four years later, I found myself pregnant with our second.

All that to say: yes, my body changed drastically. You know what? I was totally okay with that – until people blatantly pointed it out.

Fashion for My Postpartum Body

The harsh words and criticisms I received make up a story that I’ll tell another day. It has taken four years to enjoy my new (and yes, still beautiful) body. It’s a body that has carried two healthy babies to term. It’s a body that experienced two surgeries to birth those gorgeous babies (I’m a proud c-section mama!).

For a while, I was too shy to sport things I didn’t deem “mom appropriate.” But wait, what IS “mom-approved” clothing anyway?

I’ve come to a point in my life where, if I’m comfortable, I’ll wear it. If I love it, I’ll flaunt it. As someone who has always loved the art behind fashion, I have come to the realization that I am not limited to my choices just because of my size, body shape, weight… ANYTHING. With fashion, there shouldn’t be any boundaries.

My Favourite Fashion Moments, Currently

Currently, these are the fashion pieces/outfits I’ve been sporting most:

• Large, flowy, oversized tunics belted at the waist
• Lots of tie dye
• High-waist shorts with a maternity tank top tucked in (and yes, bra-free)
• Crop-top loungewear – a must in a work-at-home environment

Currently, what are your favourite items of clothing? Tell me in the comments below!