Dressing Your Post Baby Body

You just had a baby. 3 weeks ago. 3 months ago. 3 years ago?! Whichever, whatever. You recently had a baby. Your body has undergone a tremendous feat, and although we all know it was so worth it, that notion doesn’t help you get dressed each morning (or afternoon). New moms are busy, and it’s not uncommon to feel frustrated when getting dressed. Before you get caught in the yoga pant revolution, check out these five figure-slimming tips to help you look and feel your best.

Wear a long camisole one size too small.

I call these prized gems fat suckers. An essential for any wardrobe, they’re more comfortable than wearing Spanx but offer similar benefits. Be sure the camisole is long enough that it won’t ride up and show any skin, and tight enough that you wouldn’t actually wear it out in public as a tank top. To maximize the benefits of this trick, both of these rules must hold true. Camisoles hide what you don’t want to show— similar to camouflage! This also works with nursing tanks. A snugly fitting camisole smoothes the tummy and provides a great foundation for layering.

Black is slimming… but so are navy, plum and dark brown.

We all know that wearing black makes us feel thinner, but did you know other dark colors have the same benefit? Navy is especially flattering on blondes, while plum looks great with darker hair and skin tones. When using this slimming trick, play up your look with colorful accessories. Color mixing, matching and blocking are all very on-trend, so have fun.

Go tailored.

When you’re feeling self-conscious about your midsection, it’s best to avoid clingy jersey fabric. Instead, try wearing tailored tops, which are more forgiving. They will give you shape without hugging your skin. Cotton blouses with darting are great, and you can easily add a belt if you want to create an even more dramatic silhouette. Also, now is the perfect time to trade that fleece zip-up for a jacket. A well-fitted jacket is a great fashion investment that you can wear again and again, and it will flatter you every time.

Beware of the dreaded “muffin top.”

In case you’ve been living under a rock, fat hanging over the side of one’s pants is called a muffin top… and it’s not pretty. A muffin top simply means your pants are too tight. That means you’ll need to resist the temptation to squeeze into your pre-pregnancy pants before they truly fit again. That being said, elastic waist maternity pants can also be tricky for your post-pregnant body. What you used to wear under a big tight belly bump is now being worn right along your problematic mid-section. That’s right! I am telling you that stretchy maternity pants might actually give you a muffin top, too! If you don’t want to invest in pants for an in-between phase, try wearing your pre-pregnancy jeans with an elastic hair tie fastening your pants. That means you get to wear your cute jeans and not have a muffin top. (Almost like having your muffin and eating it, too.)

Learn to take a compliment.

If someone says, “You look great!”, just smile and say thank you. Period. It’s an indication of style and class. Please, for the sake of all things good and holy, do not point to your stomach saying, “I still have lots of belly fat to lose.” Silence your inner critic and try not to be so hard on yourself. Others will follow your lead!

Sylvia C. Hall lives in Roeland Park with her husband and two young children.  She is a personal stylist who loves to help women establish a working wardrobe and reinvent their style on any budget. Learn more about Sylvia C. Styling at www.Sylvia-C.com