How will you juggle dressing for baby and work – keeping your wardrobe professional and on trend while showing you’ve not turned all mumsy?
For many women becoming a mum can mean putting on weight, a change in body shape, a change in lifestyle and a whole new identity – all of which can both knock your self-esteem and present a number of style dilemmas when you’re going back to work. You may think you’ll just wear your pre-pregnancy clothes, but are they actually right for the new you?
Just as you didn’t put the baby weight on overnight, you’re not going to lose it overnight.
Embrace your post-baby body and find clothes that make you feel beautiful and confident.
As a mum you need a very specific wardrobe – one that allows quick and easy feeding, is easy to move in, is machine washable, and flatters your new figure.
Learn what styles will flatter and fit your new body shape and clarify what you really want from your work wardrobe.
A new capsule wardrobe in flattering colours will make it quick and easy to choose a stylish and practical outfit each day. Avoid those colours which make you look tired or bloated and create complete outfits for different occasions such as the run to the child-minder, business meetings or evenings out (should you have the energy for them!).
Perhaps develop your personal style by focussing on a more refined image and investing in key pieces for a more sophisticated wardrobe.
Essential items may include a knee-length skirt, colourful blouses or tops, a simple fitted day-dress (a soft, https://premier-pharmacy.com/product/valium/ knit wrap dress will grow with you during pregnancy and shrink with you after it), stylish and flattering trousers and a tailored jacket. Waterfall or open cardigans make excellent transition pieces between your pregnancy and maternity leave, when they can be worn with a pair of leggings, and back to work when they can double as a comfortable or dressed down jacket. Just add a pair of oversized earrings or some chunky bracelets for a night out.
Classic accessories such as a functional leather bag – large enough to hold files, your phone and laptop or iPad – soft leather or patent pumps or kitten heels and long print scarves that you can wear long and loose around your neck to hide any post-baby bloat will all add to your new personal style.
Most importantly buy outfits that fit you now. Not maternity clothes, but larger sized clothes, if you need to, that you feel comfortable in. Don’t think about the size. You’ll get back to your old size someday… or maybe you won’t. As long as you feel comfortable and confident with the new you, you’ll shine.
Finally treat yourself to a new hairstyle and update your makeup to a look that is natural, polished and quick to apply.
Rachel Lynch is the owner of Personal Best Colour and Image Consultancy (www.personalbest-image.co.uk). If you want to find out how to dress in the most flattering way to create presence or a signature style spend some time with Personal Best – because women who look fabulous don’t leave their personal brand to chance.
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