Let’s be honest, shopping for pregnancy and postpartum clothes is rarely fun! Do you buy your non-pregnancy size in maternity clothes or size up in non-maternity threads? It might be boring for some but I’ll share how I built a versatile capsule wardrobe that carried seamlessly from pregnancy through postpartum. I also invested in a few pieces that I hope to have for years to come!
- Assess Your Current Wardrobe: Start by taking stock of your current wardrobe. Identify pieces that are stretchy, loose-fitting, or have adjustable features like drawstrings or elastic waistbands. These items will likely be your best friends. To save myself from future heartache, I also packed up ALL my clothes that I knew wouldn’t fit in the third trimester and fourth trimesters. I didn’t want to stress out by looking in a closet full of clothes that didn’t fit me. Out of my pre-pregnancy clothes, I kept out the following,
- A few oversizes hoodies and pajamas
- A great pair of drawstring slacks from Banana Republic
- Oversized white button down from H&M
- Choose Quality Basics: Invest in high-quality basics that can serve as the foundation of your capsule wardrobe. Look for items such as:
- Stretchy leggings or maternity jeans. My Lululemon Align leggings fit in month 10 of pregnancy and still fit today. They are magical. I bought a few pairs of maternity specific leggings (Old Navy, Gap, Blanqi) but nothing was as comfortable as my Aligns.
- Comfortable t-shirts or tunics. I bought these $6 tanks in white and black in size L and XL from Target and paired them with everything. They were also great for layering!
- Cardigans or lightweight sweaters. I invested in a boyfriend style cashmere cardigan that I still wear every other day. It easily fit over my bump but looks great oversized now that I’m postpartum.
- Versatile dresses that can be dressed up or down. I got one ribbed dress and would wear it for date night or just around the house when I didn’t want the effort of putting on pants 😬
- Embrace Layering: Layering is key to creating versatile outfits that can accommodate your changing body during pregnancy and fluctuating postpartum size. Choose lightweight layers that can be easily added or removed as needed, such as:
- Open-front cardigans or kimonos
- Denim or utility jackets
- Comfort should be a top priority when selecting clothing during pregnancy and postpartum. Opt for soft, breathable fabrics that will feel gentle against your skin, such as cotton, modal, or bamboo. I was already the type of girl to pair dresses with sneakers but I leaned into this even more during pregnancy.
- Keep It Simple and Versatile: The key to a successful capsule wardrobe is simplicity and versatility. Choose pieces that can mix and match. Stick to a cohesive color palette (for me, this is beiges, browns, and blacks) to ensure everything coordinates seamlessly.
By focusing on quality basics, embracing layering, prioritizing comfort, incorporating versatile accessories, and planning for postpartum needs, you can create a wardrobe that will carry you through these stages with ease and style.
