Postpartum editing - YouLookFab Forum

Angie’s thread about editing compelled me to revisit my wardrobe. Just over a year ago, I finished a big edit, and had paired my items down significantly. I gravitated toward loose silk or linen minimalist tops, and blue jeans or black wool trousers. My skirt collection was and still is relatively too large considering how infrequently I wear them, but most of them still make me happy.

Fast forward to the present moment, and I’m now a commuting breastfeeding/pumping mother with an infant, a new body, a small hope to lose excess pregnancy weight, and a much larger hope to add to my family. I can’t wear most of the tops I own because of BF/pumping-related reasons, and I’ve been relying on basic black tees to see me through for the time being. I’m up a size or two in my hips and thighs and have a rotation of around three pairs of pants/trousers. I wanted to add a new pair of trendy jeans, but nothing fit, even after trying around 20 pairs. Exhausting!

Style-wise, I’m drifting away from my minimalist, semi-androgynous old look. This makes me a bit sad, because I worked hard to refine my
style within the confines of my foot problems, and to acquire the right neutral pieces in natural fibers. Considering how boring a black-on-black or black-on-blue-denim uniform can be, colourful coats and jackets have helped mitigate the tedium, as has my snazzy (to me) new do.

Now for the question: should I edit for my current needs or a style I anticipate, or should I hang on to my clothes until an arbitrary deadline? And if the latter, when would you suggest?

Space is a premium and I have a backlog of clothes that I should have listed on eBay, but never did. I’m too tired at the moment to bother, even though my tops are in good condition from recognizable brands.

What would you do in this scenario?

One last caveat: I seem to be one of those women who cling to weight while BFing, so I’m not assuming that I’ll be able to return to my old size anytime soon.

5 years ago

anne

Veteran

GF, as I wrote to you a few weeks ago on the hh thread, please don't assume you won't lose the weight, just because you have not at 15 weeks. Between 3 and 6 months is often a weight loss time.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

GOOD JOB.

GF, it sounds like you're doing great, and my hat off to you. New baby, new body, pumping, work, life.....and the list goes on. Hectic. I like the sound of your less minimal style with bright toppers

From my experience with dressing clients who have had babies - it takes about a year to lose the weight. But your body is different despite the weight loss and items might fit differently. Give yourself another 6 months.

Jaime

Each woman and each pregnancy is different (especially if one of them is twins, but I digress. ) Anyway, I would keep the classic items you would wear right now but are a bit too small, and keep your pregnancy clothes. You will be sick of your breastfeeding friendly tops after a while, and you might go down in bra size regardless of weight loss after you wean, so keep that in mind.

elpgal

Absolutely keep all the clothes and reevaluate after weaning. I fit into a few beloved clothes 4 years after childbirth.

Joy

Give it a year or more if still BFing. Some of the tiniest, trimmest women I know had 4-8 babies.

Cardiff girl

Relax ,enjoy the baby,wear whatever gets you through.You ve got more important stuff to do at the moment .It will all become clearer what to do as time goes on .

Kathie

Adding to the many voices to give yourself at least 6-12 months to see how your weight/shape settle. For me, the last few extra pounds came off very quickly at 6 months, at the point my little ones were breastfeeding a lot, but not eating much solid food. I did live with a more limited wardrobe in between pregnancies (children are two years apart), for budget reasons. I did not edit many clothes, either- only those that I knew I’d never wear again because of style and/or color.

Given your space constraints, coupled with a possible style change, I think I’d consider editing the pieces you foresee not working with your new style. Perhaps consignment? Or donate to Bottomless Closet/Dress for Success/etc? This could give you some room, if you need to add a few items to get you through this transitional period. But, I still wouldn’t do a drastic edit right now. Good luck, and enjoy your new family member!

gryffin

GF - a single piece of advice, from hard won wisdom. I lost the weight very quickly but I can only call it a post partum fashion psychosis that I experienced. My life roll was so upended that that my entire wardrobe felt wrong. I purged almost everything, bought all new style. A year later I woke form this trance with a, what was I thinking, and purged all the new stuff. My style was just an evolution of my usual but simplified and stricter. Pull out everything that doesn't work, put it in a holding zone, but what works for now, don't go crazy. In a year you'll know what you want to wear and than can purge for reabsorb your old pieces. But don't make any sweeping changes at this time, there's just too much flux. Give it some time. My best to you. Enjoy these wonderful but challenging early days!!

Helena

GF, you've got lots of great wisdom here, and all I can add is, for the next few years, you might find your style needs change rather rapidly ... from comfy, crawl-on-the-floor-and-endure-spit-up wear, to MOTG wear, to where-the-heck-are-my-kids-never-mind-I'll-just-sit-and-sip-some-tea-a-minute wear, all in the matter of a few short years. All that to say - make sure you have a few pieces that you feel great in (coats are a great one as they are more flexible size-wise and also add a punch to every outfit), but perhaps hold off on any major purges until things have settled, especially of really loved items.

[Disclaimer- For the record, I do generally know where my kids are I was exaggerating for comic effect - although they are at the age when they go off and do their own thing a lot now!! Boohoo!!]

gradfashionista

Just to clarify, the point about weight was more to illustrate how BFing and pregnancy might overlap for the next few years, although there’s no knowing if that will be the case. I’m not as stressed as I was about it a month or two ago once I realized it was beyond my control until my hormones are back to normal.

@Gryffin: Your experience aligns with my own desire at the moment to purge and begin anew. Thanks for sharing, and caution duly noted! At least hair grows back.

Mainelady

GF congratulations on this new chapter in your life’s journey! You are a busy mama and you will probably find your style, fabrics and silhouettes changing for a while. I think you are wise and thoughtful. A column of color is a great base and as you have discovered, colorful jackets, vests and toppers can change up that look. Scarves are also a great way to create visual change and interest and can be tucked into a bag when not needed. When I was a young mother, pumping and working I found stirrup pants and boyfriend blazers to be godsends....yup late 80s, early 90s. The bottoms were easy care, but looked professional with the blazers and were very accommodating to my changing body. I know you will find the styles that work for you, so you can spend your energy on your growing family. True happiness factors, right there!

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