Babies are truly miracles. And they make you fat. At least temporarily. I mean, I know what people say when you’re pregnant- you’re not fat, you’re pregnant. Well I don’t know about you other mamas, but I didn’t give birth to 30 pound babies. And it’s not all water weight either. There’s an initial drop in weight, sure. But after that first week, the rest just lingers. For eternity, apparently. And don’t get me started on how breastfeeding actually made me GAIN weight. Totally possible y’all. My weight has fluctuated over the course of 4 pregnancies, and I have stretch marks for DAYS. Even once (as in a singular time) I was able to get back in shape, everything has a tendency to shift.
At the end of each pregnancy, my wardrobe seems to fail me. Pre-pregnancy clothes still too snug, maternity clothes too baggy. The great news is you’re sleep-deprived, consumed with taking care of your baby, and you get a free pass to wear pajamas and shower once your baby sleeps through the night. I’m only kidding - she won’t sleep through the night.
Once I had my last, and final baby, I really wanted to try a new service I’d heard about. It’s a styling service that sends you clothing based on your size, body type, and style preferences. The problem was, the service required you to fill out a survey that included your size. So, I really debated waiting until I’d lost the rest of the baby weight. The lingering weight. I didn’t want to end up wasting money on clothes with a short shelf life. But then, I realized that it’s not about the weight, it’s about how I feel. And a perfectly fitting pair of jeans can really make you feel amazing. Even if they’re covering an a** courtesy of baby number 4. So, ultimately, I went for it. Let me just tell you: that final baby is now a 19 month old toddler with a 19 year old attitude, and that weight is still lingering. Had I waited until I was “fit” again, so I wouldn’t waste money on clothes that may not fit me until my baby entered preschool, I would have missed out on more than just a few great pairs of jeans and a killer sweater. Wearing clothes that fit you well is an instant confidence boost. Trust me, you’ll feel a lot better than trying to squeeze into your pre-pregnancy jeans.
The point here is definitely not that you need a service to find clothing to build your confidence. The point is to be comfortable in your own skin. My good friend Elise at Mod Bettie Portraits has built her business on just that. She instills confidence in women by creating beautiful images and has launched her own retail lingerie boutique as well. She’s pretty much a bada** boss babe. A few weeks ago, she co-costed a styling event. It was nothing short of a miracle that I was able to attend (kid-free) and it was SO fun! Now I know you’re probably wondering why I feel the need to share this here. Elise’s co-host and style expert, Michelle, shared what I think every stay at home mom, new mom, or pretty much any woman has been waiting to hear. Ready? Sit down. It is now ON TREND to wear athletic gear when you’re not actually going to work out. You heard me correctly. The athleisure trend is apparently totally hot this season and it is not going anywhere anytime soon. Now, I wouldn’t necessarily take my word for it, but this came from a real style expert with over 25 years of experience in the fashion buying industry. And if she tells me wearing yoga pants is now fashionable, I’m not about to ignore her. Because y’all know my yoga pants have never been to yoga.
So let’s all remember that it’s not about how much you weigh or obsessing over your pre-baby body: it’s about finding ways to feel confident and comfortable in your own skin. Because you’re beautiful. Wear those stretch marks with pride, mama. You earned them.
If you need more style ideas or want to check out what else is trending this season, be sure to check out Michelle Krick Style.
*Photos courtesy of Mod Bettie Portraits