How these 4 Australian women found their postpartum style

“I needed fashion as a tool to keep my self-identity.”

After being a human vessel for nine months, your body starts to feel like it’s not your own. And after you’ve had the baby, there’s a chance it might continue to feel foreign – that’s when your wardrobe comes to the rescue. Finding your style postpartum is just as important as finding new eating and sleeping habits; it’s something to help you settle into your new life, and feel like at least one area is under control. 

While comfort and efficiency are key (who has time to handwash a cashmere sweater?) your wardrobe doesn’t need to be overtaken by sweatpants and loose T-shirts, however necessary they may be. Your first name may now be ‘Mum’, but you’re still you. While splurging on your new bubba’s wardrobe seems like a right of passage, you still have to dress yourself in the morning too. So how do you go about rediscovering your style, with a tiny person now in your care?

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For these four Australian mums, finding their style was essential to rediscovering themselves, what they were comfortable in, and when they needed to go back to basics. It involved a lot of stretchy pants, cosy outerwear and self-acceptance. Here’s how they did it. 

Cara Stizza, she/her, Design Director at Made For Studio

How do you think your style has changed postpartum? 

What you once loved and felt good and comfortable wearing can become impractical postpartum. You realise this once you’re piggybacking your toddler through a Sunday market with a trench coat on and a shoulder bag. 

Eventually, I leaned into this as a time to redefine my style. Now I aim to have a relaxed, no-fuss wardrobe, where I can dress up or down depending on if I’m hanging at the park, going to work or heading to dinner. Practical became just as important as aesthetics and I avoid wearing too many extra layers or accessories that aren’t serving a purpose. I love a cap – over sunnies on the weekends, because once it’s on you don’t think about it.

Did your pregnancy affect your relationship with fashion? 

My relationship [with fashion] has been ever-evolving since I was pregnant, and it’s taken a while for me to lean into where I am now. Through pregnancy, I really lost an understanding of my style. Lockdown hit and I embraced activewear because we couldn’t go to any events. I felt like I missed my time to explore my new me during this time, so when we were ready to re-enter the world and I now had a four-month-old, it was a bit of a shock.

Postpartum, I found myself saying the words “I look like a mum” too often… but I think it’s because I hadn’t worked out how to express myself beyond being a mum. For me, I tossed out wearing the activewear casually and started to focus on finding pieces that were comfortable but showed my personality.

What is your favourite postpartum outfit? 

My pair of black bias pants from Silk Laundry is my go-to piece. They are so easy to wear and elevate anything else you’re wearing. They barely crease and they have an elastic waistband for maximum comfort.

I usually pair them with an oversized tee from Acne and chuck on boots, loafers or sneakers depending on what I’m doing for the day. It feels effortless because I know they go with anything. If I’m heading to the park on a cold day, I opt for my low-slung Baggys from Agolde, with a basic long sleeve, my Nike Cortez and a hoodie.

Which brands are you looking to for postpartum outfits?

Acne Studios, Agolde, Henne, Esse Studios, Silk Laundry, Camilla and Marc, Marle, Nike and Incu.

What advice do you have for women struggling with their postpartum style? 

Try and lean into this as a space to redefine your style. Prioritise quality over quantity. When there are too many items in my wardrobe, I start to get overwhelmed – so approach purchasing with a couple of things in my mind. The fit has to be perfect and it needs to allow for wiggle room for my ever-changing body. Look for items that are fuss-free and can be worn between the workplace, social events and the playground. 

@cc.stizza

Liv Brown, she/her, Founder of Rattle Style

How do you think your style has changed postpartum? 

I feel like I never used to think about comfort, I would just wear whatever I wanted. If I was uncomfortable I wouldn’t care because I love the outfit. That has changed so much now. My personal style probably hasn’t changed, but now everything I buy is comfortable. Even if I am going to a black tie event… and Gus won’t be with me, I still like to be comfortable at all times.

Did your pregnancy affect your relationship with fashion? 

I had so much fun when I got pregnant, I was ‘Oh my gosh, it’s going to be so fun to find pregnancy outfits and have fun with it’. If anything, it gave me a stronger relationship with fashion. But I found myself getting more frustrated. If I was going to a wedding I had to think about how big I would be at 14 weeks pregnant. I felt like I was trying to hide my bump, which I promised myself I won’t do during my next pregnancy – I am going to embrace the changes. 

What is your favourite postpartum outfit? 

I was obsessed with shopping after I had Gus because you get into a funk with pregnancy, and I was just so excited to buy normal clothes again. I bought so many matching tracksuits because they were super comfortable, colourful and warm. I also focused on accessories like jewellery, scarves and gloves to kind of spice up my outfits. 

Was there any point in your style where you saw a big change?

Yeah, of course, because what I was doing changed. Before I had Gus, I was going to parties and work dinners, and then suddenly I am just going to the park or catching up with other mums. I do remember going through some stages where it was a sunny day and I would be going to the park with Gus and I would want to wear a miniskirt, but I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to wear a miniskirt to the park with my kid.

Eventually, I snapped out of that and was like ‘Hey I am still me, just now I have Gus’… you don’t have to dress in a particular way just because you’re a mum now. I knew a lot of my friends felt the same, which is why I started my brand Rattle.

Which brands are you looking to for postpartum outfits? 

I have a lot of people coming to me for suggestions on postpartum outfits, but I think it’s so important during postpartum to feel like yourself. So I actually tell people to stick to their favourite brands or even treat themselves to something special that they’ve wanted forever. I do love Ganni though, because they have lots of different shapes. 

What advice do you have for women struggling with their postpartum style? 

… Don’t feel like you have to dress a certain way. You can just dress exactly how you want to dress. But then again, in saying that, comfort is always key. When I’m with Gus, which is 24/7, I’ve got way too much to think about and to worry about my shoes being uncomfortable or if I’ve got too many layers on.

@rattle_style 

Ailie Bree Smith, she/her, Founder of Yuni Studios

How do you think your style has changed postpartum? 

I have always thought that when I became a mum that my fashion would HAVE to change. Like I couldn’t wear ‘youthful’ clothing anymore or partake in trends. But truthfully, becoming a mum has opened my mind up to fashion like I’ve never known before. I feel so confident and self-assured and that reflects in my style. My style is the same but elevated and slightly exaggerated. When I look in the mirror I think ‘Yeah, this is cool mom energy’. 

Did your pregnancy affect your relationship with fashion? 

Yes… pregnancy made me fall in love with my body. When your body changes, it really makes you think about how incredible pregnancy is. I felt so confident and self-assured when I was pregnant, so I dressed that way. It felt liberating to wear what I wanted and genuinely not care what people thought. Now that I’m not pregnant, I’ve continued to dress for myself and it still feels great. 

What is your favourite postpartum outfit? 

I was very thrifty with my wardrobe, especially when my belly was bigger. My go-to outfit was a bandeau top, white linen pants with an elastic waist worn low rise (under the tum) and sneakers. My FAVE outfit was the dress I wore to my baby shower. It’s an Acne Studios dress made from this stretchy material that looked like carpet. Sounds awful but it really is the most gorgeous dress I own.

Which brands are you looking to for postpartum outfits? 

I’ve been doing a lot of thrifting lately. It’s so fun getting that dopamine hit without the bank account hit. I never purchase something for the sake of it. I make sure I can make at least three outfits out of it from the top of my head and if I can I’ll take it home. Brands I am looking to for postpartum are Paloma Wool – they have the most gorgeous selection of stretchy and comfortable clothing while also being so dope and beautiful… [the pieces will be] long-standing wardrobe residents for postpartum and beyond. 

What advice do you have for women struggling with their postpartum style? 

My practical advice is [to] invest in tops with buttons if you’re breastfeeding. I also purchased myself a postpartum capsule wardrobe. It consisted of a lux loungewear set that I can wear from couch to cafe: a nice pair of PJs, new Uggs, activewear and a new throw-over jacket or coat because no matter how shit you look or rushed you are, you can just chuck on your new gorg jacket and look great!

Having this new capsule has taken so much decision fatigue out of what to wear day to day and since it was carefully selected, I feel and look great wearing it. Philosophically, my advice is [that] your postpartum body and life don’t define you. You define it! Use your birth or new baby as a rebirth for yourself as well! I’ve decided in my rebirth that I’m a dope fashion mum and that’s just how it is now!

@ailieway

Christine Lafian, she/her, Creative Director of Suku Home

How do you think your style has changed postpartum? 

My priority when I dress is comfort now. And personally, I think I know myself a bit more… when I dress up. Prior to [being pregnant] I would just put on whatever I want, it didn’t matter whether it emphasised my hips or anything, but now… I’m more aware and I dress smarter. 

Did your pregnancy affect your relationship with fashion? 

I feel like I appreciate fashion a lot more [now] because, during pregnancy, your body goes through a massive change and fashion was really a tool for me. Because your body changes and you’re on this huge transformation journey, I needed fashion as a tool to keep my self-identity.

What is your favourite postpartum outfit? 

A pair of sweats and a really cute top, and [I] top it off with a pair of trainers or ballet flats. Balancing that sporty look with that feminine feel is my favourite. 

Was there anything from your previous wardrobe that you won’t be integrating into your new style? 

I used to wear a lot of clothes that were quite tight, like sleep dresses and bodycon dresses… In the transition of getting to know my new body and being in this new life, I felt like things that are a bit looser gave me that freedom not to hide, but just to cover a few things that I don’t know if I want to expose yet. 

Which brands are you looking to for postpartum outfits? 

I look to Acne Studios a lot, they do really good sweats. With Suku Home, I still do the designs, so I designed the winter collection really based on what I was going to wear with the baby. So there’s a lot of sweats and cute tops in there so it’s easier for me to just pick something from the [Suku Home] office. The other brand is P.A.M., I bought a lot of P.A.M. as well because they are quite bright and genderless, so I can still look cool while wearing all these oversized clothes. 

What advice do you have for women struggling with their postpartum style? 

… My first piece of advice would be to try and accept this new body… it’s not going to bounce back to where you were. It’ll take time because you were carrying a baby for nine months! It may take a year or two to bounce back and that’s okay. And I think if you can accept this you can have fun buying new things and recycling old things and going on that new journey. 

@sukuhome

For more on postpartum body image, head here.