Having a baby really changes your body, and chances are (if you’re like me, anyway) your old career wardrobe doesn’t quite work with your new curves. I’m lucky that I do not have to wear suits or super formal career attire at work, but I still need to have a business professional yet casual wardrobe. I wanted to share an example of a typical outfit for me, and some staples you should add to your new working mom wardrobe.
New Working Mom Wardrobe Staples
Elastic Waist Slacks
First and foremost let’s just get this out of the way – elastic waist slacks. Maternity pants are awesome and comfortable and don’t pinch or bite or make you feel awful for sitting down, but at some point, we need to transition away from them, right? So make the switch to some slacks with an elastic waist and save yourself some pain and suffering from the buttons and zippers. Flattering career slacks with an elastic waistband do exist. I have 3 – dark grey, black, and navy blue.
Or, you can get a pair of pants perfectly fitted to your shape (and not a specific type). Check out Measure and Made – they recognize that no two women have the exact same body, but we do have a shared frustration trying to find clothes that fit.
Take their Fitlogic Fit Quiz and get your perfect fitting pants in just 60 seconds!
Comfortable flats or wedges
I personally am a huge fan of LifeStride, and I have these lovely nude shoes that feel great.
Layered tops
Layered tops, 2-in-1 blouses, mock-layer cardigans – whatever you want to call them, buy a ton. I have quite a few of these thin blouses and they are quite flattering and forgiving for my not flat but mama fabulous mid-section. The extra fabric in the front and sides looks like you’re wearing a cardigan without actually having to wear an extra layer of clothing (hello Texas heat).
Here is a lovely workplace bathroom selfie I took to show how I’m dressed the day I wrote this post (on my lunch break, because I try to find time to blog when I can). Gotta love the bathroom selfies. This entire outfit actually came from Ross, so it was very budget-friendly. The majority of my wardrobe is from KOHL’s.
Join the Working Mom List
Join the Working Mom collective and get support and tools to help you thrive! Subscribers get access to my library of resources and printables.
Brandyn says
Great picks! I have recently returned to work and have subsequently been trying to revamp my wardrobe. I’m totally with you on the 2-in-1 tops! Love the outfit in the pic by the way!
Thank you for sharing with us at #MommyMeetupMondays!
Julie says
Thanks Brandyn 🙂 Yea gotta find things that are simple and work, cause we have more important things to worry about than uncomfortable clothes.