on getting dressed again: a year of postpartum favorites

At the end of every year, I like to look back and reflect on things I bought and loved, pieces I bought and didn’t wear, what I’m looking to add to my wardrobe in the coming year and how I’m feeling about my closet and getting dressed in general. In terms of personal style, 2023 really threw me. I had a baby and despite the warnings and heads up from every single mom in my life I neglected to plan for what I was going to wear postpartum and the fact that my clothes wouldn’t fit for awhile. I truly did not own a single thing to wear postpartum other than pajamas and robes. I don’t know how I didn’t consider that I was going to come home with a new baby and a new body but I didn’t and it was a mistake. One that I will not be making again when I have a second baby! 

This is a guest post by my sister Joanie. Yay! All links are affiliate.

I thought it would be fun to do a round-up of the pieces that got me through the year and that I’m still loving and wearing now. Most of these items were worn newly postpartum and transitioned with me as my body changed. 

Madewell denim: I didn’t have time to try on a million pairs of jeans to find the perfect one so I went in the store, tried on 10 pairs and left with one. I love these jeans. They are comfortable but structured, they look great with boots or flats and I’ve worn them 150x and they still look good. Everyone is the reviews is saying they run super small. For me, they ran one size small. 

A pullover striped sweater: I stuck with the classics this year. I truly didn’t buy or wear a single “trendy” item. You can find so many great inexpensive knits right now. This is the one I wore on repeat from Zara (And also machine washed and dried 25x) but I also love this from Gap (the all black is very chic!) and this Uniqlo one.  I also wore this Babaā sweater so much. The pink color I have is lighter than this one but I loved it in a bright color. It somehow made me feel more pulled together in those early foggy newborn days (photo below is me wearing it at 6 weeks postpartum with Ollie in Tahoe). I also bought a sweater from Lululemon that was my favorite until I left it in the airport. I found the quality to be great and I really put it to the test. They no longer carry the one I had but I love this one in both colors. 

I know these Nili Lotan pants are everywhere but I bought them in the month after I gave birth and they saved me and I still love them. They are expensive but they are so flattering and comfortable and really truly so wearable. I have the navy and I think they run at least one size big. I have the size 4 and I’m more of a 6 these days. 

Nice basic long sleeved tees. I bought a version of this in black and I wear it all the time. 

I bought some fun coats this year because nothing elevates your look like throwing on a great jacket. This is something I believed before I had a baby and even more so now. I’m often walking the dog around the block in my sweatpants and a big coat at 7:30am and I’d be happy to run into anyone I know. This Stand Studio jacket was a real winner for me. It was so warm that it was the only jacket I needed in Tahoe and I’ve never gotten more compliments on anything in my entire life. 

I found myself pulling layers of clothes off and on a lot so wanted some good layering tanks. I bought an expensive one from James Perse and this one from Gap. The Gap one is better by far. It’s long, which I love as I’m tall-ish, super comfortable, fitted and $11. Highly recommend. 

I bought my first piece from Quince and I must say I’m very pleasantly surprised by how much I love it. This cashmere cardigan (I have it in black) is really beautiful. Super soft and I love it half buttoned with a gold necklace and the jeans mentioned above. Quince’s success is built on happy customers, their retention rate is insane, and that says something about the quality. I didn’t do a good job of building a nursing friendly wardrobe but this would be a really great nursing top. 

The Everlane boots I’ve written about before (and that they no longer sell!) are still a favorite that I wear on repeat. They are weather tolerant, comfortable and the perfect height to wear with jeans or dresses. Nordstrom seems to be having a great shoe sale at the moment and here are a few similar ones. I love this Timberland version (such a great price!), these Uggs are a little more rugged but I like them with pants and great for a snowy climate. And these water resistant ones. I like the beige taupe color which would probably get ruined in the weather but at $70 maybe worth the risk! Also, can I just say that I love how Sam Edelman knocks off designer footwear. These very Hermes looking sandals and this Chanel like flat. I’m not sure how they re getting away with it but I’m in full support. Buying extremely expensive shoes is fun but shoes show wear so quickly and they have terrible resale value. This all coming from the girl who just got Gucci slides for Christmas! Sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants. 

And that’s all for now! I’d love to hear if you had a favorite purchase from last year. If it’s still available give us the link! I love seeing what other people are wearing and loving. XO