Fashion tips for first time Mums: Adjusting your style to fit your new body

[LibbyMumsnet]

Finding clothes that are versatile, comfortable, yet stylish can be tricky for us new mums as we adapt to new body changes and lifestyles. This thread is all about sharing your go-to outfits, styling tips, and hacks that have helped you feel confident and comfortable in your day-to-day life as a new mum.

Whether it’s a super-soft pair of joggers, a nursing-friendly top, or that perfect throw-on dress that makes you feel put together in minutes, we want to hear about your favourite pieces and how you style them.

With the launch of UNIQLO’s new Autumn-wear, we’re especially keen to know how you would incorporate these staples from UNIQLO’s latest collection into your everyday looks. With their new range offering everything from soft leggings with Heattech warmth, to cosy knitwear, it’s the perfect spot to discover some comfy yet practical additions to your wardrobe.

You can check out the new collection here: UNIQLO New Arrivals

So, share your favourite finds or styling tips that have helped you embrace your postpartum body changes below to help a new mum out!

• Post your picks or tips from UNIQLO in the thread below to be entered into the prize draw.
• One lucky MNer will win a £200 UNIQLO voucher.
• Don’t forget to vote in our poll below

Insight T&Cs apply

I think a mistake a lot of first mums do is to buy maternity clothes. Apart from bras, I found them a waste of money: they are not more practical, they are not stylish and most are more expensive because they are marketed as a niche product. And after a few months you won’t be using them anymore!

Things to watch out in my opinion:

• Breastfeeding friendly items - Knitted buttoned cardigans like the ones below are great to help breastfeeding with a light top underneath. They never look bad and are a wardrobe staple.

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E472093-000/00?colorDisplayCode=34&sizeDisplayCode=003

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E472282-000/00?colorDisplayCode=02&sizeDisplayCode=003

• Materials - choosing quality materials is key in this period. Mums need to feel comfortable but in addition they will be going through hormonal changes which make them more sweaty than usual. Natural fibers are the way to go! Also with a small baby, mum’s clothes will need loads of wash too, so better to invest in products that are easy to wash and will wash well as this cotton t-shirt:

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E470123-000/00?colorDisplayCode=12&sizeDisplayCode=003

• Adjustable items - adjustable items are perfect for a fast-changing body. Again it mean mums can use them for longer, making sure the item always fit them well and comfortably. The knitted trousers below are a fab example:

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E470173-000/00?colorDisplayCode=65&sizeDisplayCode=003

• Finally: cute accessories. When my baby was small I just wanted comfy and practical clothes, so accessories were key to make my outfit more interesting. The small classic Uniqlo bag is perfect for mums to carry their personal stuff. I thought it was helpful to have my basics easily accessible and separate from the baby bag.

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E461053-000/00?colorDisplayCode=36

I like this jumper https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E471668-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=004

My main clothes changes is to stuff I can easily crawl around the floor in. And no dresses whilst breastfeeding.

Two babies, two caesarean sections. When my tummy knitted itself back together my skin literally crawled for short bursts of time. If an elastic waistband trailed momentarily across my fresh scar it was a nails across the blackboard moment.
Hubby bought in big knickers - two multi packs... I never thought to ask him to wash them through first. New pair every day obviously.. About a fortnight after leaving hospital I presented at the GP with an itch that kept me more awake than the newborn. The most likely solution she reckoned was BED LICE. She made me cry until I worked out it was the underwear…
My tip is therefore rinse your knickers and check out seamless.

I choose Airism ultra seamless high rise briefs all the way

After I became pregnant and a mum, underwire went out the window. A comfy bra is a crucial foundation to any outfit and I love these
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E469665-000/00?colorDisplayCode=32&sizeDisplayCode=004
and most importantly, no fastening at the back so super comfy for napping in !

I love these when breast feeding - I leek a lot and they would fit in breast pads, and they look super comfy to wear.
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E464430-000/00?colorDisplayCode=07&sizeDisplayCode=003

My tips would be- buy a few pairs of pj's and don't feel under pressure to get dresses - be comfy, be pactical and take one day at a time. https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E473008-000/00?colorDisplayCode=56&sizeDisplayCode=003

I recommend this cropped puffa vest thingy. I spent a LOT of time pushing a pram around trying to get my babies to sleep. Plus I just needed to get out of the house, whatever the weather. So at least you can feel warm while you do it, and the cropped nature is a bit smarter than average.
www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E472014-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=003

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E468652-000/00

This dress is in this beautiful lemon sorbet colour is perfect for making the most of end of summer days events. I'm actually upset it's out of stock 😢.

Most important to me is something which is smart, not fitted, but comfy - I can put this over my day clothes when going to the shops - and with baggy trousers or jeggings/leggings would be a lovely outfit for autumnal walks with the baby in a pram.

With being a mum, you have to budget more carefully and in the colder months my top tip is I wear lots of Uniqlo HEATECH, from thermal under clothes to top clothes such lovely fleeces to keep me warm and toasty. Several years wear so far and still looking good and not fading in the wash! What good value.

I have got my eye on some classic items in the new collection to add to my autumn wardrobe.

The most important thing would be comfy, cool, and non-iron preferably.
I love oversize over my maternity bra, and pads to soak the leaks, but it looks fashionable.
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E470129-000/00?colorDisplayCode=00&sizeDisplayCode=003

with pairs of leggings for comfort - and supporting your mum tum

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E450623-000/00?colorDisplayCode=06&sizeDisplayCode=003

I wore nothing but low-necked Heattech thermal tops when dd was a baby - so cosy and handy for breastfeeding too. They've lasted long enough that I'm planning on wearing them for my next baby 4 years later!

These leggings look fab too, I'm all about being warm and comfy when you're newly postpartum in the winter: https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E469841-000/00?colorDisplayCode=08&sizeDisplayCode=003

Firstly, long skirts are an absolute must in my postpartum wardrobe. They are really on trend right now and they were perfect for masking my tummy when my uterus was still shrinking. They are also ideal for bending down and running after toddlers, super unrestrictive and no one is going to see your big postpartum knickers. I love these two from UNIQLO. Especially loving the check pattern of the second skirt - really would love to channel Jenna Ortega/Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice with a pair of chunky black boots and chunky knit.

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E471667-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=003 

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E470922-001/00?colorDisplayCode=07&sizeDisplayCode=003 

As a mum who has been breast feeding for four years and counting, comfy bras like this UNIQLO one with good support (needed sadly as they sag) which you can easily get a boob out of and which adapt to changing size are a must.
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E475629-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=004 
Following on from the bra, simple yet elegant tops like this are a staple in my wardrobe. They are great, so easy to style with everything and cover my breasts, as again, I am constantly bending over to play with or pick up my toddlers. They can also be pulled up to feed in public without anyone really seeing much at all.
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E469765-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=003

My tips would be to embrace you new mum body, wear something with a waist, so you feel like a female again after the pregnancy stage, don't wear black - it's a depressing colour.
I would pick a dress with a slightly fitted waist, and some thick tights.

I would choose this https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E470841-000/00?colorDisplayCode=01&sizeDisplayCode=003

This ensamble looks fabulous, smart casual comfy and classic
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E466024-000/00?colorDisplayCode=67&sizeDisplayCode=003
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E472484-000/00?colorDisplayCode=02&sizeDisplayCode=003

covers and gives a look of being a yummy mummy

My tips are wear smart and flattering, neutral tones, and avoid black - it's easy to hide in black, but it's such a harsh colour
love these
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E460311-000/00?colorDisplayCode=31&sizeDisplayCode=003

Comfy and casual and non iron - as if you have time to iron when your'e a new mum - I spend my first 6 weeks in pj's (clean every day, love my washer dryer) and lounge wear
love these. https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E466026-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=003

I think a cashmere cardigan for a softness luxury and a colour which you can wear with your leggings, jeans or a denim skirt - I'd choose this to feel comfy and cosy
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E472282-000/00?colorDisplayCode=02&sizeDisplayCode=003

on a hand wash cycle - they dry in an hour

I purchased lots of v-neck cardigans and jumpers in a size up. They are easier for breastfeeding and they are flattering as they don't cling to my stomach area, which is where I'm holding most of my weight since having children.

These are lovely and versatile.
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E469428-000/00?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgL-3BhDnARIsAL6KZ6--qO3PM3o6LcpYHN5WoHKEGhE0WqUpSLdqLgSP9kY1W_oh1BTZxOEaAuK8EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&colorDisplayCode=73&sizeDisplayCode=003

Having had 3 Caesarean sections I’m now a loose t-shirt, top, jumper kind of gal. I particularly like this jumper it has so many different colours you could easily have more than one.

Winter- some nice flattering nursing jumpers for winter that are long line with a nice thick pair of leggings for the winter.

Summer - cotton long sleeve dresses that have a concealed flap and some nice thin leggings underneath with tummy support.

I spent a lot of time sat on the floor. It became the new default. This corduroy skort would've been a gamechanger!

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E471423-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=003

My tips are comfy underwear - your body has changed, and feeling comfy and supported is so important
love this

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E469665-000/00?colorDisplayCode=32&sizeDisplayCode=004&utm_source=awin&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Skimlinks&awc=6771_1727111436_ea267134b6fac9d20d5e4c997dd73870&sv_campaign_id=78888&sv_tax1=affiliate&sv_tax3=Skimlinks&sv_tax4=0&sv_affiliate_id=78888

The Souffle Yarn cardigans are super soft and cosy, and won't feel restrictive or tight. Throw on over leggings and a teeshirt. I recently bought this stripy one: https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E471595-000/00?colorDisplayCode=07&sizeDisplayCode=003

I had my baby last summer so I liked comfy dresses that made me look put together!

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E466758-000/00?colorDisplayCode=15&sizeDisplayCode=003

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E464788-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=003