Capsule post baby wardrobe?

[Pannacotta]

Am 36 weeks pregnant and trying to work out what sort of clothes I will need to see me through the coming post baby months. Last time round was the middle of winter so can't use the same clothes again (not for a while anyway).
Anyone have any ideas of what sort of things will be useful and where to shop? Will be breastfeeding for some time, so good tops for this are top of my list...
Would also like to look reasonable (usually wear skirts and tops in the summer) so am aiming to avoid tracksuits etc.
TIA...

greatplains have nice blouses shirts - just drap a towel over your shoulder if u want to be discreet whilst feeding,
kafkans - also good, front opening ones.

buy cheap and colourful as you'll be itching for real fashion once your body is back in its groove

try primark !

yes cant wait to get out of maternity clothes!
Anyone else got any suggestions of what sort of clothes were useful for them in the first few weeks?

I'll be facing that problem soon too (30 weeks and counting). Kaftans sound good. Look for stuff that doesn't cling over your ex bump as it'll be a while before it goes - with all the smock tops around at the moment that shouldn't be a problem. I got myself a loose-ish wrap top that I hope will work for feeding but you don't necessarily need front opening stuff for that, if you lift tops up the baby usually hides any exposed flesh.

your body will change month by month so id head to primark or similar and just get whatever you fancy

cotton skirts, long t shirts, cardi etc will see you through and cover up tricky middle bit

I can never face my local Primark, always a total scrum but it does sound like I should bite the bullet and take a look - can't say I relish the idea of shopping there with a newborn plus 2 year old though!!...

I wouldn't attempt it personally, not even with just the 2 year old! Maybe go for stuff online and make sure you can return it if no good.

Wrap dresses and wrap skirts are useful as they can be tied tighter as you reduce in size.

yes thats a good point, I have a nice Isabella Oliver wrap skirt (wrap dresses not ideal for breast feeding IME) which can be adjusted so will keep hold of this (prob the only thing in my maternity wardrobe I am not sick of the sight of)!
Thanks for the suggestions...

actually many Isabella Oliver clothes work as post-matwear too - they're so damn stretchy (if you're not sick of them by now that is)

Any capsule wardrobe I outline usually consists of 3 trous, 2 skirts, 5 everyday tops, 3 nicer tops and a jacket / cardi.
Things like the longer length vests and tshirts currently in Topshop & DP are good bets.

TBH in the first few weeks it can be handy to stay in 'loungewear' (eg pyjamas/ yoga trousers/ sarongy beachwear etc depending on weather) to remind people you are Not Back To Normal Yet and need Special Treatment. And you care less when the baby's sick on them than if they were nice going-out clothes.

Good point, I am in an IO skirt right now and am thinking it might well be the only skirt I'll be able to get into for a long while. Don't mind too much as I really like it. Determined to get value for money, me.

i know what you mean about primark - don't go anywhere that adds to stress and tiredness! hennes slightly less hectic maybe and still cheap and cheerful for summer have fun x

i know what you mean about primark - don't go anywhere that adds to stress and tiredness! hennes slightly less hectic maybe and still cheap and cheerful for summer have fun x

i had my dd last july when it was sweltering. For the first few months when i was breastfeeding all the time i lived in shortsleeved H&M nursing t-shirts. They were fab! I personally wouldn't buy too much now - you've got no idea what shape you will be post baby, how much weight will come off initially or how much you might still be hanging on to! Even if you get back to pre-baby weight very quickly (i was back in pre-preg jeans within 10 days) there may be things that just don't work any more. I'm the same weight but shaped differently eg waist definitely thicker, tummy slightly more rounded. Definitely wait other than for nursing t-shirts, slouchy trousers etc - it will be something to look forward to.

Some linen trous that have a tie bit at the waist (Next have some quite cheap) so you can pull them in a bit as you reduce.

Mrs B thanks for the list, I do like a list!
Lounge wear sounds like a great idea, any suggestions where to look (other than White Co and M&S)? I don't have much in the way of casual clothing but agree its prob what I'll need most for the few few weeks...

oh, anywhere, doesn't have to be sold as 'loungewear', the point is it's washable and comfy enough to nap in if you get the chance!

Cheap drawstring jersey sports bottoms - this kind of thing (do call them yoga pants if you prefer) are fabulous - mine are variously from TKMaxx and those ghastly sportswear shops with permanent clearance sales.
Appreciate they're a bit of a departure from nice skirts etc but with a vest and (if you can bear it) a hoodie they are more presentable than sicked-on Pooh pyjamas when people turn up.

Actually floaty boho-type skirts and vests or floaty tunics would be just as comfy and less casual...

I think the key thing is to wear long tops that cover your shrinking bump / muffin top and a few fab accessories. I still wear a long scarf tied in front, or a thick belt on my hips or some big beads to draw attention away from my mid-riff. Have been bought loads of clothes recently (Christmas and birthday and Mother'd Day) but still wear my IO maternity clothes occasionally too if I'm having a fat day.

I went and spent about £40 at matalan and managed to get some wrap t-shirts, skirts and trousers in a few sizes above normal. Then I got 2 tops from mothercare - the vest 'drop cup' ones that I wore underneath the wrap tops - did fine for the 2 months I breast fed for and didn't feel like I wasted loads of cash.

The yoga trousers from these people are fantastic. Go to yogawear and scroll down to foldover trousers.
I have some bought pre-pg as yoga trousers, they sell them as maternity too and mine are still comfortable at 30 wks.

They are very good quality cotton, I've had mine 3 years and they've survived a million washes + baby/toddler abuse.

They were featured in Vogue, apparently.

They are ethical and organic.

Short of changing your baby's nappies for you I don't know what more you could possibly ask for really

PS I'm a skirt person too, these are the just about the only trousers I own.

yes yoga trousers great idea and will have a good look through the site, thanks sputnik...

Last time I bought some drawstring pants etc from white stuff /fat face. I lived in these for the first 6 weeks. I did find that although the weight went in these 6 weeks I was a different shape than normal for about 4 months so I wouldn't buy anything expensive as I kept buying smaller clothes as time went on.

There are a lot of floaty dresses/skirts around (perhaps buy with an elasticated waist if not wrap ones) which would be good with longer length vest tops. Also as suggested alreasy some drawstring linen trousers would be good (the boden ones have a stretchy waist)