Every week, Preen tackles motherhood sans the rose-tinted glasses. Our columnists L. Juliano, Marla Darwin, Monica Eleazar-Manzano, Rossana Unson, Ronna Capili-Bonifacio, and Chrina Cuna-Henson tell their personal experiences like it is—at times frustrating, oftentimes confusing, but always enlightening.
When a baby enters our lives, we as women, can re-examine our wardrobes to see how fashion fits into our current life stage. I’m all for comfortable, functional, easy dressing… even more so when you are breastfeeding and baby-wearing. In fact, I think that motherhood a great opportunity to get creative with fashion. So here are few ways to enjoy fashion in your first year of motherhood:
The Cuddle Phase is for chic loungewear sets
During the newborn phase, we are usually at home all day, most of which is spent in bed caring for the baby. For me, this was also that time that we had family and friends over a lot. Those were the days that I discovered the point of cute loungewear. Since you’re home, you want to be comfy in bed but you also want to be presentable when you face guests. It’s the perfect opportunity to wear all of your cute rompers, soft cotton harem or palazzo pants, and comfortable workout wear.
As you start your day, try to get out of your pyjamas, maybe change into yoga pants and a nice basic T-shirt (or soft button-down if you’re breastfeeding), fix your hair into a messy bun, stick to a simplified skincare routine, and maybe put on some simple stud earrings. It helps make you feel human on the outside, even if you sometimes feel like a zombie on the inside.
The Carrying Phase is for cute stretchy dresses
As our babies get a little bit older, we can keep the comfort while transitioning into cuter blouses and dresses with a little makeup for quick errands or visits to the pediatrician. This was the season wherein my baby was in a carrier or sling a lot, so I bid farewell fabrics that easily crease or snag. Tops with lace or embellishments could also irritate my baby’s skin, so I let go of those too. Soft, wash and wear fabrics are the best option. Chances are, if it needs to be ironed, it won’t stay presentable after your baby carrier is done with it. Stick to blouses or dresses made of materials that have a bit of lycra or stretch in it because they don’t crease easily and they are soft enough for your little one.
Start tackling errands with your infant but without the fuss. Get into a nice, simple breastfeeding friendly, jersey, stretch dress, slip on some ballet flats or cute sneakers, blow dry your hair (if you have time!) and put on a little makeup. After weeks of being at home, taking the time to get pretty will help you reflect your inner-joy as you start to face the outside world again.
The Crawling Phase is for durable denims
As our little ones approach their one year marks we will find ourselves on our hands and knees a lot. We will be crawling, kneeling, tickling, and eventually chasing. You may need to steer clear of dresses for a while so that you can move and play freely. To keep up with your active child, jeans are a great option. Opt for denims and sturdy textiles that can withstand all the activity. As your little one also transitions to solids, prepare for the food stains on your tops—it’s inevitable. Their soiled mouths and hands are not about to keep them from hugging their mamas. So, don’t stress. Be ready for the messy food smears by wearing dark colored or printed tops in easy to wash fabrics. There is no excuse to wear ratty, old, clothes, just because motherhood can get messy.
Throw on your favorite pair of jeans and a fun floral top and get down on your hands and knees. Our babies won’t be this small for long and we don’t want to miss any opportunities to engage them. Sometimes simply dressing right makes you ready to take on the potential mess that comes with playtimes and mealtimes. Let’s enjoy our babies to the fullest and try not to miss out on their developmental milestones.
While it is never okay to be obsessed about your physical appearance and what people think about you, it is good to put in the effort to care for ourselves. It is important for our kids to see that. We show honor to ourselves and our children by not looking frumpy. Taking the time to look nice when we are out with our children communicates that we value our time with them. So put in the effort and get creative!
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author in her private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Preen.ph, or any other entity of the Inquirer Group of Companies.
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