Confession: I have no idea how to dress a postpartum body. Not mine, and not anyone else’s. Does that make you lose respect for me? As a fashion blogger, I should know how to do that, right? Turns out I don’t though, because remember how I’ve never done this before? I do. I remember that.
Here’s the truth guys – I’m just not that fashion blogger who is back to her old self 2 months after the baby is born. If I’m there in 6 moths from now I’ll feel super proud (and maybe a little shocked if we’re being honest). I’m working with an extra 35 lbs right now, and I gotta be honest – I have no idea what to do with it. I wish this post was entitled ‘How to dress a postpartum body’, and maybe someday that post will emerge as I learn. But right now, I’m coming clean and confessing to you that I am a Clueless Clarissa as to how I should be dressing at the moment. And I’m telling you this to let you know that I’m aware of it, and also to let you know that I’ve decided to be nice to myself. Yes, pregnancy changed my bod in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Yes I’m carrying extra weight right now. Yes I sometimes wear things that reveal the fact that my belly is still at 20-weeks pregnant size. But you know what? It’s ok. None of those things make me any less of a human being. None of those things define me, right? And the bottom-line is, I just don’t feel like being mean to myself about it. I just don’t. So there you have it – I’ve decided to be nice and to be patient with myself for once, and for whatever reason I just needed you to know that. I also need you to know that I SUCK at the whole body acceptance thing. I do, and I basically always have. I don’t want you to think that I’m trying to project myself as the poster child for positive body image. The truth is I have a long, long, long way to go. Ask me if I edit my pictures (I do). Ask me if I ever criticize my physical appearance (more often that I want to admit). Ask me if I’m working toward and excited to be back at my pre-pregnancy size again (I am). Ask me if I ever bemoan my postpartum body or get sad about it (that happens.). All of that happens. BUT, what I can say is that I have improved, and that I AM trying. That’s what I can tell you. I’m trying to get better at this, and I think I can say that I have gotten a little better. And as part of that ongoing effort, I’m trying to be nice to myself more often than I’m critical, or mean, or belittling, or impatient. That’s it. That’s all.
In other news (can you hear me stepping off my soap box right now? Can you picture it? Cuz that just happened), this clutch. Isn’t it fab? It’s made by Love Birds LA and I saw it on Instagram and fell in love. I love the bright colors, how it folds over – all of it. I wanted to make it the star of the show, so I paired it with all black. Seemed like the right thing to do. You can see all of the awesome creations from Love Birds LA here. Also, for the record, I wish the roll in the cuff of my pants wasn’t such a big Bertha. Also I need a manicure. Bad. The end.
p.s. Be sure to come back tomorrow for a killer GIVEAWAY. I mean killer guys. Be here. (woot!)
Outfit Details:
Top: H&M {similar} | Jeans: Destination Maternity {love these} {these are the perfect length} | Heels: Steve Madden {similar} {warning: uncomfortable as death!} | Panama Hat: J.Crew {buy here} | Earrings: BaubleBar | Bracelets: X-Generation | ‘Mynes Foldover’ Clutch: LoveBirds LA, c/o {buy here} | Rings: ‘Hand Made It’ Etsy Shop {buy here} | Hair Extensions: Bellami Hair, c/o {buy here}
Have a Totes Tubular Tuesday!
Thanks for reading.
xoxo
Your inner beauty and humor shine through in every single post that you write. Please don’t beat yourself up about your body! We all deal with body image, and most of us didn’t just produce a beautiful, tiny human being! I appreciate your honesty and your realness (is that a word?) more than if you pretended to know how to dress your body right now!
Yes people will judge you, yes inst going to be easy, but what you are doing is everything YOU will be kind and nice to yourself, I’m expecting my second and I’m so big people ask me if I’m expecting twins I had a hard time with with my first it took me almost 2 years to get back on my old body. Friends looked me sideways, was hard but I did realize I wasn’t like my others friends and my body need more time and that is what helped.
Hang in there
Thanks for the encouraging word, we ALL feel that way. You look incredible and I love this all black look with the pops of color! Thanks for the daily fashion inspiration! 🙂
The Style Storm
<3, Christina
Glad you’ve decided to be nice to yourself because you deserve it, you brought a human into the world for goodness sake! You look fabulous pre and post baby 🙂
xoxo
Jasmin
http://www.jasmindaily.com
I like that you’re so honest, and I’m sure there are a boatload of women who are or will be in your position (including myself). Your body may have changed, but for good reason and I’m glad that you’ve decided to be patient and kind to yourself. You deserve it! And you’re beautiful!!!
You’re beautiful, and not the only one who feels the way that you do.
How are you supposed to know how to dress body after baby if you’ve never had a baby before? I’ve never had a baby and am clueless as to how to do so, so why should you expect to know how and I don’t think that makes us any less knowledgeable fashion bloggers. I think it is great that you are being kind to your body, easier said then done sometimes, I know, but you were just pregnant for 9 months and gave birth to a baby, another human life. That is awesome and should be celebrated. You shouldn’t feel bad about that. Also love this look 🙂
http://www.lookfortheoccasion.com
I think the most important thing about going “back” to your pre-pregnancy body is doing it a healthy rate! All that being said, you look great!
Liz @ http://www.shoppingmycloset.com
I think you look absolutely fabulous! You would truly never know that you had a baby 2 months ago and even though I have never had a child and haven’t gone through what you’re feeling, I think that it is amazing how positive you are being!! You look great girl!!
Good for you Shannon! You look awesome and you made the cutest littler baby ever who is so handsome. Your style has always been so awesome and it continued throughout your pregnancy. Loved this post!
xo Dina
You look great! I try to remind myself that it takes 9 months to have a baby so it’s okay if it takes some time to get the weight back down! I’m 2+ years postpartum and my belly is still not flat. lol.
you are gorgeous, awesome, and so fantastic for sharing this! <3 and you look gorgeous here too!
http://www.ladiesinnavy.com
Girl, you look great! You’ve been a fashion inspiration of mine for a long time. Pre-pregnancy, during your pregnancy and now after. You will get to where you want to be eventually but until then know that we are all here supporting you!
PS – I want that clutch!
Kerry / / http://www.xokerry.com
I continually read your blog because I love that you keep things real! Your honesty, humor, and beauty keep me coming back 🙂
Thanks for such an endearing, sincere post. Thanks for keeping things real in this blogosphere. And you look amazing and love the outfit. All black will never fail you!
Stephanie
http://ishowedupinboots.com
You are fabulous!! Thanks for keeping it real. As someone who is just embarking on this whole growing a baby thing – it is good to hear reality and to have it reaffirmed that this reality is totally great and okay because it is real. (I hope that made some sort of sense – thanks for being real!!) You are fabulous!! And I think you are gorgeous! Congrats on the new addition to your fam by the way. 🙂
I understand your frustrations, but do know you look absolutely beautiful. So there 🙂 Keep up the good work on being nice to yourself – you deserve it!
You go girl! Your body created life and that is a miracle. I hope you know just how gorgeous you are post baby!
Love your hair. Great outfit!
pinkandnavystripes.com
I have loved reading your journey throughout your pregnancy & after because you’ve kept it 100% real. I have two boys & I roll my eyes at some bloggers posting their plans & ideas during & after pregnancy – little do they know how their plans will fly out the window. But they sound so sure & so cocky.
You have always said “I hope.” or “I will try” or “I want to but we’ll see” – which makes it so refreshing.
Which brings me to this post. THANK YOU for letting women know not everyone bounces back to their pre pregnancy body two weeks after baby arrives. Or even 2 months! It took me a good year after the birth of my second son to reach my pre pregnancy weight. If I had time to exercise, I bet I could even get that stubborn pooch to vanish too!
Don’t beat yourself up, it took 9 months to put the weight on, it will probably take 9 months to take it off. Or longer. haha!
I love your honesty. You are gorgeous!!
love this post! while I’ve never had a baby, I’m clueless as well. I say just wear stuff that you are comfortable in!
Maddy
http://cassidylou.com
Love this. I am 5 weeks postpartum and have about 25 extra lbs to go. I’ve been looking up and down about ideas on how to dress, while struggling with a closet that looks like it belongs to someone else. Feels very frustrating, and since I don’t have many friends with babies, a very lonely journey. It’s very refreshing to see realness and honesty. I was starting to think I was the only one out there who feels completely clueless on what to wear!
PS: Still think you look gorgeous and super stylish!
Your honestly about body image is so refreshing. We all want to feel pretty, but sometimes we just don’t and that’s okay too. It’s good to be reminded we’re only human.
or honesty*** hahaha
You’re looking so beautiful,i love this dress color Your outfit is great!
You look amazing & don’t you dare give yourself a hard time as its only been 2 months Girl! Clutch envy! Its gorgeous! Ax