Where can I go shopping?

[mattinengland]

I'm 12 weeks postpartum, and only about 8 lbs away from prepregnancy weight! However, my body is now VERY different. Before pregnancy my weight was because of muscle, muscle I have since lost and am now straight up weak. My boobs are bigger, my butt is smaller, and my hips are wider. My wardrobe for summer is not anything I currently feel comfortable in. Crop tops, tight tshirts, dresses with cut outs... I'm not ashamed of my pp body but I also don't want to show off my crazy stretch marks.

Next weekend my best friend is coming up to see the new house, meet the baby, and take me out to our old stomping grounds. He was supposed to come up last weekend so I now have more than enough frozen milk so I feel comfortable drinking. However, I have NOTHING to wear! Even stuff that fits is a little outdated... I haven't really gone shopping since prepandemic, and I'm a little overwhelmed and don't know where to start to find an outfit for next weekend. I want to wear something trendy, but I'm also a mom and turning 30 this year, but it's also hot af.

I like going to stores where the associates actually help you, and I'm looking to spend a little money so things fit well, look nice, and last. I'm not sure how long my body will look this way, but I am planning on having more children so classic pieces I can wear next time I'm postpartum would be great.

Anyone have any ideas of stores I can go to? I tried the Gap a few weeks ago, everything that covered up my stomach/thighs enough to cover the stretch marks was straight up MOM style. Not really my jam. I'm thinking of trying Zara? Macy's? H&M? I used to shop at target, free people at Macy's, aerie, F21, etc.

 

[katrina2017]

@mattinengland Aerie still has great options. The mom jeans and mom shorts are super cute and for any new curves. They have a ton of flowy longer length crops, loose fitting jumpsuits, and cute short sweats with matching sweatshirts. It’s been my staple. Even while still losing weight, things fit nicely.

 

[nofy]

@mattinengland I’m 31 and I still like to dress trendy but also consider my belly stretch marks when dressing. What I tried to dress in cute clothes at a couple months postpartum they still did not feel right and I just wanted to tell you that your body is still adjusting. I started feeling more like myself at 6 months pp and now those styles look a lot better on me.

Reference:

HT:5’4 WT: 139 lbs
Waist : 30 inches

Average build

Typically size small-medium

I usually order from SHEIN, forever21, target and Amazon but I’ll linkAmazon because it’s the quickest.

I still dress in crop tops but always with high waisted shorts. I’ll link some shorts I got from Amazon that are great! They are super comfy and flattering. I got a size 30 in the Levi’s and small in the dress shorts

GOBLES Womens Summer Casual... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q3C1X3J?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Levi's Women's 501 Original... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KMTFH1R?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

The mom jeans are trending Rightnow. I love the ones from forever 21 because they are a little bit bigger in the waist and they feel comfortable yet stylish. I got size 29.

https://www.forever21.com/us/2000392500.html https://www.forever21.com/us/2000392500.html

These are crop tops that I like. They are flattering, they cover my waist enough when I wear high waisted bottoms. Yet they’re stylish. I got medium.

SheIn Women's V Neck Short Sleeve Self Tie Wrap Floral Crop Tops Blouse https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P3HPBQG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_FFY97JV8C5DPS0HZ8Y03

WEEPINLEE Women's Sexy One Shoulder Sleeveless Bowknot Shirts Crop Tops https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q71PFPV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_0MBHTW6WQSD2CTYFDPMF

 

[mattinengland]

@nofy Scary, your measurements are about the same mine were prepregnancy! Im 5'3" and currently 146 and refusing to measure my waist, but prepregnancy I was 138ish and 28.5 waist.

I'll definitely check out these links since our sizes are so similar! Thank you for the detailed post and links!

 

[nofy]

@mattinengland Ofcourse no problem! I struggled with finding clothes and went through a series of shopping trips and thought this might help when you mentioned the stores you previously shopped at ( I shopped them too). Hope you find something!

 

[goldenrevelation]

@nofy 30 inches is the height of approximately 0.44 'Samsung Side by Side; Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Refrigerators' stacked on top of each other

 

[katrina2017]

@mattinengland Kohls

 

[dreamsoflullabies]

@mattinengland I found cute distressed jeggings a at JCP. Front tie tops and tops with roughing. Pairing high waist jegging or shorts with a flowy crop top is always cute. Try to be open minded and not focus on the size just because shape changes. Find what fits you and makes you feel like you!

 

[hornjasonl08]

@mattinengland LOFT!!

Really great sales and nice quality clothing for the prices. Their jeans are actually the best out there to me. And they have big bright dressing rooms where you won’t feel assaulted by the lighting & mirrors.

 

[kirraantrobus]

@mattinengland I really like Everlanes high waisted jeans that are 98% cotton and 2% elastane. They help hold everything together in a flattering way.

 

[lnb10]

@mattinengland I have been loving boxy shift dresses with fun prints, they fit @ 3 months pp and they fit before I was pregnant too. There are a bunch of brands that make the same ones with the fabrics, one is lavielente on Amazon (constellation). It’s cheap on Amazon, but the fabric seems like it will hold up well. (I found it after paying like $70 for similar dress at a beach boutique)

 

[gregltegman]

@mattinengland I’m at about the same weight ratio (10ish lbs from pre-baby) and I’ve been struggling too. Forever 21 actually has lots of those cute bike shorts with high waists, they hold in my tummy.

In general, I’ve learned to get fewer pieces of higher quality. Like Polo, Loft, etc. they are cut and assembled better. Jeans are still rough- mom jeans are FUPA city for me, but lower cut waists on jeans seem to look better? Gah. It’s a lot of trial and error. Don’t give up!

 

[mattinengland]

@gregltegman I'm definitely looking for that higher quality, fewer pieces wardrobe. I'll see about the mom jeans - definitely have a FUPA but unfortunately had a c-section so lower rise jeans are a little uncomfortable still at 3 months pp

 

[china13]

@mattinengland M

 

[gerimonte22]

@mattinengland Kohls! I was so surprised by the prices and quality. Also old navy. And lululemon

 

[monkeyl]

@mattinengland Universal Standard has a fit Liberty program where you can buy certain items and exchange for up to a year if your body changes

 

[marie1980]

@mattinengland Set up a personal shopping appointment at Nordstrom