post-partum professional dressing
Amneris
Posts: 15,117Registered Users
Going back to work problem #2: what to wear? I am in a professional office and there are two levels of dress: dress for court / meeting clients / important meetings, negotiations etc. and dress for just working in the office.
For working in the office, the office isn't hugely formal - the women seem to wear things like knee-length summer dresses with a cardigan or jacket, bare legs and pretty peep-toe shoes, or dress pants and a nice top and possibly a jacket. For court/clients, it has to be a suit - either pants or skirt. I also need to be able to pump in whatever I wear.
My problem is that nothing fits my post-partum body. I'm not losing weight as quickly as I'd like - I'm hoping it picks up with walking to and from work 45 mins each way and taking healthier lunches. My belly area is a disaster and my breasts are huge from nursing. None of my pre-pregnancy jackets fit over my breasts and even if I wear them open, which I'm not comfortable with, they are obviously small. A couple of my pants and skirts actually started fitting recently, but most don't. None of my blouses fit. And never mind fitting, I want to look decent - I know I won't be happy with how I look until a lot of weight is off, but in the meantime, I want to feel as good as possible.
I am guessing I'll have to go out this week and try to buy a few cheap outfits that I can wear until more of my current clothes fit, but I don't even know what shapes and styles to look for. Can I even find suit jackets to fit massive breasts? I don't want to wear maternity jackets as they are obviously that and I am worried that someone's going to ask me when I'm due based on my belly and breasts, given that they won't see me in the context of having my baby with me. Mine have obviously maternity features like elastic in the back or an open front with a tie to show off the belly.
This is actually my biggest anxiety about going to work this soon and if I can only feel confident in my clothes I think I'll feel so much better. I think I'm also worried I won't lose weight if I have comfortable clothes, plus the stress and lack of time I'll be facing. Please help!
For working in the office, the office isn't hugely formal - the women seem to wear things like knee-length summer dresses with a cardigan or jacket, bare legs and pretty peep-toe shoes, or dress pants and a nice top and possibly a jacket. For court/clients, it has to be a suit - either pants or skirt. I also need to be able to pump in whatever I wear.
My problem is that nothing fits my post-partum body. I'm not losing weight as quickly as I'd like - I'm hoping it picks up with walking to and from work 45 mins each way and taking healthier lunches. My belly area is a disaster and my breasts are huge from nursing. None of my pre-pregnancy jackets fit over my breasts and even if I wear them open, which I'm not comfortable with, they are obviously small. A couple of my pants and skirts actually started fitting recently, but most don't. None of my blouses fit. And never mind fitting, I want to look decent - I know I won't be happy with how I look until a lot of weight is off, but in the meantime, I want to feel as good as possible.
I am guessing I'll have to go out this week and try to buy a few cheap outfits that I can wear until more of my current clothes fit, but I don't even know what shapes and styles to look for. Can I even find suit jackets to fit massive breasts? I don't want to wear maternity jackets as they are obviously that and I am worried that someone's going to ask me when I'm due based on my belly and breasts, given that they won't see me in the context of having my baby with me. Mine have obviously maternity features like elastic in the back or an open front with a tie to show off the belly.
This is actually my biggest anxiety about going to work this soon and if I can only feel confident in my clothes I think I'll feel so much better. I think I'm also worried I won't lose weight if I have comfortable clothes, plus the stress and lack of time I'll be facing. Please help!
Get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me. -Muhammad Ali
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Comments
As you lose the weight and take your pants and skirt in for alterations so that they still fit nicely.
I don't envy you this task. I work from home so my after baby clothes were basically my maternity clothes till I could go buy some other clothes.
I think your money should be spent on the pants, skirt and jacket....they are the hardest to fit and be comfortable. Tops and cardigans are easy to find on sale or at places like Target, Ross, TJ Maxx etc.
Good Luck. Hang in there. I found it a little harder to lose the weight with the 2nd one. You'll be fine though.
please wear properly fitted clothing for your present size. you just had a baby, which means you don't know when/if your body will return to its pre-pregnancy weight. and even if you return to your previous weight, that doesn't mean that your physique will be the same and allow you to wear all of your old clothing comfortably. you won't want to walk around looking like:
too many women think that merely managing to squeeze into and fasten a garment means that the clothing fits. not when your relaxed body reveals flesh that shouldn't be seen, shows the outline of buldges, stretches fabric so that you can see the tension on buttons and zippers, causes you to have to pull and adjust clothing every time you change positions or stand, or forces you to suck in or walk funny just to keep the clothing from shifting or digging into your skin.
You will probably feel your clothes fit better with some lycra nursing tanks and smoothing undergarments.
I'd get some simple clothing, in basic colors, for this transition time. I wouldn't necessarily go cheap though. A few good pieces will either be alterable, or you could save them for your next pregnancy (during early pregnancy and also for post-partum).
During the years of my 4 pregnancies, I kept several sizes in my closet. I usually got to use them again.
Are you sure you have to wear a suit for court? I very rarely wear suits to court. A nice dress is sufficient or slacks and a cardi. However, I understand that NM is more casual than most places.
When pumping, I either took off my top completely like RCW or stretched it over my pump parts if stretchy. So I wore whatever I wanted.
RCW, you mentioned not disturbing you unless the building was on fire. We actually did have a fire in our building while I was pumping. My friend said she was hovering outside my door trying to figure out how to help me without violating my privacy.
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -- Theodor Seuss Geisel
DA, my office is like that too - they know the situation and are understanding. But yeah, we do have to wear a suit to court - or at least a jacket - we could wear a jacket over a dress for appearances that are not an actual trial. Judges will reprimand you for not having a jacket - it is definitely required, even of first year law students and self-represented litigants.
LOL, rainshower. I definitely wouldn't wear ill-fitting clothes - that would make me feel worse, not better!
I didn't think about maternity trousers...the one's with the tabs that don't really look maternity and suppose to grow with you...should shrink with you as well.
For nice maternity slacks I always bought Ann Taylor Maternity or Pea in the Pod. Ann Taylor usually makes maternity clothes out of their regular clothes..you might be able to find maternity slacks and then a regular jacket and skirt?
I just suggested nursing tops in case she didn't have privacy. I had a bathroom to pump in. I was never comfortable stripping my top at work and pumping when I had too. These tops can be used if casual enough for outings on the weekend as well....she can nurse easily.
I do have my own office and so technically yes, I could wear what I want BUT the office is very friendly/open office culture (I have been in a few times and also talked to my friend who also works there) and people are in and out of each other's offices. I certainly can put up a sign and let people know what's up, but given that of the other 3 lawyers there, 2 have worked and pumped themselves, I don't really mind them coming in if I am mostly dressed as nursing clothes allow me to be, but not if I'm half naked. Also, it just seems easier to me to wear nursing clothes while I'm new to pumping - as I get better at it I may become more open to wearing different things.
I did always put a note on my door. It did not always deter idiots from using their own keys from busting in but they deserve whatever they see for breaking in. I had no shame.
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -- Theodor Seuss Geisel
Wow, those are some idiots...between a sign and not knocking or hearing you answer...they did deserve major embarassment. LOL
I'm also excited because today although I don't weigh any less than I did a couple of weeks ago, on a whim I tried on a couple of dresses that wouldn't even zipper up then and they now fit (and comfortably, rainshower!) So I must be losing inches. I wasn't tracking that but I will be now. So I tried on a few more things that I assumed wouldn't fit and they did! So I may not need to buy that much after all. Pants and a couple of jackets and I should be OK.
No silicones/no sulfates since March 2008
Wow, really?
That would be amazing.... I'd really appreciate that. I guess I'll PM you....
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I loaned some maternity clothes to friends, and neither of them has the dress. It isn't in my closet either. I don't remember giving it to Goodwill and am at a loss where it could be. I should have looked for it before I offered it to you. I'll let you know if I find it.
No silicones/no sulfates since March 2008
I ended up buying a few cheap pairs of pants in basic colors from NY&Co - they have great sales. The pants I got were cut like trousers, but a little more stretchy, so they were pretty forgiving at that time.
No worries! I appreciate the offer, but I think I'm ok with clothes for now.