7 Surprising Ways Babies Can Change How You Get Dressed Every Day

By Kate Stahl

Moms get a bad rap when it comes to their wardrobes. Mom jeans (and I'm not talking about the cool kind), yoga pants on women who haven't done a Downward Dog in years (minus that time they had to retrieve a sippy cup from underneath the couch), appliqued Christmas sweaters worn not at all ironically . . . these are "mom" clothes, or so we're told. Of course, we know that's all cliched baloney, and moms are some of the most stylish women in the world (hello, Beyoncé, Amal Clooney, and every other celebrity that has held on to their fashion icon status through pregnancy and motherhood).

However, there are some unexpected ways that motherhood will change how you dress, and we're not just talking about the fact that you won't have time to shop, primp, or, some days, even look at yourself in the mirror. Here are seven surprising ways that having a little one might change your look.

  1. Easy access becomes a "top" priority. When you're breastfeeding, wearing a shirt that makes your milk makers easily accessible is key. Button-downs and deep Vs were my preferred choices, while bulky sweaters (too hot), any top with embellishments (ouch!), and anything too form fitting (stretch-out city) were all out.
  2. Statement earrings, necklaces, and even rings stay in your jewelry drawer. Babies and toddlers love to pull on earrings and chew on necklaces, making wearing either an exercise in bodily defense and distraction. Pregnancy is also likely to cause your fingers to swell, a condition that can take months to subside post-delivery. So all your favorite baubles will probably be retired, temporarily at least.
  3. That spritz of perfume is a thing of the past. There's something that feels wrong about dousing yourself in a strong scent and then carrying a baby around all day. Not only can babies be sensitive to fragrances, but perfumes have a tendency to transfer themselves to your baby, as anyone with a spritz-happy mother-in-law can tell you. And no one wants their baby to smell like Grandma's Shalimar.
  4. Heels aren't just uncomfortable but dangerous. Props to all the women wearing heels at nine months pregnant, but when their child is nine months old, we bet those stilettos will be mostly stashed, reserved for baby-free outings only. Carrying a baby while wearing four-inch stilts? Not so safe.
  5. Machine washable is a must. Everything you wear while you're with your baby will probably end up covered in spit-up, milk, saliva, and god knows what else. So your go-to silk top? It might as well have a "proceed with caution" label sewn next to the "dry-clean only" one.
  6. Black and white are in the danger zone. If you have a baby who is prone to spitting up, you better believe they'll do so all over your favorite black shirt. White is equally dangerous, especially when you add baby food to your child's diet.
  7. Your clothing budget isn't just for you. A $200 dress used to be a fun impulse purchase, but now that your clothing budget has to cover a baby that grows out of their entire wardrobe every few months, suddenly shopping for yourself can come with the extra cost of guilt.