DIY: Nursing Bra

If you think finding a bra that fits correctly is tough, try finding a nursing bra that fits. It's so hard. The sizes are limited, the styles are weird. After two babies and almost 3 years of wearing a nursing bra, I was fed up. I finally found a few bras (this and this) that fit me well at my local Nordstrom Rack and I got to work.

Let's get started:

w  h  a  t    y  o  u    n  e  e  d

nursing bra clasps - A&B (I took mine from an old nursing bra but they can be purchased here)
ribbon or elastic - C
and a bra that fits like a glove

w  h  a  t    t  o    d  o  

1 . cut the straps an inch above the connection at the front of the bra
2 . sew the strap (E) to clasp (B)
3 . sew the strap (D) to clasp (A)
4 . sew the ribbon (C) to the bottom of clasp (A)
5 . determine the length of ribbon (C) needed. sew ribbon to the interior of the bra.

It's actually a really quick process & I am over the moon with how it turned out. I recommend a soft cup bra although it will work a formed cup bra as well.

Have you ever made your own nursing bra? Are you ready to get started?

Giveaway: Lalabu Soothe Shirt

 

When I was pregnant with Simone, I discovered (through a sweet reader) the Lalabu Soothe Shirt. I was head over heels with the idea and couldn't wait to get my hands on one.

The Soothe Shirt has no ties or straps - simply wear it all day like a shirt so it’s always there when you need it. The secure pouch calms newborns and the built-in nursing bra makes breastfeeding easy. It's pretty ingenious. Simone and I used this thing for the first 8 weeks - and I actually cried when she was too big for it (which happened sooner than I hoped because she's a big baby).

If you are thinking about having a baby, pregnant, have a newborn, or think you'll have another baby someday, you are going to want one - I promise. 

Lucky you, Lalabu is offering a soothe shirt to one lucky winner (open to US residents only).

Here are the rules:

• Visit Lalabu & tell me what color you like best and leave a comment (with a valid email address).
• Bonus entry through Instagram. Find the details here.

The Giveaway ends on Friday, March 7, at 10 PM (Central Time).

Review: The Jones Market Color Pop Necklace

Candis of The Jones Market was kind enough to send me one of her beautiful baby friendly necklaces and I am head over heels. I love the proportions and beautiful wood tone of the non-toxic beads (perfect for Simone to pull & suck on).

Color Pop Necklace in Hazelnut & Grey

The Jones Market was born in January of 2012 after Candis made her first necklace as a gift for a friend and ended up with word of mouth orders. Drew Jones has been selling his artwork locally and nationwide for over 8 years. They have two magical children and every ounce of time & effort they put into their shop is for them.
 

color pop necklace in hazelnut & grey c/o the jones market

forever 21 lace top $15 | similar here, here, and here

j.crew factory pants $30 | similar here (on sale), and here

payless coral heels $7 | similar here, here and here

Postpartum Style: Madeline

I didn't write a post on postpartum style before I had Simone because I did it all wrong when I had Tate. I looked sloppy & lumpy & felt like it too. It's been a much better experience for me this time around & I wanted share a few of my favorite tips.

ponte blazer (own it & love it hard)

flowy blouse

jeggings

color pop nursing necklace

tall shaft boots (major sale)

It's important to get a pair of basic pants that work for your body post baby. I prefer a jegging with a fly & back pockets. They give the look of a polished skinny jean with all the forgiveness spandex has to offer.

If I could give one piece of advice, this would be it: Woven tops are your friend. The very last thing a postpartum body needs is clingy fabric. Get something with a pretty pattern that floats away from the body. If you are breastfeeding, having a button front is a bonus for ease of access.

Invest in a ponte blazer. It gives the look of structure (including the look of a defined waist, even if you don't yet have one) with the added benefit of mobility.

Nursing necklaces are a great way to add something extra to your outfit without worrying if baby will ruin it.

Cognac knee high boots are a must in any wardrobe. They are ridiculously versatile & will last forever.

What are your best postpartum dressing tips?

In case you missed them, you can find all of our postpartum style posts here.

Postpartum Style: Crystal

Today's post is from Crystal who lives in downtown Provo, Utah with her husband and her two adorable girls, Savannah and Emory. Her first delivery was an unexpected c-section and her second was a natural VBAC. She blogs over at HEY COOBABE. 

I have had such a fun time reading the previous "Postpartum Style" posts because I am only 3 months postpartum with my little Emory and still have a ways to go before I feel like I have my body back to pre-pregnancy shape....or close to it. All of this stuff totally applies to me and I have been loving the advice that's been given so far. I found myself nodding in agreement as I've read through the previous entries but here's my added two cents:

1. After my first c-section delivery with Savannah all I wanted to wear were PJs. I was spending a lot of time lying down because recovery from my surgery was something I hadn't anticipated. I just wanted to be comfortable. I don't know about you but all of my PJs at the time consisted of old camp t-shirts, borrowed husband's sports shirts, and ill-fitting mismatched pajama pants/sweats. I felt and looked pretty disgusting until I stocked up on some cute pajama sets! Let me just say that I am in no way condoning wearing PJs out in public. But, I think it is perfectly suitable to wear them in the comfort of your own home. Besides, most adult interaction you will get in the first weeks after having a baby will be visitors coming to YOUR home. Why not look cute and comfy? I own these pajamas (pictured above) and changed into them in the hospital after delivering Emory. The buttoned top is great for nursing and it's an easy and practical way to feel put-together after having a baby. These, these, and these make great options too. 

2. My favorite accessories after having a baby are simple hair clips and ties. I mean doesn't that sparkle clip make that messy bun up there look more cute and less sloppy? I am the type of person that feels prettiest when my hair is done. I'm talking blow dried and curled kind of done. But honestly, it's difficult to find the time and energy to do my hair while constantly meeting the demands of my girls. Most often you will find me with my hair up or back with a fun clip and/or tied with a bright hair tie. I own these elastic hair ties (pictured above) and constantly have one in my hair or on my wrist (which is convenient for pulling my long hair back during nursing sessions). 

3. One of my favorite outfits right now (remember...I'm still recently postpartum too) consists of four items that pretty much everyone already has in their closet. A slouchy grey tee, a denim vest, patterned pants or leggings, and neutral sandals. Magic. Here's why it works. A slouchy grey tee goes with everything and is loose fitting so it does a pretty good job at hiding the mommy pouch. The denim vest is just plain cool plus it hides your back when you have to lift up your shirt to nurse in public. Bonus! The patterned pants are great because they serve as a distraction from the loosey-goosey-ness going on in the middle and it breaks up the other neutral pieces. I would just be sure to wear pants that are a little higher waisted if you have had a c-section because it's really uncomfortable to have the waist of pants sitting right on the scar. Trust me. Or printed leggings can do the trick if you reeeally want to be comfortable. If you go that route I would just advise that your shirt be long enough to cover your bum (like the one pictured below). It just looks better. Finally, neutral sandals. Neutral sandals because you don't want to fight with the pants and because sandals are comfortable. See! The perfect outfit. Here is an example:

one. two. three. four.

Thanks for having me!

Postpartum Style: Bridget

Today's postpartum post is from Bridget of tales of me and the husband.  She lives in the Boston area with her husband Steve, their five kids, + yellow lab. 

hey everyone!  and thanks madeline for having me!!!

here's me and the wee one that made my body all sorts of funky. whatever parker!

postpartum style.  what a whammy.  here's the thing:  you get pregnant (weee!), you carry said child for nine months give or take, then you give birth, ruin (albeit temporarily... one hopes!) your nether regions and, oh wait!, your boobs follow shortly thereafter.  and you've got this funny misshapen belly to tend to and figure out how to make look less jello-y until your body decides (if it ever decides!) to suck it back in and make it behave.

ohhhh joy!

alright, jokes aside, the whole birthing experience is bonkers.  up there i sound a little on the debbie downer side, but really, i loved the whole thing.  i do recall, however, hating every stitch of clothing i put on myself afterwards.  and just feeling all around sort of ughhhhh.  nothing fit right, nothing i wanted to wear was nursing friendly, boobs leaked, on and on, so on and so forth.

so, i do have a few keepers to share that hopefully aren't old hat to you but there's a goooood chance they are.  i carry on regardless!

// maxi skirts!!!  this one is simple, a perfect color, a perfect shape, a perfect price.  and all that ruching--take that, jello-belly!  (and ignore that stupid model's stomach up there.  whatever windsor store.  just wait till she has a baby.)

// long, drapey sweaters!  they're quite forgiving on our female form and, bonus, double as nursing covers when out and about (i'm anti true "nursing covers" but that is a story for another day.).  i want this sweater, baby or no baby, nursing or no nursing.

// i fear i'm back in 1920 and at risk for sounding a little like, "back in the kitchen, woman!  make me a sandwich!" but lipstick.  lipstick goes a long way.  don't fear the lipstick.  days when you're just feeling all tired and puffy and bleck, a bit of bright color on the lips makes a world of a difference.  and nars, i hate to say it, is worth the money.  roman holiday is one of my faves.

so that is it.  don't fret, post-partum mother, things do jiggle less as time goes on and you feel more yourself and less cow-like, i promise!!!

Postpartum Style: Grace

I'm really excited to have Grace of Camp Patton for our next postpartum style post.

Grace is wife to Simon - an OB-GYN resident by day and night. She stays at home with Julia, Sebastian, and Theodore (her three kids under three) and is always on the hunt for some quiet, sanity, and a Top 40 hit to bump on the family friendly vehicle's radio.

I've only had to deal with draping the postpartum bod in the colder months so I apologize if this is irrelevant to you and yours as I imagine it just might be considering that it is JUNE.

I thought the reason I'd have a tough time fitting into pre-pregnancy jeans during the postpartum season of fun would be the tuft of leftover stomach swell but I was sorely and sadly mistaken. Don't get me wrong - the stomach swell was there and was happy to be hugged by maternity panels for several weeks post-delivery. However, I was NOT prepared for my hips to stay in the birthing position of WIDE for um ever post-baby. I've had two babies since then and I think my hips are probably not going back to pre-baby position which is totally fine and why God created denim with a touch spandex.

six weeks postpartum, unbuttoned jeans hidden by nursing tank, t-shirt, cardigan, life jacket, and seasonal gourd

I'll never ever forget waiting two "whole" postpartum weeks before trying on a pair of jeans and wilting into a puddle of depression when they barely made it past my knees. Rookie mistake that I'll never make again unless we're talking jeggings or jeans that I haven't washed and dried back into original intended size in months. I know a lot of people can get away with never wearing any maternity clothes but I am not one of them and I love maternity pants and while I'm happy when I don't have to wear them anymore I don't mind wearing the right pair for as long as I need postpartum.

I was looking for my cardigan to go on a walk with the kids the other day when my two-year-old told me to "just wear your best!" because I am a bit of a vest addict.

someone order this girl some Variety (size Venti), please. 

Vests are my favorite along with dark stretchy pants (leggings, jeggings, yoga, maternity or not), and long shirts and sweaters. Pregnant and freshly not pregnant.

Here are my staples ...

(I'll pretend like putting that collage together didn't take me three hours ... you ladies that do these on the regular are insane. And talented. Aaaaand I just realized I didn't number them but I don't have three more hours to curse through. I'm sorry!)

1. Black Pants: (worn here) these are lightweight enough to wear in the spring and fall (probably not the summer unless you reside/work somewhere that is liberal with the a/c) and are flattering and tight enough that you don't feel weird wearing them weeks after you've had a baby. I promise. 

2. Cardigan: I can't find any online but Old Navy always has great options in the fall. Something that ties is especially awesome to wear over a nursing tank around the house or to the store etc. 

3. Puffer Vest: I have great luck on eBay. You will too. 

4. Scarf: I'm a serial scarfer.

5. Chambray Tunic: this one is from J.Crew Factory but I found a great one at Forever XXI and I bet it's the kind of thing that will swing back around in the fall. 

6. Boots: You don't need Frye boots but Kimmie wrote an awesome post on how to find them on the cheap. I found some on eBay under her tutiliege. 

7. Slippers: Sometimes you need to embrace the frump. These moccasins look like loafers with pants and I don't know what I did without them.

I know we're supposed to love our bodies and appreciate what they've been put through and I do!! I do, especially after three pregnancies and periods-o-postpartum. But!! I'm not sure anything could've prepared me for the body staring back at me a few hours after I delivered our first baby (and why I will continue my crusade to have mirrors removed from hospital recovery rooms). Eventually everything comes back together and will probably always be a little bit softer and a littler bit different as it should be but until then don't be afraid to slip on your maternities for just as long as your exhausted new mom self needs.

A HUGE thank you to Madeline for letting me contribute! This was one of the very first blogs I ever read and if my future self had told my former self that I'd get to write a post for her one day she would've said, "shut! up!" because I used to be mature. 

Postpartum Style: Melissa

I am so happy that today's post is coming from Melissa, of I Still Love You. She is incredibly energetic, creative, and stylish.

I'm so excited to share with you my experience of postpartum style! I'm a DIY design blogger with two kids. I love sewing my own clothes, playing with my kids and teaching calligraphy.



No one prepared me for the sheer terror of the postpartum bod. I had great self-image and a great relationship with food.

Postpartum hit me like the atom bomb.

Nothing looked right. About a month after I had Penelope I went three days without eating more than water and a couple carrot sticks. I knew it was unhealthy, I have two sisters with self-image issues, but I hated looking down at my naked body. Heck! I hated my clothed body, too. I was desperate to do something to get back to where I was before Baby.

Thing is, no diet or exercise is going to shrink that stretched uterus down to size. The body needs time to heal from the kind of physical trauma childbirth induces.

The other thing? I was so sick of my pregnancy clothes, I wanted something new and flattering. I didn't want to spend money on clothes that would not fit in a few months. I also felt if I bought new clothes for my postpartum bod it was a sign that I gave up hope that I would go back to my pre-pregnancy size.

That's a lie. You can buy things that will flatter you both postpartum and when you hit your goal size (I say size because weight is so deceiving!). Here are some items I had not discovered when recovering from my first pregnancy.

When recovering from Penelope, I tried to fit back into my old clothes as soon as possible. I didn't realize that I had been spoiled by my pre-pregnancy size. I could get away with wearing just about anything.

But after, I looked horrible in shapeless scoop neck cap tees (you know the kind). See the above picture? Even though I was close to my goal size, I look amorphous having no shoulders, no waist, no hips and no legs. At one point, Chris hid that olive green top of mine because he hated it so much. He had no idea the favor he did for me. I was 1 month postpartum here.

Fast forward to my second postpartum recovery, I learned a few things. High-waisted jeans are a lifesaver. Semi-fitted muffin hider sweatshirts make you look skinny again. I didn't have any peplum tops, but the tunic tops were magical, too.

This was me 9 days after I had Felix. Looking at me from the front, you'd have no idea that I had a huge pooch. right? That muffin hider is my favorite even two years later. Those pants? They were super high-waisted and stopped right above the belly button. They helped keep it all in. Sporting heels never hurt, either. The difference is night and day in my opinion.

You know what else is most flattering to a changing body? Real sleeves. When I say real sleeves I mean a sleeve that goes past the arm pit an inch or two. It's a shame they're so hard to find in dresses and most tops these days, but those are postpartum gems.

1 / 2 / 3

Here are some real, live examples of perfect postpartum wear. These will look amazing on you no matter matter if you're a few days or a few years after baby.

Spied: Lalabu Baby Carrier

Reader, Emily, sent me a link to this super smart product and I sort of fell in love with it. Let me introduce you to the Lalabu tank top and baby carrier.

Here's how it works:

You can safely tuck baby in it from birth to 15 lbs

It comes in these 5 colors:

I could seriously see myself living in this thing for the first 3 months after the new baby is born. I loved my soft carrier with Tate, but I did not love wrapping 74 yards of fabric around myself every time I wanted to use it. This thing will change a new mom's world.

I am partial to the soft grey (shocker!) Here are a few other things I would pair with it to make myself feel put together.

pants | cardigan | teething bracelets | wedges

Lalabu is a new product and is still in pre-production. The indiegogo campaign wraps up this week. If you participate in the fundraising you will be among the first to receive a carrier/top of your own.

Click here to read more.

Postpartum Style: Amelia

I'm excited to have Amelia of the Homebook here with our next postpartum style post.

I’m a stay-at-home momma to my sweet baby Ralph, wife to my funny husband Ryan, and the three of us live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In our two and a half years of marriage we’ve been through two pregnancies, the stillbirth of our sweet daughter, and the joyful birth of our little Ralphie. There have been a lot of ups and downs for us, but we consider it all to be a blessing.


I’m about to get real honest with you all right now: the first few months after my son was born were the hardest of my life. It was hard in all the ways to be expected—little sleep, lots of worries and “is that normal?” But it was also hard in a way that I didn’t expect. A good word to describe the way I felt postpartum is lost. My world was turned upside down, and for the first time in my life, I wasn’t totally sure who I was. It was scary! As vain and superficial as it may sound, one of the things that always made me feel better was feeling pretty. Out of all the long days I spent taking care of a newborn, the best ones were usually when I had taken a little time for myself, to shower, to get dressed in something nice, to put on some makeup. After a while, I figured out little ways to make postpartum life easier on a new mom. Here are some of the best things I’ve learned:

1. My first tip? Forever 21 jeans. I know. I know. But hear me out. The first few months after baby, your body is changing constantly. I was desperate to pack up my maternity clothes and go out and buy new things, but spending a chunk of money on a nice pair of jeans just didn’t make sense. I’m seven months post-partum, and thanks to breastfeeding, I’m still losing weight. It’s great! But it’s also frustrating when the clothes I bought just a few months ago don’t fit anymore. That’s where Forever 21 jeans come in. They’re comfy and stretchy and always on-trend. They’re also cheap (as cheap as $10.80! I mean, come on!) and not the greatest quality, so you won’t feel badly tossing them aside when they no longer fit. Honestly, some of my favorite jeans are from Forever 21. I love them so much I don’t even mind the weird gasoline smell they have. ;) (Seriously, what is that gasoline smell about?)

2. Tip number two: Organize your beauty routine, and stick to it. After I had Ralph, I realized that getting myself ready for the day no longer had any leisure to it. If I didn’t take advantage of a few quick minutes in the morning, or during naptime, I’d likely be stuck in pajamas and bed head all day long, and feeling really bad about myself to boot. Eventually, I narrowed down my beauty routine to just the essentials and figured out exactly what I needed to do to feel put together in the morning. Now I can usually get ready for the day in less than twenty minutes, including a shower! I try and do it first thing in the morning, because if I don’t make it a priority, it’ll never get done. Related: dry shampoo is your friend.

3. My third and favorite tip is this: get yourself a mom uniform. Put together an ensemble that makes you feel your prettiest, your most comfortable, your most you, and wear it to death. Don’t wear a maxi dress if it makes you feel icky. Don’t wear jeans if you can’t stand the thought of playing on the floor in tight denim that will probably give you plumber’s crack. It sounds so simple, but once you’re a mom, it’s tough to find an outfit that works in every area of your new mom life. Here’s what works for me: a top that can either be pulled up or down for easy nursing, jeans or a skirt that will (hopefully) camouflage my generous bottom half, shoes that are comfortable enough for me to walk in at a normal clip, a cute (but practical) bag, simple hair, simple makeup, and a pop of color, either on my lips or on my nails.

Below is an example of an outfit I wear regularly. It works for home, the grocery store, out to lunch, or at church, and is something that makes me feel good about myself. And let’s be honest, this outfit is so comfortable it’s basically pajamas with shoes.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 

1. One of my favorite ways to freshen up and feel put together is to use perfume. Just a spritz on my wrists and the nape of my neck, and bam! My day is already a little bit better. And when my husband comes home from work and goes in for a hug, I don’t feel quite as bad about the giant spit up on my shoulder. This scent is clean and soapy, and isn’t too strong for baby nuzzles.

2. I know what you’re thinking—a white shirt? With a baby? But, I promise you, it works for me. A nice white tee brightens my skin, looks fresh, and matches everything in my closet. I have about a dozen of them that I wear in rotation. And when my baby lovingly splats a handful of sweet potato towards me, I just toss it in the wash with a splash of bleach, and it’s as good as new. Forever 21 and Old Navy make great white tees for less than $10, but this Madewell one has a pretty perfect fit.

3. While I love a good pair of flats, heels never fail to make me feel fancy. These sandals are definitely the most expensive pair of shoes I own, but they’re worth every penny. So cute, so comfy, and, thanks to the straps, you won’t slip out of them when you’re hustling through the grocery store. Also, they make a pretty fun toy in a pinch. Babies love buckles.

4. I wore my striped jersey maxi skirt at least twice a week when I was pregnant, and I haven’t stopped wearing it since. My current skirt is starting to appear a little threadbare, and this one looks like a good replacement.

5. Having a nice glossy set of nails always makes diaper changes a little bit more fun. It’s true. Essie’s Clambake is a cute orangey-red that’s fun for warm weather months.

6. I never found the perfect diaper bag. Everything I liked was too expensive, and everything I could afford was too…diaper bag-y. Then I finally realized a cute, roomy tote was basically the same thing. Lately I’ve been using a big canvas bag, but I have my eye on this straw one for summer.

7. (Not pictured) Nursing mama’s—looking for the perfect breast pad? Well, you can stop, because I found it for you. After lots of research, I’ve decided that these nursing pads these are the best. They’re super absorbent, super soft, and just the right size—big enough to do the job, but not so big that they peek out from under your bra. My favorite thing about them is that they’re not individually wrapped. Breast pad wrappers are annoying, unnecessary, and take up too much waste basket space. Believe me, after you have a baby, things like waste basket space become very important. You need to save that stuff for dirty dipes and chocolate bar wrappers.

Postpartum Style: Anna

Our next postpartum style post is from Anna, of In Honor of Design.

She is the mother of two sweet little ones and is expecting her third this summer. She writes about fashion, design, lifestyle, and the adventures of motherhood.






After we have a baby, there are many emotional highs and lows. Often times our body image contributes to this as well! Its important to be forgiving of your post baby shape and also wear forgiving clothes! This doesn't mean you have to compromise style along the way though. Here's a few tips that have helped me with my post partum time!

1) Avoid pieces that are too snug, and go for the feminine and flowy. This is almost a fool proof method for every shape. For instance, you can wear a form fitting top that starts to flow below the bust for a piece that is much more flattering to your figure and forgiving around the waistline. Depending on your shape you can also try an item that is shaping around the waist and flows around the hips.

2) Pay attention to where you wear your prints. Fun colors and patterns don't need to be avoided altogether, just make sure they aren't happening around the wrong places. For instance, you can find a bold dress where the print runs across the bottom trim, and the solid colors run across your waist and hips. This draws attention away from areas that are still recovering from baby!

3) Choose the right fabrics! I went though a cotton jersey skirt phase until I realized it really hugs all the wrong places, and is severely unflattering. Oops. Its amazing what a good sheer based material can do on the other hand. Work that with the flow of tip #1 and you have got yourself a stunning look:)

1 // 2 // 3 // 4

Postpartum Style: Elaine

I'm really excited that our next guest post is from Elaine of Clothed Much - a modest style and fashion blog she started in 2009 when she was a poor, married college student with a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear. 

I'm Korean and married to a tall, skinny white guy. We live in Sacramento. I'm a new mom and don't know what I'm doing. Eating is my favorite besides chasing our shy, chubby cat. I think I'm funny but no one else seems to think so. 



I recently had my first baby earlier this year (a 9-pounder!) and with that, my first experience with a whole new body. I mean, why did I still look pregnant? Were the docs sure there wasn't a lost twin in there?? Those first few months are tough and rough and basically suck. You want to show off this cute new babe of yours but you don't want to show the aftermath... (Us.) I'm still learning what looks good on this new body of mine and what I should store for that one day I'll fit into my old skinny jeans. Here are some of my go-to items that helped me dress my postpartum body:

1. Control that tummy!

As a C-section recoverer, the belly binder was my life!!!! I had to wear it or I couldn't stand or walk. Even after I was able to do those activities comfortably, I still wore it at home. I bound it as tight as I could to squish all that flesh in. And you know what? I saw my waist whittling down a little each day. Plus, if it worked for Jessica Alba, it should work for all of us, right?

Under all my clothes for the first few months, I wore shapewear, including at home so I was wearing shapewear AND the belly binder. Shapewear helped to smooth those inevitable lumps and bumps under my clothes fooling the mirror and my eyes that I looked good. And it worked. I was less self-conscious when I knew my body was a little more streamlined.

2. You're still pregnant.

Okay, you're really not, but the way I thought of dressing my new body those first few months, I thought "How would I dress if I were X months pregnant?" Because when you're pregnant, you usually want to dress up and dress that bump. I went through my closet to find the clothes I kept going back to while I was pregnant and got inspiration from them. Instead this time I wanted to hide the bump..

Some of my favorite pregnancy clothes were black leggings, full/A-line skirts (the skirts that fall away from your body), baggy t-shirts, and loose stretchy pants.

1, 2, 3, 4

3. Accessories are everything.

Say you were wearing black leggings and a white t-shirt. Nice and simple, right? Now add chunky boots, a sweater, and a scarf. It's completely different!

When choosing accessories, imagine you were someone on the street who saw your outfit - what would catch your eye first?

4. Outfit combinations to remember:

Here's a cheat sheet for you when getting dressed!

Fitted shirt + full/A-line skirt (that hits right at the smallest part of your torso)

Leggings + loose t-shirt + catchy accessory/ies

Loose pants (think boyfriend fit) + loose t-shirt + cropped jacket/blazer