B00AFU6252 EBOK (25 page)
Authors: Jessica Alba
Depending on your prepregnancy shape, a voluptous chest might be a new experience for you—it was for me! Go with it and work your new assets, honey! V-necks, camisoles, and scoop necks are your new allies. So are bold statement necklaces.
You can adjust it as your belly grows—and cinch it back in afterward. Such a versatile piece works on almost every body—I have several, in solid colors and cute prints, for each season. My favorites are by Diane von Furstenberg.
As your due date approaches and your center of gravity shifts, you might find that heels may not feel as great as they used to. I wore a lot of flats, but there are times when you’ll want to make your legs look longer. Enter wedges, and boom: sexy, no suffering. Keep in mind that you may need to wear a half size larger during your later months or you’ll pay the blister price.
Think pull-on skirts, long layering tanks, oversize men’s dress shirts, and a bold lipstick collection.
Cute maternity clothes cost a fortune, and it stings to spend that much on stuff you’ll only be able to wear for a couple of months. After I had Honor, I stuck all of my pregnancy jeans, bras, Spanx, and more in a bin . . . and before I knew it, I was passing it on to a girlfriend who had just become pregnant. That bin got passed along to another mom and then another. At least four people wore my pregnancy clothes, and then they came back around to me for Haven. When you calculate the cost per use, they’re now a downright bargain!
A
S A MOM
,
it’s so easy to fall into that trap of yoga pants and unwashed hair. After all, any outfit you put together is likely to end up covered in puke or poop. Why bother? Because you are a person as well as a mama. And putting on a clean top (even if it stays that way for 5 minutes) or some cute earrings will remind you of that important fact.
Because nothing kills your mojo like nursing bras that look like . . . nursing bras. My favorites are by Elle Macpherson—they are so beautiful, you’d never know they’re for nursing! Avoid underwire, which may interfere with your milk production.
It’s really okay! Every body bounces back differently after pregnancy, and you need to be patient with yourself. This is why you invested in those hot maternity jeans in the first place—so you wouldn’t hate having to wear them for a while.
These are one of my signatures. I wear them constantly because they’re the easiest way to dress up your basic jeans outfit and make sure you have an extra layer on hand in case it gets cold or your baby throws up on you.
Put on a cute top, blow out your hair, throw on a little makeup, call a babysitter, and go on a date. Because yes, you’re a mom now, but you’re still
you
.
Platforms aren’t really the right move once you’re balancing a baby, and even wedges can be precarious when you’re lugging diaper bags or chasing after little ones. You want flat, comfy shoes—but that doesn’t have to mean you never get out of your sneakers. I love Roger Vivier, Tory Burch, and Toms flats because they’re comfortable and adorable; J.Crew and Kate Spade also make great options. If you do go for a heel, pick something chunky and stacked for support.
Sometimes, I still do suffer for beauty. Case in point: After both of my pregnancies, I took a tip from my girlfriend Zoya and wore a girdle. Actually, I opted for two corsets layered over each other (Frederick’s of Hollywood are my favorite) for the first 3 months, day and night—I only took them off to bathe. I won’t lie—it’s the worst! You’re hot and sweaty and all of that—but it did bring my stomach back down to normal faster than my friends who didn’t wrap their post-baby middles. To be clear: This isn’t for everyone. But if you’ve ever wondered how some people get their bodies back so quickly after pregnancy? Well, here’s some insight.
Basically, with kids, you blink and the pair of shoes or new pants you
just bought
no longer fit. Lately, with Honor, it’s been every three months. So as much as I disliked my mom always buying me one size too big when I was a child, now that I’m a mom, I understand what my parents were up against. It can cost a fortune to clothe your little ones. We love to swap clothes with family; there is nothing sweeter than Honor wearing her older cousin Nea’s little dress or coat. We hand down Honor’s clothes to her younger cousins and eventually they come back to Haven, which is so cool.
There’s a health and environmental benefit to dressing your kids in nearly new duds, too. Chemicals used in the manufacturing process (like flame retardants, which are often sprayed on kids’ pajamas) will have washed off by the time you get them.
When I do buy new, I try to invest in organic and natural-fiber clothing for the girls. This is getting easier—you can find organic cotton everywhere from Garnet Hill to Walmart now. But my girls absolutely do not wear all organic all the time. It’s just too limiting, especially now that they’re getting old enough to have opinions. (Let’s just say that if there’s an organic mermaid costume on the market, I have not been able to find it for Honor.)
At the very least, I suggest picking up a pair of organic cotton pajamas—I adore the ones by Hanna Andersson. Kids spend so much time in their PJs, and this way, you can avoid flame-retardant chemicals. Just make sure the label indicates that the pajamas meet the federal safety requirements for sleepwear (which for most untreated, natural-material jammies means they must be snug fitting).
A
S WITH MOST
busy women, my clothes have to multitask and go from work to play or from day to night. This is where having a developed sense of your own Honest Style really helps. All you need are a few signature pieces you can rely on day in and day out, plus some fun accessories to switch things up. That way, no matter where you go or what you’re doing, you’ll always look like yourself. And that’s appropriate for every occasion!
Some of the most stylish women in the world stick to a basic uniform. It makes getting dressed so much less complicated because you always know at least one outfit will work and look good on you. If I find a T-shirt that fits perfectly (see “
Your Guide to the Basics
”), I’ll buy two, so there’s always a clean version in my closet.
I do wear a lot of black—but it’s easy to end up with a very chic but very neutral and monotone closet. This is where your accessories come in. I’m always doing a pop of color with a scarf, chunky cocktail ring, or bag. And you can layer in multiple colors, too—just keep them in the same tone. So go all neon or all pastel—nothing in between.
If I do big earrings, I leave the big, statement necklace at home. (Though a big ring or bracelet can work.) If I stack layers of skinny rings, I keep everything else more low key.
If you’re going to be running around all day and need to make a seamless transition to a dinner party or cocktails, try these ideas:
- Stash a clutch inside your day bag.
Trust me, it will fit! And don’t be afraid to go for an oversized clutch; you can cram a surprising amount of stuff into one. - Upgrade your outerwear.
There’s nothing about a work blazer that says “party,” so switch out your power jacket for something appropriate for your after-hours event. A little leather motorcycle jacket, embellished bolero, or even a sleek tux jacket can transform your work outfit into a cocktail-ready ensemble. - Add a bold lipstick.
Any color can work—fire engine red, hot pink, or a vibrant berry; just make sure it complements your skin tone. The look is chicest when worn with a bare face and uncomplicated eyes (mascara, that’s it!). If you hate lipstick, play up your eyes instead. A fat eye pencil, the kind that looks like a crayon, is basically foolproof and will make you look like you tried (even if you didn’t).
I always pick out my clothes for the next day before I go to bed. It’s such a time-saver in the morning when you can get dressed and go on autopilot!
Stock your car or desk with a mini–makeup bag plus a change of shoes and accessories. Then you can upgrade any outfit from “work” to “play.”
Eventually, you’ll know exactly what you like and how you like to wear it—so you can find easy ways to update your look. Here are a few of my signature pieces that I rarely leave home without.
- COLOR.
I love a chic black look for evening, but for day, I’m all about my pop of color. Red, pink, turquoise, purple . . . they all make me happy. - LAYERS.
A great way to make pieces look different in combination and to work surprising contrasts; you can mix different colors, fabrics (I love to pair sweet, floaty florals with deconstructed denim or leather), or shapes (say, a shrunken cardigan over a flowy dress or a tunic over leggings). You probably want to limit your layers to three to avoid too much bulk! - SCARVES.
Basically another way to layer—a smart scarf can make any old T-shirt and jeans look more polished. And they’re genius for hiding jam smears, juice stains, and other kid grime. - BALLET FLATS.
Because during the day I’m running around from meetings to lunch to pick up Honor at school, I’m all about comfy flats—you can be on the move but the look is more polished than flip-flops or sneakers. - A GREAT DAY BAG.
To carry my whole life in—be it my tablet and work files or diapers and wipes. Plus my makeup kit and probably a spare scarf, jewelry upgrade, or change of shoes. - HATS.
They’re a stylish form of sun protection. A floppy felt hat adds an Ali MacGraw, boho-chic vibe, while a fedora lends a touch of flair. - STATEMENT SUNGLASSES.
To finish the look, I have lots of sunglasses. I love to mix it up with chunky frames, metal frames, or color, depending on my outfit.
