It seems like you all liked my post about time limits, which is very encouraging and confirms my hypothesis that there is still a need for a more practical guide.
So I’m starting a series for new or recent mothers. This is a series that I hope to read over and over again as I grow from 0 to 1 child so I can share what I’ve learned the hard way. There’s no need for that! This first edition is about maternal attire, including all implied variations.
One of the first humiliations of being a mother is that during and after giving birth, your old clothes end up being the wrong size or look bad.
For me, it wasn’t just that it didn’t fit my body perfectly. My entire life, all of my needs and goals have changed. Every time he needs to go somewhere, he no longer spends an hour thinking about what would look best. I needed freedom of movement, but I also didn’t want to feel sloppy wearing sweats everywhere. I’ve realized how much getting dressed can help me be more productive, but the fear of making a mistake, looking like a clown, or wasting precious time keeps me from getting dressed. I was frustrated and scared.
If you’re currently in a position where you have to dress a body that doesn’t belong to you, this guide is for you.
I’m not saintly enough to actually enjoy the pain of experiencing the hard parts of motherhood, but in hindsight, these small moments of self-death often yield a nugget of previously unrealized truth. there is. For example, my hellish postpartum experience prompted all the discoveries I’m about to share. If you’re feeling down about this right now, know that there is a way to get through it. Let me be your Beatrice!
Whether you’re a mom or not, clothing self-awareness is best to start with some basic typology.
2) Kibbe body analysisand
3) Essential analysis of Kitchener.
We’ve linked our favorite resources to clearly explain each system. The rest of this guide will make more sense as you learn more about each one.
The benefit of these systems is that they help you look at your body, shapes, patterns, and textures objectively, with the ultimate goal of developing a subjective sense of style. All students must learn the basic principles of art and design before becoming an artist.
Each system is truly “body-neutral” in its objectivity. Kibbe, for example, is neither “pro-fat” nor “pro-fat” in the sleazy way pop culture advocates undressing larger women in the name of feminist empowerment. “Thin” his People magazine circa 2003.
Rather, the idea is that every body has its own characteristics. Individual How we choose to dress can enhance functionality and make it more visually consistent. built into each system. You cannot fit a square peg into a round hole here. If you need more help, recruit an expert or crowdsource advice from Reddit.
It’s not uncommon for people trying to use one of these systems to realize that none of the types are a good fit for them and give up early on. They are somewhere in between. That won’t happen here.
my system This in-betweenness is explained, and I believe it is further amplified by the season of motherhood.
seasonal color analysis
Gabriel Arruda
Personally, I’ve always found myself somewhere in between one type or the other, depending on several factors. First, regarding seasonal color analysis, colors may actually change as the seasons progress. During the winter, I fall into “.soft summer“Palette. As the warm season approaches, the orange color on your skin and hair increases,”soft autumn” This is true for many people, regardless of their skin tone.
Kibbe body analysis
Kibbe’s typology is complicated by the fact that the shape of the mother’s body changes, often dramatically, during childbirth. David Kibbe, the founder of Kibbe analysis, says that a person’s basic type does not change with weight gain. I respect that, but I know that pregnancy can cause changes in a woman’s body that just gaining weight doesn’t. For example, changes in the structure of the pelvis.I
Personally mommymaxxing discovered that you can change things temporarily (or permanently) and that if you were somewhere in between to begin with, you might end up looking better dressed in a better direction. did. shadow 2’s.
Using myself as an example again, I find myself falling somewhere between a “glamorous natural” and “soft dramatic” body type on the Kibbe scale.
During the calmer months of pregnancy and breastfeeding, “soft dramatic” types of clothing are best, while in more normal situations, “glamorous naturals” look best.Soft dramatic is technically above
Yang There are both aspects, but that is the most important shadow “Dramatic” type and “gorgeous natural” type are the best. Yang A “natural” family member. So out of the two, this guy’s soft dramatic one is a little longer. shadow In a significant way. Still with me?
Essential analysis of Kitchener
purpose of
kitchener Analysis is the description of the unique qualities of a person’s physical appearance based on the natural lines, shapes, colors, and personality of that person’s face and body.
These factors combine to make Kitchener the most subjective of all methods, the most susceptible to eccentric influences, and the most personalized. Picture a very tall and lanky person (Yang-Kibbe’s “dramatic” type predominates, but has a relatively small, round, soft face and an ethereal appearance. Anya Taylor-Joy comes to mind.
Getty Images/Gabe Ginsberg
The Kitchener system takes this kind of peculiarity into account. She may be Kibbe’s “dramatic” type, but she has the “ethereal” essence of Kitchener.
Yangbut essential shadow. Therefore, she looks better in this kind of delicate and divine fabric than in other Kibbe “dramatic” ones. Most people have a complex combination of: shadow and Yang, cool and warm, different personality traits allow him to see himself in at least three of his archetypes, depending on the situation. Note: Kibbe and Kitchener use some of the same words, but Kibbe’s “gamin” is not exactly the same as Kitchener’s “gamin.”
helen roy
my system
The following method synthesizes, organizes, and, if possible, simplifies all of the above information to accommodate variation.
mother’s life.
I want to be able to do it as a mother
quickly Find out how to dress best for yourself in any situation. Here’s how I do it:
helen roy
first step: Let’s take a closer look at SCA, Kibbe and Kitchener systems. Determine your primary and secondary types (under Kitchener he chooses 4 essences).
Step 2: along the intersection X and y Plot by axis, structure and color:
- X = kibbeh, structure, yin/yang
- y = SCA, temperature, cold/warm
One of your Kibbe types (relatively
shadow One type) represents a more hormonally influenced maternal condition, and the other represents a more normal condition.
Step 3: Place the type at the appropriate location on the graph. For Kibbe and SCA, this is relatively easy.
Kitchener types require a little creativity. In particular, this is a subjective decision rather than a simple quantitative one.
The basic concepts along the axis are useful. For example, if we consider the characteristics of something,
romantic Typically, you probably imagine warmth and softness. Therefore, it belongs to my upper right quadrant.
I placed my “natural” archetype in my warmth.
Yang Because QII reminds us of spring: warmth and growth.
The other two of my Kitchener archetypes are subjectively “cool” and “dramatic” more masculine;
Yang More than anything else in this world for me.
What you end up with is an easy and professional reference that helps you choose the best style according to the actual season, your personal season, and your personality.
I’ve created several boards to show you different items to wear depending on which quadrant you find yourself in at any given moment. The quadrants are numbered using Roman numerals I, II, III, IV and labeled counterclockwise starting with the upper right quadrant.
in
Quadrant I, it’s spring or summer and I’m about to give birth or have just had a baby. The essence of this era is the highest femininity and romance.
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This means choosing a high A-line silhouette to subtly accentuate your waist. It should be enough to create shape and support the vertical line, but not draw attention to the diastasis recti.
The neckline needs drama and movement. Although it has a crew neck, the upper right neckline also has shirring around the neck, adding drama and interest to the material.
When in “soft dramatic” mode, it’s best to avoid wearing clothes that mix and match. I always prefer to achieve the “overall look” best through a dress.
We seek sophistication and a very feminine visual interest at the same time. I love feeling especially feminine during this time of my life, and dressing to emphasize that helps me eliminate as much postpartum awkwardness as possible.
in
second quadrantIt’s warm outside, I’ve fully recovered from childbirth, I’m able to move again, and I feel strong.
helen roy
Now you can reintroduce mix-and-match sets into your wardrobe. I love linens and rustic materials that keep me cozy in the North Carolina heat.
A relaxed line that subtly emphasizes the waist (a
“French tuck” This is fine) It’s perfect for my current “flashy natural” frame. Once the baby fat melts away, the slightly more masculine style works well with the angular style of my face.
I love pantsuits. I prefer soft, yet bold, dramatic lines. My style has a relaxed element to it, but it’s not baggy. Again, this is to accommodate vertical lines. This is no longer the era of shiny fabrics.
in
3rd quadrantIt’s cold outside and I’m far from giving birth.
I’m still a flamboyant naturalist here, so many of the same principles from QII apply (relatively masculine silhouette, always sweeping vertical lines to add length).
But I also like to introduce a little drama, like animal prints, sequins, satin, and blazers with wide lapels and long hemlines. The colors have also calmed down a bit. Purple, burgundy, and navy are the best times to go.
here
Quadrant 4I’m pregnant or postpartum, but it’s winter now.
helen roy
So I’m once again aiming for even more softness and fluidity, exploring more fantastical motifs and textures. It has good transparency and has a watercolor style pattern. We aim for something a little ethereal, a romantic yet mysterious atmosphere, something beyond the veil.
Now that you’ve read this far, I hope you understand that changing your mother’s body is nothing to be ashamed of.There are so many things you can do with the body God gave you.
the currentEven if it feels like you’re between worlds, even if you don’t realize it, and especially if you feel like it’s failing you.
Physical strength and beauty are things worth honing, but I don’t believe in “bringing back your old body” for their own sake. I think our culture’s fixation on mothers looking like they’ve never had children has something to do with a deeper part of our femininity beyond the stage where we can take full advantage of it. We don’t want to define or provide a positive vision of femininity.
This is a relatively modern phenomenon. Author Robert Graves popularized the idea that many ancient myths feature figures known as the Triple Goddess, archetypes who embody all three of her stages in a woman’s life: maiden, mother, and matriarch. I did.
as I wrote elsewhere About this topic:
Seasons pass. If you try to artificially preserve something that naturally expires, you destroy its potency and drive yourself crazy in the process. This never-ending quest for influence becomes a quiet tragedy of life for women under current conditions. She finds herself constantly in a state of dislocation. The extent to which she rebels against her nature as a woman corresponds to her unhappiness.
Whether you’re a new mother or a new mother, we hope this guide will help you respect the indescribably beautiful gift of maternity by having confidence and flexibility in your wardrobe and dressing yourself appropriately. I hope it becomes.
