Anyone who’s given birth likely knows that your fashion style has a habit of slipping sideways after a baby arrives. It may not disappear completely, but it just becomes harder to define and access. The clothes you once loved might feel impractical, uncomfortable and will likely not fit anymore. And that can make you feel disheartened.

From my own experience I know how easy it felt to just give up on style and live in my sweats. While there’s nothing wrong with that, you don’t have to. Here are some simple things you can do to rediscover your personal style without putting any pressure on yourself.

comfort matters

In the first few months comfort is important. You need clothes that work when you’re feeding, lifting, sitting on the floor, and leaving the house in a hurry. But comfort doesn’t have to mean giving up entirely on style. Clothes that are comfortable and stylish do exist and these are the best options for the first few months.

take the pressure off yourself

Even though it may not feel like it at the time, one of the best parts of early parenthood is that it forces you to simplify everything because you don’t have as much time as you used to. This includes your getting dressed and ready routine which is a good thing because getting ready doesn’t have to be long or complicated. It can be practical, repetitive and even boring.

A small set of outfits that work and that you can wear in rotation is not a sign saying you’ve “let yourself go”; it’s about making your life easier. Think of it as a kind of uniform to include things like jeans that fit, a few good tops, and jumpers you love.

express yourself in small ways

Just because time and energy are limited, it doesn’t mean that you can’t add a touch of your personal style to your look. Little details can elevate any outfit and make a look feel more like you. Think things like accessories and jewellery. If you love colour, think about adding a bright and bold scarf to your outfit. Or if you’ve always loved a unique look try adding a detail like helix earrings available here, to your look. Belts, necklaces, watches, rings and more can all help bring out your personality.

Though small, these details can be a way of reconnecting with yourself, even on days when the rest of your outfit is built entirely around practicality.

edit your wardrobe

There will be clothes that won’t fit immediately after you have a baby and can sometimes take a year to fit again. Don’t let this be something that you focus on or get disheartened by. Instead put those clothes away so that they’re out of sight and focus on the clothes that do fit for now.

Appreciate the miracle of birth and that your body has been though something incredible and therefore has changed. It’s easy to get caught up in the negatives but instead try and focus on the clothes that do fit and make you feel good.

buy something that makes you feel good

Many of us resist buying new clothes after having a baby because we’ve convinced ourselves that we’ll lose the baby weight or go back to our body shape of before. This may or may not happen but irrespective of this, treat yourself to something that fits well now and makes you feel good.

Even buying just a couple of pieces of clothing that work for your current shape and make you feel good will make you look great.

Finding your post-baby style isn’t about transformation or bouncing back to the old you. It’s about allowing your clothes to support the life you’re living now, not the one you think you should be living. When something finally feels right for comfort, practicality and style and also feels like you, it can make you feel amazing when worn.