Welcome back to my Fashion After Baby series! I hope you enjoyed last month’s inaugural post, and that you’ll continue to enjoy each month’s post, too. A little recap… I started this series to show mommas that fashion after baby IS something that can be accomplished, and without a lot of time, effort, or money. All it takes is to learn a little bit about your body type and some style tips, and you’ll be feeling like a hot momma in no time!

Today I was supposed to share a collab with LuLaRoe, but we’ve been up to our ears in sickness and baby’s not sleeping through the night so that’s been pushed back a couple of months. However, if you want to check out LuLaRoe before then, check out my girl Mekenzi’s page!

So today I want to share with you a few tips to take with you when you go shopping for new clothes. No matter the occasion, these are 3 things you should do.

1 | Set a budget.

I know, the word “budget” seems scary. But it’s necessary. Otherwise you’ll go out shopping for a pair of jeans and come home with a pair of jeans, a dress, 3 shirts, and a pair of shoes. (Oh, that’s just me?) If you’re searching for a pair of jeans, give yourself a budget depending on where you shop for jeans. If you’re looking for a dress for a special occasion, again, have a budget in mind. If you’re searching for a few new pieces to wear after gaining weight, losing weight, or having a baby, take what you’re looking for, and where you normally shop, into consideration.

2 | Try things on

I know it’s so much easier to say “oh, that’s my size, it looks nice” and go on to the next item or store. But without trying the piece on, you won’t know how it really fits you – especially if you’ve recently had a baby. Oh, gracious, the way our bodies change after that! You might need to go up a shirt size because of an expanded rib cage or bra size. Your hips might be wider now than before you were pregnant, so that might need to be taken into consideration as well. Always try things on, always, always.

3 | Leave tags on.

Going along with #3, leave the tags on until you wear your new item of clothing for the first time. Even if you liked the way an article of clothing looked in the dressing room, I can guarantee you it will look different at your home, with natural lighting and put together with pieces you have in your wardrobe already. Put together a few different outfits and make sure it hangs well, the color looks good with your skin tone and hair, and that it’s versatile and comfortable. If it’s not, take it back! It’s better to take the trip back to the store and get your money back than have that money go to waste and have an unwanted piece of clothing taking up space in your closet.

I hope these 3 quick tips will help you as you go shopping for a new item or two or three! These 3 steps will make sure that you only spend what you have, and leave feeling confident in your purchase(s). And don’t forget, I’d love if you’d share your own fashion after baby by using the hashtag #fashionafterbabymls. I can’t wait to see your posts!