postpartum/transitional spring wardrobe

postpartum/transitional spring wardrobe by kirsten-mcclendon featuring sweat shirts

transitional spring wardrobe: 4th Trimester

I'm on a mission to find some cute, affordable clothing to wear during the horrific 4th trimester.

 I'm going to do my best to wait at least a month before trying to go shopping for clothes; I'll be wearing sweatpants and maternity tops probably, but here's what's been on my mind lately. I'm so starved for non-maternity clothes, shirts without ruching and regular jeans with no stretchy belly panel! I'm going to be nursing my Little Guy no. 2 hopefully, but I hate, hate, hate designated nursing clothes--so I'm going to skip that. It worked really well with Little Guy #1 to wear a shaper cami under tees for more coverage to avoid flashing my flabby post-baby belly to the world.

 Some of this I already have, like the drapey white button down, chambray shirt, cute patterned flats, amazing baby bag and the gray dress, but my wardrobe will need a MAJOR overhaul. And I have a few stipulations: comfort, nursing-friendly, washbility,and seasonless-ness (is that a word?) because I want to be able to wear most of these pieces during the hot, hot Georgia summer and early fall. Obviously I would swap out the pants for shorts and there won't be a need for a leather jacket.

-One great black leather moto jacket. I'm really lusting after a black leather jacket--I have a brown one I've worn and loved and worn and loved for 5 years, but it's starting to look worn and beat. Plus, the brown is starting to look a teensy dated. I'm going to watch for this one from Gap to go on sale!

-One pair of great jeans that fit and hold the jiggly, postpartum tummy in--I'm trying to decide if I dare splurge on those Madewell high rise flares--they're so expensive at $135-but there's almost nothing more annoying than cheaply-made jeans that don't fit right or sag in the bum or knees.

-One pair of legging-like pants that aren't leggings. Cuz leggings ain't pants. I have a pair of Pixie pants but they're going to be too small. Fo sho, folks. Gap has a pair on sale right now I might order just to try...

-One great pair of super comfortable slip-on sneakers to wear with everything. I have some laced Vans that I love, but if I'm doing a lot of babywearing, I will want some slip ons I can put on quickly to run after my toddler. I love the black--but that's just me.

-One pair of cute, patterened flats. I don't really tend to wear many patterns, but I love these shoes. They're not the most comfortable but they are really cute and go with everything. I wear them a lot.


-One or two (or three) nursing-friendly, casual day dresses to throw on and look instantly put together.



-One cute, trendy sweatshirt to wear alone or over a cami or button down.



-One interesting, different tee shirt (I am a stripe addict) in a swingy, slightly cropped shape I can wear over a nursing or shaper cami.

-Three casual tees for everyday. I love my Everlane tees for this; they don't pill or lose their shape and are really reasonably priced. And they are deliciously comfortable and drapey in the right places.

-A button down. the chambray button down will be worn as a top AND a jacket. I did this earlier on in my pregnancy when I wasn't GINORMOUS and it was cute.

-I don't need them but I really, really want those cutout booties! These could be worn almost year round. They're reasonably priced too.

       -And last, but not least, a great baby bag. I LOVE this bag and will use it long after I'm done having kids. Other than this, I have 2 coach purses--one I've carried for 5+ years and still love, and the other I've had for more than a year and love it just as much. So the price tag is worth it if you think cost-per-wear!

postpartum/transitional spring wardrobe by kirsten-mcclendon featuring j. crew pants

Spring/Summer Color inspiration

Spring/Summer Color inspiration by kirsten-mcclendon featuring coral shorts

one week...in a weekender

the weekender I wish I had

I do this all the time. I wait til the very last minute to pack for a trip, overpack, and end up not wearing half the stuff I packed. This time, instead of rifling through my suitcase, I'll build some outfit ideas ahead of time with just a few basic items that can mix and match. The combinations are endless! Here's some options for a casual thanksgiving week with family, including 2 church options and ideas for date night, shopping and hanging out. Yep, date night--because we loove free babysitting.

Here's how I'm hoping to style the dress:

For church: over a plaid shirt (sleeves rolled up) with booties and black tights, .

For thanksgiving day/dinner with family: knee-high socks, riding boots, plaid scarf

For weekend shopping and hanging out: wear plaid shirt as a jacket over the dress, tights, riding boots, leather jacket (if needed)

Here's how I would style the knit pencil skirt:

For church: with the gray tee, plaid scarf, black booties and tights.
For date night: black sequin tee, plaid scarf, black booties and tights.
For shopping/hanging out: white tee with plaid shirt tied around the waist, riding boots and knee-high socks.
For the 12-hour drive: gray tee with plaid shirt as a jacket, riding boots and black tights for the cozy factor. I love wearing comfortable skirts for long drives--wedgies are no fun.

Here's some ideas for the black knit pants and skinny jeans:

For dinner out: with black sequin tee over the plaid shirt, booties
For hanging out...option 1:  plaid shirt and booties. Option 2: white tee with plaid scarf and leather jacket and riding boots or booties. Option 3: gray tee with plaid shirt tied around waist or as jacket with black booties. Option 4: Green tee with plaid scarf and leather jacket.

These ideas are for a warmer-ish climate because we're going to my inlaw's in Alabama. If I was going to a colder climate, I would add a gray slouchy V-neck sweater or sweatshirt...and maybe swap out one tee for a black and white stripe long-sleeved version (or a striped turtleneck).


Note: I don't own the booties...yet. One more week til another budget cycle!

shoe lust: black booties!

I really, really want a pair of black booties. And is too much to ask for functionality and style all in one? I mean, I'm not really a rocker chick or a cowboy-girl, and I am a mom, so sexy might be fun for a night out, (let's be honest--how often does that even happen?) but they'd probably end up sitting in the closet more often than I'd like. The suede options--not sure about that. I'm (kind of) afraid of spit-up and wintry slush. I do like the fact that suede can be either casual or dressy. The low-heeled buckle version would probably be the most versatile, but it borders on a little too casual. I'm looking for something I can wear for date night, church, playdates, errand running, and thanksgiving dinner with family. I envision wearing a pair of cool black booties with just about everything...dresses, skirts, jeans, leggings with an oversized plaid shirt...you name it.

shoe lust: black booties! by kirsten-mcclendon featuring ankle boots