The New Mother’s Guide to Getting Her Social Life Back in Style

Jacquelyn McIntyre, a former dancer with American Ballet Theater and creative director of Insider Events, who gave birth in November 2020, remembers her pre-pandemic life as bountiful with events and figure-hugging silhouettes. “I used to get into glam multiple times a week, but now I’m focused on comfy chic,” she says, noting that these days she tends to lean toward discreet brands like Khaite and Sandro for her evening looks. “No more body-con dresses for me. That time in my life is—mercifully—over.”

Designer of Pompom Paris Lola Rykiel, who gave birth to her daughter in September 2020, used to spend her evenings alternating between black dresses and thigh-high boots, high-waisted trousers and platform shoes. “Since it took me a while to get back into my old silhouette, I have been avoiding the short-dress and thigh-high-boots situation,” she says, noting that she has recently started pairing longer dresses with Mary Janes, which looks more “motherly” yet still feels in line with her aesthetic. As somebody who recently started feeling more at ease in floaty midi dresses rather than my trademark silk slips, I completely understand.

Embrace your new figure.

Whether its extra curves, loose skin, or breastfeeding-flattened breasts (hi there!), motherhood comes with physical changes that often causes one to reevaluate their definition of what “sexy” means to them. “I breastfed my daughter, Margot, for eight months, so I was sharing my body with her for almost two years, including pre- and postpartum,” says McIntyre, noting that, during this entire period, her body never felt like her own. As a former ballerina, she admits that she can be overly critical of her figure, but seeing her beautiful daughter helps her let go of this tendency. “Not to sound hokey, but childbirth really is a miracle, and I am so thankful for my body now and all that it is capable of,” she says.

Rykiel, who was raised in a fashion family, has a similar experience. “I’m learning to love my body with more curves, and it is challenging sometimes,” she says. “Seeing my body change so much through pregnancy has taught me a lot about acceptance, even if I am still working on it.” She embraces her new figure by getting rid of pieces that no longer fit and focusing solely on her own style. “I try to think about what makes me feel sexy, rather than what the fashion industry thinks is hot, to help me keep sane and healthy.”