The Best (and Chicest!) Postpartum Clothes to Wear After You’ve Given Birth

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Right after you give birth, your body is in flux. You may be gaining or losing weight, recovering from surgery, or just generally getting to know your body's changing shape—all of which can leave you feeling unlike your regular old self or even generally out of whack. So I don't blame you if shopping for your body in postpartum sounds intimidating or exhausting. (You just birthed an entirely new human being!)

The truth is, shopping for postpartum clothes is different from shopping for pregnancy outfits. There's a lot of additional stuff to think about because your body is healing and you may be starting to breastfeed or pump (hello, nursing bras). For this reason, pants should be extra-comfy (i.e. stretchy and soft), and ones that provide tummy support are going to be key, especially if you've had a C-section. Undies should be absorbent or offer extra room for pads. And it is great if tops and dresses provide easy access for feedings. And hey, it also helps if all these maternity clothes are actually cute, too.

If you're here just to shop, see the shortened list of our must-have picks below—but if you need a little more guidance, keep reading for the full product breakdowns.

Our top picks for postpartum clothes in 2023:

Whether you're a new mom or you've been through this before, we've rounded up a capsule of essential postpartum-specific clothes—from cozy robes to supportive undies and nursing tops that aren't so...obvious.

Kindred Bravely Everyday Maternity Joggers/Lounge Pants

If you thought you lived in lounge pants before baby, just you wait! Pants that are stretchy, adjustable, and functional (pockets, people!) like these are a must.

Glowing Review: “I got my first pair of these joggers around 34 weeks and am still enjoying them (and the second pair I got) 2 weeks postpartum. Two words: Joy-giver!”

Amazon Essentials Women's Piped Nightshirt

If you're a nightshirt kinda person, look no further. And if you're not, well, get ready to become one! This one keeps it breezy on the bottom half and practical on the top with buttons for easy access during sleepy nighttime feedings.

Glowing Review: “I wore this in the hospital after giving birth to my son. It is soft, easy to open for breastfeeding, easy to hike up or open for nurses to get access to belly or other things, and made me feel more like “me” than spending days in a hospital gown. I still wear it now, at 7 weeks postpartum and it’s held up after many, many washes.”

Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands-Free Pumping Bra

This ~patented~ hands-free pumping bra makes the pumping process as smooth and pain-free as possible. It's got multilayer construction and thin, removable padding that make it as versatile as you need it to be.

Glowing Review: “After trying a couple cheaper versions of a pumping/nursing bra combo (which were all crap and I ended up returning them), I “splurged” and bought this and I immediately bought an additional one because I loved it THAT MUCH!”

Hatch Collection The Body Rib Unitard

If you prefer a little more support all over, this unitard is a great, easy option. It's stretchy enough to fit from your first trimester to your fourth yet offers a little more structure than your more flowy options.

Glowing Review: “This is one of my fav Hatch items. It made me feel stylish and comfortable during late 3rd trimester and postpartum, right when nothing else fit. The rib knit compresses gently and holds you in.”

Storq Cozy Rib Sleep Shorts

Shorts that double as full-coverage undies? Sign. Me. Up. This high-rise pair is super stretchy and also super cute. You really can have it all.

Glowing Review: “Great coverage before and after postpartum. Even fits those pads the hospital gives you. Walked around the house postpartum with it and the bra and felt good in it.”

Andrea Iyamah NALI Robe

Say it with me, comfortable does not mean frumpy! This robe coverup has a sash tie, satiny material, and amazing silhouette that makes this piece incredibly versatile.

Glowing Review: “Beautiful cut and ample length on sleeves and body. Incredibly impressed by the quality and the flowy material!”

H&M MAMA Twill Nursing Dress

Here's a dress that'll go easy on your recovering body and make feedings a little easier. We're all about easy here! The wrap detail at the waist allows you to make this shape as fitted or as flowy as you want.

Glowing Review: “This was much nicer looking than I expected. Material is soft and drapes elegantly. ”

Hatch Collection The Everyday Nursing Bra

It's called the everyday nursing bra because it's the bra you'll want to wear every single day (or the bra worth buying for all the days of the week, whichever one). It's soft, wireless, convertible—all the things you want in a nursing bra.

Glowing Review: “This bra is everything I was looking for: it's gentle on my skin because it's 90% cotton and the straps don't fall off my shoulder when I clip down because of the racerback conversion. So good!!!”

Athleta Purana Wrap Sweatshirt

Wraps are your new best friend after baby. This strategic draping in the front is perfect for breastfeeding and makes it simple to take on and off if ever you need to (you won't want to though).

Glowing Review: “I'm in love with the color and fit and feel of this! I've already gotten a ton of compliments on it as well.”

Blanqi Everyday High Waist Postpartum/Nursing Leggings

These super soft leggings were designed specifically for women in postpartum, meaning they feature gentle midsection compression for extra support.

Glowing Review: “Since I'm a nursing mom and often nursing out & about I don't want my stomach to be hanging out or to feel that my whole midsection is exposed. These offer great coverage and are comfortable to wear.”

Preggo Leggings Snapback Postpartum Leggings

If you prefer a whole lot of structure and support in your postpartum clothes (your prerogative!), check out these compression leggings with an ultra-high waist that doesn't roll down.

Glowing Review: “The Preggo Leggings rise is quite high- rib cage level- and it feels amazing. I highly recommend these as they’ve helped me feel more supported and confident in my recovery as a new mama!”

Loyal Hana Rio Maternity/Nursing Dress

You'd never guess this dress is breastfeeding-friendly. Try and spot the quick-access hidden zip on the bodice—you won't.

Glowing Review: “The fabric is soft and breathable. The side zippers will be perfect for breastfeeding. I wish it came in more colors.”

UGG Phoebe Wrap Cardigan

This fuzzy cardigan is great for nursing—not to mention, it would seamlessly transition into your post postpartum wardrobe, too.

Glowing Review: “I love this cardigan so much I bought a second one.”

Good American Good Mama Side Inserts

If you insist on wearing jeans after having given birth, kudos to you. Good American's line of maternity jeans is a great place to start for ultra-stretchy, comfortable denim.

Glowing Review: “I’m postpartum and not in my regular size jeans yet, so I have been looking for jeans that will stretch around my still larger belly and thighs. These jeans are great! They are super comfortable, stretchy, and so far maintains their dark black color without fading.”

NOM MATERNITY Francesca Maternity/Nursing Jumpsuit

When you tire of wearing loose, flowy dresses, switch it up (slightly) with a loose, flowy jumpsuit. It's got pockets and perfectly placed pleats to make it super functional for a new mom.

Glowing Review: “I LIVED in this by the end of my pregnancy. I dressed it down and up depending on accessories. I'm no longer pregnant and I still wear it.”

Thinx Postpartum Set

These super-absorbent undies were made specifically for women in postpartum. Plus, they're v cute.

Glowing Review: “I bought this set to use postpartum, and they did not disappoint! They were comfortable and easy to clean. Very happy with my purchase!”

Plush Maternity Fold Over Joggers

Finally, a pair of joggers that doesn't have a drawstring waistband. Again, it's all about comfort, here.

Glowing Review: “Pants are made very well but seem to run pretty big. I thought I’d keep to 'grow into' but all I’m doing is pulling them up. Overall happy but think about sizing down.”

Everly Grey Analise During & After Maternity/Nursing Sleep Set

This pajama set comes with a little matching gown and hat for your newborn bb. *Cue: ugly cry.*

Glowing Review: “I would wear these every night if I could! I questioned spending this much on a set but it was so worth it!”

Leonisa Postpartum Recovery Support Panty Shaper

Here's a pair of postpartum undies with an adjustable belly strap that'll fit your tummy at a variety of sizes.

Glowing Review: “As a mom who had a csection I was a bit apprehensive to wear anything snug around my abdominal area. So I hesitated trying this on at first. However, it was the most comfortable piece of apparel I’ve ever used for any type of control. So easy and so comfortable to use.”

NOM MATERNITY Jojo Maternity/Nursing Hoodie

You'd never guess this is a breastfeeding-friendly top, thanks to the hidden nursing panel.

Glowing Review: “Lots of stretch in the fabric as I (we) grow. Surprised how easy/convenient the nursing access will be. Absolutely would buy again.”

A few tips for shopping postpartum clothes.

Even if you didn't spring for a completely new pregnancy wardrobe, you might want a few new pieces specifically for that fourth trimester. Here are two things to prioritize:

Consider comfort.

For those first few days, you'll be wearing whatever feels comfiest around the clock because you'll want to be ready whenever you finally get a chance to sleep. From fabric that's soft enough for both your sensitive areas and baby's skin to flowy fits and adjustable options that can move with your changing body, comfort while you recover is the top priority.

Function is key.

Not only are you taking care of yourself while you heal, but you're also taking care of your brand new little bb. Bras and tops with one-handed clips, clever compartments, and strategic draping make it easier on everyone involved. Panties and shorts with C-section support or room for large pads are non-negotiable. If it's not working for you, it's working against you, so stick with clothing that's designed to help you out.

Here's how we chose these selects.

Cosmo’s team of digital fashion experts—which includes Fashion Features Director Rachel Torgerson, Fashion Editor Tarah-Lynn Saint-Elien, and Contributing Fashion Editor Maggie Griswold—have decades of combined experience in the industry. They spot relevant trends on the runway before they even hit your TikTok FYP or Insta Explore Page and conduct research across retailers of all kinds—testing many brands IRL—to bring you the best clothing and accessory picks for every season. Basically, we’ve curated the internet to bring you the chicest options like it’s our job (because it is, heh). Each of our shopping articles adheres to the 15 Percent Pledge and includes products for all sizes.

We scoured the internet, polled a bunch of new moms, and full-on phoned a friend to round up the best pieces for your postpartum wardrobe. Only functional items made from the softest fabrics with the comfiest or most supportive silhouettes (whichever you prefer) made the cut.

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