Having a baby is hard. There are so many challenging parts to it: not just the birth itself, but the recovery, the learning about a new little human being with their own likes and dislikes, the disruption to your life, navigating medical bills and maternity leave. And smack dab in all of that is this: you still have to be a functioning member of society sometimes.

You have to take yourself to doctor’s appointments, carrying along a massively heavy baby inside a massively heavy carseat. You have to remember to bring changes of clothes and diapers and wipes (I always forget the goddamn wipes). If you’re formula feeding, you need bottles and formula powder. If you’re breastfeeding, you only need your body, but it needs to be easy access and it might not quite have it figured out yet, so you need clothes that work. And through all of this, you’ll be bleeding, sweaty, pimply, exhausted, leaking milk, and trying to ask all the questions you need to at the pediatrician’s—as well as answer all their questions as well.

8 days after I gave birth to my second child in October, my dad was admitted to the hospital. (i promise this story is relevant.) It was important to me to go to see him, to support both him and my mom. Taking my newborn back to the hospital where I had just given birth to her wasn’t high on my priority list, but it had to be done. Which meant I had to get dressed, get the baby dressed, breastfeed in the underground parking lot, and go see my dad. I ended up putting together a few basic day outfits that I knew I could put on and feel fine in.

I’ve put them together here. I hope you’ll find these helpful as you navigate life postpartum—whether you’re breastfeeding or not, whether you’re newly postpartum or not, etc! I’ve pulled some suggestions for where to buy certain items. And let me know, either here or on Instagram: what’s your go-to postpartum outfit?

Outfit 1: Running Errands

Listen, here me out about the flared leggings (yoga pants—those are yoga pants). I was hesitant too, but when I tell you they are so fun to wear, they look great, and they’re somehow more comfortable than regular leggings. Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I put on the pair I bought, looked in the mirror, and was like “new year, new me.”

That being said: if you don’t want to wear flared leggings, obviously don’t. You can wear regular leggings, or joggers, or anything else. Whatever makes you feel comfortable. Because the true star of this outfit template is the flannel.

If you’re a new mom, or a not new mom, and are breastfeeding, flannels are kind of the sweet spot when it comes to the early days. Let’s be honest, a lot of nursing specific items suck. Nursing bras? They suck—the sizing is bad and limited. Nursing tops? They’re ugly and again, the sizing is super limited. Why not just wear something you can unbutton?

Plus, flannels are warm and super comfortable—and this time of year, there are tons of options. Let’s walk through some shopping recommendations.

Flared or skinny leggings:

AE Highest Rise Flared Leggings - currently on sale for $31. I love these leggings. The fabric is super soft, but also nice and thick. The rise is excellent and keeps everything tight and contained without cutting in or feeling like shapewear. I influenced my mother to buy a pair of these leggings. That’s how good they look. Trust me on this one.
If you’re not ready for a flared legging, you can’t go wrong with Aerie’s OG High Rise Legging. These are the GOAT of leggings to me.

Flannel shirts:

AE Oversized Hoodie Flannel - currently on sale for $38. I personally own this in black & white and love it. I wear it so much that Danny has started calling it my uniform.
Old Navy Boyfriend Tunic Flannel Shirt - currently on sale for $12. So many different patterns and $12 is a bargain. I’m actually ordering some as I’m writing this.
Abercrombie & Fitch Relaxed Flannel Shirt - currently on sale for $30. Can you believe A&F is having such a moment? I can’t. Anyway, tons of patterns here as well and a great, tailored shape—perfect if you’re looking for something a little less casual.

Consider those 2 items your base layer for this template, then you can add anything else. I always wear a maternity tank top under my flannels: I can pull the tank top up and unbutton the flannel so I can whip out a boob without feeling like I’m undressing completely. Then, I always have a cross body bag, my diaper backpack, and a few accessories—for cold weather, a hat, some warm socks, and my current favorite slip on shoes (my Birkenstocks).

Outfit 2: Rainy Day

There is nothing—and I mean, nothing—worse than being out and about with a baby in the rain. Ok, there might be worse things—but allow me to be slightly melodramatic and tell you that adventuring out in the rain with a baby is pretty miserable. It’s wet, it’s cold, the stroller is soaked and you can’t figure out how to fold it up in the pediatrician parking lot. Oof. Just rough all around.

Sometimes, you have to venture out in weather that isn’t so great. For me, it’s rain. For you (and where you live), it might be snow. I’m hoping this outfit template will serve as a good cover-all-your-soggy-bases outfit. Here are the basics:

We’re going to start with a good pair of shoes. Easy to slip on. Resistant to any moisture. I like duck boots personally—they’re comfy, stylish, and warm, and won’t end with you have completely wet socks. What you add to them depends on you: I think jeans or leggings are the easiest, topped with a breastfeeding friendly sweater (you can either get those specialty ones with the flaps or if a sweater is baggy and thin enough, you can pull it up over your bra and tank top). And of course, a good rain or snow coat to keep your warm. I like the idea of one that is big enough to wrap around your baby to run into the pediatrician’s or your house—but that’s just me.

Here are your recommendations.

Breastfeeding friendly sweaters:

MAMA Mock Turtleneck - $49.99. I personally think H&M has some of the best maternity-clothes-that-double-as-nursing-clothes-which-also-just-look-cute. I really like this sweater.
MAMA Wrap Cardigan - $34.99. If you want something a little more affordable, or that comes in black, I love this wrap cardigan. So comfy and soft and perfect for layering at home or when you have to venture out.

Boots:

Buffalo Plaid Duck Boots - $50. The classic Sperry version. These are like the ones I have and they are super comfortable. I like the blue check, but you can get them in any pattern and color these days.
The Rain Boot - $64. Looking for something classic that isn’t quite as PNW as a duck boot? I love these from Everlane. A classic, ankle length rain boot, available in some super cute colors. (I’m a little obsessed with the sage and need someone to buy a pair for me to see.)

Outfit 3: Going Out

You deserve to go out, mama! Even if it’s just a single dinner out with your partner or going to visit friends, you deserve to leave the house and look nice. Honestly, I also hope this outfit template can serve as work attire too. It may have been a hot minute since I’ve been in the office, but the office girlies are still wearing black dresses, right?

The thought behind this one is 2-fold: a wrap dress means you can nurse super easily. You seriously just pull it to the side. Or, if you’re out with your partner or friends or at a play, it’s easy to pull aside and pop on wearable pumps. For the fall and winter, just add a pair of opaque tights (once a tights girl, always a tights girl) and your favorite going out shoes and accessories. Boom—you’re out of the house with easily accessible boobs.

Wrap dresses:

Thankfully, we have a ton of options to choose from!
Balloon Sleeved Wrapover Dress - $34.99. So cute! Slightly shimmery! This is an unlined dress, so it will be best for a not-super-cold environment.
Wrap Dress - $49.99. Available in red or green (how festive!), this is a great basic dress for a holiday party.
Creped Front Dress - $34.99. So cute! I love the floral pattern, as well as the 2 neutral color options. This is a great office-to-going-out dress (ala the early 2000s Cosmo articles).

There we go! 3 outfit templates to replicate over and over (with basics!) while you’re fighting your way through postpartum.