Tessa Faye O’Connell is a contributor known for her work at various fashion houses, specializing in media and public relations, currently working at Coach as its global PR director. She’s a mom of two, working to expand her influence in the fashion space through styling while also just making it out the door on time.

While I admit to loving a good pair of jeans, any postpartum mom (or most) knows the only way to get through the first few months is a variation of different pants that fit your new body and make you feel good for months to come as you settle into a new routine. After two kids, I have finally abandoned the idea of waiting to fit into my old clothes, or in fact, my old life, with the arrival of another baby. I’ve found some tried-and-true styles that make feeling like myself almost easy. My tip: it’s all about the waistband, whether it’s thinner on top, open sizing with a tie—something that is comfortable to wear versus feeling stuffed into your outfit.