Posts in category: Life Style

It wasn’t long ago that bows were inescapable. They were affixed to dresses, tied-back hair, and even adorned homewear. They were the mascot of the coquettish “girlhood” trend. Now, it seems, we’re finally ready to move on.

Celebrities are trading the saccharine styles in for something more masculine, more businesslike: neckties. The seeds were sewn early last year with the “office siren” trend, a digitally native, sexed-up take on officewear. Now, as offices are implementing actual return-to-office plans, it’s no surprise that takes on traditional workwear are coming down the pike.

Hailey Bieber in Los Angeles, 2024.

Photo: Getty Images

While celebrities aren’t exactly spending 40 hours a week in cubicles, they are more than game for good old-fashioned suits and neckties. In October, Justin and Hailey Bieber enjoyed a date night at LA hotspot Funke, Hailey wearing a grey double-breasted suit, white button-up, and burgundy patterned necktie from Saint Laurent’s spring 2025 collection.

Bieber, though she may be channelling her inner entrepreneur, isn’t the only stylish celebrity to give the necktie a try. Awards season has already proven itself an opportunity to try the more formal masculine style. For the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival, Selena Gomez went the dapper route in a white suit from Ralph Lauren. Still, Gomez maintained femininity with the jacket’s nipped-in waist and the slim-fitting trousers that floated just above the ground.

Selena Gomez at the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival.

VALERIE MACON/Getty Images

Closer to home, Ananya Panday attended the Indian Sports Honours Awards last November sporting a classic Ralph Lauren look. She wore a structured double-breasted flannel blazer with matching tailored trousers, giving a modern twist to the iconic 80s power suit. Panday paired it with a sleek white satin shirt and a subtle grey tie. Her accessories were minimal yet impactful, featuring a single diamond ear cuff, a statement ring, and a slicked-back hairstyle for a sophisticated finish.

Ananya Panday at the 2024 Indian Sports Honours Awards.

Saurabh Das

Kriti Sanon, for The United Nations Population Fund’s 50-year anniversary, put on a gingham three-piece from the British label Helen Anthony. With a contrasting deep-maroon floral necktie, the actress made a case for cubicle-core fashion. Silver hoop earrings, an oxidised rose brooch, and oxblood pumps completed Sanon’s look.

Kriti Sanon at UNFPA’s 50 years celebration.

Chandrahas Prabhu

Ties can also be an extension of jewellery. At the 2025 Golden Globes, Ayo Edebiri paid homage to Julia Roberts’s 1990 Globes suit. Edebiri levelled up the grey Loewe suit with a matching button-up with a gold feathered tie—a step above the traditional fabric tie.

Ayo Edebiri at the 2025 Golden Globes.

Photo: Getty Images

Julia Roberts at the 1990 Golden Globes.

Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images

The look, like all trends, ebbs and flows. While we’ll always have Avril Lavigne’s punky take, Anushka Sharma‘s tartan rendition, and Zendaya’s sculpted formalwear to look back on, the return to the office seems to be inspiring a whole new wave of the necktie.

Avril Lavigne at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.

Photo: Getty Images

Anushka Sharma at the 2019 Vogue India Women of the Year Awards.

Viral Bhayani

Zendaya at the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Future Publishing

A version of this story first appeared on Vogue.com

Mira Kapoor’s wardrobe is a well-rounded mood board for the elegant dresser, where options range from pleasant day dresses and crisp yet feminine business-wear to vacay-worthy pops of colour.

For the launch of Parisian high-street brand Sandro at the Jio World Plaza in Mumbai, Mira Kapoor opted for a black knit maxi dress from the brand, punctuated with an array of metal studs and hemmed with a delicate ruffle. Mira Kapoor paired the dress with tie-up tangerine heels and a butter-yellow manicure, adding a pop of colour to the monochromatic look.

Continuing her lesson in staples, Kapoor also donned what would be the most duped jewel design of the past year; the chunky gold drops—an iteration of the earrings first popularised through Matthieu Blazy’s debut autumn-winter 2022 show for Bottega Veneta. Since then, these curvaceous, minimal yet statement earrings have been seen everywhere, including an XL version worn by Kylie Jenner.

From Vogue‘s fashion desk:

“Trade the heels for sharp black mules or strappy sandals to keep the silhouette elongated. A minimal, structured clutch in metallic tones will feel current without competing for attention. Finish with a clean, slicked-back ponytail and a subtle wash of metallic eyeshadow to underscore the dress’s industrial-glam aesthetic,” suggests Vogue India‘s Fashion Associate, Manglien Gangte.

Like any self-respecting designer, Adrian Appiolaza, the Argentinian who took over Moschino last year, is an avid researcher. Some use Pinterest and Instagram; others—most, I’d like to think—favour Vogue Runway. But Appiolaza is more analogue in his approach; his research starts with the actual clothes.

Together with his partner, Ryan Benacer, a fellow fashion designer, Appiolaza owns 20 Age Archive, an impressive collection of (mostly) 20th century vintage ranging from conceptual Comme des Garçons and Maison Margiela to iconic footwear by Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga and Phoebe Philo for Céline. “But,” Appiolaza clarifies on a call from the Paris apartment he shares with Benacer, “I was buying vintage before I thought I was collecting. How it really started is that I began to work and needed to find inspiration.” He was curious about the inner construction of garments by Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto, and favoured “pieces from the ’80s” to wear. These interests fed what is now a robust assortment of more than 4,000 pieces.

A wall of archival vests by Franco Moschino.

Photographed by Alex Huanfa Cheng

Dress by Patrick Kelly.

Photographed by Alex Huanfa Cheng

After a childhood in Buenos Aires, Appiolaza decamped to London in the early 1990s to study at Central Saint Martins. He got his feet wet in fashion with jobs at Alexander McQueen, Miguel Adrover, and Phoebe Philo’s Chloé. From his early days, he loved buying vintage, but the real romance began when he met his partner in 2016. Our obsession “grew quickly, because it was still a time when people weren’t necessarily interested in those things, so you could find really good deals,” Benacer says. Something they shared from the get-go? “My first love was Comme des Garçons,” he says, same as Appiolaza, though now they favour Jean Paul Gaultier and Martin Margiela, respectively. Another thing they have in common: “I was at first looking for things to wear myself, because I’m flamboyant and like to wear the clothing,” says Benacer. Both he and Appiolaza are frequently seen in Vogue Runway’s street style photos, often wearing their archive pieces.

Comme des Garçons, spring 1997 “Body Meets Dress, Dress Meets Body” look paired with a Comme des Garçons Homme Plus, spring 2015 shoe.

Photographed by Alex Huanfa Cheng

Comme des Garçons, spring 1997 “Body Meets Dress, Dress Meets Body” look paired with Céline, spring 2013 shoes by Phoebe Philo.

Photographed by Alex Huanfa Cheng

Balenciaga, fall 2007 shoes by Nicholas Ghesquière and Pierre Hardy.

Photographed by Alex Huanfa Cheng

Photographed by Alex Huanfa Cheng

What started as a passion project and research library for Appiolaza soon evolved into a business with Benacer in the picture. With vintage booming in 2021, fuelled partly by clotheshorse celebrities like Zendaya and Bella Hadid, “we realised that we had these pieces that had a meaning, that we could do something with them so they don’t sit in the apartment,” Appiolaza explains. Pre-pandemic, they started renting out pieces for advertising projects, but it became a full-time thing when Benacer lost his job during the shutdowns and had more time to dedicate to the project.

“This to me was the grail of conceptual fashion,” Appiolaza says of this Martin Margiela, fall 1989 broken porcelain waistcoat. “I look at it all the time and feel joy, it’s that kind of obsession.”

Photographed by Alex Huanfa Cheng

Together they christened it 20 Age Archive, creating a proper digital catalogue and an email newsletter. (I was following Appiolaza on Instagram at the time, fascinated by both his archival discoveries and the behind-the-scenes glimpses he’d share from his job. Often, I tried to connect his current work and the vintage he’d share: “I was trying to limit how much I was showing because of my job, but I was so obsessed with the archive that sometimes I couldn’t hold myself back,” he says, continuing with a laugh, “I guess my passion for the archive pieces we have was stronger than my common sense.”)

Jean Paul Gaultier, fall 1985 dress.

Photographed by Alex Huanfa Cheng

Maison Margiela, spring 2001 gloves waistcoat.

Photographed by Alex Huanfa Cheng

Jean Paul Goude Violin pants for the 14th of July défilé of 1989.

Photographed by Alex Huanfa Cheng

Junya Watanabe, fall 1998 dress.

Photographed by Alex Huanfa Cheng

It’s passion, not common sense, that factors into the equation when they set their sites on an acquisition. “It’s so nice to rebuild the puzzle of the past,” says Benacer, a ’90s kid, rather poetically. “Most of the things I buy are older than me. Since I never lived those years, I’m living through the stories of what people tell me.” Appiolaza, for his part, was in London in 1997 when the Comme des Garçons “Body Meets Dress, Dress Meets Body” collection came out, of which they own several pieces. “This was unreachable for me. So now to be able to own these pieces… it’s very fulfilling to bring the past to today and be able to appreciate it in real life.”

The pair now also collect pieces from the labels where Appiolaza has worked over the course of his career, but the Franco Moschino originals, in particular, have special meaning now. “Because my starting there was very abrupt, I needed to be practical and resourceful to do something quickly,” he says. “The fact that there was an archive available, was, for me, bingo! My immediate thought was to just go and see the archive, and it remains very important as I transition from my first collection to the next one, and the next one—it’s a way of learning about Moschino going to the archives.”

Adrian Appiolaza, left, in Comme des Garçons Homme PLus fall 2020. Ryan Benacer, right, in an Issey Miyake shirt and Jean Paul Gaultier theater costume from “Pinocchio,” 1998. Both wear pieces from their archive.

Photographed by Alex Huanfa Cheng

A Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami trunk (Louis Vuitton, spring 2003) and a Louis Vuitton x Stephen Sprouse (Louis Vuitton, spring 2001) jacket with miscellaneous accessories.

Photographed by Alex Huanfa Cheng

Not to say that it will always be like this: “I’m interested in learning and creating a new language, but one that’s impregnated with the DNA,” Appiolaza says. “I breathe vintage, so it’s natural that it comes through my creative and personal language.” Also top of mind is the idea of “future vintage.” “I think when you create in my position, because I’m a collector and I love design from the past, it is definitely in my mind to do something that could live through time,” he explains. “You want to make things that will feel special, as specialists; that in 20 years people will look at it and say, oh wow, that’s an interesting approach to design.”

This story first appeared on Vogue.com

Also read:

Takashi Murakami on his Louis Vuitton re-edition collection—“20 Years have passed in the blink of an eye”

South Asian DJs share their unique Boiler Room style featuring corsets, thongs and bindis

Inside India’s preloved fashion marketplaces, where women trading luxury bags turn into fashion’s new stock scavengers

The mind-bending drama is back for a second season and plunges deeper into the chilling world of Lumon Industries, where employees undergo a controversial procedure to split their work and personal lives. Picking up from the gripping season one finale, Mark Scout (Adam Scott) and his colleagues grapple with the consequences of their severed memories while uncovering dark secrets about their enigmatic employer. As they confront their fractured identities, new players, played by Gwendoline Christie, Alia Shawkat and Bob Balaban, enter the scene, complicating the tense narrative. The stellar returning cast includes Patricia Arquette, John Turturro, Britt Lower and Christopher Walken.

Streaming on Apple TV+

The Roshans (January 17)

“We happened to meet at a shoot and realised we had a common friend, and that broke the ice quite easily. Sheldon lingered around to hang out with me and that’s how I knew there was a spark between us,” shares celebrity fashion stylist Meagan Concessio about her first meeting with husband Sheldon Santos—a celebrity photographer who works with Karan Johar, Kartik Aaryan, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Anil Kapoor, and the likes.

After a few years of dating, a proposal followed and the couple sealed the deal with a wedding at the beginning of this year. “We took a trip to Vietnam to ring in my birthday. After breakfast, Sheldon took me on a walk in the resort where we sat on the swings. Out of nowhere, he suddenly got down on one knee and pulled out a ring. I didn’t have a clue,” Concessio revealed.

Born and bred in Bandra, the stylist always imagined her wedding to be more classic than trendy. Keeping this in mind, the couple opted for a traditional Catholic wedding at St Peter’s Church in Bandra, followed by a reception and after-party in the evening. But they also snuck in a sangeet ceremony two days before their nuptials. “It’s our favourite Indian wedding function, we both enjoy Bollywood music and dancing,” she added. Concessio was styled by her mentor and former boss Rhea Kapoor in a blush ballgown skirt and bustier crafted using vintage, pre-loved Benarasi fabric.

For the after-party, she swapped it for a pleated mini-skirt. Paired with a crystal belt and choker, Benarasi heels by Aprajita Toor, jadau earrings and intricate haathphools by Shri Paramani Jewels, Concessio let her hair down, literally and figuratively. Santos grooved in a deconstructed black bandhgala by Kunal Rawal with custom-made Chelsea boots by Shyam Shoes.

Planned and executed by The Wedding Space Co, the couple started the wedding prep six months before D-Day, but Concessio picked out her wedding gown much earlier. “I knew I wanted an outfit that was modest but also dramatic—unlike my style which is more structured and androgynous,” says the stylist about her church wedding gown.

She adds, “I travelled to Australia in March 2024 for work, and clubbed the trip with trials at several Australian bridal boutiques. The gown I finally chose was by KYHA Studios. For the veil, my initial mood board was leaning towards pearls but Rhea suggested doing a Chantilly lace veil to complement my frame.”

We settled on 1 Hotel, a newly renovated eco-resort. The views from the property are possibly the best on the island and one of the few with direct access to the calm waters of Hanalei Bay. After a quick check-in, we couldn’t resist heading straight down to the beach. And in a moment, any doubts I had about whether this trip was a good idea suddenly disappeared.

There’s nothing quite like watching your baby on a beach for the first time. Veya’s eyes lit up with pure joy at the sight of the ocean, followed by high-pitched shrieks, excitement and a curious expression as she reached for the sand. As toddlers are wont to do, she put a handful of it in her mouth. She burst into tears, then giggles, then tears again—it was a strange combination of heartbreaking and hilarious.

Think of all the things you might want to do on a holiday. Knock off about 80% of your list. That’s what a perfect vacation day with a baby looks like. The next morning, we started with breakfast at the restaurant overlooking an infinity pool, with Hanalei Bay and the mountains just behind it (including Mount Waialeale, one of the wettest places on earth). Veya gobbled up her scrambled eggs while watching native birds swarming the restaurant’s empty tables—a distraction every parent prays for, for it is our tiny window to squeeze in those extra few bites. Bellies full, we headed down to the beach.

The Walmart Birkin bag has been making the rounds on the internet, but then so has Hermès artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas’s comment that the Maison’s wares are “not expensive” but “costly”—in terms of both materials and savoir-faire. There’s nothing like authenticity. Here, a roundup of real-deal Hermès Birkin moments, from a brown leather style to Snehal and Jyoti Babani’s colourful carriers.

PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 28: A guest wears bright red leather oversized tailored blazer jacket, light brown Hermes Birkin leather bag, parrot plushie bag charm, outside Hermes, during the Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025 on September 28, 2024 in Paris, France (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 02: Snehal Babani and Jyoti Babani seen wearing a pink, orange and blue Hermes silk jumpsuit, sunset and sunrise colorful Hermes Birkin bags, yellow Hermes mini Birkin statement necklace bag, black silk jumpsuit, silver mini Hermes Birkin bag necklace chain, Hermes mini Birkin, mini Kelly, Kelly Doll bag statement hair details, pink and black sunglasses, sandals heels, silver necklace and bracelets details outside Hermes show, during the Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024/2025 as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 02, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images)Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 02: Snehal Babani and Jyoti Babani wearing a pink, orange and blue Hermes silk jumpsuit, sunset and sunrise colorful Hermes Birkin bags, yellow Hermes mini Birkin statement necklace bag, black silk jumpsuit, silver mini Hermes Birkin bag necklace chain, Hermes mini Birkin, mini Kelly, Kelly Doll bag statement hair details, pink and black sunglasses, sandals heels, silver necklace and bracelets details outside Hermes show, during the Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024/2025 as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 02, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images)Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 13: Rachel Zoe is seen on February 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by 305pics/GC Images)305pics

PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 20: Guest is seen outside Hermes show wearing a dark brown Hermes Birkin 35 with golden hardware and fringes during the Menswear Fall/Winter 2024/2025 as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 20, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images)Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

PARIS, FRANCE РMARCH 05: A guest seen wearing a white leather short trenchcoat jacket and a winered Herm̬s birkin bag with colourful bag chains outside Miu Miu Show during the Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024/2025 as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 05, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images)Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

BERLIN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 23: Sophia Geiss (left) is seen wearing an ankle-length burgundy leather coat with belted cuffs, and a tie belt from Ducie London; wide-legged jeans from Closed; a large “Andiamo“ bag in burgundy woven leather from Bottega Veneta; a silver ring; and black leather boots with chunky sole from Prada. Next to her, Sonia Lyson (right) is seen wearing an ankle-length brown suede trench coat with belted cuffs, a double button placket, and a tie belt from Ducie London; a large black leather “Birkin“ bag from Hermès; black wide-legged pants from Massimo Dutti; and black leather boots with square toe from COS. They are seen on October 23, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images)Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

This story first appeared on Vogue.com

Also read:

Dua Lipa knows how to style the classic Hermès Birkin better than anyone else, observe

Accessorise your everyday purse with these Vogue-approved bag charms

2024 was the year of bags—either too big or too small

Giovanni’s Room is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of love, shame and self-identity, following the story of David, an American man in Paris caught in a passionate affair with Giovanni. Baldwin’s prose is lyrical and thought-provoking, making it an essential read for those wanting to explore the complexities of identity and relationships as they enter the new year. Baldwin’s exploration of love, identity and societal judgment makes it a powerful reflection on the intersection of personal desire and societal expectations, offering a timeless story for anyone seeking to understand themselves better. – recommended by Himanshu Dutta.

If you’re looking for raw, honest truths about big-girl relationships…

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

A memoir of love, loss and growing up in your twenties, Everything I Know About Love is both funny and deeply relatable. This book is for anyone seeking an honest, heartwarming guide through the complexities of friendship, relationships and self-discovery as they navigate a new year. Alderton’s candid reflections on the messiness of adulthood, love and friendship make this a comforting and humorous read for those ready to embrace the chaos of life in their twenties. – recommended by Bani Sachar.

If you hate toeing the line drawn by society…

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

There was plenty to discuss about Zendaya’s 2025 Golden Globes look: her Joyce Bryant tribute in a burnt orange Louis Vuitton number, her jaw-dropping Bvlgari necklace with a tourmaline pendant, and her Old Hollywood waves. But it was a much smaller detail that dominated the conversation: a ring on that finger.

A closer look at the ring

Matt Winkelmeyer

Zendaya appeared to be sporting an engagement ring from her longtime partner Tom Holland. (The couple have yet to officially confirm their engagement.) Eagle-eyed sleuths quickly traced the 5.02 carat cushion cut East-West ring back to jewellery label Jessica McCormack, a growing favourite among the Hollywood It-girl milieu.

In fact, Zendaya wasn’t the only celebrity to adorn herself with Jessica McCormack jewels for the Globes. Zoë Kravitz, the brand’s first-ever ambassador, gussied up her black strapless Saint Laurent dress with a pair of resplendent chandelier earrings made of fourteen pear-cut diamonds (for a total of 26.04 carats), set in blackened white gold.

Zendaya at the 2025 Golden Globes wearing a Jessica McCormack engagement ring.

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Zoë Kravitz at the 2025 Golden Globes.

Gilbert Flores/GG2025/Getty Images

It’s easy to see why celebrities are drawn to McCormack’s designs: they are simple yet singular. Her blackened bezel setting has become a signature, be it on drop earrings or tennis necklaces. Beyond Kravitz (who also designed a collection for the brand), Billie Eilish, Saoirse Ronan, Dakota Johnson, Margot Robbie, Demi Moore, Victoria Beckham, and Scarlett Johansson are all noted fans of the brand.

Zoë Kravitz at the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Variety/Getty Images

Billie Eilish at the 2023 Academy Gala.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Sabrina Elba at the 2024 Primetime Emmys

Michael Buckner/Getty Images

The outré Eilish wore a two-strand necklace with a heart-shaped diamond pendant to the 2023 Academy Gala, while Ronan opted for a simple pair of studs for the 2024 British Independent Film Awards. With her broadly pleasing yet telltale designs, Jessica McCormack appeals to all corners of Hollywood—and beyond.

Saoirse Ronan at the 2024 British Independent Film Awards.

Anadolu/Getty Images

Scarlett Johansson at the London premiere of Transformers One wearing a necklace and drop earrings by McCormack.

John Phillips/Getty Images

This story first appeared on Vogue.com

Also read:

Zendaya and Janhvi Kapoor went for old Hollywood glamour in the best looks of the week

Zendaya and Tom Holland got matching tattoos before getting engaged

Golden Globes 2025: What did Zendaya, Selena Gomez and more stars wear?

If you’re breastfeeding (or planning to), you might be wondering what it means for your breasts and whether skipping a bra could lead to sagging. It’s totally normal to worry about these things, but the truth is, most of the changes to your breasts actually start during pregnancy, not breastfeeding itself. In this article, we’ll break down what really affects your breasts during this time, plus give you some easy tips for keeping them looking and feeling great.

How Breastfeeding May Affect Breast Aesthetics

Breastfeeding is a natural and beneficial practice with well-documented health advantages for both infants and mothers. However, many women worry about its potential impact on breast aesthetics, particularly the risk of sagging, medically known as breast ptosis. Research and studies show that breast aesthetics are primarily influenced by factors other than breastfeeding itself.

Breast changes begin early in pregnancy, not necessarily due to breastfeeding. Hormones increase breast size as milk-producing glands expand, causing the ligaments and skin around the breasts to stretch. After breastfeeding ends, breast tissue shrinks, which can lead to a looser appearance if the skin and ligaments don’t fully retract. This phenomenon is often mistaken as being directly caused by breastfeeding.

Major Factors Affecting Breast Sagging

Research identifies several key risk factors for breast sagging that are unrelated to breastfeeding:

Age: As women age, skin naturally loses elasticity, and the ligaments that support breast tissue become weaker.

Number of Pregnancies: Each pregnancy contributes to the stretching of breast tissue, and more pregnancies generally lead to more pronounced sagging.

Body Mass Index (BMI): A higher BMI can result in more substantial breast tissue, which may strain skin elasticity.

Smoking: Smoking negatively affects elastin, a protein that helps skin remain firm and youthful, accelerating the appearance of sagging.

Prepregnancy Breast Size: Women with larger breasts before pregnancy may experience more noticeable sagging due to the gravitational pull on the breast tissue.

Will my breasts sag if I don’t wear a bra during breastfeeding?

Not wearing a bra during breastfeeding is unlikely to be a direct cause of breast sagging or “ptosis.” However, wearing a supportive bra can help alleviate some of the stress on the breast tissue and skin, especially during times when breasts may be fuller and heavier due to milk production. Here’s a breakdown of how going braless might affect breast aesthetics and what other factors are at play.

A bra’s primary function is to offer external support to the breasts, reducing the pull on the skin and ligaments, particularly in women with larger breasts. During breastfeeding, when breasts can fluctuate in size due to milk production and feeding frequency, a bra provides added stability. However, wearing a bra doesn’t prevent sagging altogether—it merely reduces the strain on the skin and tissue in the short term.

How to avoid breast sagging during breastfeeding

Breast sagging (ptosis) during and after breastfeeding is a common concern for many women. While breastfeeding itself is not a direct cause of sagging, other factors associated with pregnancy, body changes, and lifestyle can contribute. Here are effective strategies to help minimize breast sagging during and after breastfeeding.

Wear a Supportive Bra

A well-fitted, supportive bra provides essential support, especially when breasts feel heavier due to milk production. A good bra helps reduce strain on the skin and ligaments, preventing them from overstretching. Maternity bras offer added comfort and support during pregnancy, accommodating growth with broader straps, extra hooks, and soft fabrics. Nursing bras are designed for breastfeeding, featuring detachable cups for easy feeding and stretchable material that adapts to size changes throughout the day. Both types are especially beneficial for larger breasts or during high-impact activities, helping to prevent overstretching and support breast firmness.

Maintain Good Posture

Slouching or poor posture can put additional strain on the chest muscles and ligaments. Holding your back straight and keeping your shoulders back can create a more lifted look for the breasts. Proper posture also helps distribute breast weight more evenly, reducing sagging potential. Practicing postural exercises like yoga can be beneficial.

Breastfeed on Demand

Breastfeeding regularly on demand prevents breasts from becoming overly engorged. Engorgement stretches the skin and can make the breasts feel heavy, which might contribute to sagging if prolonged. If your breasts do feel engorged and your baby is not ready to feed, consider pumping to relieve the pressure and maintain skin integrity.

Gradual Weaning

Gradual weaning allows the breasts time to adjust and for fat tissue to redeposit naturally. This slower transition helps the skin and breast tissue recover more effectively, reducing the abrupt changes that can make sagging more apparent.

Avoid Rapid Weight Loss

Avoid losing weight too quickly after pregnancy. Rapid weight fluctuations can cause the skin around the breasts to lose elasticity. Aim for gradual weight loss through a balanced diet and exercise, giving the skin time to adjust and adapt to changes.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin hydrated and more elastic. Skin elasticity plays a significant role in maintaining firmness, so aim for at least eight glasses of water daily to keep skin healthy.

Eat a Balanced Diet Rich in Skin-Friendly Nutrients

A healthy diet supports skin elasticity and helps maintain overall breast health. Nutrients such as vitamins C and E, collagen, and healthy fats are essential for skin strength and elasticity. Include foods rich in these nutrients, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, nuts, and whole grains.

Massage with Moisturizers or Natural Oils

Regularly massaging your breasts with a gentle moisturizer or natural oil, like olive or almond oil, can help improve blood flow and support skin elasticity. Massage also encourages tissue flexibility and can promote a firmer appearance.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking is known to degrade elastin and collagen in the skin, leading to premature aging and sagging. Avoiding smoking during and after pregnancy will help your skin remain firm and youthful, including the skin around the breasts.

Engage in Chest Exercises

While the breasts themselves don’t contain muscle, strengthening the underlying pectoral muscles can help give the chest area a more lifted look. Exercises such as chest presses, push-ups, and dumbbell flies strengthen the chest muscles, which in turn can make breasts appear perkier. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise routine post-pregnancy.

FAQs

What is the difference between a nursing bra and a maternity bra?

A maternity bra is designed for comfort and support during pregnancy, accommodating the growth in breast size. A nursing bra is intended for breastfeeding mothers, with features like detachable cups for easy access. Both provide support, but nursing bras are more suitable for the breastfeeding period.

Does breastfeeding make breasts asymmetrical?

Breastfeeding can sometimes lead to temporary asymmetry if a baby prefers one breast over the other, causing one breast to produce more milk and potentially look larger. This often resolves naturally after breastfeeding ends and milk production stabilizes.

Is there anything I can do to firm up my breasts post-breastfeeding without surgery?

Yes, you can try home remedies and lifestyle changes, such as:

• Chest Exercises: Exercises like chest presses and push-ups to strengthen the pectoral muscles.
• Alternating Hot and Cold Showers: Improves skin elasticity by alternating temperature.
• Breast Massage: Helps improve blood flow, which can support skin health.

When will my breasts return to their pre-pregnancy size after breastfeeding?

Many women find that their breasts gradually return to their pre-pregnancy size a few months after breastfeeding ends, usually within 3 to 6 months. However, the shape and firmness may vary depending on factors like age and skin elasticity.

Does Using a Breast Pump Cause Breast Sagging?

Using a breast pump does not directly cause or prevent breast sagging. Breast sagging mainly results from changes during pregnancy, aging, weight fluctuations, and other factors. The primary purpose of a breast pump is to help mothers collect milk, alleviate breast engorgement, and maintain milk supply.

Can a Breast Pump Help Prevent Engorgement-Related Stretching That Might Lead to Sagging?

Yes, using a breast pump can help relieve engorgement, which might contribute to maintaining breast appearance. Severe engorgement stretches the skin and ligaments in the breasts, potentially leading to sagging if prolonged. If your breasts feel full and your baby is not ready to feed, a breast pump can relieve this pressure, preventing excess skin stretching.

When Is Using a Breast Pump Beneficial for Breast Health?

A breast pump can be beneficial in the following situations:

• When your baby isn’t feeding or you can’t breastfeed regularly, a pump can relieve uncomfortable fullness.
• Regular pumping can prevent blockages that could lead to mastitis (breast inflammation).
• A breast pump helps maintain milk supply when direct breastfeeding isn’t possible, preventing rapid breast tissue shrinkage.

Can a Breast Pump Help with Breast Symmetry?

If you notice that one breast produces more milk than the other, you can use the pump on the smaller-producing breast for additional stimulation, which may help improve symmetry. However, mild asymmetry is normal, and breasts often regain a balanced appearance naturally after breastfeeding ends.