Bump suitable fashion

I had LP in February, so most of my maternity clothes are of the fall/winter variety. When I opened up my box, I found all kinds of oversized woolen sweaters and such, which means I’ll be covered for my last two months (and will probably be slightly depressed by these boring, shapeless clothes), but don’t have much for before that. Things have changed a lot in 4 years, and I’m more determined than ever to look good all through my pregnancy, for my own self-esteem more than anything else. I know I’ll be big and it will be difficult, but I’m well aware that putting on great clothes works wonders to one’s morale.

Of course, some maternity clothes are essential; normal pants and especially jeans just won’t do, however small you are. So my plan is not to wear only normal clothes, but just to broaden my horizons and think outside the box a little. So I’ve covered my bases: I have two pairs of maternity pants from my first pregnancy, one black and one beige, which will be work-appropriate once the temperature cools down. And while we were in NY for Easter, M bought me the coolest jeans I’ve ever owned (skinnies!) at A Pea in the Pod, telling me it would make me feel better. Well, it did. Every time I wear them, someone asks: "Wow, you still fit into your regular jeans?" which I take as a really good sign.

I was also looking for black capris online and couldn’t find anything, until I decided to venture into this new super cute indie maternity shop near my office, and they had exactly what I wanted, only one pair left that fit me like a glove. Score. They don’t have a belly panel so they won’t work until the end, but hey, they’re summer pants, so I don’t ask them to.

I will definitely return and try to patronize this shop again, if only because the ambiance was so cool (women sitting on the floor with their babies, drinking tea) and because they have Hot Milk nursing lingerie, which is so exquisite I swear it might get a few women pregnant just so they can wear it. It’s expensive, and I’m sure a lot of people don’t see the point in spending so much for something no one will see, but I beg to differ. After I gave birth I bought two nursing bras, by far the ugliest ones I have ever owned. I wore them DAY AND NIGHT, 24/7, for four months, people. Four months during which your breasts are the center of your life. I hated them, but thought there was no alternative. So if you can have something that makes you feel good, and pretty, and not too much like a cow during this time when you basically are one, I think they’re absolutely worth it. Plus I don’t have my old ones anymore. After about 6 months (I was still breastfeeding but less frequently so I decided to manage with my regular bras), I ripped them apart and threw them in the trash, suddenly jealous of the 70s feminists who used to burned them. "But what if we ever have another kid?," M asked. "I think I’ll fuc*ing deserve a new bra then" was my answer.

Other than that, I’m trying to find non-maternity options. Summer is easier I suppose, because you can simply do lots of dresses and skirts. Not all styles work, obviously, but you can find plenty of fab regular ones that will fit. Dresses should either have a high/empire waist with just some give in the front (or alternatively can have no waist at all), and they tend to fit a bump better and be more comfortable if made in a jersey or other non-stiff fabric. I examine the pieces closely for sizing: sometimes my regular size will work and give me room to expand, or sometimes I just take one size up.

Regular skirts can also work, although probably not until the end of the pregnancy. It’s all about the waist. It should not be binding and stiff, but preferably lower, looser, softer, and with a fold, elastic or such. For instance, I just bought two skirts (in large instead of my usual medium) from Joe, which is a fabulous inexpensive, unassuming brand sold in supermarkets here, but secretly designed by the Canadian fashion powercouple behind other lines such as Club Monaco and trendy homewares stores Caban. I buy tons of stuff for both LP and me there, and pregnancy wasn’t going to stop me. The one on the left in the picture, which I got in white, has a drawstring, and the other one has an elastic waist and is meant to be worn lower. They were $16 a piece and will certainly take me into the fall.


Tops are the easiest normal thing to buy, especially since for a few years long and/or flowy ones have been in fashion even among the non-pregnant. The stores are full of them! Another strategy: leggings with everything. I don’t really wear leggings usually. I’m not sure why: first, I don’t have great legs and I’m a little self-conscious of my lower half, second, I once read that if you were around the first time they were in style (which I was), you should avoid them and leave them to the younger girls. But I changed my mind when we met Rebecca Woolf in LA, then six months pregnant, looking amazing wearing nothing but leggings and a cute, longer eighties top with flats. This look is the most comfortable ever. So I’m doing it now as well, with hip-hugging tops or pieces that really blur the line between being long tops or short dresses (I want my butt and thighs covered)… Again, Joe is a great source for that. I got this periwinkle crisp cotton tunic with cutout embroidery for basically nothing, and along with my black H&M leggings and blue open-toe cork wedges it’s become one of my favorite outfits.

Accessories you can also still do to polish an outfit, even while huge! Cute feminine jewelry, killer shades, a nice purse make all the difference… I’ll continue wearing heels for as long as I can (I stopped at 6 months with LP, then wore mostly flats and comfy wedges), but also have several pairs of pretty embellished flats (ballet + sandals) for our upcoming Italian vacation… I may also complete the shoe wardrobe with these adorable retro sneakers you see on the girl at the right of the picture above…