Hey there Haute Mamas! You asked for it, so by request- My Maternity Style
Having experienced pregnancy twice during two very different seasons, here’s how I made the most of my temporary wardrobe. Most of us want to rid our closets of the dreaded maternity clothes once we’ve shed the weight and are running around with toddlers. This is a wardrobe that can be a tricky one. You want to be absolutely fabulous when pregnant and you should be! When you look good, you feel good and maternity style is no longer baggy and boring. There are so many stylish solutions. Stylish as they may be, this is still a temporary wardrobe that either you don’t want to invest a lot in or you want to make the most of your investment. Well, here’s how I took on this issue during my second pregnancy last fall (I gave birth in April).
First, I loaded up on the basics. I bought non-maternity leggings, lightweight sweaters and tunics one size up, and flat boots (ankle, knee, and thigh lengths). I also bought a fabulous pair of dark denim Liz Lange skinny jeans from Target and a belly band to make the most of my non-maternity pants. I have mixed feelings about the belly band- I have a friend who absolutely loved it, it worked great for her through the entire pregnancy. For me, not so! Great idea, but I truly believe it depends on how you carry, and my baby was so low this pregnancy it just wasn’t working for me!
Around 5 months, it was time to expand my wardrobe a little bit more. I stepped outside my box and went resale shopping. I highly suggest it for maternity wear! I found some great pieces from Pea in the Pod, Gap Maternity, even a Diane Von Furstenberg top! I remember spending $60 and walking out with several tops, a couple of dresses and a pair of pants (The DVF top was worth more than that alone)!
As I headed on into months 6 and 7, I was invited to a couple of special occasions (how dare my friends challenge me to dress up while pregnant)! Well, I found a fabulous non-maternity satin maxi dress in the back of my closet, which by the way looked way better on me pregnant than not pregnant! I had the boobs for it now! Also around this time, I had to make another purchase I dreaded, the maternity coat! I put it off as long as possible, but it got so cold and I had a couple more months to go and sweaters alone didn’t keep me warm any longer. I ended up purchasing a tailored peacoat from Motherhood. Because of the shape, it can be worn when not pregnant and look totally normal!
Months 8 and 9- the homestretch! By now the weather was warming a little and I was about due. Of course I was NOT buying any maternity wear, but I couldn’t wear my winter wardrobe as the weather was warming. The solution- Maxi Dresses and Cardigans! I loaded up on them, and they have carried me from the end of my pregnancy, through post partum weight loss and nursing (very easy access and stylish).
So there it is, my maternity and beyond wardrobe! Hope it helps- Happy shopping and Congratulations mamas!
~StephanieMarlis
September 12th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
This is a really good read. I enjoyed it. Great insight and good tips.