Let's face it - pregnancy can be a rough time on a woman's body. Your body is literally changing on a weekly basis when pregnant. Yes, it's a miracle and beautiful to be growing a baby inside you, but tell that to my hormonal breakouts, swollen sore boobs, and growing belly. It's definitely NOT a time when I feel my best (and that's when I'm not even hanging over the toilet dry heaving).
That being said, I do believe a pregnant woman proudly showing off her baby bump is beautiful. Too often, I see these bumps swaddled in ill-fitting, oversized stripped t-shirts and baggy pants borrowed from their guys. I recently got into watching MadMen on Netflix, and I literally cringed at the maternity clothes these women were wearing - all empire waisted pastel dresses with big bows on the bellies or huge mumus in ghastly prints (never mind cringing at the fact that these women all smoked like chimneys and drank like fish while knocked up back in the 60s - it's a miracle that any of us turned out normal!)
To be fair, I have seen some cute maternity clothes around. A Pea in a Pod (under the Motherhood umbrella, but only available in the States) has some cute things, including lines designed by Heidi Klum (the always uber-gorgeous pregnant momma) and Nicole Ritchie, but most of the things are pricey, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna spend $60 on a T-shirt I will only wear for 6 months! Plus I have to drive to the States to buy them. We have Motherhood Maternity (usually cheaply made) and Thyme Maternity (OK, but still a lot of polyester and too drapey tops). I bought most of my maternity clothes for Lexi from Thyme, and most of the stuff I wouldn't consider cheap ($70 for a pair of khakis with the full belly panel, which were my favs).
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you want to look at it), none of my pants from last time are fitting me, as I was about 5-7 pounds heavier when I got pregnant with Lexi. So I'm looking at getting my hands on some new mat pants.
I've tried Craigslist - mostly average stuff like I already have, or ladies trying to unload their designer maternity jeans for still more than I'm willing to pay (but I will admit I've seriously considered it). I do have one pair of expensive jeans (non-maternity) that I adore, and nothing makes my butt look so good as well made jeans. So this might be something I'd be willing to consider down the road, but not yet, and not at the $200 price tag most new pairs are running.
I'm a big fan of the beg, borrow and steal from friends theory. I've already been generously lent at least 2 bags of clothes from my best friends (one who is finished with having children, so I've been instructed to 'share the wealth' when I'm finished). There are some gems in there, including a sweater I've been living in from H&M Momma and 2 pairs of khaki capris that I'll no doubt be living in come June.
My tops (the ones I haven't deemed hideous) from last time will go back into rotation again, but to be honest, I'm going to try to get away with as much regular clothes as possible. I tried my Belly Band (which is supposed to allow you to wear your regular pants unbuttoned) but I find it too tight and reminds me of being sucked into Spanx underwear for my friend's wedding which I participated in 4 weeks post partum (only for you Jess, only for you). I'm so thankful that long Ts and tanks and tunics and leggings are in style right now. And I'm fortunate that in my profession it's acceptable to show up to work in casual clothes (but if I'm wearing "active wear" I always wear nice looking stuff - no ratty sweatpants here folks!)
For now, I'm living in my one-size-up "fat" jeans, my Lulu II pants from Lululemon and my extra long T-shirts. Here's the 12 week bump pic.
Oh, and if a pregnant lady asks you how she looks, the only appropriate answer is "fabulous."
1 comment:
Work that Belly Momma Extraordinaire!
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