If I'm perfectly honest, one of the things I was most concerned about after I got pregnant (after the baby's health of course!) was how I'd live without my wardrobe for months on end. After all, I've put serious effort into assembling an A-Team of brightly printed, cheery, full-skirted dresses and skirts.
I've got high hopes of making it to month seven without buying more than three maternity dresses, because it's really hard to find fun prints. I knew I'd be able to count on some of my favorite wiggle dresses to help me through that awkward stage where none of my dresses with a tight-fitting bodice fit. And indeed, I've been showing off my baby bump in all my comfiest wiggles for about a month now. What's really surprised me, though, is how much I've found myself reaching for separates.
Usually I'm a dress sort of gal, except in the dead of summer when I don't want to get my dry-clean-only dresses all sweaty the second I step outside. But I've been pleasantly surprised to discover that skirts and stretchy cotton shirts make for the perfect maternity wear.
What's my secret, you ask? Well, it's really very simple. To turn a skirt-and-top combo into maternity-wear heaven, just make like Urkel and hike that waistband to the sky!
See?
Bonus: my baby is like a built-in petticoat! The bump doesn't give me volume on the sides like an actual petticoat would, but I'm certainly getting some extra poof in the front. This is especially useful since it's a little too hot now to wear petticoats, unless I know I'm not going to walk more than about 25 paces outside.
Ok, I'm 50% kidding about using my baby as a petticoat stand-in, but my larger point still stands: high-waisted, vintage-style swing skirts are a great way to accommodate a growing belly without dropping a ton of $$ on clothes you won't wear again after the baby. I'll keep you posted on how long this pregnant-pinup lifehack works for me!
To all the mamas in the audience: how did you dress while you were pregnant? Did you buy a bunch of maternity stuff, or did you find ways to make your existing wardrobe do double duty? Any and all tips would be greatly appreciated!
Usually I'm a dress sort of gal, except in the dead of summer when I don't want to get my dry-clean-only dresses all sweaty the second I step outside. But I've been pleasantly surprised to discover that skirts and stretchy cotton shirts make for the perfect maternity wear.
What's my secret, you ask? Well, it's really very simple. To turn a skirt-and-top combo into maternity-wear heaven, just make like Urkel and hike that waistband to the sky!
See?
Bonus: my baby is like a built-in petticoat! The bump doesn't give me volume on the sides like an actual petticoat would, but I'm certainly getting some extra poof in the front. This is especially useful since it's a little too hot now to wear petticoats, unless I know I'm not going to walk more than about 25 paces outside.
Ok, I'm 50% kidding about using my baby as a petticoat stand-in, but my larger point still stands: high-waisted, vintage-style swing skirts are a great way to accommodate a growing belly without dropping a ton of $$ on clothes you won't wear again after the baby. I'll keep you posted on how long this pregnant-pinup lifehack works for me!
To all the mamas in the audience: how did you dress while you were pregnant? Did you buy a bunch of maternity stuff, or did you find ways to make your existing wardrobe do double duty? Any and all tips would be greatly appreciated!
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I felt your same worry! Every pregnancy is different, but I was able to wear the same size throughout all 9 months and only bought one pair of maternity jeans (that I wore once, because jeans are horrible).
ReplyDeleteI really liked wearing Jenny dresses, Trixie dresses, Scrumptious and Luscious dresses, and the crisscross pinup tops. It was extremely hot last summer when I was preggo, so I avoided heavy fabrics as much as possible. Anything with a high waist is your friend!
Jeans really are the worst! I actually bought a pair of maternity jeans as well, and haven't even worn them yet. I might pop the tags and wear them to work, because my office is an icebox!
DeleteTrixies are a GODSEND so far, and I wish I had more than just the one Scrumptious dress I have! And high-waisted dresses are all I can fit into these days. My doctor said it's because my torso (like the rest of me) is short, lol.
Love it and I love how our style definitely caters to bellies more than modern styles - even the food baby bellies!! WOOO!
ReplyDeleteOMG YES! I have specific eating-friendly dresses, and that high-waisted style is the absolute best for a day of gluttony!
DeleteI still borderline can't even tell you're pregnant until you go sideways and hold the bump! Again, I'm impressed with your wardrobes versatility! You look amazing! Have you considered shift dresses for the later months? They're so in right now and come in so many colors and prints. Not sure if you're a shift girl though...!
ReplyDelete;) High-waisted skirts are magical! I didn't even tell anyone at work until I hit 20 weeks, and because of my wardrobe, no one could tell until I started wearing wiggles again. I'll have to see if there are any cute maternity shifts out there! My Sharon dress is getting a little tight...
DeleteYou look absolutely gorgeous and I love your styling with prints! The skirt is so cute x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I'm all about the print-mixing :).
DeleteThis is such a cute post and congrats btw! You look amazing and great initiative!
ReplyDeleteJessica & James | foodandbaker.co.uk / foodandbakertravels.co.uk
Thank you so much! I just can't give up my wild prints!
DeleteI guess every pregnancy is different but it's good to have everybody's perspective. Such a cute post! and such a n ice outfit! so colorful! xx corinne
ReplyDeleteThat's what I've heard! So far I've had a pretty easy time of it, and thankfully a lot of my wardrobe can make the transition with me.
DeleteLovely outfit and very colourful. Wish you and the baby all my best and congratulations! You look amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I just adore bright colors :D. Thank you so much for the kind wishes, too!
DeleteI really wish I would've read this when I was pregnant! I love prints at the moment and you look amazing x
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you! Prints are just so fun and cheery, aren't they?
DeleteI bet your wardrobe looks like a rainbow! The skirt completely covers your bump, I wouldn't have guessed you're pregnant!
ReplyDeleteIt's basically a color explosion inside my closets ;). And I love having camouflage for the bump -- it's getting too big to hide, but for now it's fun!
DeleteCongratulations! You look amazing. I love the skirt! ✨
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! This print is aces!
DeleteWhat a beautiful skirt, it looks lovely on you!
ReplyDeleteKirsty | The Monday Project | themondayproject.co.uk
Thank you, Kirsty! It's really a fun skirt and it has pockets!
DeleteYou look absolutely stunning and so fab!! I love the unique prints!
ReplyDeleteAlura x
Aluradupuis.blogspot.ca
Thank you so much! I live for exciting prints -- they just make getting dressed so much more fun!
DeleteAwh wow! You look absolutely gorgeous! I hadn't even considered what I'd be like whilst pregnant, I love my wardrobe so much! xo
ReplyDeleteHanney | www.blogabouthanney.com
<3 Thank you, Hanney! And I can totally relate -- it's gotten impossible to wear some of my favorite dresses and sometimes I look at them and just sort of sigh.
DeleteYou look amazing! I love that skirt!! Definitely need to add more skirts to my wardrobe now! Nikki x
ReplyDeletewww.petalpostblog.wordpress.com
Thank you so much! Skirts are just so breezy and fun, especially when they have pockets!
DeleteGreat post!I love your style and the colours. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteShee Wears Colour :-)
Thank you so much! Bright colors are totally where it's at.
DeleteYou're so gorgeous! Big congrats to you and the baby, I'm so in love with this skirt. I love the print. x
ReplyDeleteMonica @ www.thewongblog.com
Awwww, thank you so much, Monica! Baby girl has no idea how many matching outfits I'm going to force her to wear ;).
DeleteI've always wondered how your wardrobe would change once I read that you were pregnant - I love how bright and colourful your outfits were, and I'm glad you've found an easy solution!
ReplyDeleteLizzie Bee // hello lizzie bee
Thank you, Lizzie! I'm hoping this works for a while longer, since I really, really don't want to just wear boring solid maternity clothes!
DeleteThis is a great post and you look beautiful in all of the pictures!! I love how bright and out there your outfits are your deffo so confident to wear those whilst pregnant! X
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I don't embarrass easily, so I've got no problem wearing the loudest prints as I grow to the approximate size of a small house, lol.
DeleteI love this dress!!!! It suits you so well xx
ReplyDeletewww.kateejessicay.blogspot.com
Thank you!
Delete