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Daily Outfits - Valentine’s Day
I am sick to the back teeth of wearing the same old things over and over again but with only 7 weeks left in this pregnancy, I am refusing to buy anything new to wear. Yesterday, my friend Katy came to my rescue. She works in a fashion showroom and found three dresses that she thought would work well as maternity tops. She was right!
Dressing my bump was a fun little hobby for me to begin with so I thought I would share my findings on maternity websites. (No longer fun, I refuse to buy any new clothes with only 7 weeks left and I’m so bored of all my maternity clothes).
Really beautiful stuff but it’s expensive. I have one of their wrap dresses that they sent to me to try out and really love it. I think next time I’m pregnant (woah, did I just say next time??) I will invest in a couple more pieces from IO.
Really great basic tops and relatively affordable prices. I tend to spend more than the average person on clothes so I’m aware that my idea of affordable may not be the same as others but $20 for a comfy top is a pretty good price, right? They have inexpensive jeans that I would describe as being ‘adequate’. I am a firm believer in spending $200 on a pair of jeans because I really do think that designer jeans look a million times better - I wear jeans almost every day so I don’t mind investing that amount. However, if $200 is out of the price range, then the Gap maternity jeans are not bad at all. BTW, they currently have a competition that you can enter online to win $1,000 shopping spree.
They have some OK stuff. Nothing that really grabs me. Their range is very limited.
This is my favorite online maternity store. Lots of great stuff in a variety of prices (more expensive than Gap but less expensive than Isabella Oliver).
Seriously, is Target not the best store on the entire planet? I have loved Target since I was a teenager, back when they were not cool. They have a great maternity range. Although, again nothing particularly trendy.
This is where I bought my baby shower dress. They have a limited supply of stuff but I found some other cute dresses on there (that I didn’t buy).
I think every pregnant woman has hard of A Pea in the Pod. I never went into any of their stores, nor did I buy anything online so I can’t comment other than to say they are kinda expensive. But they have a good range of designer maternity jeans. So many times I nearly bought a pair of Sevens but decided against it each time.
We went out for dinner last night to 44 1/2. The food is pretty damn tasty. I scavenged up an outfit that I don’t think I’ve photographed before.
This outfit brought to you by John who often acts as my personal stylist. He spotted the dress in a shop window and encouraged me to try it on and he also spotted the boots on a rack out the front of another store.
And you don’t need to tell me - BAD hair day yesterday. I’m heading to the hairdresser this weekend thank god.
I’ve graduated to wearing these. They are just as sexy as you would imagine.
But good god, they are so comfortable. I am fine with having my pants come up to my armpits for this level of comfort.
(pic via - but I bought mine at Target for 1/3 the price)
I think it’s really hard to know what to splurge on and what not to splurge on when it comes to maternity clothes so I thought I would share some of my best buys with you.
1. Jules & Jim Prada Pants
I have been wearing these pants 2 - 3 times per week since I was 16 weeks pregnant and could no longer get into my pre-pregnancy work pants. They were the first maternity item I purchased and by far the best maternity item purchased. They used to be available for about $87 on Belly Dance Maternity but they don’t seem to have any at the moment. Check back because I’m sure they are just currently out of stock.
2. Ingrid & Isabel everyday cami
You may have heard of the Ingrid & Isabel Bella Band as being a must-buy. I bought one and hated it. I found I was forever adjusting it. What I found worked much better was the Ingrid & Isabel Everyday Cami. It fits comfortably throughout pregnancy - it just keeps on expanding with your belly. I also find that it is tight enough to work similarly to a belly band without having to constantly adjust it. I only bought one in white but if I had my time over I would buy two in every color. Instead I have been making do with some old pre-pregnancy Charlotte Russe camis. However I’m fighting a constant battle of pulling it down to cover the bump and pulling it up to cover the cleavage. Usually the bump wins and then I’m left red-faced when I realize the inappropriate amount of cleavage I’ve been walking around my office with. So…..do yourself a favor and get some of these Ingrid and Isabal camis instead.
3. Liz Lange for Target maternity T
I bought one in black and one in white and couldn’t be happier with them. They are great for layering, obviously. But the reason I really like them is that they are so soft and only $14.99. Check them out here.
4. Wrap dress
A pregnant woman’s best friend - the wrap dress. I have the one above from Isabella Oliver. I also have a wool one from Gap (they don’t have the winter version on their website anymore) and I’m still fitting into my pre-pregnancy Banana Republic wrap dress.
One of my favorite maternity stores in the city, Belly Dance Maternity, is having an in store sample sale on Saturday. See pic for details.
$10 - $50 on everything? Makes me want to be there at 9am sharp.
On Friday night John and I had a special date night at our favorite steak restaurant in the city, Del Friscos. It’s quite a pricey place so we only go when one of our employers is paying! This time John’s boss was picking up the tab as a reward for John being generally awesome at work in December.
I haven’t had a fancy date night in ages so I wanted to make an effort. I opted for my wrap dress - you know, to show off the cleavage!
I’m wearing:
It was freezing on Friday so I threw on my Isabella Oliver Woollen Trench. I was quite pleased with my outfit given my limited maternity closet offerings.
Both of the items I am wearing are currently on sale at Isabella Oliver (as well as a bunch of other stuff). It goes without saying that one of your first purchases when you find out you are pregnant is a good quality wrap dress. I swap out boots for a pair of heels or flats and add a cami underneath this wrap dress and BAM I have a work outfit too.
(Dress generously provided by Isabella Oliver).
Berry alerted me to a sample sale this morning that I might be interested in. I thought I would pass on the details to my other pregnant New York-based readers.
New View Maternity
When: 12/14/09 - 12/23/09 * Tues - Thu 10am - 3.30pm, Mon & Fri by appointment only
Where: 347 W 36th St, Suite 1602 (btwn 8th and 9th Ave)
Payment type: Cash
What: Maternity tops, bottoms, and dresses from leading designers such as Olian, Japanese Weekend, Noppies and pute t.
One week ago I blogged about Juicy Couture denim leggings and how I would be buying them if I wasn’t pregnant.
Well lookey lookey!
I’m totally rocking the Juicy denim leggings! I simply went one size up. A little Christmas present for myself :-)
Being pregnant during the Winter can be expensive because you need to shell out money to buy a Winter coat that fits around your ever-expanding bump. First, I bought this puffer coat from Gap before I was showing so that I would be prepared for any unexpected snowstorms. Now that I am showing I look like a big fat Paddington bear when I wear it. But it is super cozy and perfect for when I’m happy to be completely casual.
When I was in Paris, I stared boggle-eyed at the amazing coats and boots and dresses and everything. I came back wanting a second Winter coat that I could wear to work and when I wanted to look a little bit more put together. Thanks to the Pregnant Fashionista I found out about a Thanksgiving sale at Isabella Oliver. This store has gorgeous clothes but prices that mean I don’t even bother perusing. However, the Thanksgiving discount brought down the price of this woollen trench to a more affordable level. I still look like a big fat Paddington Bear but I don’t think there’s any getting round that at this point!
