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08/10/2004
Fashion victim
I have learned with relief that one need not give up one's own inimitable personal style when pregnant. There are so many options available, so many looks to choose from.
And contrary to what you might believe, it doesn't even have to cost a lot. Why, for the paltry sum of $14.99 (jeans with imprudently placed faux fading, clearance rack, discount store) plus some timeless classics you already own (husband's roomy-but-grease-stained T-shirt; holey underpants stretched beyond recognition by years of wash and wear) you can look just like you always have, exactly like a hobo.
A bigger, zittier, exhausted-looking hobo. Look for me this fall on the catwalks of Milan.
Comments (23)
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I knew you wouldn't have to give up that Julie-style.
- posted from the comfort of my jammies.
Good. Now make sure you get plenty of the same (in the approprate size, of course, and sans zits) for the baby.
Hey atleast you have a husband who you can steal clothes from. My husband is too skinny for me to borrow his clothes!!!
Sorry about the hobo look - it sucks, especially when your husband gets offended that you don't WANT to wear his clothes.
For cheap maternity clothes, try Target. They have recently expanded (HA!) this section to include more "fashionable items" and they had good comfy stuff to begin with. They also had decent nursing bras.
Also try Old Navy or the Gap. Old Navy had tons of maternity clothes -- they are just "bigger" sizes of their regular clothes.
Also try Old Navy or the Gap. Old Navy had tons of maternity clothes -- they are just "bigger" sizes of their regular clothes.
Happy first day of the second trimester!
I, for one, am glad to hear that hobo-wear is acceptable during pregnancy. I was so worried I'd have to change my style in the event that I should ever be pregnant. Phew!
I recommend Japanese Weekend (at japaneseweekend.com, or there are 90 pieces on Ebay right now). Also consider going ethnic: African women wear big, bodly printed shirts and matching drawstring skirts; Indian women wear saris. You can look pretty spectacular in that sort of thing if you project enough attitude.
I am sure you are a beautiful hobo.
Giggle.
Okay, since other people are recommending good sources of maternity wear, I'll pop out of lurkdom to suggest Land's End. It's more expensive than Target but cheaper than Motherhood Maternity and waaaay cheaper than any of the trendy, catwalks-of-Paree maternity stores like Mimi Maternity. And it's machine washable cotton stuff with pockets, unlike the Liz Lange stuff at Target.
Ideally, though, borrow from a friend. The thing about borrowing from your husband is that maternity wear (particularly the pants) really is more comfortable than makeshift regular clothes.
This is yet another advantage to having a big husband, I really utilized his stuff this last time around. When I was working, I had great great luck at consignment shops. I had a mimi and pea in the pod wardrobe for a fraction of what it would cost.
Also, Kohls & Gordman's carry maternity for a good price and it's better quality than Target and Motherhood.
Try www.garnethill.com in the clearance section. $14 dresses!
Wear a sack. Its not like you wear pants any way.
Buy a bigger size of underwear now when you think it is a great thing to be getting bigger. Later on when you are getting bigger it won't seem as cute.
Love, S.
I know! I can't wait until my belly grows big and round so I can sport some of those cute maternity clothes around. I long to put one of those on every time I pass that section, not just for the fashion, but for the representation of the glorious and beautiful condition that I am in.
My husband took me shopping for a ton of cool maternity clothes... In the end you will hate most of your clothes, wearing the same things for months. So it really doesn't matter where you get them. Most of mine came from Old Navy, Gap, and Japanese Weekend.
Personally I don't like Target's maternity clothes, I find them on a smaller scale. Most of my maternity clothes came from Gap, Old Navy, Mimi's Maternity, and past down from relatives. My fave is Gap's maternity, fortunately they have a store here in L.A., so I dont have to get them online.
We have Marshalls and Ross around here. They have brand-name stuff (like Tommy Hillfiger or Ralph Lauren), for much cheaper than the mall.
Kind of like an outlet store. My husband has Tommy Hillfiger jeans that were purchased for $14.95. Not too shabby.
Sweatpants are your friend. I have two pair that were bought for $3.95 at aforementioned store. I wear them to work on casual Friday. I dare someone to say anything to me- I will show much glee in thankfully accepting their offer to buy me new clothes every three weeks.
Oddly enough, when I was pregnant I cared very little about how I looked. I am usually a fairly vain person, but all I wanted to do was feel comfortable, not eat spinach, and anyone else with any thoughts would just have to get the hell out of my way!! :)
That being said, the Bellybasic Pregnancy Survival Kit was a godsend for me. I didn't relish the bulk of being pregnant, and it enabled me to look halfway polished without trying. I glowered in it for my last six months.
I happened upon your website when looking for info on the cost of IVF and just wanted to post a little note saying I love reading all of your entries. Your sarcastic wit makes me smile and sometimes laugh out loud. I keep checking your progress and hoping all goes well for you during this pregnancy!
i noticed another commenter already said 'sweatpants'. i relied heavily upon those, too, but they wouldn't fly at my office. i did a couple pair of "yoga pants"--or whatever the kids are calling them these days--the wide-legged almost-sweatpants-but-not-quite. they worked well, and were as comfortable as sweats without looking quite so much like i'd given up. the yoga pants saw me through my pregnancy and i'm still wearing them 3 months postpartum, though they are *considerably* roomier. the best part? found them on clearance for $3 at target.
I'm sure you'll look beautiful in anything you wear, but I found you this just in case you need to go somewhere "fancy".
http://www.uglydresses.com/pregpromdres.html
Happy 2nd trimester!