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favorite {non-maternity} maternity duds

28 March 2014

When I first found out I was pregnant with Julia I remember telling Simon that I wasn't going to wear tents for maternity clothes. Nope. Only cute and belly hugging duds for me. I was so sure. And stupid.

And then I grew as you do when you're pregnant ... and I grew and grew and realized I mostly hated how tight fighting things looked (on me! A lot of people can pull them off really well!) and aside from twoish shirts ... I started to embrace the tent look as the weeks dragged on until Julia was born. With Sebastian's pregnancy I ventured more into the non-maternity as maternity clothing territory but still really loved a lot of my maternity clothes. Anyway ... over the trimesters I've found myself going back to these staples over and over again and finding them to be equally awesome in the postpartum period of joy.

Everyone has different body types and preferences and the weather definitely dictates a lot of what you can and can't wear so these might be of help to no one but .... we all know I love a good collage of clothing and I couldn't resist ...


1. Old Navy Button-ups - {worn here} I really wished I'd thought of these sooner. In the first and second trimester before you're really needing to lean heavily on maternity tops - Old Navy has an awesome selection of button up shirts in TALL (I've only ever found them online - not in the store) ... genius. I'm 5'7 and they are pretty long on me and work well with leggings and skinny jeans. I ordered the same size I normally do because Old Navy tends to run a little large a (except those rock star skinny jeans -- those seem to run about 6 sizes small -- or maybe that's just me) and I know these will work great for nursing. Done convincing you. I hope you're convinced though. They are great.

2. American Apparel Winter Leggings - I love the Albion Fit leggings for working out and um not working out but these are a great alternative because they are a little longer and just a little thicker so I feel pretty safe wearing them with tunics. All of the maternity leggings I've tried are just too thin and stretch so easily but these maintain their shape really well and the waist is low enough that they don't suffocate the bumpage at all.

3. Elastic Belt - I didn't try the belted bump until Sebastian's pregnancy and then I took it a little far belting everything - even my swimsuit. Just kidding. The key is to find one that's elastic. I found this pretty one on Amazon but I've had great luck on eBay and at Target (only clearance! Target is Target but sometimes Target's prices are a little ridic) and Goodwill.

4. Dankso Pro-XP Clogs - Not an essential, obviously. And I really lucked out finding a barely worn pair for a steal on eBay in a color that I love but if I knew how comfortable they were I might've been convinced to pay full price. Maybe. I'm sure people will disagree but I don't think they look terrible with skinny jeans and in these last weeks when my back is not feeling great (it hurts - I always forget how much it hurts! the beauty of pregnancy amnesia) these are lifesavers.

5. Mossimo Foldover Maxi Skirt - I was so so happy to see Target brought this back this year. Last year they went a funky route with the hi-low trend and slits galore but this is a sensible skirt that I've worn pregnant and not pregnant for the past three years. I hope Maxi skirts never go out of style because I heart them to a fault.

6. Merona Ultimate Crewneck Cardigan - {worn here} I love to wear these with tunics. They stretch a little and pull an outfit together (or so I tell myself) and maternity cardigans are just the funniest because when was the last time you buttoned a cardigan ALL the way up? Almost never, I'd imagine. No need to go get a button up maternity cardigan when these go on sale all the time at Target and they are constantly getting fun new patterns and colors. I get one size down from my usual ... but that's my preference and it might not be yours. Oh and I only like crewneck .... not v-neck .... not sure why.

7. White Plum Tunics - I've posted about these before but really -- I love them. I just saw they are on clearance and will be so sad if they take them away forever because they are really great. They are thick but breathable, long and flowy without being crazy, and work really well with a belt or no belt. {not sponsored at all ... I have just gotten a lot of wear out of these and really think you will too!}

I still REALLY love maternity clothes and will never be one of those greats that can flit through their entire gestational period wearing non-maternity clothing - ever. I'm wearing maternity on maternity on maternity right now, actually.

Anyway - I'm sure I'm missing a million things that you've found and love. Share it with me and my future postpartum self .... if you're feeling generous. I totally understand if you're not.

25 comments:

  1. OH my gosh I never even thought of buying tall shirts from Old Navy! I'm 5'8" but my height is all in my torso so this is probably something I should have been doing all along. Thanks for making me aware!

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  2. Hey! I'm wearing one of those foldover skirts as we speak (type?). The best thing ever, especially for that awkward fat-but-not-quite-in-maternity-clothes stage.

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  3. Pretty much unrelated but YES the Old Navy Rock Star super skinny jeans run very, very small! I love them beyond all reason b/c they are extremely stretchy, comfy, and flattering (I own 3 pair)--and cheap--but I always get them 2 sizes larger and 1 inseam length longer than my normal ON size. Isn't that the weirdest thing? I mean, why, Old Navy?

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    1. Glad to hear Grace and others confirm this - I always thought it was just me and my shape... Self-esteem restored.

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    2. Oh my gosh! I bought a pair one size up but when I saw a picture of myself in them I thought "Never again! Selling these asap on Ebay!" I might have to go give them another try but try some more sizes and some longer inseams. They are ridiculously comfortable ...

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    3. I'm telling you, order 2 sizes larger and 1 inseam longer and you'll be a convert. :)

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  4. Pretty sure I shouldn't admit this (or maybe I should put it in the previous confessions post), but . . . I totally bogarted my husband's button-up shirts for my summer pregnancy and his wool sweaters for my winter pregnancy. He's over six feet tall and correspondingl burly, so they gave me plenty of room to grow. I pretended I made the shirts more stylish by tying them up, but that's just a lie. They were big enough and button-up so I could nurse and I was just so HOT and didn't care anymore and . . . well. Yes, pretty sure I shouldn't admit this crashing fashion faux pas.

    Whatever. If I have another baby, I bet I do it again. No shame.

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  5. Ugh, I went through my whooooole pregnancy with Lucy with only 1 or 2 maternity pieces and by the end I. Was. Done. I hated myself forever for not investing in sensible maternity/non-maternity pieces and lately have taken up buying maternity clothes when dirt cheap so that I'm not caught unawares again. Going to be bookmarking this for the next time for sure though because these will be perfect for those awkward "is she or isn't she" and postpartum stages.

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  6. Danskos are the best. I mean, not the most stylish, but so comfortable. And, I never appreciated them fully until I got pregnant and everything felt uncomfortable.

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  7. I do go for the tight-fitting maternity top look because I am a skirts-only kinda girl and I've always felt like flowy-tunic-ish top + skirt + bump = looking dowdy and huge. Maybe it's just me? Because I would love to go for a more relaxed style on top, but I really think those cute tunics only look great with skinnies or leggings (like the picture you posted above).

    Another non-maternity tip: I am wearing the Old Navy knit fold-over skirts in TALL and they come to the perfect (modestly, speaking) just-below-the-knee length and are great for maternity and not. They fit so much better than Old Navy's maternity maxis, which to me are super-big in the waist (despite my being gigantic).

    (By the way, you are looking fantastic!)

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  8. I hit an all time low last year when I was feeling really frumpdy dumpdy and actually tried on some maternity skirts at Target ( I wasn't pregnant) because they were the only ones that were not hi lo. I really hated that hi lo trend. Anyway, my teenage daughter was with me and went from laughing at me and thinking it was funny and cute to being mortified that I was for real trying to pull off Liz Lange maternity skirts. Turns out they didn't fit me right despite the fact that I do look pregnant on any day I've eaten a bit too much fiber. I'm going to have to go check out this new, non hi lo maxi skirt. I like anything that folds over like that and my husband just told me he misses me wearing skirts. You know what I really loved and really miss...and I think I'm spelling this wrong... Mossimo gouchos. They were made of soft cotton and had a think waist band that folded over and they came to just below the knee and sort of flared out and my daughter and me were JUST talking about them. Well, they were extremely comfortable but when I got pregnant with my fourth child a few years ago I turned into a beast and had to give them away. Anyone else remember these beauties?

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    1. I have one lone pair of the gauchos! Ha. In brown. They are in the bin of maternity clothes because my huge belly stretched them out after 3 pregnancies. You should look in target's lounge wear section. I've seen some that look like gauchos,just not as wide,but they should do :)

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    2. I have those gauchos in peach!! They are literally the best things to wear when pregnant and hot!

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  9. Love you picks, saving this post for baby #2! :)

    wordsaboutwaverly.blogspot.com

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  10. Just when I think I have this maternity clothes thing figured out everything changes again....I agree about hating maternity leggings (I tried one pair and will probably never, ever try another) so I've just been sticking with my regular ones. I loved my tunics from Anthropologie clearance during the second trimester and now my favorite things are the H&M Mama jersey tees and a striped tee that I found on clearance from Isabella Oliver (it's looooong and so flattering) along with a maternity black t shirt dress from Gap (I have been able to wear it the entire pregnancy). I've been wearing lots and lots of non-maternity cardis too (also not sure what the point of a maternity one would be).

    I'm tempted by the White Plum tunics...did you go one size up and do you think they will last until the end?

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  11. I've always had luck with LOFT shirts as non-maternity maternity duds. They are longer, blousey (is that a word?) but not tent-ish and there is always a good variety on sale (with usually another 40-50% off). Good quality too and some I have been wearing for years. I'm 5' 6" and the XS or S always fit me right until I delivered both times so you might want to try those too. You have to go in store though because online shipping is ridic. Free shipping after a $125 purchase? No thanks.

    I just bought one of those target skirts, too and really love it. I think I need a grey one now...

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  12. This looks kinda pricey but also kinda amazing. http://storq.com/

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  13. I loved Gap. It was the only stuff that fit me right and I'd just wait for clearance and 40% off emails. Other than that: my birkenstocks (summer pregnancy), and a good bra extender (can get at Jo-anns). I think it's also worth having one great dress that you really really really love that's a little nicer in addition to the cotton skirts and dresses. I got one for 40% off at Gap and wore it for easter, sister's graduation, any event. It was worth every penny to have something I felt good in. First pregnancy was rough like you said, but I'm hoping with any future ones I can just pick up a few more things that I love.
    Postpartum: lots of spare yoga pants and pjs. The Target sleep nursing bras ($20 for 2 is the best deal I've found- they do stretch a little over time) and their nursing tanks/camis: $19 or thereabouts (can't find them any cheaper), but a little extra room for a mushy belly and a little extra length for tucking in. I've been living in their nursing stuff for the last 7 months and it's held up pretty well. I own one Motherhood nursing bra, but the camis are the bestest- I don't like my belly on display.
    Novella over and out.

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  14. Thanks for the shoutout! We are so glad you love the tunics! They are smooth and comfortable and we think they are a great top for pregnancy or regular wear. We hope you continue loving them!

    @shopwhiteplum

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    1. I second (and third and fourth and fifth!!!) the White Plum tunics! I'm wearing one as I type and will count down the days until it's appropriate to break it out again (I'm thinking day after tomorrow?)

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  15. Funny and so true about Old Navy Rock Star skinny jeans! I'm glad it's not just me. I will not buy a pair of jeans that makes me go up 3 sizes!

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  16. Thanks for the tip on Old Navy's tall button-ups!

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  17. Another one for the TALL at oldnavy -you learn something new everyday! And who in the world can go with out wearing maternity clothes the whole time?? This sounds like a mythical creature to me! :)

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  18. My feet started hurting a couple months ago (I'm 30 weeks) and I tried different shoes. Someone recommended Borns or Danskos. I tried he whole clog thing, as my mom has a pair, but they are tough for me to walk in! Maybe a bit too big? I don't know. I decided to try Tom's as my husband read the minimalist shoes are actually good for feet. They're not the most perfect minimalist shoe, but they're pretty good. I even wear them to work (business casual environment).

    I also had a bunch of Gap maternity tees handed down to me and they've definitely become a staple!

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  19. Grace, (and other fashionable mama's reading this blog), you must check out ASOS.com! It is hands down the most fashionable and affordable maternity clothing site out there! I have a job where I unfortunately :-) have to be dresses to the 9's all the time and it was the only place I could find fashionable maternity clothing.....and lots of comfy pieces too! Check it out if you have the time...oh and although my little angel is 7 months now I still check out the site for their blow-out clearances so I can "collect" for baby #2. Man, I sound like a walking ad for them! Thanks for the great post as always!!!

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