F is for Five.... My 5 maternity must haves!

So, as I approach my last month of pregnancy, I thought I would share my maternity must haves!  In some ways it was kind of liberating to have fewer wardrobe options during pregnancy.  Other times, it is a nightmare when you need to have something beyond your "ordinary" every day dress (i.e. suit, fancy dress, etc).

I did make it through with mostly non-maternity shirts which is great.  I have worn those shirts to death now so I will likely never want to look at them again, but if I needed/wanted they could be worn in my non-pregnant life!

Consider this list today as my "Tim Gunn like" staples!  Every pregnant woman should have the following in her wardrobe!

A black work pant that you LOVE.  If you are going to splurge- let this be it.  If you don't spend too much- I would suggest buying two pairs.  One to wear and one to dry clean!  My favorite ended up being pretty cheap from Target.  I bought several other pairs, but these ended up being my "go to" black pants.  I would have spent more, but these babies only cost me $29.99!


A basic knee length black skirt that you can wear with EVERYTHING.  A dress would do too .... and I would actually recommend having both!    I live in a jersey skirt that is so comfy.  A pencil skirt would be a great option, like this gap one.  They also have great basic black dresses too.  You can wear this skirt or a basic black dress with shoes, boots, tights or no tights.  Dress it up or dress it down.... trust me you will get tons of wear out of this!

Since I am talking about skirts, I NEED to talk about tights.  In my non-pregnant life, I am still in search for the perfect tights.  To be perfect tights need to be opaque, non-itcy, comfy (tight enough to stay up, but not too tight).  I found the PERFECT maternity tights.  I live in them.  I almost did not buy them because I thought they were expensive, but I am glad I splurged.  They too are from Target and are made by Assets (same makers as Spanx).  They key to these tights for me is that they come up high (like to your bra) and stay put.  They have a tiny hole in them now that I am hoping will not run in the next 4 weeks.  I don't want to buy another pair, but I would because I love them!

Get a black jersey (stretch) shirt that is comfortable and can be dressed up or dressed down.  I have a cowl neck shirt that I wear constantly with my black skirt.  Sometimes I wear a blazer over it.  Sometimes I wear a cardigan over it (non-maternity cardigan).  Other times I wear with a jersey drape cardigan over it (this is almost my uniform).  Get a jersey top that has a little something going on (cowl neck, ruffle, wrap top, etc) and somewhat form fitting, so you don't look like you are drowning in fabric.  Use  accessories to add the "spice".  This shirt is right up my alley and can be worn with everything throughout your whole pregnancy!  Wear it to work or on the weekend with jeans.

Finally, my 5th must have is a pair of jeans that you love.  I made it though my pregnancy with one pair of jeans (not including a copped pair I wore during the summer).  I recommend getting a full panel pair.  Although they look scary... they are truly what is most comfortable when you get big!    Trust me, you will get big.  I loved the "demi panel" in my second trimester, but now in the third trimester they hit me in a uncomfortable spot and I wish they came up higher!    These Gap jeans are perfect, cute and you will get a ton of miles out of them!

If you get these five items, you will have what you need.  You can always add in non maternity items with these items including knee high boots, cute flats, cardigans, blazers, scarves, jewelry and more!

While I am on it... these are the items you must have.  There are also a TON of items that you do not need.  Someone will try to sell you this stuff, but it is a waste of money.  Here is my "don't bother" list:  maternity underwear (Totally unnecessary- your current low rise skivvies will do.), sweatpants ( Your current drawstring sweats will do.  They can be worn lower and pulled as tight as you need.), tank tops (I wear tanks under EVERYTHING and am still wearing my cotton non-maternity ones that I have always worn.).  

I have worn my 5 "must haves" to DEATH!  Although they have been my favorites- I am definitely ready to get rid of these items and get back into my "real" clothes!  If you are preganant... get out there and get these 5 must haves.  You can thank me later!  Until next time...xoxo

D... Dress it up!

Love love love love love this maternity dress.  I have it in two colors  (black and purple).   It is so cute and so comfortable.  I am hoping I can even wear it not pregnant... but that might be pushing it.  The purple looks great with black tights and a cardigan which is how I sported it to my baby shower!  I LOVE the gray (how cute is the back) but unfortunately that was sold out in my size!   This dress gets a lot of wear these days... I think the ruffles are so darling!

I have had great luck with Target's maternity stuff..... cheap and cute.  What is not to love!  Until next time...xoxo

M is for Maternity.... fashion!

My philosophy on maternity wear is if you would not wear it not pregnant-- don't wear something just because you are pregnant!    Okay, during the end of your preganancy.... I am sure you wear just about whatever fits.  But, for most of your pregnancy, you don't want to be swimming in maternity wear that is too big or draped!  I also hate to buy things that I am truly only going to wear for a few months.  I am very practical!  There is lots of great "blowzy" fashion out there that is totally bump friendly and has an increased likelihood to be worn again.

Pants- you need maternity pants and you need them much earlier than maternity tops.  My pants started being uncomfortably tight around 13 weeks.  I could still get my regular pants on and buttoned, but after a few hours, I was miserable.  Get yourself some cute maternity pants.  Most of mine are from the gap (few Old Navy added in).  I bought black pants (one short pair for flip flops, one regular pair for wedges/heels and some capris), white jeans (flared pair, bootcut pair, and cropped pair) and splurged on some black mavi jeans (on sale at Pea in the Pod) for fall.  I LIVE in my white jeans (below)!  My main piece of advice is keep it simple.  I have never been into bright or patterned pants and don't think pregnancy is the time to try that type of attention to my bottom half!

Dresses are your best friend when pregnant.  Again, I have mostly non- maternity dresses.  There is a ton of empire waisted stuff out there right now!  I did buy a couple maternity dresses, but found a lot of cute flowy non-maternity dresses are Gap (like one below which I bought in white and black), TJ Maxx, Marshalls and so on!  Jersey is great... it fits smoothly, drapes well and stretches when you need it to!

Tops are like dresses!  You can get away with a lot of tops that are non-maternity.  If you find the right style (i.e. empire) you don't even need to buy in a bigger size (although sometimes you do).  I spend like $150 bucks at TJ Maxx and bought 12 maternity friendly tops and T-shirts.  Most I would still wear not pregnant.    Once again Gap served me well.  I bought this adorable beach cover (below) on sale for $20 that I can wear now and still wear later.  I threw a black cami under it and put on my white jeans.... very cute outfit!  Be creative- beach covers, tunics, short dresses... anything can become a top!

Jeans... mine are Old Navy and Gap.  I love them.  I thought about getting some designer jeans but decided I would rather "treat" myself to a pair post pregnancy to get me motivated to lose the baby weight then to drop $200 now and only wear them for 6 or so months!  Find a pair you love.  You only need one or two pairs (unless you wear jeans to work too). I also bought a cropped capri pair (Destination Maternity) and jean skirt (Gap).  White and black jeans are also mentioned above.)

More to come in coming months, but my main advice is to stick to your pre-pregnancy style sense, think beyond maternity stores, and comfort is key!  Until next time....xoxo