It’s safe to say that my maternity wardrobe has taken a turn for the nasty.
During my first pregnancy I was working full-time in an office so my maternity wardrobe was pretty classy: lots of tailored shirts and pants, stylish dresses and cute skirts. Even though I was as big as a house and barely fit behind my desk, I looked pretty decent.
With my second pregnancy, I worked part-time and dressed the part for those days I was in the office, but began resorting to homely house-dresses and the same skirt for the remaining five days of the week. We spent a lot of time at the beach in the summer and I wore a horrendous maternity tankini, but overall I still felt nearly presentable and received the odd compliment on my wardrobe.
However, wiith this, my third pregnancy, the most vital piece of clothing I wear is…wait for it…a fleecy housecoat with printed cupcakes all over it. The shame.
I don’t know what’s happened to me! I used to be the kind of girl who took joy in dressing nicely but now I just slump into my saggy-bummed yoga pants, tie up my homely robe and call it a day. The downward spiral began in those early weeks of nausea when I rarely left the home, and the place we’re living in is really cold all the time so the solution seemed simple: housecoat or bust. Now it’s just become a really bad habit. I think I need an intervention.
A few days ago I was sitting at the dining room table in my robe, with shocking cases of both bed-head and morning breath and after Steve had kissed our two girls good-bye before leaving for work, he took a look at me and hesitantly came over to bestow a peck on my forehead. “You really had to think twice about that didn’t you?” I asked with a hot, stinky laugh.
He shook his head, half-smiling and left for the day.
I think it’s time to burn the robe. And maybe brush my teeth.
Did you develop any bad habits while pregnant? What was your go-to article of maternity clothing while you were pregnant?
Thank you for the wonderful article. I’ll stick to you via RSS.
I don’t remember exactly how or when my mommy slumpies started, but I remember the day I turned it around. I realized that the Mommy thing was a permanent lifestyle change, and if I didn’t watch out, the frumpiness would stick permanently too. It’s about daily habits. It’s about having a shower in the morning and doing my hair and makeup even if I have to rush and leave the children to their devices in order to get it done. Get yourself some nice maternity clothes that make you feel as beautiful as you are.
You’re worth it Amanda. Lock the door for fifteen minutes. For yourself. 🙂
Hi Style File here – Let’s get togther and take a look at your mat gear and figure out how to wear it tis time around.
Great post topic Amanda! Ahh yes, bad habits in pregnancy. I really believe your first pregnancy is ‘your’ pregnancy. You have more chances to nap, to take care of yourself, to focus on buying cute maternity outfits, etc. I am sure by the third you are just trying to stay awake and get through the day so wearing a cozy cupcake robe might just be okay for right now. Maybe you could just add a different color robe to the mix and call it a day ;)?
LOL – I am sure you look great in your cupcake robe 🙂
You personally witnessed my horrible brown old navy gouchos. I believe you were the one to point out the camel toe I couldn’t see. I was actually thankfull, cuz after that they were an at home item only!
My pregnancy wardrobe went to hell in the final months I waited for our twins to arrive. I spent most of my days in a cotton nightgown found in the plus size department of Walmart. Even though it was fall, I was constantly hot, my skin felt too tight and any sort of band around my belly felt like torture. I’m sure I would have attended my doctors appointments in that gown had I felt like I could get away with it. I also spent alot of time naked or in my size 5x underwear. As I just mentioned, I couldn’t stand the feeling of anything across my belly so my husband had to find me the biggest underwear he could find so that it would be loose enough so that I was comfortable. Sending a man to shop at a fat store and actually having him do it for you is an undeniable proof of love…LOL. Don’t worry about the housecoat Amanda, spring is on it’s way and I’m sure a spring dress or two will take the place of those cupcakes. Pregnancy is not the time to worry about fashion, it’s all about comfort.
It was the black Old Navy gaucho pants for me, too! My youngest is 2 years old now, and I still haven’t made it out of the wardrobe doldrums. Of course, I was never the snappiest dresser to begin with. But still. You’d think I could wear something other than a T-shirt and jeans a few days out of the week.
Oh, I wore a pair of Old Navy gaucho pants. I’m pretty sure they are so thin now that my underwear is visible even though they are black pants. It was either those gauchos or a pair of brown shorts. I’m so lucky my office was the most casual place ever. I probably could have worn a houserobe but it was August in Arizona.
Do you watch mad Men? Love that show….anywho, Betty Draper (January Jones) wears housecoats and she looks fab! Just tell yourself that you’re being retro 🙂
LOL – it’s funny how you find those faves that you just can’t put aside, isn’t it? My kids are a bit older, so my maternity clothes were all in the tent category anyway (this was before pants that came below the belly and tight tops to show off your bump). But during the last few weeks, I had this one really loose pair of bike shorts (yes, it was that long ago…before Lululemon was even invented!) and a big, loose, tent-like top that matched. I wore that outfit every day (mostly barefooted because my feet were too big to fit any shoes).
There are so many great choices now for expecting mothers – treat yourself to a really pretty outfit. But make sure it’s comfortable, too 😉