Maternity Monday: What to Wear to a Special Occasion

It's that time of year ... Christmas party invites are going to start coming out before you know it, and you've gotta dress that bump of yours! You know it's every woman's secret mission to look totally fab at work parties. And even with your growing belly, you can still look smokin' for the holidays.

The LBD
A simple "little black dress" is a must for every woman. Even the preggos. You can dress it up or dress it down, wear it to a party or wear it to church. It's slimming, it's chic, and it brings attention to your loveliness.

Here are a few options:

Dream by Juliet, Nordstrom

3/4 sleeve faux wrap dress, Motherhood

I actually own the second dress and I love it. I think 3/4 sleeves are really slimming for the arms. Plus the length is perfect -- not too short, but not too long. The fabric is dressy but not fussy. It's easy to wash and doesn't fade. And I do love the pleating right below the bust.

When you're looking for your own LBD, make sure to avoid muumuu-type dresses, and mind the length -- any longer than the knees, and it won't be so "little" anymore. You don't want to look like you're singing in the Christmas choir.

Dress pants
Some of you may prefer to go to your parties by way of pants. Just remember the rules about pants -- tight in the butt, wider in the leg, and longer in the length if you plan to wear heels.

Secret Fit Belly wide-leg pants, A Pea in the Pod

Dress them up with a holiday-inspired top:

L to R: Lace flutter top, Charlote Russe; sequin chiffon blouse, Charlotte Russe

Satin flower trim top, Forever 21

Remember that eggplant top from last week? I've featured it twice now. That means it's awesome! Go get it.

Shoes
Special occasion shoes are tricky for pregnant gals. You really have to wear a heel of some kind to a dressy event, unfortunately. I don't know about you guys, but high heels are the last thing I want to wear when I'm pregnant. My feet are swollen, my back hurts ... give me slippers and I'm good. But you couldn't exactly show up in your UGG boots to a swanky cocktail party, now could you?

The key is to look for shorter heels. Keep them under 3 inches and you should be fine for a few hours. Here are some options:

Predictions dress sandal, Steve Madden T-strap sandal

Naturalizer 'Prissy' Sandal

Don't really dig the strappy sandal look? Go for a kitten heel pointy-toe pump.

Accessories
Put on the glitz, girl. Think "date night" but with a little more pizzazz:

Pearl necklace, Minicci; crystal chandelier earrings, Minicci

Ruffle clutch, Lela Rose; Helix clutch, Minicci

And don't forget the most important accessory of all -- your beautiful, confident smile! (Ok, that was cheesy.) And your lipgloss.

I Can Haz Bathtub?

Don't you love this shoe??


I mean, BATHTUB?




This is VERY off topic, but I might want to rebuild my house around this awesome bathtub designed by Massimiliano Della Monaca. Brills!

Maternity Monday: What to Wear On a Date

You might have just read that title and said, "Date? What's that?" I know what you mean ... these days, dates might be few and far between for you and your man. Your body aches, you're dealing with heartburn and nausea, and you're tiiiiiiired. And if you've got other little ones running around, you have to line up a sitter. Pain in the butt, I know. But trust me -- if anything will improve your sad, pregnant mood, it's a cute outfit and a night on the town with your hunk-of-a-man.

So, let's get to it! Here are some basics for a put-together, casual date night outfit:

1) Dressy pair of jeans

This is a date night basic that applies to everyone, preggers or not. You'll probably want to go with something a little darker because dark-wash jeans tend to look a little more polished.

7 For All Mankind Secret Fit Belly jeans

Now, I realize that these fabulous 7 For All Mankind jeans are probably way out of most people's price ranges. Hello, $210! That's easily 3-4 months worth of diapers there. But the idea here is the look of the jeans. They are meant to give you a good idea about what to search for when you're hunting for maternity jeans. They're ...

... tight in the butt (YES!)
... the perfect wash color
... wider in the leg to prevent unsightly hip/thigh hugging, making you look long and lean

Here's a less-expensive alternative from Gap. They'll only cost you about a month and a half of diapers. ;)

Full-panel Long and Lean jeans

A word about maternity jeans: I've found that the oh-so-cute low- or no-panel jeans are really impractical. They just do NOT stay up on my body, and I spend a lot of time either hiking them up, or walking around with a saggy butt (real sexy, right?). So, full-panel is the way to go, in my opinion. Especially now that they have the comfy yet discreet Secret Fit belly panels! You will never have to do the "pants dance" again (you know what I'm talking about). The crotch will stay snug and the butt won't sag.

2) Knit top

Maybe you noticed last week that I love Forever 21. Reasons: great prices, versatile, feminine, and did I mention GREAT PRICES? Plus, Forever 21 has a lot of tunic-style tops that work with pregnant bellies! Yay.

Here are a few examples:

L to R: Trapeze tunic top, Lace trim chiffon top

Satin flower trim top

Again -- these are just good examples of what to look for out there when you're shopping for the perfect date night top. All of these are feminine and have special details (lace, embroidery, satin flowers) that make them a little dressier. If Forever 21's not your thing, no biggie. You'll be able to find similar styles elsewhere.

3. Shoes

Shoes for date night can be tricky when you're pregnant, because while you know some heels would be totally bangin', your feet might feel like falling off at the end of the night if you wear them. If you can still wear heels and survive, then by all means, do it! Otherwise, you can always fall back on a metallic flat or a pointy kitten heel:

Glee, Chinese Laundry

Koin Kitten Heel, American Eagle

4. Accessories (of course!)

The nice thing about wearing a "special" top is you don't have to go crazy with the jewelry to dress it up. Large, dangly earrings are always sexy:

L to R: Rhinestone circle earrings, Ridged circle earrings

Or, go for a snazzy bracelet:

L to R: Pearl filigree bracelet, Rhinestone hinge bracelet

Finish off the look with a clutch or dainty purse (remember, you don't have to lug the diaper bag around tonight!):

L to R: daisy fuentes A-line clutch, apt. 9 Harbor clutch

And you're good to go. Your man won't be able to take his eyes off you! And you'll feel like the sexy momma you are.

Fashion Whining: It's Too EXPENSIVE!

(I use vintage brooches for hair clips, shoe clips, as an accessory on a belt, or even attached to a thick ribbon tied around the wrist for a pretty and cheap bracelet. So much versatility it makes me giddy.)

So another excuse that comes to mind when I think of women who "opt out" of looking like a woman in favor of looking like a mom, is that they simply don't have the money to purchase a new wardrobe. So they just wear their old duddy duds, and make me cry. REALLY? DO YOU WANT TO MAKE ME CRY?

It is a total misconception that looking good has to cost a lot of money. We've gone over the point that when I was first married, I had a $25 per month clothing budget right? $25!!! Ridiculous. But, because I was so desperate for shopping and clothes, I sucked it up and made it work. I learned quite a few tricks that first year of marriage, and even though I usually can get away with spending more per month, I still use these tricks to expand my wardrobe.

1) Work with what you have. You may have the bones of a good wardrobe on your hands, but aren't using it to its full potential for whatever reason. And better styling may be the answer to some of your bad clothes problems. Instead of throwing on a tee and capris (shudder), try some layering instead. A tee, with a blazer, or a knit top with a collared shirt underneath. Re-think your wardrobe and figure out new ways to wear old clothes so that they look different.

2) Play with accessories. When I buy accessories, you will never see my buying a demure chain necklace or gem-stud earrings. All of the accessories that I buy are for big impact. They're glitzy, or huge, or interesting, because changing up some cheap-o accessories makes a totally every day outfit something to talk about. Skip the hearts-on-a-chain and go for a huge layered necklace, big earrings or a cocktail ring, and wear them even if you're not going out anywhere. They will seriously transform your wardrobe as you find new ways to wear them.

3) Pare down your wardrobe. This might sound counter intuitive if you're looking for more options. But I feel that some people don't have huge clothing budgets so they shop sales and come home with 2o one-dollar crappy items, instead of one $20 well-made item. And those crappy ones don't get worn because they are ill-fitting, so you probably end up constantly wearing the few items in your closet that you actually DO like. Pare down to some well made, amazing basics that you love to wear. Then layer and accessorize to make them look new every day.

4) Have fun with shoes. Shoes can be bought pretty inexpensively, and you can use them to add spice to an otherwise boring outfit. I have a large shoe collection because I firmly believe that a good shoe can make an outfit. I love to wear a monochromatic look and then pop out some contrasting shoes; my favorite right now are navy blues with red shoes. LOVE. Don't take footwear too seriously. The second someone starts going about bad arches and comfort level my eyes glaze over. Get some comfy shoes for everyday, and special shoes that you can wear for three hours at a time without whining for fun.

5) Re-purpose items. This tidbit comes from my experience as a teenager, and I still do it to this day. Growing up, we didn't have a lot of money, and what's more, I was the only girl in my family with four brothers... fashion was not high on the must-have lists of my parents. So I learned to take things I owned and re-purpose them into another item. I would cut up t-shirts and wear them as head wraps and use my mom's vintage brooches as hair clips. I was the queen of finding uses for other things to make my clothes look new and current. And just the other day, I tore a piece of lace from one of my camis, and I kept the lace because I'm just programmed to try and figure out another use for it. If you're handy with a sewing machine, go right ahead, but you don't need major crafting skills to figure out you can add brooches to pumps to make them look more glam or tie a scarf on your purse to give it personality.

Don't ever let money get you down to the point that you don't care what you look like because you don't have the money to shop Rodeo Drive. Be creative and resourceful, but most of all take the time for yourself to figure out a better way. You'll be amazed out how much better you feel.

Fashion Whining: It Isn't COMFORTABLE!

The number one excuse I hear from people who don't dress well is that they "just like to be comfortable." As if being comfy is an excuse for looking like a shlub constantly. Well, guess what?

It's not.

While I don't mind the occasional pajama day (heck, I'm not feeling well and I've been in a tracksuit all day today) but I don't think justifying your bad dressing because you like to be comfortable is legit. Like ohhhhhh okay, you want to be comfortable. K, didn't know that's why you looked so horrible, but now I understand and accept. No. Because that is saying that people who dress well are perpetually uncomfortable. Aaaaand that would be untrue. Yes, five inch heels do hurt, and yes, tight dresses can be uncomfortable, but your every day stuff should be presentable and comfy.



(Jeans, Seven for All Mankind)
Take a good pair of jeans. You remember the every day jeans post right? Remember to find a pair of jeans that FITS WELL, in a medium wash that isn't too dark for every day and too light for you to not look like you came from the 80s. Hem them short enough to wear with flat shoes for excess comfort. See, the reason you want to immediately jump into your sweats when you get home after a day of wearing jeans is most likely that they don't fit you right. They should not leave red marks or cut into your skin, and you shouldn't be uncomfortable sitting down in them. If you are uncomfortable, try the next size up. I KNOW that's depressing, but you dressing crappy depresses me more.



(Graphic tee: Polyvore, Solid tee: Aeropostale ($12!!)
Shirts! For everyday, go for comfy cotton shirts with nice details. You shouldn't have to fuss with them all day. A nice scoop neck with a tie or button detail or a graphic tee is fine by me. You'll be comfy and not look like you rolled out of bed.

Can I take this time to point out that the other day I was dropping the kids off at preschool and there was a mom there in HAIR CURLERS? Like, is this 1943? WTH!




(Blazer: Gentle Fawn, Hoodie: Republic)
And if you must do some sort of sweatshirt or hoodie, do a fitted one, or a cute sweatshirt-material jacket. I really do think hoodies have their place, and they can look you nipped in and slim if they are cut properly. I wear hoodies allllll fall long because I missed them so, especially while running around. But zip up hoodies are your friend. Scary huge hoodies are not. Your hoodies should not do that awful poofing thing around the bottom. It makes you look ginormous. Buy one to actually fit you or don't buy one at all.


(Shoes: Orange flats: Polyvore, Yellow runners: Skechers
Shoes should be comfy too. If you like to wear sneaks running around, invest in a good pair of Skechers, so that you don't look like you're tromping around in gym shoes. Otherwise its flats for you! Now that it's fall, your flip flops should have retired until next year. Muah! Thanks again, flip flops. I am kind of loving citrus colors because they pop so much on your foot, and you can get a little dose of summer in the fall. Also, pointy flats are awesome. Do the same thing for your leg under jeans that pointy heels do, without the height. I live in mine.

Just don't let your love for comfort get in your way of looking like a respectable human being. Even if you're just loafing around and running errands, jeans and a tee are NOT going to kill you. I promise. If they do, you can totally sue me. All I have is shoes, but it could be worth it.

Maternity Monday: What to Wear to Work

Those of you who have ever incubated a human being know that pregnancy is hard work. Just growing a baby is a job in itself! Especially during the exhausting, vomit-inducing first trimester, when all you can do some days is brush your teeth. That might sound ludicrous to the rest of the world, but you mommas know it's true.

So, to the moms who actually get out of their PJ's every day and make their way into the workforce, I salute you. I was a full-time college student during my first pregnancy, and let's just say I'm glad I didn't have to abide by any dress codes. Or be productive, for that matter. But, for those of you who have real jobs, you've still gotta look professional. No jean skirts and flip-flops for you.

And even if you're a stay-at-home mom, there will likely come an occasion during your pregnancy when you actually need to look presentable (think hubby's work functions, church ... that kind of thing). So, this post is for you, too.

1. Pants

This is the boring part, but good pants make all the difference in a wardrobe. Pants are the foundation. Without them, your wardrobe will fall apart.

The biggest problems with maternity pants are their potential to bag in the crotch area and to sag in the butt. EEEK! Girls, you need a pair of good trousers that are going to make you look awesome and allow you to focus at work, not pants you are going to be thinking about all day, wondering if you look like a grandma. So, don't be afraid to spend a little extra on them. This is a worthwhile investment.

Secret Fit Belly tweed trousers, A Pea in the Pod

These wide-leg trousers are really great. Not only do they have an interesting tweed texture, but they're wide-leg, which makes them very slimming. Plus, they've got the Secret Fit Belly! This is a fantastic invention. Basically, the long, elastic waistband keeps the pants up all day, which means no saggy butt and no baggy crotch! The band is very thin, but tight. So, it also functions as a shaper. Awesome!

Motherhood Maternity also carries Secret Fit Belly pants. If you're looking for a less-expensive alternative, check these out.

I caution you to avoid "flare" cut pants at all costs. Flares are generally not flattering on women (or men, for that matter ...). Why? They emphasize the thighs and hips! A wide leg or boot cut option is much better because they won't hug your thighs. You'll look long and lean instead of short and squatty.

2) Skirts

I'm just going to echo Jae here and simply say two words: pencil skirt. But, you don't want to go too pencil-y; your silhouette is different now that you've got a belly. Find something that's a little A-line but still sheath, like this:

Knee-length A-line skirt, A Pea in the Pod

3) Tops

I need to warn you about something. The maternity Oxford shirt. You might see this and say, "Buttons plus collar equals dressy! Yaaay." But look at it. Blah. Boring. Unfeminine. If you're going to wear that, you might as well get into your husband's closet and put one of his on for free. You can do so much better.

You CAN wear a crisp, white button-down, but get one that has something special, like ruffles:

Ribbon-trim textured shirt, Gap

And do jazz it up with color, like maybe some red flats or a colored blazer. You don't want to look like a waitress.

Or, you could put on a nice knit top, like one of these:

Knot -front top, Nordstrom Satin pintucked top, Forever 21

Leah top, Forever 21 Garden Bloom top, Forever 21

Dress them up with a cardigan or blazer, if needed. Then, add some accessories and a fun bag, like this...

Roxanne shoulder bag, Forever 21

... and you're ready to bring home the bacon, sister!

Freaky Friday Don'ts: I forgot to post this when I wrote it so you're getting it on Sunday edition

Yeah, I wrote this whole post and decided to save it and then I was looking at my stats and was like WHY is no one giving me love for my Friday post?? And, after crying for a little while. realized it was still sitting as a draft.

I'm smart. So, a couple of days late, I bring your your Freaky Friday/Sunday Don'ts.

With the fall comes a lot of clothing catalogs to my house. Have I ever expressed to you how much I LOVE catalogs? Even for places I would never buy anything at. I was watching the Today show once, and they were saying to save the planet, you should visit some website to cancel the catalogs that you get, because they kill trees and whatnot, and I was like "Why would I want to do that, Matt Lauer? I mean, I love you, I do. But you say some stupid things sometimes."

Without catalogs, I would have to make conversation with my family at breakfast time. That's lame.

So I love to peruse catalogs and pick out horrifically bad stuff. This time I actually looked up item numbers on retail sites to bring you actual things I found in my catalogs and my mental first impressions.


To buy this dress, you'd need a severe multiple personality disorder. Like hmm, if only I had a structured DENIM work dress to show that I'm powerful, but then have it bleed fabric to show my softer side. Ah! Perfect!



This is what happens when two trends are combined to go horribly wrong. It's a plaid peasant blouse. I'm sorry, what peasant would be wearing PLAID? I don understand it at all. Plus with the hat too? Why does that model look so smug? YOU'RE IN A CATALOG!


I saw this jacket and laughed. For a few reasons. One, is it 1998 and are you being ostracized by your classmates or something? And two, this makes anyone look like a creepy vampire. And not in the sexy, Twilight vampire way, but in the "I ACTUALLY think I'm a vampire" way. Not cool. ORRR you could be in the Matrix. Whatever. Either way you slice it, long, leather trench coats are weird.


Two words. Fleece. Leopard. Two more words. DON'T. EVER.


I actually don't mind the shape and style of this sweater IN THEORY, I just think it makes you look like your boobs are growing a rose garden. But hey, if that's the look you're going for, then right on, sistah! But don't get mad when someone tries to stuff plant food down your bra.


Can you believe this was in a catalog NOT for Harley mamas? They should have a clause underneath this: Must have rose tattoo on gross place like chest, neck or ankle to wear. Also must enjoy chaps.


And for a special treat, a serious designer don't. My man Alexander McQueen did a runway show with no heel under ten inches. SERIOUSLY. What is with the creepy lobster claw slash weird and oppressive bound food shoe?? I SWEAR ON ALL THAT IS HOLY THAT I WILL LOSE MY FAITH IN FASHION IF THIS COMES IN STYLE. Mark my words guys. The minute Payless starts carrying these I am closing up shop and you can get your fashion tips from someone else. Because I'll be going to THROW MYSELF OFF OF A CLIFF.

So. much. rage.