Mommy Style Monday #27: Third Trimester Files: I Can Still Wear Dresses!

Note: Rather than bother with individually archiving the end of my third trimester outfits, I am going to do two separate Mommy Style Mondays highlighting my two "basic" outfits of the day. This week will be on how dresses are a SAVING grace for anyone "blessed" with a MASSIVE HUGE BABY BELLY (which is usually most pregnant ladies). Next week will be on how to do "stylish casual" during the last few difficult weeks when every part of your body is aching.

I also believe that many of my early postpartum outfits will also be part of the Mommy Style Monday series, however, I do intend to have at least a few of them be separate outfit of the day posts.

I have written on both of these subjects before in Mommy Style Mondays...here is one on dressing your bump, here is one on when you start to show, and here is one on how to dress either a first trimester belly OR a diminishing belly in the postpartum period.

Also, if you are interested, in the very first few months of this blog, say between January of 2009 till around May of 2009, I was still very much losing my baby weight from CW. My postpartum period this time is MUCH different (which I will probably get into at some point in the future in another post), and I sincerely doubt I will be in postpartum clothing in a few months. I did start this blog as a way to help emphasize fun fashion and style for all mommas, regardless of weight or shape, and even though I don't think what happened with CW will happen post-Angus, I do stand proud of my desire to work with what I had post-CW, EVEN if my style and fashion sense has changed since then. ;)

Okay, SO...here goes...what to do with that BIG OLE BABY BELLY in the last few weeks, when literally nothing else fits, even the "maternity" clothing that fit at 35 weeks?

I am so pregnant here, I believe this was one week before I gave birth to Gus.  You can even see my "popped" belly button. 

No matter what I put on, everything fit extremely poorly.  I was only able to wear super stretchy fabrics that gave over the belly but also could be fitted enough to fit my smaller bustline and shoulders.

This is a Motherhood Maternity dress that I lived in during CW and Rex's pregnancies.  Until the last weeks of my pregnancy with Gus, I couldn't wear this dress as it was too big (overall I only gained thirty two pounds with Gus, with CW, I gained forty, and with Rex, I gained fifty). 

But MAN was I ever grateful to have this dress in the circulation, it felt good.  Like G-O-O-O-O-O-O-D good.  The stretch jersey fabric is super soft and the yummy bias cut skirt helped keep airflow on my legs.  (It was hot that day.)

Sunglasses: Target.
Shoes: Bensimon with Liberty Print Fabric.
Necklace: J. Crew.

I also appreciate how the cap sleeves and v-neck help draw the eye to the neckline and face rather than the belly.

CW is precious here.  She insisted on the hat.  ;)

This is yet another dress that I wore constantly with Rex and CW.  However, like I said with the above outfit, it was too large (especially in the neckline and shoulders) for most of this pregnancy.

I guess I am advising you, if you have the tendency to a very large bump, to invest in one or two "one size larger" dresses for the very end of your pregnancy.  Even if they lay dormant for months at least you will have something that you can feel decent in, pretty in, and be more than glad to put on because it gives you room to breathe and lots of comfort.

The dress is another Motherhood Maternity, in a size medium (typically wear a small with them).  I love the fabric, liberty-esque without being Liberty (yikes on those prices for a dress worn a few times in total).

Earrings and Shoes: J. Crew.

I wore this to one of my last doctor's appointments, may have been my very last one in fact.  I kind of really dig this photo.  I have only a handful of me truly appreciating the bump, but this one shows how much that I like being pregnant, even with all the hassle and hurt.

I adore this dress as it does fit regardless of point of pregnancy.  I can wear it earlier on (as I did here) or later on, as I am doing above.  The smocked top of this dress really works, especially if you have a pear shape...it will always work with a smaller upper body no matter what your lower half wants to do.
Dress: Pea in the Pod.
Bag: Anthropologie.
Shoes: J. Crew.
Bracelet: J. Crew necklace made into a bracelet, see next photo.  (Plus an additional traditional J. Crew bracelet and my Tiffany's Chain Link Bracelet.)
Earrings: J. Crew.

The red "bracelet" is the necklace (in-store only) wrapped three times around my wrist.

Rarely do I wear my glasses when dressing up, but I couldn't manage the contacts and makeup and accessories and dress.  Ya know.  Exhaustion and all.

About two weeks prior to giving birth, Mr. Dina and the fam and I went to a Thai restaurant together, and I loved the opportunity to get a little more dressy, yet even I realized there was no way in heck it would include heels, any sort of true tailoring or structure, or heavy accessories.

This dress is non-maternity from Garnet Hill.  Here and there I will buy a piece of two from Garnet Hill.  I had worn this once last fall (it never made it to the blog, though), and I wanted to see how far its stretchy jersey fabric would go.  (Turns out a whole lot.)

Jacket: J. Crew.  Wore it once before in the pregnancy, here.
Shoes: Target.
Earrings: J. Crew Factory.

When I am not pregnant, this dress features a very full skirt, which is great for my larger hips and bottom.  While pregnant, that volume easily accommodates the belly.  I HIGHLY recommend buying jersey dresses from non-maternity lines if you don't have a ton of money for a maternity wardrobe.  (And stretchy leggings--again from a non-maternity line...)

If you must (and I get that, I have been there, you all should have seen my wardrobe budget during my first job, everyone on three, say it, Chadwicks!) only buy things that can work before, during, and after pregnancy, do the jersey dress and leggings route, you can get a ton of wear and very little tear (these are sturdy fabrics) from these staple items.

I love the jeweled neckline.  This is sweet and elegant, without being especially fussy.

I popped the tie-fabric collar for a bit of fun.  By then end of the meal, it was down.  I only slightly cared.

I did a review of the necklace here, so if you read that review, you have seen the outfit before, but for some of you this is new.

This is a size medium Liz Lange for Target dress that I bought a while back.  It was huge on me, but because I have done this whole being pregnant thing two other times, I knew the dress would work for reals at the end.  And it did become a godsend.  I am not one to say this often, but black is certainly slimming.  (Well, kind of.)

Necklace: Boden.
Shoes: J. Crew.  (CW wants a pair of her own glitter golden flats.  One day...I suppose.)

Okay, that's all! 

My quick takeaways:

1. Dresses are a wonderful option at the end as they allow for freedom of movement and will easily accommodate a larger belly, even if the rest of you hasn't gotten larger. 

2. Always seek out jersey fabrics, as they allow for the MOST flexibility between a smaller upper or lower half and a very large waistline.  (At one point my belly measured 42 inches and my bustline was 35 inches.  Jersey fabric was, hands down, the most comfortable of all the fabrics.)

3. Look outside the maternity stores.  If there is a store whose jersey dresses work for you (my faves are J. Crew, Boden, and Garnet Hill), seek them out in longer lengths and with fuller skirts.  Chances are they will fit you the entire time you are pregnant and flatter you.

4. Have one or two maternity dresses that are one size bigger than your traditional maternity size.  (This is truly key if your belly gets abnormally big compared to the rest of you.  If this is your first pregnancy it is hard to tell what your body is likely to do, but by two and three, you should have an idea.)

5. Know that you don't have to try so hard at the end.  If you only throw on a dress, some lip gloss, a cute bracelet, and some adorable ballet flats, you are giving 110%.  It is HARD to lug the weight around, it is DIFFICULT to feel pretty, and it is a time when every. single. person. gets it.  No one wants you to work harder than you need to...if the heels and statement necklaces bug you at the end, well, yeah, give them up.  In a few months, you totally will be back to enjoying your whole wardrobe.  Promise.  :)

Any other tips from moms who have been there?  

OOTD: Bit of Green.

Happy Belated Saint Patrick's Day, all! No Angus born on St. Patty's Day, so there you go...and no baby boy born on my daughter's half birthday, either (that would be 3.5, today, fwiw). That's fine. I am holding out for him to be born on time on the 29th or in the perfect world of a Rush fan, being born on 3/21/12. This date means nothing to you unless you really love Rush, as their album 2112 would always be part of his bday.  (Although would that mean I would have to name him Geddy?)

Not holding my breath, though. LOL. :)

Onto a bit of green! I love the color and am more than happy to wear as much green as possible on the actual day and during the week leading up to it in bits and pieces. Unfortunately, I am literally limited to the 6 or so pieces of clothing that still fit, and that means I have only two real items that will work. All good, though.

The first outfit is from the day the kids celebrated the world of shamrocks and rainbows and all things Irish--Tuesday.  (Thursday, the other day they go to preschool, they celebrated with a "leprechaun" party, in which their classrooms were destroyed by the antics of those Irish mischief makers.  CW was really irritated by them.  Hee.)

Dress: Pea in the Pod.  The ombre effect includes a deep green at the hem becoming a light tan color at the top.  You all have seen this dress before (of course...easy to do with a limited wardrobe).
Shoes: Boden.  These are the green animal bow flats from the fall.
Scarf: J. Crew.
Sunglasses: Target.

Mr. Dina was with me--he took the photo which is the only way I would ever pose like this in public--he took me to the doctor that day.  He really wanted to make sure that the doctor was comfortable with my due date, he is SURE that I should be giving birth earlier based on how big my tummy has become.  It turns out I just brew the children big.  Nice and hearty, like a Guinness.

Close up the dress, scarf, and sunglasses.  I do really love this dress!

Yeah, this is from St. Patrick's Day, just in case you were color blind (it's possible!!!).  CW is in a lime green splendor and I am in shades of dark olive.

Cardigan: Macy's Charter Club.
Top: Merona Maternity.  I wore this top with another very similar outfit a few weeks ago.
Shorts: Motherhood Maternity.  It was HOT that day.  I ended up, by the time we made it to the supermarket, not wearing the cardigan.  (BTW, at the supermarket a non-pregnant person parked in the expectant mother's spot. Le sigh.  Wasn't much I could do beyond giving them the side eye, but grrr!)
Shoes: J. Crew.
Necklace: Boden Semi Precious Pendant. This is a preview of this pendant, which I have better photos of for next week's Boden Weekly Review roundup. It is on backorder in both colors, I can see why. I think it is a keeper, and for the price, well worth it.

CW is in a selection of Carter's, Hanna Anderson, and Miss Trish of Capri for Target.  Her "purse" is an old one of mine.  She has a lot of my old purses.  And she carries them with her, without anything in them.  I think she just thinks they look good and that they add to her outfit.  She doesn't actually understand their utility yet.  ;)

My hair is in pigtails because it was so flipping hot...I would have melted if I had left it down.

Okay, so before I go, I had such a great day today!  Some of my blog friends invited me to one of the coolest restaurants in DC, America Eats Tavern (formerly Cafe Atlantico), for a Gus baby shower.  How sweet!  There will be more on today in an upcoming post, but I had to show off this adorable cupcake packaging that Summer (of the blog Sumsunshine) created for the party.  She had told the lovely folks at Georgetown Cupcake to package it for a boy's baby shower, but they must have not got the message, as we ended up with pink, but Summer swooped in and got the blue ribbon, blue safety pin, and "it's a boy" pendant on the package to show that I am having a little man and not a little lady.


Thank you so much, ladies.  It really was an amazing day!!!  

You all have a great night! 

OOTDs: Searching for Comfort. (Wherever I Can Find It!)

I am so not going to bore you with why I haven't published since Thursday, but I will ask you to take a look at this article on why those of us with baby are susceptible to a condition known as a suppressed immune system (you know if that's your thing--learning about stuff like that). I finally got over the nasal infection only to be walloped with a mild flu. I have been asleep in bed for the past two days. I suspect I will be going back to bed in exactly two hours. Fun!

What has helped me get through this? My Kindle Fire and episodes of Portlandia and Storage Wars on Netflix Streaming. Thank goodness for technology. :)

I have quite a few outfits of the day to get through that I have been meaning to publish for a while now.  This will be short and sweet, with just a quick look at the items in the outfits along with where I was going.  They ALL were comfortable.  At this point if anything pinches, rides up, or makes me feel like I am going to hurt if I wear it longer than twenty minutes, I nix it as a possibility.

This is one of my more dressy outfits of late.  I wore this one to go out with the family a recent weekend night.

Top: Liz Lange Maternity.  I wore this to the George Mason Basketball game, too.
Skirt: Mimi Maternity.  This has a large elasticized waistband to make it work at all stages of pregnancy.
Shoes: J. Crew Quorra high heel oxfords.  I love that these can be worn in the winter, although the cut-outs make them summer-appropriate too.  (FWIW, it wasn't that cold that night...really hasn't been here at all.  Winter was officially a no-show this year.)
Necklace: J. Crew from Fall 2009.

It was cold enough for a topper, though, so I pulled out my J. Crew Double Cloth Carlin Coat in Blackberry.

Mr. Dina's bday may have been a few weeks ago, but it took us until last week to go to dinner to celebrate (the very yummy Lebanese Layalina in Arlington--he actually proposed to me there all those years ago).

Dress: Liz Lange for Target.  This was bought during CW's pregnancy, so it is a summer dress.  Guess what?  The temps in the 60s that day made this more than appropriate, especially with the cardigan.
Cardigan: J. Crew Jackie.
Shoes: Anthropologie Schuler and Sons Chiseled Wedges.
Earrings: J. Crew Snow Sparkle Earrings.

Better view of the outfit.

I also was making a really stupid face (like I was in the last photo, but that one was less stupid).

You can see the bracelet here too (J. Crew Sunset Charm Bracelet).

I recall feeling nice this day, no yuckiness, etc.  Maybe a preschool run day?  Ugh.  Can't remember.  LOL.  I should probably just stay on top of the ootd posts, huh?

Top: Motherhood Maternity smocked bubble print tank.
Cardigan: J. Crew Soft Tee Cardigan.
Pants: Duo Maternity Cords.
Necklace: J. Crew Glass Bead Ladybug Necklace.
Shoes: Target Merona Meadow.  These are a mary jane style with a slight heel and a darling rosette "buckle" on the strap.

This was my Valentine's Day outfit.  I decided that although I LOVE the heart throb shirt, I didn't want to go over the top and "in your face" with my V-day ensemble.  :)

Top: J. Crew Tissue Pintuck Tee.  This is one of those tops that J. Crew makes that can stretch, stretch, stretch.
Shirt: J. Crew Tartan Tuxedo Shirt.
Pants: Duo Maternity Jeans.
Shoes: J. Crew Lula Bow Ballet Flats.  LOVE the Lulas!
Necklace: J. Crew.

I even wore red lipstick!

Valentine/Lumberjack. by dinagideon featuring j crew jewelry

I did create a polyvore of this outfit.  I felt it was a great mix of lumberjack and sweetheart.  {Snort.}

This was last week on the preschool run. It got up to 70 that day.  It was pretty incredible.  I even managed to fit in a walk at a local nature preserve, and after 2 miles, I felt it, but the sun felt wonderful.

Top: J. Crew Jaspe Pullover.  I loved the blue version so much that I bit on the grey as well.  I think these will be cozy comfy options for pregnancy, and for post pregnancy will be the perfect tops for traveling (ugh, long car rides and/or plane trips).
Shirt: Old Navy Maternity Ruffled Button Down.
Shorts: Motherhood Maternity Bermudas.
Necklace: J. Crew Carnation Necklace.
Shoes: J. Crew Piera Ballet Flats.  These stood up to the walk in the park well.  :)

Another view from inside, colors are more true to life here (the outdoor shot was a bit washed out).

This was worn this weekend for church.  We had also intended to go to a movie but because my slow as molasses butt was not walking fast enough, we got to the theater too late and every. single. seat. was filled up (not really, but you know my kids--as mature as they are--can't sit in seats away from us--there were only single seats left...ergh).  And my big belly didn't elicit gasps of "help a sister out," either.  LOL.  Nah, I understood.  ;)

We ended up going to Dairy Queen instead, which was a definite plus in my book.

I have worn this tunic before recently (in the red halfway down that post), but clearly it is being stretched to its limits now (but still is fine, yay for soft jersey knits!).

Tunic: Boden Terazzo Tunic.
Leggings: J. Crew.
Shoes: J. Crew Dreamweaver Ballet Flats, Size 9.5 (quickie review at the very bottom after the next photo).

I love ballet flats and wear them constantly.  I was drawn to these for the same reason I was drawn to the Quorras in outfit #1--they are summery with the cut-out/weaved fabric, but are perfectly fine in less warm months too.  (Can be worn with thin socks, if need be.)  I chose to get my true size of 9.5 and they fit beautifully right out of the box.  I have a feeling they will be a bit too narrow for some of you though...I anticipate you could stretch the shoes, though, fairly fast.  These seem to be made from a softer leather.  The footbed and sole are leather, as well, so more worth the price than other flats of the same price made from man made materials.

Okay, that's all.  I feel it would be a minor miracle if I actually post tomorrow, but who knows?  :)  You all have a great night!!!

Pregnant Party Girl Style, Part Two.

Hi!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful week.  I am sure many of you have had this whole time off of work, including some SAHMs!  I have not, but with my husband working in fundraising, this is his hardest time of year as all the end of year contributions come in right now (for tax purposes).

And next week I teach my Winter Wardrobe fashion class again, so it is my busiest time of year, too.  :)

Anyhow, back to what this post is really about...since tomorrow is New Year's Eve, and I have a feeling at least one or two of you are "with child," you may appreciate my take on pregnant party fashion when you are actually really showing (as opposed to part one of this series where I was merely trying to make real dresses work with a small baby bump).

Party On, Pregnant Girl. Part Two. by dinagideon featuring textured tights

I wore the above outfit to my hubby's work shindig back in early December, when I was about 23 weeks along (give or take a week, no one really knows what I "am").   I was lucky enough to get the dress on ebay for a really reasonable price (about $40).  I will probably wear it at least once more, and if all goes well, I will either alter it for non-pregnancy, or I will just re-sell on ebay once I am done with this pregnancy.  I had all the other pieces in this polyvore already.

On me, hands on hips.  If you don't look very long and aren't wearing your prescription glasses, I almost look non-pregnant here.  But again, only the legally blind would have troubles telling that I have a passenger.

Sorry about the wonky angles, my dad is a great photographer but not all that great at keeping the camera straight.  And I don't have picasa to fix the angles (oh, my big computer, when shall I ever see you again???).

The outfit was uber-comfy, surprisingly, but I guess that is a given when your waistband is just non-existent.  The dress is a size small, which is exactly right for my bust and shoulders.  I think this dress could work until around the 38th week...after that, all bets are off and if you all see me in anything besides leggings and really loose tops, I will be surprised, frankly.

The details of the top half.  All the accessories (including shoes) are J. Crew from a few years ago.

One last photo, all of it together...and perfectly straight.

So what would I wear if I was actually going to some fancy party/dinner tomorrow night?  (We are hanging with other families at a "family friendly" New Year's Eve/birthday soiree instead, which is fine with me, my outfit will most likely include a sequin tee and jeans.)

I scored the Flickering Slipdress in Jade on Wednesday morning.  I had this dress in my wishlist forever in my tts dress size with Anthro, a size 6, and guess which size was the only size still available?  Yep, the size 6!  Woo!  I have not really grown through the shoulders and bust, so this dress is exactly right for both pregnancy (can accommodate a bit of a belly) and non-pregnancy (when it just is all "flowy").

I think I will wear it, but maybe next week to my fashion class on the runway show day.  Probably pair it with a sleek cardi and tights and boots.  Hmm...

Anyhow, pregnant ladies, think about this one as a possibility, some sizes in the cream colorway are available.

J Crew dress (see more bodice dresses)
What would I wear if I wasn't pregnant and headed to a party?  This sleeper of a dress from J. Crew.  How in the heck has no one even talked about this beauty?  I found the Marielle dress in solstice floral during the last 20% off sale time, and was floored that all sizes were available, and at $59.99.  I spoke with my PS, who sent me measurements to ensure I got the correct size (I went off my non-pregnant measurements).  The only thing I can think is that the measurements seem to be "old school J. Crew" and maybe women purchased their "vanity size J. Crew" size (for me I would have gone with a 4 or 6), and found that it was too small, necessitating a ton of returns.  Who knows?  Anyhow, I got the 8 (bust is 36 and waist is 30, which will fit fine next year, and if need be and my bust is smaller, I will sew on grosgrain ribbon straps, no biggee). From what I saw (I tried it on, lol, it definitely fit in the hips and the top of the dress, nowhere else), it is well-constructed in a super lovely cotton and is fully lined.  The bodice even has one of those interior bra-type things that you see in strapless dresses which give a little extra support to help hold up the girls and the dress.  I have other strapless dresses from J. Crew and this one has the best support interior bra I have ever seen from them.  (No cups, etc., but very substantial...)

Okay, that's all from me...what are your choices for tomorrow night?