at 33 weeks along, i have finally come to the realization that not only will i need to give in and buy a few more maternity pieces, but i will also have to dramatically alter my wardrobe once the baby arrives! i’ll probably be breast feeding for at least six months (how long do people breast feed for? i don’t even know yet!). and that means that i will need attire that can either be easily pulled down or easily pulled up. so all of those cute mini dresses with high necklines? yeah, those are going to have to retire to my closet for much longer than i realized. instead, i’m going to have to embrace separates in a way that i never have before, and more than that, i think i might need to accept that many of my tops will need to be either stretchy or low-cut. the horror! but i’m glad that i’m figuring that out sooner rather than later because it gives me time to pick up a few pieces of clothing before the big day.
the problem i have with most maternity clothes that i’ve seen is that they all focus on somehow emphasizing your belly. i can’t tell you how many times i’ve seen the exact same button front tunic with an empire drawstring. i’ve also seen many a side-ruched top and plenty of stretchy jersey dresses with impossibly high empire waistlines. i know it’s probably the most practical thing for many women, but it’s just not something i can ever see myself wearing. in fact, i still plan to continue wearing an array of non-maternity wear that will be most practical: button front blouses and pinafore dresses still have easy access. and i’m sure a plain t-shirt and sweatpants is all you really need when you’re going to be spending the entire day indoors with an infant.
but thankfully there are other options. for my entire pregnancy, hatch collection has been on my radar. i haven’t bought anything yet, but now that i’m realizing my needs a bit more, i’m really starting to appreciate their style. the concept behind the clothes is that they are designed to be worn before, during, and after your pregnancy. it’s much more casual that what i might normally wear, but when you’re carrying around an enormous basket ball-sized belly, you’ll begin to understand why comfort suddenly becomes the most important function of your wardrobe. and hatch collection is all about creating fashion-forward basics, so most of the pieces can easily be translated to just about any style. the prices are not as budget-friendly as some, but as i realize that i’ll probably be wearing a lot of this stuff for a long time to come, i don’t mind investing a bit in my comfort and sanity.
8 comments
And if we want to wear all of this, and we’re not pregnant, or will be pregnant for at least 700 days…what should we do? BUT THESE STYLE OF THIS IS SO JAPANESE STREET I CANT FLIPPIN STAND IT
also, the thought of you in a mini dress trying to breast feed makes me lolololol for hours
hahaha, yeah. i had that epiphany the other day. the visual is a bit terrifying.
oh wow, their clothes really is gorgeous! and i can see why at the end of the stretch all you want to be is comfy- it’s no easy feat carrying around that weight all day! their pieces seperately are more casual than what i’d gravitate towards, but the way they styled it is amazing! i love all of it!
xo marlen
Messages on a Napkin
Where was this collection in my time of need.? Only just dusting off my pre- preg clothes but lived in stretch leggings and striped tops. It’s not the most fashion forward of times really, you just need to be comfy and not worry if it all gets messy. Embrace the sloppy mayhem for about 6-8months then dust off your finery and pretend it never happened. I breast fed for 8 months, but it’s totally up to you and how you and your baby feel. Good luck my love you will be an awesome mum! x
aw, thank you! and oh yes, i have been wearing a lot of leggings and stripe tops, too! i haven’t worn them out of the house yet, but that’s what i’ve been throwing on the moment i step in the door every day. finally getting to the stage where i am too uncomfortable in “normal clothes” even when i go out, so i’m glad that there are at least a few options for when i have to be seen in public! but yes, i think i am just now beginning to realize how hard it’s going to be to try and hold on to getting dressed up. or at least wearing my old clothes. i might even pull out my sewing machine and try my hand at a few simple pieces…
My daughter is 8 months old and the whole dressing-for-feeding thing got A LOT easier once fall hit! I was using a nursing cover for awhile- I stopped around 6 months because personally I was finally comfortable enough. I like to wear a button down with a sweater over it- that way I can unbutton the shirt and pull up the sweater and stay pretty much covered! I also like v-neck t-shirts that I can pull to the side with a sweater or cardigan- anything that keeps my belly covered. Pediatricians have different recommendations, but it’s ideal to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months and then start introducing solids; it’s recommended to breastfeed for at least a year, unless you decide to introduce formula. Kellymom.com is a great resource for nursing mamas!
When I was pregnant, I basically lived in my Jessica Simpson maternity skinny jeans and striped maternity tees from ASOS. I was so tired of them by the end!!! I lost most of my baby weight right away but everything is a bit..ahem..”redistributed” so I still can’t fit into my pre-preg clothes! SO sad. It also could be all of the cheese and dessert I keep eating… but that’s beside the point.
You look amazing! I love seeing how you dress at this stage- it’s inspiring! You’re gonna be a great mama! I’m sure you have a million friends and resources for help but if you ever have any questions, now or after birth, I am happy to share and offer help! jeswiswallATgmailDOTcom I had a natural birth and the birthing center within our hospital, had crazy boob trauma 2 days after we left the hospital but still managed to exclusively breastfeed, and went slightly crazy that first month (or 2). The hormones were killing me for a couple of weeks- after the birth, your estrogen level plummets, and makes you feel a little bit crazy coupled with the lack of sleep. Breastfeeding is HARD but amazing- we had a really challenging time at first but I love it so much now. The lack of sleep makes everything seem so much more intense but it’s amazing how much women can handle for the sake of their babies. I have never been more proud of myself.
My nuggets of advice: Find a good lactation consultant beforehand in case you need it. Ours also does sleep consulting which was SO helpful. Accept help from friends and family. Just do it. Accept the meals, accept offers of holding the baby so you can take a shower, and then don’t feel bad about telling people to leave when you need them to leave. It’s not your job to entertain. TMI: TAKE THE STOOL SOFTENER. For like a month afterward. I know, I know, I totally just wrote that in the comments of your style blog, but FOR REAL. TAKE IT.
Haha there’s more where that came from if you want it! I’m sure you’re getting tons of unwarranted advice- people love to give it (sorry I totally just did that!) but I am lucky to be part of a great birth community where I live and have been privy to a lot of help and info. Good luck mama! xo Jes
Congrats! I guess it’s a happy surprise when I had stopped visiting your blog for a while, only to find you again when we are in the same predicament! Although I’m not as far along-I really appreciate all the fashion advice for maternity wear. My first pregnancy had me wearing the most unflattering clothing i.e. empire waist shirts -so I’m on a mission to fill my closet with maternity wear that I could totally rock post pregnancy -so keep it coming! And good luck with everything!
From one BF’ing mom to another, it is SO much easier to pull your neckline down to feed, instead of lifting your shirt up. At least, that’s just me. But you don’t need ‘low cut’ per se, just something stretchy. Drop-shoulder tunics are my best friend right now.