Note: With my parents in town for the week, moments to snap a daily photo are limited. So, I’m supplementing our regular academichic fare with some ruminations on style during and immediately after pregnancy while it’s all still fresh in my mind. Bear with me. These will be lengthy!
In theory, the modern woman knows that a stylish pregnancy is possible, and perhaps, with the availability of maternity lines at Gap, Old Navy, and Target, even expected. From the very beginning I knew, at least on an intellectual level, that I wanted to maintain my sense of style throughout my pregnancy and that I never, ever, wanted to settle for any garment that even remotely resembled a circus tent. Yet theory alone — as we graduate student in the humanities so often find — does not a methodology make. Recognizing the specificity of the situation — accepting the fact that my body and this particular pregnancy were unique — was the first important step in embracing the challenge of dressing a body that seemed to be a different shape every single morning.
A few months ago the always-fabulous Allie of My Wardrobe Today did a guest post on Already Pretty with a really stellar list of practical recommendations for the preggers fashionista. Many of my thoughts overlap with Allie’s, so rather than review the generalities I wanted to instead point to the particulars by reflecting on some of my favorite outfits from my “obviously pregnant” months. Consider it an annotated image appendix of sorts.
Maintaining a sense of self:
A major goal I set for my pregnancy style was to keep looking like me. I didn’t want to look back at pictures from my pregnancy and wonder who the lady in all the floral prints and pastels was. So, within the bounds of practicality, I worked to maintain my self-described “machine washable elegance” of simple lines and unexpected colors.
“Making it work” also meant taking up a scissors and seeing the transformable potential of store-bought garments. Unable to find a bright, sexy dress for my first baby shower, I fashioned one from a halter maxi dress. Less elaborately, I made myself the perfect maternity bermuda shorts by shortening a thrifted pair of maternity jeans. There was something rather empowering about making pieces of my maternity wardrobe, crafting items that were exactly what I wanted rather than what stores happened to be carrying at the time.
Trying something new:
While much of my preggers style-mantra revolved around the notion of channeling my pre-pregnancy style into my maternity wardrobe, I was also delightfully surprised by the opportunities to be adventurous in my preggers fashion choices.
I was not a fan of maxi dresses prior to being pregnant and I will likely eschew them in my postpartum style, but somehow, for some reason, this outfit (with a gifted maxi dress from Gap) remains one of my favorites. The color combination still plays into my fascination with warm color mixing, but the carefree shape and hippie chic styling were new to me. Having a bump, somehow, helped me pull this off.
And yes, then there was the ultimate preggers-lady-only fashion statement: belting below the bump. I look triumphant, maybe even a little smug, in this picture. And I felt like it, too. This outfit was not about making do or working around the bump. Instead, it was celebrating the body that I had that day. And in the end, isn’t that what getting dressed every morning — pregnant or not — should be about?
I thought you always looked chic, fabulous and still practical during your pregnancy. I don’t think I’m quite ready for pregnancy yet but it’s nice to see what some creativity can do to make maternity styling appealing.
Lovely post, I really loved your looks these past months, some of these looks are my favorites of yours! It’s amazing how certain challenges can make you totally rethink the way you use a piece of clothing. Am looking forward to many more outfits to come! :)
Throughout all of your pregnancy posts I was continually floored at how effortless you managed to make all of your outfits look. That was certainly the most stylishly dressed bump I’ve ever seen!
“Instead, it was celebrating the body that I had that day.”
Wow… that was exactly what I needed to hear (read?) Thanks for this E–I think we can all get a lot out of this (pregnant or not!)
I am MASSIVELY impressed by how stylish you remained all throughout your pregnancy, E. Also unsurprised to hear that it was challenging at every turn, which makes the feat all the more impressive.
I recommended your preggers posts to a reader who wrote me asking for pregnancy style advice. I’m sure she’ll get plenty of inspiration!
I think you did an amazing job of maintaining style throughout your pregnancy! I know how challenging it can be to get dressed some days when your body seems so foreign, but you pulled it off, that’s for sure.
I have one question though … did you ruin any pre-pregnancy clothes by stretching them out to use during pregnancy? Just curious.
That’s a good question, shopkim – I wonder about that too – I’d hate to ruin a favorite sweater or shirt. I’m only 6 weeks pregnant (yay!), but I’ve been following your site for a while now and love your style – definitely something I’ll strive for when my bump pops!
I am utterly impressed with your sense of style while being pregnant. Rather then wearing floppy things and kaftans, you look chic and fabulous!
It sounds challenging, but you defenitely pulled it off. Your looks are still stylish, I would dress like that- just without the bump.
Glad to meet you all! My friends/colleagues and i joke about the pact we’ve made with each other to remain members of our little chapter of the “well dressed professor’s club” and not move to frumpyville!
Your blog has already hit my line-up for this this month’s “little list of links” feature though i think i’ll make reference to you guys in another advice post i have coming up for PhD students/early career.
We often discuss how difficult it is to find tops which are modest enough in the neckline, especially if you are leaning over to discuss student’s work? any advice on labels or tricks ?
Loved this post! E, you were truly stylish and inspiring during your pregnancy when many moms would prob think “i could never look good while preggers.” But you pulled it off fabulously!
And, I love that the outfits aren’t just pregnant outfits. They are things that people without a baby bump could piece together and look great in!
Love this review and I think it’s amazing how stylishly your dressed throughout all stages of your pregnancy. So many pregnant women just wear jersey “circus tents”
I found Academichic through Weardrobe and enjoy the combinations you come up with. Thank you for reminding me that while seeing my body as an art project, I can embrace it for what it is.
I love how you worked your style throughout your pregnancy, and appreciate that you’ve pulled several different looks together for this thoughtful (and thought-provoking) post.
Because you’re right – pregnant or not, one should dress for her body she has on that day, find those things that make her want to do a happy dance, wear pieces that flatter the parts of herself she wants to highlight.
I love what your style and your thoughts on style say about pregnancy and style, but also what they say about women and feminism.
Thank you for this inspirational post.
Congatulations! lovely dress!
Love this retrospective. You looked so chic throughout; it’s inspiring!
Thank you, ladies, for your kind words.
@ShopKim: I did stretch out a few pre-preggers tops. I did so selectively, though, offering a couple up as martyrs for style. Given how difficult it was for me to find maternity tops that fit my body and style, sacrificing a few pre-preggers tops was worth it. That purple shirt I wore on the day I was induced will never be the same, I’m sure!
- e.
[...] couple of weeks ago I recapped my experience of trying to dress stylishly through my 6 months of “obvious” pregnancy. Now post-bump I am picking my way through the new style challenges of the so-called “4th [...]
[...] E @ Academichic reveals her maternity style [...]
[...] us! Please don’t forget to check out her blog Academic Chic, especially these posts about her maternity style and dressing her post baby body… I can’t help but love everything she writes [...]
my local dress maker makes the best dancewear in town. i love the colors and style.~*-
when selecting dancewear, i always select those dresses with lots of glitter and made out of silk~*~
when selecting dance wear, i always choose the ones with glitter, i love glitters’.;
i always choose a dancewear that is full of glitters, i love glittery stuffs;“
maternity clothes should be loose and comfortable to the wearer, i alway advise my wife to get those cotton based maternity clo “
my sister has a dancewear that is full of glitter, it looks cheeky but nice ~.*
Free gaggin pics!
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