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17 January, 2008Fat Fashion Thursday - Knocked Up Edition
Fat Fashion Thursday is back for another dose of hot fashion and animal-friendly accessories. A while back my friend Joanna asked me to do a Fat Fashion Thursday on maternity looks for the big girls (and maybe things that would also work on a post-preggo body you aren’t used to yet). I’m a little late since Milo Bear has been crawling around for a few weeks now, but better late than never?
Searching for plus size maternity clothing turned up some very scary stuff. So for those of us that don’t want to look like we kidnapped and skinned an entire cheetah, lumberjack or Hawaiian tour guide, I’ve come up with a couple looks.
These are pretty versatile and should have enough belly room to get you through the third trimester as well as covering up any new bumps or lumps you aren’t so crazy about after you pop out the kid. I’ve also included a watch and a “diaper bag” for each look. The bags are versatile enough to carry them anywhere, kid or not and the watches – well it just occurs to me that moms are busy ladies who need watches. If you’re plus sized and have gotten knocked up, congratulations and get thee to a JC Penney, who had the most non-frightening plus size maternity everything.
Just because you’re pregnant and the vultures are eyeballing your office like crazy doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be on point with your outfits at work. This will be way comfortable but still have you looking snazzy. Old Navy’s maternity line goes up to XXL, which fits hips up to 51 inches. I started fitting into their XXL clothes when I got down to a size 20, so that’s an option for some smaller plus chicas. These Maternity low-rise stretch twill pants ($33) are really versatile and look downright comfy. Top that with the Dinah Top ($41) which has an elastic empire waist, which works on most bodies before during and after pregnancy. On the feets? Lela Rose for Payless Cavalry Flats ($30 on sale $20) are super cute in a gold brocade fabric. Accessorize with these dazzling Chandelier Earrings ($13) and elegant yet cheeky Michael Kors Charm Bracelet Watch ($225). This Padded Laptop Tote ($69) comes in a ton of different fabrics and is handmade and SUPER high quality. I own one of these and I highly recommend it, whether you are toting books, a laptop or stuff for the kiddo.
You know you’re gonna be forced to attend a baby shower or two now that you’ve made all your friends come to yours. Dress to kill! How about these Bisou Bisou® Maternity Dark Denim Pants ($44), you’ve got the comfort of jeans but the lines of something more sophisticated. Top that with a duo Maternity Short Sleeve Tie-back Top ($40) which will be perfect whether you’re with child or not since it’s adjustable. Throw this a.n.a. maternity sateen jacket ($64) over that and it really polishes the look. Pear-shaped girls, keep this jacket around after the kid arrives, they are a super flattering shape on us. This is so clever, a Marc Jacobs Red Cherries Necklace Watch ($150) which takes care of two accessories in one. Repeat that patent red shine in these Jill Kitten Heels ($20) which are super comfortable (I own a pair) and are available in wide widths too. Carry this Large Messenger Undiaper Bag ($75) and you’ll be set for pretty much any situation. It’s also custom made to order and there are tons of fabrics to choose from!
Okay so just because you have “that glow” doesn’t mean people are going to fall all over themselves to run errands for you (unfortunately) so here’s an outfit for running about town. These jeans seem pretty cool: duo Maternity Fold-Over Panel Jeans ($48 on sale $35). It has a fold-over panel which allows you to decide your fit: over-the-belly, fold once for mid-rise comfort or fold twice for low-rise. Sweet! This non-maternity-but-with-plenty-o-room Necessary Objects banded-bottom top ($40) in a subtle metallic gold will nicely showcase the Vintage Typewriter Key Pendant ($14) on a long chain. I just got a pair of these Champion Revolution Sneakers ($28 on sale $17) and they are super comfortable and cute. I also think this MARC BY MARC JACOBS Big Resin Cuff Watch ($150) is so fun and such an eye-grabber. The real star of this outfit though is the somewhat stupidly-named Diaper Dude ($55) (supposedly named because your man won’t be embarrassed to carry it) but you don’t want some pastel, quilted thing either so sling this across your chest and get going.
Comments
Girl, I did fairly well with maternity wear for the first two trimesters. My only complaint was that the pants did not have a full belly panel - they were low cut. Even with my sizable ghetto booty these pants would not stay up! I found the only way to keep my knickers up were to either use suspenders, or find the rare pair of mat. pants with a full panel. The tops were loads of fun and I had fairly good luck with Old Navy. That is where the majority of my clothes came from. Baby doll tops from the regular plus worked very well during and post-pregnancy also.
Love your Fat Fashion Thursday posts, girl!! Keep em comin'!!!
yes, love em. there is hope. and you have a great eye.
ROFL @ that link to babybecoming.com. that look is hot.
wow, i think i might go buy those champion sneakers. yay!
yay! i knew you'd do an awesome job. these are great.
i had the same problem that amy did with maternity jeans. i bought one pair at 12 weeks that were supposed to be able to be worn throughout the pregnancy. while they looked really good on me if i stood still, as soon as i started walking, they started creeping down my tush. ugh. i eventually tossed them because i'd hemmed them to be right for my height, and i don't know anyone as short as me, so the resale value was nill.
Posted this on your last FFT entry, but thought I'd send it once more for good measure -
I recently stumbled across this site and thought of you. If you sign up, link us - you have fantastic taste! http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/group.show?id=1279
Those jackets are flattering on everyone I think!! haha I have one sort like that but it's really great and really pulls an outfit together!
Perfect timing for this post. I just gave birth last Friday! My PP size was a 20.
Throughout my pregnancy, I had great luck at Motherhood and JCP online. My local JCP stores don't carry the plus size maternity in-store.
Some other good resources are gap.com (great for nursing & sleepwear), lanebryant.com (never bought anything from there while pregnant, but the items were at least decent looking), and Target.
It can be very difficult to find fashionable clothing pieces while Plus Size and Pregnant (which sounds like the title to a lifetime movie of the week). Thanks for providing help!
Pre-baby I wore an ON 16 and found ON maternity pants worthless - I couldn't wedge my thighs into an XXL to save my life.
All hail, however, the Bella Band - it let me wear my pre-preg pants to about 20 weeks and turned miserably uncomfy low-panel pants with comfort and no belly exposure. It also created the illusion of a nice round belly. Yay Bella Band!
awesome post. Though the dangly jewlery stuff is not such a great idea once the baby is born. It took Sam breaking 2 necklaces at the tender age of 2 months for me to learn that perhaps wearing them was not a great idea. I don't do dangly earrings- but any time I have worn anything with the slightest dangle- they are child-grabbing targets (and to emphasise the point as though she knows what I am typing- Sarah is grabbing and pinching my excess belly. Good times).
I have a question that's been bugging me for awhile, and it seems like you might finally be the one to answer it!
Here goes: I have a fairly large, dramatic chest piece tattoo like yours, as well as many others, and I've always felt odd about accessorising around them. Do you feel like you need to tone down your accessories so that they don't conflict with your tattoos? Do you dress as if the tattoos aren't there, or take them into account when you choose your clothes and jewelry?
Thanks!
I just found you, and you just saved my life. Love!
