So Long, Wedges! & Other Thoughts on Maternity Style

When I first found out I was pregnant, my first thought wasn't I can't wait to buy maternity clothes! It was more along the lines of I'm going to wear all my skinny clothes as long as I can! As long as I can turned out to be a few weeks, as the bloating associated with early pregnancy is really a thing, y'all! 

That said, the thought of purchasing a whole new wardrobe for this time in my life didn't (and still doesn't) excite me. Call me cheap, but I don't want to spend a fortune on clothes I won't wear unless I'm pregnant. 

Up until this point, I've been able to wear many of my normal dresses -- well, except the ones with a normal waist that zip up! Since I wear mainly dresses and pencil skirts (which I obviously can't wear now) to work during this time of year, I haven't had to worry too much about work attire.


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Since it's still warm here, I've been sticking with flats along the lines of Jack Rogers or wedges, that is until yesterday. Yesterday is now known to me as the last time I'll wear 4" wedges while pregnant. Why? you might ask. Because yesterday, my cute wedges and my baby belly gave me a really sore/skint knee. 

Here's how it happened: It was lunchtime and I was hungry. I drove over to this little place I grab a quick lunch from sometimes and parked in the closest spot, one that just so happened to be beside the curb and flower bed. I got out of my car, balanced on the curb, and then somehow - I think I stepped into the flower bed with part of my left shoe - went flying onto the cement. It was almost a slow motion fall, and thankfully, I had enough sense to try to get low before I hit the ground (really, I thought I could balance myself because in non-pregnancy life, I'm not the least bit clumsy). All I could think about was the baby and not hitting my stomach, so I let my right knee, foot and hip take the brunt of the fall. Talk about embarrassed! I jumped back into my car to compose myself when I realized I had essentially scraped off the skin on my entire right kneecap. Yes, it's a great look with a nice dress and wedges! I called a colleague and asked her if she could run some band-aids out to me which she did. After cleaning up the scrap and putting on three band-aids, I went back to my lunch place and got a box to go. 

What did I learn from this other than how absolutely thankful I was that no one else was outside at the time to see my graceful descent? I learned that 4" wedges and pregnancy don't mix, not for me at least!

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Anyway, back to the clothes! While I'm thankful to have quite a few dresses that fit -- I think they'll last me through January -- pants, on the other hand, are a different story. 

Before I started looking at maternity clothes, I had no idea that there are some many options when it comes to the type of maternity pants you wear. Before buying a ton, I decided to order a pair from Old Navy. I really like Old Navy's Rockstar Skinny Jeans, and seeing that they sell those for expectant mamas, it seemed like a great idea to start there.

There are four different panel options (see below) you can choose from. I decided to go with the side panel. I have quite a belly already, but the full panel doesn't look like something I'd enjoy wearing. I want to still feel normal (as normal as you can when you're carrying a child) and part of that is wearing clothes that don't look like maternity clothes. Enter, the side panel pant. These pants look identical to regular dress pants from Old Navy -- they even have a fake fly -- but they have a nice side elastic band. 

images via OldNavy.com


I ordered two pairs - a pair of jeans and a pair of black pants - and I'm pleased with both. So pleased, in fact, that I've ordered another pair along with some maternity tops. Despite buying some medium t-shirts to wear around, I've quickly discovered that a larger size just doesn't cut it. I need something with a shirred side.

Here are the styles I've purchased up to this point:


1. Side-Panel Rockstar Skinny Jeans
2. Scoop-Neck Shirred Tee
3. Shirred Tank
4. Scoop-Neck Shirred Tee
5. The Pixie Side-Panel Ankle Pants


The shirts haven't come in yet, so I can't tell you how they feel, but if the pants are any indication, I'm going to love them.

What are your go-to maternity clothing items?

Disclaimer: I was not given anything in exchange for this post of adoration for Old Navy's maternity wear. I simply love what I've purchased and wanted to share!

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