17 weeks today and WHOA.
Eileen Fisher stretch crepe pants (purchased secondhand) – size small
James Perse brushed jersey turtleneck (very old)
Everlane soft cotton wrap cardigan (small)
Golden Goose hi-star sneakers | secondhand options at The Real Real
Wearing/Buying
Well, as you can see I’m officially pregnant. All of a sudden this week the boy just popped out and I’m not quite used to it yet, given that I usually have quite a defined waist. My pants are feeling more and more restrictive except one or two pairs, but it’s much too cold to wear dresses and skirts. For entertainment, and out of desperation to wear something other than pants and sweaters, I spent several hours in my closet trying on all my dresses and skirts in anticipation of it actually being spring sometime soon-ish. That’s where the first picture came from – I was trying on my James Perse dresses to see how I feel about wearing bodycon styles while pregnant. I feel great about it haha.
I am also suddenly concerned that maybe I’ll get bigger than I thought and won’t be able to make the clothes I have right now, stretchy as they are, work for my full pregnancy. I know I have time, but if you know me at all, you also know that I’m always over analyzing and preparing. I mean, I can stress and think about packing for a short trip for days, and this feels sort of similar, in that I don’t need a lot, but I need the right things, pieces that fit, and are comfortable.
I also REALLY love clothes. But you know that about me too. And I’m very interested in trying this wrap jumpsuit by Hatch Clothing, and the Storq caftan, so I will probably add those things to the rotation later on. I feel pretty good about wearing both of those items AFTER pregnancy also. (I actually had that same storq caftan come through for slowre last year and thought about buying it for myself; it didn’t feel like maternity wear)
Anyway, I know I’m such a novice at this, and I’m not trying to go overboard with buying new things right now, but I’m sort of enjoying thinking about it. And I can’t lie, I think the bump is a little cute and I look forward to dressing it Ugh. WHO AM I RIGHT NOW?? LOL
Reading/Watching
Workers making clothes in Bangladesh can’t afford to eat
Is The Fight Against Ocean Plastic Distracting us from Bigger, Deadlier Problems? – an interesting look at the bigger issue of climate change on ocean health. I don’t think people are “ignoring” climate change in general, in favor of ocean plastic, but I do think that plastic is the low-hanging fruit in this situation; it’s an issue that each of us can do something tangible about, and we feel good about our actions to do so. We can reduce our reliance on single-use plastic, try using recycled plastic, and wash our synthetic clothing in Guppyfriend wash bags, etc., but climate change requires much bigger efforts – less driving, legislation, etc., that probably feels unattainable to most people right now.
How Guilty Should You Feel About Wearing Leather? – again with this issue…I think about this all the time, and this is another good article (there’s a really good infographic at the end) analyzing reasons how/why to choose leather or non-leather. I am personally going to continue wearing my leather, but am trying to avoid buying any new leather in favor of secondhand only; that is what feels right to me.
Doing
Trying so hard to stay warm and not enter hibernation for the rest of this cold snap. My trip to Florida on March 16 is keeping me going so far…
How was your week? Any plans for the weekend?
You look fantastic! I haven’t enjoyed bodycon nonpregnant since before kids (the twins totally changed my midsection), but I LOVED a super-stretchy elbow-sleeve tee dress during my second pregnancy. I still wear the dresses on occasion now, but usually with something loose on top. I’m working out now and have them on standby JUST IN CASE I get a flatter tummy again, but otherwise I’m prepared to release them into the…secondhand shopping world. I’m quite petite, and I really preferred things that scooped back in under my belly versus hanging straight. I felt lost in so many loose pregnancy items past 20 weeks or so — I just felt columnar. I worried about feeling lost postpartum in the “wear now/wear forever” things too, so didn’t invest in Storq or Hatch. I am excited to see how they work for you!
This weekend – it will be freezing in St. Louis. Winter is dumping more crap here over the next ten days. I’m ready for spring! I can tolerate winter through the 21st, then I’m revisiting and switching over my wardrobe, dammit. I have book club Saturday with a great group of women and I actually read the book (Ephron’s “I Feel Bad About My Neck”, which I enjoyed, though a lot of things felt dated in 2019. I laughed out loud at others!)
oh, i really want to be a part of a book club!!!! it sounds so fun…
i think i’ll prefer more body con styles during pregnancy too, being as “small” as I am generally, i also worry about getting lost. i think the belt on the storq caftan will help a bit though, and the wrap on the hatch jumpsuit. my “body” will still be relatively defined and not completely lost!! maybe!
I am excited to see them – you have such a great sense of what you like and what works for you and if you can make them work and love them, that will be apparent. This has been a great group to be a part of – and I’m thankful for these recurring get-togethers, because it’s too easy to put social engagements on the shelf after kids.
I may have “squeeeee’d” when I saw the first picture! Makes the pregnancy more real, if you know what I mean. Anyway, you look great!
I have been in a hotel for three days (with dog, and damn it smells in here. Why no windows that open?!). It won’t stop raining so I feel like I’ve been under house arrest and am about to lose my mind. We start our drive (move) to Denver tomorrow. Of course I am stressing out because the forecast is all rain and snow.
Watched “Russian Doll” on Netflix and read “Bunny Mellon” ; can’t wrap my head around having so much money that one has Balenciaga make their gardening clothes.
Another article on the stainability front:
https://www.freundevonfreunden.com/features/zurich-qwstion-sustainable-textile-design
Have a great weekend!
You look great!
It’s a little depressing to think that ocean plastic is the low-hanging fruit of our global environmental disaster. I really hope we can all pull together and save our planet.
Congratulations ! You look great !
You look wonderful!
I thought I would write some unsolicited maternity dressing advice on here, so please feel free to ignore at will! I too love clothes, and getting dressed while pregnant is the worst.
Yes, you will not be able to make your currently wardrobe work when you get bigger. Besides just being a larger size, your shape will be so different than how non-maternity clothes are indented.
BUT, you can wear a lot of your wardrobe with some maternity tweaks! I loved my storq stretchy skirt, and wore that a lot with crop tops I already owned. The storq dress was also really great.
I also personally would not buy something for maternity with the intention of wearing it after pregnancy. I hated my preg clothes so much I would never want to wear them again. I packed them up literally two days after I got home from the hospital!
I had to remind myself a lot that I would be able to wear things I truly liked later after the baby was born. So I pretty much scrabbled through with a minimal pregnancy wardrobe but allowed myself to get excited about non-maternity clothing.
That’s what happened for me anyway, hope it’s helpful or at least interesting!
Grechen, you look beautiful and I love this dress on you, but what made the biggest impact on me was your glow: you look radiant and happy. Mazel tov!
Agree 100%!! Unless you are one of those very rare women, you will NOT be able to wear a lot of your current wardrobe, at least most of what you’d put on your bottom half. Stretchy dresses/skirts might be the exception, but in the last trimester you’d be surprised what doesn’t fit…But you could still incorporate a lot of sweaters, jackets, and some tops.
Longtime lurker here and just have to say – I am SO happy for you! You look so happy and I just wanted to tell you, you really do have a beautiful glow around you!