Storq ribbed maternity tank dress (gift from Storq) | size 3
Emerson Fry tiger fete “kimono” | xs/s (look at the pink one!!!!)
Birkenstock Platform Arizona sandals
It’s so hot. I was so cold for so long this winter that I forgot what it feels like to be hot.
One thing I do not like when it’s hot are synthetic fabrics; they make me feel HOTTER. Especially now. Also, I increasingly don’t want anything much touching my body.
Problem is that most “maternity” clothing is synthetic. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the stretchiness and comfort of this dress, and the other Storq items I’ve been wearing (they were EXCELLENT for cooler weather), but for now, I think I’ll be trading them in for linen caftans (exhibit a) and cotton dresses (exhibit b). Silk is good too, actually, it feels SO COOL on my skin.
I do have a linen circle tee by Hatch that is 100% linen, but it is really big on me (I got it on Shopbop, where they only sell Hatch in one size. WTF?), and I have a pair of their 100% cotton beach pants coming to try in a size 2. I appreciate that Hatch has more natural fabric options, but their price point for maternity wear is a bit high IMO.
I always do tend to gravitate towards natural fabric options, both for environmental (synthetics are basically oil + microfibers in the ocean) and comfort. I make exceptions for workout wear – I buy Girlfriend Collective’s recycled polyester leggings when I’m not pregnant, but had to buy a couple pairs of maternity leggings by Beyond Yoga so I could continue going to Pure Barre. And I do love my 100% cotton jeans, but also appreciate a nice pair with 2% stretch sometimes too.
I am absolutely letting myself practice the 80/20 rule lately: 80% of the time I do the “right” thing and 20% of the time I will consciously choose something that may be less than “perfect,” and I’m refusing to let myself feel guilty about it
Other than select synthetics, I keep all other clothing purchases, including underwear, natural. Actually, I haven’t even bought new underwear in several years. I’m still wearing my same underwear, although it’s getting tighter, I will admit, but my favorite Only Hearts organic cotton high-rise undies haven’t let me down yet. To be fair, they were a little big on me before I got pregnant AND they are quite a few years old, so they were starting to wear out a bit, so I don’t feel bad just wearing them out and getting new ones in a couple months. My Only Hearts organic cotton bikinis still work, I just wear them under my belly. And I’m wearing bras I’ve had for half a decade or more, if I wear a bra at all, which honestly, I try not to, unless I’m going to be “out.”
Same for makeup, obviously LOL. I stayed home all day yesterday so I didn’t wear a bra, or anything other than squalane oil on my face. oh joy 🙂
When all this is said and done, and I’ve had time to reflect, I’ll do a post on my favorite/not so favorite things to wear during pregnancy. And I’m going to continue to work on finding more natural, pregnancy friendly items.
Finally, speaking of “natural” we haven’t talked much about Elizabeth Suzann lately. She’s launching part of her summer collection next week, including new linen jumpsuits with tie shoulders. Anyone going to order anything?
I kept wearing my same bikini style undies all the way through my pregnancy. Bras were another matter. I felt I needed a bigger one every 3 – 6 weeks!
I’m excited to the the new ES offerings but since we just bought a new house I don’t think I’ll be adding to my collection this summer. But I’m very comfy in my linen Polly midi dress today!
some of my bras are starting to feel a little tight , but i am LOATHE to buy new ones !!
oh, i do like that polly midi. i tend to prefer a straighter fit though, do you think it’s very a-line, when worn? or does it just appear that way?
I think I made do with nursing tanks/shelf bra situations at the end and gave up on bras altogether!
I love the Polly. I’m thinking of hemming it because it’s more ankle skimming on me than midi but it is a bit a-line so I’m not sure how it will look.
I am just DYING over those tigers!!! You look radiant. And it is SO hot here in Georgia too. I want as little as possible touching my body. All about the trapeze dress and swing tops. I always want to know fabric content and if its majority poly, I probably will pass because synthetics just don’t breath like other fibers.
Thos platform Birks are SO MUCH cuter than I would ever have expected!
You’re so fortunate to have documentation of your pregnancy in your outfit pics. Someday, you’ll be really happy you have that. I have very few photos of my pregnancies, and I wish I had more. And as your son grows up and sees them, he’s going to think, “Damn! My mama was stylish!”
Also, I’d love a non-maternity version of the linen circle tee! I like big tees and I cannot lie. 😉
You look great, Grechen – healthy and happy!
I just bought the tiger kimono – you’ve inspired me to add a little color. So much love for this blog, Grechen. You’re really one of the few who inspire me.