Open Thread for June 20, 2014
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Something on your mind? Chat about it here. But first:
Pictured above:
- For maternity: I love this crepe pencil dress with a shawl neckline and side pockets. It’s available in black and tomato for $85.74 at ASOS — lots of size options. ASOS Maternity Pencil Dress In Crepe With V Neck
- For working moms: Every season, Karen Kane comes out with new patterns and prints for this faux wrap/cascade dress, but the basics stay the same: it’s washable, affordable, and flattering on most. There are a ton of options right now at Bloomingdale’s, 6pm, Amazon, and Nordstrom; the pictured dress is on sale at Bloomie’s — was $128, now $83. Karen Kane Retro Print Cascade Wrap Dress
- For working moms: If you’re like me, you’re constantly switching bags — from a tote bag to a smaller shoulder bag to a diaper bag to a clutch for that rare date night — I’ve come to rely on tiny little bags to make my essentials easy to grab and go from one bag to the next. I’m loving this set from LeSportsac; it’s $48 at Amazon. LeSportsac 3 Piece Travel Set
- For everyone, part 1: Whether you’re pregnant, recovering, or just “over it” when it comes to uncomfortably high heels, I’m a fan of these low pumps from Stuart Weitzman — I think they’re more comfortable than flats. They’re a classic style, offered in tons of colors at Amazon, Zappos, and 6pm — the pictured pair are marked from $340 down to $187. Stuart Weitzman Poco
- For everyone, part 2: I was intrigued when readers at Corporette started recommending JAG pull-on jeans — weren’t they kind of like pajama jeans? I saw some marked down, though, and decided to try them out, figuring hey, I just had a baby, I can wear pull-on jeans if I want to. They’re comfortable, they hold their shape, and the waistband tends to stay high and comfy — I think they’d be a great option for other postpartum moms, for women early on in their pregnancy, or other folks who just want comfy jeans. The pictured jeans are $69, but note that Nordstrom has a ton of options in this line. Jag Jeans ‘Malia’ Slim Leg Stretch Jeans
Agree with all above – everything will be covered in milk and spit up, so comfort and washability are key. I lived in v neck cotton sweaters from old navy. Stock up on nursing pads if you’re planning to breastfeed, but wait to buy nursing bras until post baby, you don’t know how big your boobs will get. (I went to 34g from a c). Also recommend the Bellefit post partum girdle … I had my doubts and felt silly spending so much on a vanity item but I was back in my normal pants 3 weeks after a c-section and 9.5 lb baby.
I have this Karen Kane wrap dress in 2 colors. I am currently wearing it and pumping with the Freemie pump as we speak. Fabulous. The dress is stretchy enough to accommodate the apparatus and I’m not shivering topless in my office. A+
Do you plan to breastfeed? You said you were going to be seeing friends and family– if so I recommend stocking up on nursing tanks and button up shirts. This way, you can unbutton your shirt a bit, unclip 1 side of your nursing tank and feed your baby discreetly. I feel uncomfortable if I have a t shirt that I have to pull up and expose my stomach and back. I like a Pea in the Pod nursing tanks because they provide more modesty. I have a very short torso and they run short on me. My favorite casual postpartum outfit is a navy blue/white gingham button up from JCrew Factory, navy blue nursing tank, and jeans. The navy top/jeans makes a column of color that makes me feel thinner. Also, depending on where/if you tear, you may not be able to wear jeans or anything with a hard seam for several weeks.
I feel so nervous posting! I am a long time lurker, but I am fearful of the grammar police. LOL. I’ve had 2 children in the last 14 months and I am back at work now. I feel like I could be a wise old oracle for this site.
What should I expect to be wearing in the weeks after birth while home on maternity leave? I’m due mid-November, so I’m actually shopping now for post-baby clothes. There is NO WAY I’m going to want to brave holiday crowds at that time of year (plus, I plan to be home with the baby, duh) but I want to be sure I have whatever clothes I’ll need. So far, I’m planning on leggings with some sort of t-shirt, which I can put a long open cardigan over if I need to be a little more presentable.
I always struggle with casual/weekend clothes, so it makes me feel better to think ahead on this one. Also, since I’ll be on maternity leave over Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays, I will be seeing a lot of family and friends, and I want to look marginally pulled together. I’ve read that immediately following birth, your body still appears about 6 months pregnant, so I’m buying with my current (5 month-ish) size in mind. Thoughts? Does this sound like a reasonable plan?