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I always loved finding maternity clothing that fit within my personal style, and I found that those pieces got the most compliments. Maybe it was because I looked more comfortable in my skin vs. wearing something that was clearly just functional maternity. This top is something that I would totally wear while not pregnant, and I’m a little mad I can’t wear it right now. I love how the stripes go in all different directions and on the sides it looks almost like an optical illusion. I’m not crazy about the keyhole back, but otherwise I’m totally on board! This top is available at A Pea in the Pod for $68 — but it’s 30% off today — and comes in sizes XS–L. It’s also available in a navy/white sleeveless version, but 100% of the time I’ll choose the option with sleeves. Peplum Striped Maternity Top Pink Blush has a plus-size option. Building a maternity wardrobe for work? Check out our page with more suggestions along both classic and trendy/seasonal lines. This post contains affiliate links and CorporetteMoms may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!Sales of note for 4.18.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 50% off full-price dresses, jackets & shoes; $30 off pants & skirts; extra 50% off sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything; extra 20% off purchase
- Eloquii – 50% off select styles; 60% off swim; up to 40% off everything else
- J.Crew – Mid-Season Sale: Extra 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off spring-to-summer styles
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – Spring Mid-Season Sale: Up to 50% off 100s of styles
- Nordstrom: Free 2-day shipping for a limited time (eligible items)
- Talbots – Spring Sale: 40% off + extra 15% off all markdowns; 30% off new T by Talbots
- Zappos – 29,000+ women’s sale items! (check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kids’ shoe brands on sale)
Kid/Family Sales
- Carter’s – Up to 70% off baby items; 50% off toddler & kid deals & 40% off everything else
- Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off spring faves; 25% off new arrivals; up to 30% off spring
- J.Crew Crewcuts – Up to 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off kids’ spring-to-summer styles
- Old Navy – 30% off your purchase; up to 75% off clearance
- Target – Car Seat Trade-In Event (ends 4/27); BOGO 25% off select skincare products; up to 40% off indoor furniture; up to 20% off laptops & printers
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- If you’re a working parent of an infant with low sleep needs, how do you function at work when you’re in the throes of baby’s sleep regression?
- Should I cut my childcare down to 12 hours a month if I work from home?
- Will my baby have speech delays if we raise her bilingual?
- Has anyone given birth in a teaching hospital?
- My child eats everything, and my friends’ kids do not – how should I handle? In general, what is the best way to handle when your child has some skill/ability and your friend’s child doesn’t have that skill/ability?
- ADHD moms, give me your tips to help with things like behavior in the classroom, attention to detail, etc?
- I think I suffer from mom rage…
- My husband and kids are gone this weekend – how should I enjoy my free time?
- I’m struggling to be compassionate with a SAHM friend who complains she doesn’t have enough hours of childcare.
- If you exclusively formula fed, what tips do you have for in the hospital and coming home?
- Could I take my 4-yo and 8-yo on a 7-8 day trip to Paris, Lyon, and Madrid?
Anon says
I’m off work today but my nanny is not…what should I do?? I can’t remember the last time I had this much free time.
AnotherAnon says
Oh man I’m jealous. I have the opposite problem – school is closed today but my office is open. I would probably get a massage then go grocery shopping or go shopping for undies since I have been procrastinating that for far too long. Enjoy your day off!
anne-on says
Jealous! School is closed today AND tomorrow for professional development so we’re signed up for some half day camps so we don’t burn through all the au pair hours while I still need to work.
I’d get a massage or a manicure, and then blissfully shop alone (Target or CVS wandering is my happy place). My son is going on a boy’s ski weekend and I am already looking forward to the time to grocery shop quietly, hit the gym, and nap!
Anonanonanon says
Will your kid freak out if you’re home but not engaging? Like can you lock yourself in the master bedroom and clean out your closet, or NAP?! (I have a teething baby and am not off today so a nap sounds divine)
Otherwise I would get a nice brunch somewhere, sit in a coffee shop and read a book, maybe go to a department store or makeup store and look for some new makeup (those places are always so crowded on the weekend)
Anonymous says
Target, coffee, probably lunch out, and lots of tidying.
Anonymous says
Ooooh what a treat! Enjoy! I would… nap… get a message, go to the nail salon too. Grab chai and go to the art museum. That’s me though. I’d basically take myself on a date.
AwayEmily says
This is the lamest thing ever but when I find myself with a little extra time I always enjoy going to Target and just…browsing. Trying on some clothes, inspecting the fancy chocolate bars, looking through the cute kids t-shirts on the sale rack…I find it very soothing.
Also, seeing the SAHPs at Target shopping with their kids is always a good reminder of how tough their job is, how terrible I would be at it, and how grateful I am for childcare!
Anonymous says
I used to be able to pull my kid out of daycare for a week (former 7 on / 7 off schedule) and save 50% of my tuition but keep my spot.
Those were weeks of trying to run out the clock often (esp. if a cold/rainy week) — lot of Target / grocery store / mall walking (that was a stroller/diaper year).
It is true what people say — days were long but the years were short.
Anon (OP) says
Haha yes I’m already planning to go to Target! I have stuff I need to get but am going to enjoy just browsing too. Should have mentioned that I’m not looking to spend much money, so massages and stuff like that are out. I thought about the movies but there’s nothing I really want to see.
Cb says
I’d sit in a cafe and read a novel.
BackToWork says
Wise corporette moms- I am a first time mom to a 11 wk old baby and going back to work next week. What can I do during my last week of maternity leave to make my life easier for my return to work ? So far, I’ve picked out outfits in advance, streamlined beauty routine, made a pumping schedule. Grandma will be watching the baby at home for now and we’ve also hired a nanny. Baby doesn’t sleep well so I’m expecting to be exhausted!
Anonymous says
Make plans for food and meals. Streamline if you can/so desire. Will you be pumping? If so, round up all your stuff for that and maybe order a spare set of parts. Take a look at how much you’ll be transporting to work and brainstorm the best ways to carry it all. Write up baby’s routine for Grandma.
AwayEmily says
This isn’t exactly practical advice but I guess…manage your expectations! The first few months are going to be really hard but then it will get easier. As much as you can, think of it as a temporary thing (for me it was easy to get so caught up in the exhaustion and feel hopeless).
Also, since your baby is 11 weeks it might be worth thinking about whether sleep training is right for your family. Getting a full night of sleep is life-changing. I’ve recommend the book The Good Sleeper by Janet Kennedy to lots of people. She doesn’t give one “magic approach” but rather lays out the science of baby sleep and a range of options depending on what you feel will work best for you and your kid.
Anon says
Relax and get some extra snuggles in!
Lawyermom says
I just returned to work this week. My last week I went shopping for pump friendly clothes. I also went through my closet and pulled out all the clothes that fit me and were pump friendly and arranged them so they would be ready to go. While you are in the closet get rid of all clothes you didn’t like or wear before you got pregnant – it made my closet way less packed out and I instantly feel relaxed going in there. Ialso went and got a haircut. I packed up all pump parts, made sure I had enough bottles to avoid having to wash them nightly, bought an extra set of pump parts and a second pump to leave in the car, ordered a car adapter for the pump and an extra nursing cover so I can pump on routes to the office in the morning and while traveling to and from depositions. Lastly if you are married sit down and write out a list dividing household duties – we did this and so far it has been seamless. Lastly go through babies stuff and be prepared with the next size up washed/sorted and ready to go in the closet and pack up any of the clothes that don’t fit. Otherwise sit back and gaze adoringly at baby and take lots of photos for all the people that ask to see baby pictures!!
Argh Childcare says
I posted last week about needing to find infant childcare starting in June after a spot I thought we’d have fell through. Thanks to all who commented in favor of home daycares – I did succeed in getting DH to consider them. We haven’t found any home daycares with space yet, but I did find a conveniently located center that I overlooked previously. It’s associated with a local community college (but you don’t have to be affiliated to use it) and used to only take ages 2+. Apparently it was taken over by an outside company this fall and expanded to include infant care, and they’ll have a spot for us in June. When it was 2+ and run by the community college, it seems to have gotten good reviews and inspection reports. The new ownership is so new that I can’t find reviews or inspection info. The outside company has another location that gets mixed reviews and not great inspection reports. I don’t think I’d send my kid to the other location, but the community college location could be better if it has retained a lot of its old staff and old practices? We’re touring the community college location on Wednesday and I’m trying to figure out how to tactfully ask how separate the two locations are. I can’t come right out and ask if they’re better than the original location. All I’ve got so far is asking a little about the history and if old staff was retained? I think the community college students studying early education did observation there under the old management – which I would see as a plus because you’re probably going to be more concerned about best practices if you’re using it for educational purposes? Not quite sure how to word a question about that either. Anyone have any suggestions?
anne-on says
I would (and did) absolutely ask about staff turnover/staff history there. I didn’t love places that churned and burned a bunch of 19 and 20 year olds, and the places we ultimately went with tended to have a lot of ‘lifers’ who’d been at these centers or in childcare for many many years. Good luck!
AwayEmily says
This is very smart and I agree.
AnotherAnon says
In addition to paying close attention to the “vibe” of the place (is there tension between workers or between them and the director, do people seem happy or like they generally want to be there?), I would ask very pointed questions such as: How many infractions have you received from state licensing in the last six months? What were they for? What do you plan to do differently? When was your last licensing visit? Please show me your diapering routine, etc. They shouldn’t balk at these questions at all, especially since I think you said these stats are available online (in my state they are). We sent our LO to a center that had received lots of small infractions (first aid log not current), but they were more careful about the big stuff – washing hands, keeping small ratios, not placing infants to sleep on their tummies. I wouldn’t say that the standard of care was stellar, but they LOVED my son, like really loved him like he was theirs too. They still text me for updates a year after we moved him to a different school. Regardless of which option you choose, try to establish clear, respectful communication from day 1. If they are doing something you don’t like, respectfully ask them to stop, instead of running to the director (which I did). Good luck!
Aly says
Because the infant care portion is relatively new, can you ask for contact information for some of the other parents? I use a home day care and absolutely did this. It was really, really useful in determining whether or not this care provider was right for me.
Anonanonanon says
I really want my (windowless) office to look nicer, and I’ve been gradually replacing the company-issued office supplies with nicer ones (mostly rose gold/white)… but the problem is I’m realizing I just really, really hate the color wood my desk is. Anything I can do about that? I’m likely stuck with the desk I have. Is there some sort of desk topper or something I’m not thinking of?
Anon says
Could you wrap the top of it in some white marble contact paper?
Anonanonanon says
Oooo I could certainly try! the edges are rounded so I’d have a hard time making it look neat.
I just bought a white “desk pad” off of amazon (seems like some sort of faux leather desk topper thing) and I guess I’ll see if that helps any!
Anonymous says
y-tube has some handy how to videos that include using a hairdryer.
EB0220 says
Has anyone been to New Zealand or England with kids? Recommendations, feedback?
Seafinch says
We took three kids (ages three months, 2.5 and 5.5) on an extended four week trip to London, the Cotswolds, Cornwall, and Canterbury. It was fabulous. Even at that young age we saw and did loads of fun things. London is a treasure trove and we read some great books in advance. The Tower of London (five year old was obsessed with the Koh-I-Noor), Kensington Gardens (Peter Pan statue and fountains), the amazing reflecting pool at the V&A for swimming in scorching weather, Trafalgar, St. Martin in the Fields, a night at the theatre to see Matilda, dinos at the Natural History Museum. We spent five days and could go back three more times. They were super invested in what we saw. We did resort type stuff and crabbing etc in Cornwall (ate lots of amazing food), did lots of strolling in the Cotswolds and the Roman museum is amazing Canterbury.
Anon says
How old? If babies/toddlers, doesn’t really matter as long as you can deal with the long flight. If 4 or older, I vote UK. I went to New Zealand as an elementary school kid and did not appreciate it. The country is beautiful but scenery is generally wasted on kids that age and there isn’t as much to “do” as in many other places. I desperately want to go back to NZ, but we’re saving it for when kids are much older or grown. On the other hand, I’ve gone to London with kids a couple times and it’s been fantastic – they especially enjoyed afternoon tea, London eye, all the Harry Potter stuff, theater (there are lots of shows geared toward kids), natural history museum, riding the double-decker buses, Harrods and paddle boats in Regents Park. In general I think cities beat scenic areas for travel with kids, and London is a *great* kid city.
KateMiddletown says
Hi ladies, I’ve been off the grid on maternity leave and now have some bummer news to share. My now 14-week old daughter was admitted to the hospital on the 2nd day of the year and less than 24 hours later was diagnosed with leukemia. We are working with doctors to devise a treatment plan, but likely looking at 6-7 month hospital stay. We have had such a rollercoaster ride the last few weeks but now we’re feeling hopeful. She is a little fighter. We are at the #1 hospital in the country for pediatric cancer so we are in good hands.
I now come to y’all not for hugs or casseroles, but for fashion advice because real life is still happening outside these walls. I’m going back to work in a few weeks PT/flex/whatever it will be, but I’ll be going to and from the hospital. I work in a business formal setting, but I need comfort, washable, and ok to repeat weekly for the next 6 months. Also needs to be pump friendly and not make my still 30 lbs heavier postpartum body look dumpy. Bc my team and clients understand the situation, I’m thinking athleta or lulu work separates but have no clue where to start. Blazer + top + comfy pants? For reference I’m 5’10, 200# (thanks prenatal ice cream), and wear like a 34 J nursing bra.
(No medical advice or scary stories please! Just looking for comfort in materialism and sort of normal fashion quandaries.)
EB0220 says
How about Betabrand? I hear they have longs. On top I would do a decent-looking T-shirt with blazer for the office/switch to a cozy sweater for the hospital. I really love the Bobeau one button from Nordstrom. It is super cozy. I can’t resist sending hugs (you wouldn’t want my casserole though).
Anonymous says
First, all the virtual hugs.
I would follow the advice of this article and adopt a uniform and put it on repeat.
https://www.washingtonian.com/2017/03/30/what-its-really-like-to-wear-a-style-uniform-every-day-renata-briggman/
When I pumped, I found pushing up my shirt to be the easiest thing. I had button ups, and they were fine, but whatever. Instead of unbuttoning them, I just pushed them up. For the black pants, I’d do the Athleta, Betabrand, Lulu, etc. that you’d mentioned. I like the Lulu On the Fly pants, but they’re not warm if you’re in cold weather. They’d be better as the weather warms up. Maybe the JCrew Factory drapey pants that people talk about? A higher quality white tee (maybe Everlane?). Flats or loafers. I’d consider the Cole Haan Pinch Weekender loafers, but I’ve been crushing on them for like 8 months without going for it. J Crew going out blazer.
Anon says
I have the pinch weekender loafers and they’re super comfy, but I didn’t wear socks with them originally and they are so stinky. After much charcoal, sun and some weird peppermint odor spray, and I now wear them with smartwool no show liner things, they’re palatable, but be forewarned. Also no arch support.
Anonymous says
First, big hugs and strength to you. I just got myself an Ann Taylor Seasonless stretch suit (or all season stretch? something like that) that I loooove. The pants are super comfy. Both pants and blazer wash really well – I haven’t been putting them in the dryer, but theoretically you can – and don’t need ironing. I’m also a big fan of LOFT’s utility blouses, or any poly crepe blouse, for wash and wear. Ann Taylor Factory has a couple on major sale right now. You might want to think of something you can throw on at the hospital – like if you wear a nice blouse and blazer over a cami, you could take off blouse and blazer and put on a sweatshirt or something washable before hanging out with your baby. (Perhaps yours isn’t a major spitter; mine was!)
Anon says
Ann Taylor now makes machine washable suits. I own two. I have washed them both. I hang them up to dry and don’t even need to press them. Life changing. Is the quality as good as the old tropical wool suits I own that no longer fit? Absolutely not. But I have a sticky-fingered toddler and only need to wear them about once a month, and machine washable is my life.
lawsuited says
I think ponte is the key. I love the Lord and Taylor brand ponte pants and have a couple of ponte blazers from Talbots that I’ve worn to death. For tops, I’d go with flowy (read: forgiving to a postpartum belly and will fit pumping parts underneath it), polyester (read: washable and wrinkle-resistant) shells. Links to all the above below. And really, sending you all the good vibes.
https://www.lordandtaylor.com/lord-taylor-plus-high-rise-ponte-pants/product/0500087448591?R=94834068046&P_name=Lord+%26+Taylor&sid=168730B6778E&Ntt=lord+and+taylor+ponte+pants&N=0
https://www.talbots.com/online/m/perfect-ponte-blazer–solid-prdi46607/N-0?Ntt=Ponte%20blazer&mode=search&selectedConcept=
https://www.eloquii.com/9-to-5-layering-tank/10466741000020.html
https://www.lordandtaylor.com/vince-camuto-plus-pleated-hi-lo-blouse/product/0500084488527?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574488385114&bmUID=mxnvA8E
https://www.lordandtaylor.com/lord-taylor-short-sleeve-step-hem-blouse/product/0500088860233?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302023681&R=884558812199&P_name=Lord+%26+Taylor&N=4294966084+302023681&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442080630&bmUID=mxnvNp9
https://www.talbots.com/online/m/blouses-and-shirts/plus-size-exclusive-front-pleat-top-solid-prdi45507/N-10157?selectedConcept=Woman&conceptDim=4294966550&isConceptFirst=true
Anonymous says
All the hugs. Your instinct for blazer + top + comfy pants is a good one.
Treat yourself to an appointment with a Nordstrom personal shopper – be clear about your requirements. Get maybe 3 -4 outfits that you feel confident and comfortable in, and use the formula to expand by picking up different colors/patterns on sale.