Lessons from the pregnant body
It’s a gorgeous spring day today, and this morning I wanted to dress accordingly. For the most part, since the belly popped I’ve been living in maternity jeans and knit tops and my very favorite maternity camo pants while out of the house and pajamas in the house. Comfortable and perfectly fine, but not at all my normal, non-pregnant style. I didn’t wear my usual colorful skirts and tights and gloriously clashing tops this winter because I didn’t like the way tights felt (even maternity tights) stretched across the belly. Well…today is the first day it’s really been warm enough for a skirt and knee-highs. I was certainly going to take advantage of that. I mean, I’ve been waiting MONTHS to dress like myself again.
So I pulled on the maternity-size version of one of my standard pre-pregnancy outfits: pink a-line skirt; pink, red, orange and hot pink striped knee highs; red clogs; red shirt; purple cardigan. If you don’t know me in the real world, you’re perhaps a bit dubious about this combination. Trust me. It works. It works really well. It looks damn cute, in fact.
Damn cute when I’m not pregnant. Today’s lesson? The bright combinations of colors that I can rock as long as my skirt is a single-digit size is not necessarily going to work now that I have this belly and my butt and thighs have grown to provide…um…counterbalance to the belly.
I looked like an Easter egg.
If I were in the right mood, I might embrace looking like an Easter egg. Today is not the day for it. I have a seder to go to tonight, after all. So the striped knee highs and red clogs stayed, but they’re now paired with a denim skirt and a black knit top. Yawn.
Another thing to look forward to, post-partum (and after losing the baby weight): Dressing like a ragdoll again and pulling it off. It’s right up there with sleeping on my stomach and seeing my feet while standing.
I can confirm that, not-pregnant, your style looks extremely cute. But hey! At least you can still wear the delightful red clogs.
Posted by: claudia
I dunno, I think it sounds like it could be very cute. And it could be worse . . . you could look like a cupcake. 🙂
Posted by: Wendy
Atleast the maternity clothes have improved over the years. Seemed like every other top I found while pregnant 15 years ago had that awful sailor collar! blaaaaaaaaaaa… 6 weeks to go and I’m sleeping on my stomach again- woo hooooooo!
Posted by: Amy
Isn’t it funny how your whole shape just changes? You think it’s just the belly, but oh, no, it’s not. It’ll all be worth it, though.
Posted by: Carole
LOL! I would have never said that you dress like a ragdoll, but I can see what you mean. And, please, I mean that nicely and as a compliment. I love the bold colors, the bold hair, and the patterns! You are a goddess of style in a sea of ho-hum black. Soon enough…you will be back to “yourself”.
Posted by: Gina
Pregnant ragdoll is all the rage this year! Seriously! 😉
Posted by: Norma
We will patiently await the return of Ragdoll Chic, and the debut of the Baby Ragdoll line you are sure to develop.
Posted by: lanea
What, no picture?
Posted by: Kristen
The striped knee highs make you happy, though, right?
Posted by: Michelle
Poor ragdoll. Soon you can go back to your super cute and fun way of dressing, and have your yarn hair again. And just think, you’ll have a little Raggedy Andy accessory to boot!
Posted by: Jenn
You and baby can be matching (in spirit) ragdolls! They’re very entertaining to dress. 🙂
My last two months of pregnancy, I had ONE jumper and 2 shirts to wear under. I couldn’t stand pressure on my tummy either. And we didn’t have a lot of money and I couldn’t stand spending $$ on clothes I wasn’t going to wear very long. My husband used to come home and tell me how cutely a pregnant woman at work used to dress. What a gem, huh? Part of why he’s now an ex . . .
Posted by: Patti
I can confirm that, not-pregnant, your style looks extremely cute. But hey! At least you can still wear the delightful red clogs.
Posted by: claudia
I dunno, I think it sounds like it could be very cute. And it could be worse . . . you could look like a cupcake. 🙂
Posted by: Wendy
Atleast the maternity clothes have improved over the years. Seemed like every other top I found while pregnant 15 years ago had that awful sailor collar! blaaaaaaaaaaa… 6 weeks to go and I’m sleeping on my stomach again- woo hooooooo!
Posted by: Amy
Isn’t it funny how your whole shape just changes? You think it’s just the belly, but oh, no, it’s not. It’ll all be worth it, though.
Posted by: Carole
LOL! I would have never said that you dress like a ragdoll, but I can see what you mean. And, please, I mean that nicely and as a compliment. I love the bold colors, the bold hair, and the patterns! You are a goddess of style in a sea of ho-hum black. Soon enough…you will be back to “yourself”.
Posted by: Gina
Pregnant ragdoll is all the rage this year! Seriously! 😉
Posted by: Norma
We will patiently await the return of Ragdoll Chic, and the debut of the Baby Ragdoll line you are sure to develop.
Posted by: lanea
What, no picture?
Posted by: Kristen
The striped knee highs make you happy, though, right?
Posted by: Michelle
Poor ragdoll. Soon you can go back to your super cute and fun way of dressing, and have your yarn hair again. And just think, you’ll have a little Raggedy Andy accessory to boot!
Posted by: Jenn
You and baby can be matching (in spirit) ragdolls! They’re very entertaining to dress. 🙂
My last two months of pregnancy, I had ONE jumper and 2 shirts to wear under. I couldn’t stand pressure on my tummy either. And we didn’t have a lot of money and I couldn’t stand spending $$ on clothes I wasn’t going to wear very long. My husband used to come home and tell me how cutely a pregnant woman at work used to dress. What a gem, huh? Part of why he’s now an ex . . .
Posted by: Patti
Aw, I’m sure you looked adorable! I think you should wear whatever makes you happy. Also, I’m curious. Are pregnant women exempted from the Pesach dietary restrictions? Chag Sameach!
Posted by: Katherine
Um… you know that we are dying to see a picture, right?
Posted by: Johanna
that is reason #1 why i avoid red while pregnant…tomatoes and balloons!
i also hybernate the last 2 weeks, i hate penguin refrences!
Posted by: heatherly
that is reason #1 why i avoid red while pregnant…tomatoes and balloons!
i also hybernate the last 2 weeks, i hate penguin refrences!
Posted by: heatherly
Can you at least add a red/purple scarf or hat to that ensemble?
Posted by: LaurieM
I’m a visual person – where’s the picture? I have 3 children. My main wish at the end of each pregnancy was sleeping on my stomach again! The first time you can do that – it is the best! Good goal!
Posted by: Stephanie
“And why is tonight different from all other nights?”
“Cari is dressed drably?
Posted by: spaazlicious
I wore a striped top and a turquoise cardi last week and totally felt like an easter egg. I’m with you; I can’t wait to wear normal clothes and sleep on my face. 🙂
Posted by: Karma
I got a good chuckle reading your comment about looking like an Easter egg. Here’s to you wearing fab clothes again post pregancy!!!
Posted by: emily
Sleeping on my stomach was a biggie for me. I don’t think I could sleep on my stomach right away (didn’t have a c section, so my tummy must have just been sore) but oh how wonderful it was to sleep on it again! I think people should warn you way before you get pregnant to practice sleeping on your side, every night, for months on end… sigh…
Posted by: Maryann
I can *so* relate. I looked like a Wheeble Wobble (sp?) when I was pregnant. But, so worth it.
Posted by: Kathy
Aw, I’m sure you looked adorable! I think you should wear whatever makes you happy. Also, I’m curious. Are pregnant women exempted from the Pesach dietary restrictions? Chag Sameach!
Posted by: Katherine
Um… you know that we are dying to see a picture, right?
Posted by: Johanna
that is reason #1 why i avoid red while pregnant…tomatoes and balloons!
i also hybernate the last 2 weeks, i hate penguin refrences!
Posted by: heatherly
that is reason #1 why i avoid red while pregnant…tomatoes and balloons!
i also hybernate the last 2 weeks, i hate penguin refrences!
Posted by: heatherly
Can you at least add a red/purple scarf or hat to that ensemble?
Posted by: LaurieM
I’m a visual person – where’s the picture? I have 3 children. My main wish at the end of each pregnancy was sleeping on my stomach again! The first time you can do that – it is the best! Good goal!
Posted by: Stephanie
“And why is tonight different from all other nights?”
“Cari is dressed drably?
Posted by: spaazlicious
I wore a striped top and a turquoise cardi last week and totally felt like an easter egg. I’m with you; I can’t wait to wear normal clothes and sleep on my face. 🙂
Posted by: Karma
I got a good chuckle reading your comment about looking like an Easter egg. Here’s to you wearing fab clothes again post pregancy!!!
Posted by: emily
Sleeping on my stomach was a biggie for me. I don’t think I could sleep on my stomach right away (didn’t have a c section, so my tummy must have just been sore) but oh how wonderful it was to sleep on it again! I think people should warn you way before you get pregnant to practice sleeping on your side, every night, for months on end… sigh…
Posted by: Maryann
I can *so* relate. I looked like a Wheeble Wobble (sp?) when I was pregnant. But, so worth it.
Posted by: Kathy
I’m sorry you don’t feel comfortable in your own clothes but this post just made me laugh out loud. I can totally see what you looked like and even though I’ve never been pregnant I can imagine the strange feeling of not being able to see your feet while standing up… 🙂
Posted by: Anna
oh, you have us dying for a photo! at least the outfit, if you don’t much fancy showing yourself in it….
Posted by: HB
With you on the feet, and I’m already bored with maternity stuff at 15 weeks.
Stripey socks would make me happy though 🙂
Posted by: Alison
>I have this belly and my butt and thighs have grown t provide…um…counterbalance to the belly.
Hahahaaaaa, I love this. It’s all about symmetry!!
Posted by: Cirilia
stripey socks. yeah.
love the ‘yawn’. 🙂
so what is MY excuse for the serious counterbalancing building up below the waist?
Posted by: carolyn
p.s. i ONLY sleep on my side. right side/left side/back to right/back to left/right/left…. i NEVER sleep on my back. or on my tumach. sides only. and there’s no babies on board here…
Posted by: carolyn
ohhhhhhh, how I CRAVE sleeping on my stomach!! I have to sleep motionless on my back still and really, I hear you and crave it with you!!! Hang in there. By late June we’ll both be sleeping on our tummies.
Posted by: LeAnne
yes, well, without a picture, I can’t believe the look doesn’t carry over. I can tell you that in my postpartum life, the less clothes the better. I pretty much walk around in a nursing bra and maternity pants. Just sayin. Get yerself some kickin nursing bras.
Posted by: melanie
Ugh. I hear you on the Easter egg phenom. I’m 22 weeks along and I’ve recently become obsessed with finding pregger clothes that don’t make me look like a complete idiot and/or a circus tent. One word: EBAY. I can’t wait to be not pregnant. The garb possibilities will definitely improve. One thing that sort of irks me is when men (especially relatives and middle-aged/older men) tell me how beautiful the pregnancy glow is. It makes me want to look for the darkest, most goth outfit I can find. 🙂
Posted by: Elinor
I love the visual imagery…I am craving pics now. I think pregnancy is cute, and can also be sexy…so flaunt that belly!
Posted by: Beth
ugh, I’m nearly 5 months post-partum and only recently have I been able to sleep on my stomach again (and when I do Andy wakes up more because he can’t burrow his face into my boob). Seriously, engorgement+stomach sleeping=OW
Posted by: jen
I’m sorry you don’t feel comfortable in your own clothes but this post just made me laugh out loud. I can totally see what you looked like and even though I’ve never been pregnant I can imagine the strange feeling of not being able to see your feet while standing up… 🙂
Posted by: Anna
oh, you have us dying for a photo! at least the outfit, if you don’t much fancy showing yourself in it….
Posted by: HB
With you on the feet, and I’m already bored with maternity stuff at 15 weeks.
Stripey socks would make me happy though 🙂
Posted by: Alison
>I have this belly and my butt and thighs have grown t provide…um…counterbalance to the belly.
Hahahaaaaa, I love this. It’s all about symmetry!!
Posted by: Cirilia
stripey socks. yeah.
love the ‘yawn’. 🙂
so what is MY excuse for the serious counterbalancing building up below the waist?
Posted by: carolyn
p.s. i ONLY sleep on my side. right side/left side/back to right/back to left/right/left…. i NEVER sleep on my back. or on my tumach. sides only. and there’s no babies on board here…
Posted by: carolyn
ohhhhhhh, how I CRAVE sleeping on my stomach!! I have to sleep motionless on my back still and really, I hear you and crave it with you!!! Hang in there. By late June we’ll both be sleeping on our tummies.
Posted by: LeAnne
yes, well, without a picture, I can’t believe the look doesn’t carry over. I can tell you that in my postpartum life, the less clothes the better. I pretty much walk around in a nursing bra and maternity pants. Just sayin. Get yerself some kickin nursing bras.
Posted by: melanie
Ugh. I hear you on the Easter egg phenom. I’m 22 weeks along and I’ve recently become obsessed with finding pregger clothes that don’t make me look like a complete idiot and/or a circus tent. One word: EBAY. I can’t wait to be not pregnant. The garb possibilities will definitely improve. One thing that sort of irks me is when men (especially relatives and middle-aged/older men) tell me how beautiful the pregnancy glow is. It makes me want to look for the darkest, most goth outfit I can find. 🙂
Posted by: Elinor
I love the visual imagery…I am craving pics now. I think pregnancy is cute, and can also be sexy…so flaunt that belly!
Posted by: Beth
ugh, I’m nearly 5 months post-partum and only recently have I been able to sleep on my stomach again (and when I do Andy wakes up more because he can’t burrow his face into my boob). Seriously, engorgement+stomach sleeping=OW
Posted by: jen