June 07, 2012

In which pregnant Jess reviews clingy Bailey 44 Maia Column Dress

Anthropologie Bailey 44

Bailey 44

When I was last visiting my local Anthropologie, I debated whether or not I was feeling bold enough to try on a Bailey 44 column dress while inhabiting what many women refer to as the "in between." I really think Bailey 44 columns make beautiful pieces to emphasize all types of figures, including prominently pregnant ones. That is why I bought the almost tunic-length, long-sleeved top version in San Diego a few months back. On my better body image days I also find myself wishing I had bought one of the longer iterations of the column when I had the chance. 

But during this period when my whole body is squishier than normal but not quite "pregnant looking," it feels risky to embrace a body-conscious silhouette. In the spirit of rejecting the discourse of flattering, I grabbed both the Ines column and the Maia column. Ines was only available in ivory and in medium, which were not at all workable and bordered on obscene. To keep the blog PG, I am refraining from posting those photos. The Maia was actually super cute and the stripes tricked the eyes enough to make current me look and feel very much like pre-pregnancy me, even with the extra weight and inches all over. I grabbed a large which was perfect for now but would be too short to suit me throughout this pregnancy. It seemed clingier and less stretchy than the Tiered Stripes of yore but the fantastically flattering effect remained. The dress is lined and provides decent coverage for something meant to be tight. I also liked that the length is available in petite or regular. I am wearing regular, size large which I thought was a nice length. I think this dress runs true to size but a bit smaller than the Tiered Stripes from collections previous. Ines runs a good bit thinner and smaller than the stripey versions because of the different fabrication. I hope this is helpful information!

Now I'm curious about the cap sleeved version and kind of wish they'd release it in a midi length. Are you sick of the column dresses? Do you own one or many?

12 comments:

roxyturtle said...

Ummm, how did I miss that you are pregnant??!? CONGRATULATIONS sister!!! I think this dress looks fantab on you, squishy or whatever state you may be in right now. I am not sick of the column dresses yet, mostly because the bias is just so damn flattering. But if I see a bunch of people in the same dress I'll probably get sick of them very quickly.

Great review!

Barb near Chicago said...

You look beautiful Jess, congratulations! I am returning the Maia dress this evening; I have tried to love it on me but just can't. I have two other of these dresses (cap sleeve and the first long column dress), both of which have the boatneck. I conclude that the boat neck is flattering on me but not the scoop neck. I buy so much Anthro that I have made a new rukle that it must WOW me!

Jesspgh of Consume or Consumed said...

Thank you for the kind words. I didn't even realize that this scoop is a variation from the boat neck. My observation skills are dull I guess. But the two versions you have are fantastic and different enough from one another in length alone! Also, thank you for kindly helping me realize my glaring typo. I kept reading the dress as Mala and not Maia. Whoops!

Jesspgh of Consume or Consumed said...

haha thank you! I too still love the column dresses but don't own anything except a top. I might try to track down the longer tiered stripes at some point.

A Stylized Hysteria said...

You don't look in-between yet at all! You look slim and gorgeous.

Marianne Canada said...

Your figure looks amazing!

Terri Lowry said...

This dress looks very nice on you, pregnancy and all!

JewishGirl said...

I can't believe I missed your pregnancy announcement! Congratulations!

thatdamngreendress said...

You look gorgeous in the Maia- great colours for you and fabulous curves! I mean, if there's one time that you should absolutely embrace your shapeI imagine pregnancy is it! Wow!

I know what you mean about the length (having invested in the midi column for myself)- but I think the Maia is nice at this length too!

respect_the_shoes said...

I haven't been brave enough to try any of the column dresses yet, but I have not seen one gal in it who looked bad. I think the Maia hugs your curves well and the colors are super-flattering on you!

peggy confetti said...

you look like a babe, jess!

anthromollogies said...

So, I bought the Layered Column Dress while hugely pregnant, and it was snug. But still super flattering! Now, it fits perfectly....the exact same size. Magic dress? I'm beginning to think so. I loved it while babe was on board....no waist band, mesmerizing print that camouflaged oh-so-many growth areas :) And I still love it now for it's versatility and well, let's face it....there are many a bloated days spent as a woman. I think you look foxy in it! Don't think you'd be disappointed if you bought. I've been tempted to buy the capped sleeve version, but I need the length that the Layered column provides.

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