Although the option to mask my growing belly decreases with every passing week, there are still some clothes that make it less apparent. The above is not one such example and that is fine with me. On Thursday at the farmer's market when I was wearing this outfit, I had the first person (a neighbor) notice the change in my shape enough to ask without trepidation when I am due. So that was exciting in its own way.
Even though I don't like for my body to broadcast messages absent from my voice, the reality of nonverbal communication is that clothing worn on the body will often do that already. It also follows that in this celebrity-bump-watch-obsessed world, similar notions about bodies in transition would trickle into the everyday and mundane to cause the development of a pronounced stomach (where there was once a visible waistline) to yield speculation.
I am really lucky that I've yet to have bold strangers attempt or ask to touch my stomach. Family have asked which is fine with me. But no strangers and no friends so far. I also know that when the weather cools, layers will add additional possibilities to a masking repertoire, should I want one. But of late I haven't really tried to mask anything.
BTW, you can always check in on my expanding waistline and weekly belly shots here.
Details:
St. Johns Bay kimono maxi dress (gift from my mom who generously treated me to a bunch of pregnancy-friendly clothes last week. This one is SO comfy! Note that it is not a maternity dress but works great as one) (here it is in another print)
Chloé zipper flats (similar zipper flats here and here)
15 comments:
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I so appreciate your thoughtful articulation of the "can-I-touch-your-tummy" syndrome (as one of my colleagues has called it in the past). As a bit of a tangent, I'm wondering if you'd consider reflecting on pregnancy and academia. Selfishly speaking, I've loved your previous posts in which you tackle a lot of the issues we face as both bodies and braniacs in higher ed. I'm sure I'm not the only academic who'd love to see you wax poetically about this... :)
haha that IS a syndrome, isn't it?! When my family asks, I am flattered because I know their enthusiasm comes from a place of love. But there is something intrusive and entitled about the request when it comes from a stranger. BTW, Thank you so much for that incredibly kind comment! I am definitely planning to write about the pregnant professorial body in the classroom (as it is giving me some anxiety about beginning the term tomorrow) but was planning to wait until I actually start classes and see how it goes. I imagine I'll have some thoughts organized on the subject by early next week. Thanks so much for reading!!
Prints have that way of camouflaging everything ! You look great ! I never had strangers toutching my belly thank god for that ! I would have been horrified !
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gorgeous print... I imagine it might be fun to play up the bump too! But oh, I think the bump touching by strangers is so weird!! I wonder though if it's some kind of wonderful communal sharing thing from humanity's past that I should be more open too...still...
The dress is lovely. I know I have a colleague who I suspect is pregnant, but I am so afraid to ask her. I'm wondering if there is an appropriate way to inquire. It may be that it is already common knowledge, but I work hard to stay out-of-the-loop of office gossip.
I'm always afraid to ask if someone is pregnant unless it is really apparent. I had a teacher in HS that looked pregnant (big round belly, skinny arms and all) but she wasn't, it was a medical condition - so embarassing for some of my friends we had asked her.
Your dress looks lovely on you - and honestly from the front, you look shapely and pretty, I wouldn't know you were expecting at all!
That's a very pretty dress! I bet you'll get a lot of wear out of it after your little girl is born.
You look gorgeous in that dress!
Prints are my favorite for that reason!
Thank you! It has been fun though also weird at times. :)
I too try to stay out of gossip. I do think word will spread now that I had to announce it to my students (because of contingency planning issues related to my due date). I'm sure word will spread for her if and when she's ready (provided your suspicions are correct).
I definitely think it is best to err on the side of caution. I try wait for a person to divulge the info to me. If they don't bring it up they might not want it to be a subject of conversation. Or they might not be pregnant at all, as in your example. Thank you for the kind words!
I hope so! I think it will work postpartum for sure.
Thanks so much!
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