Cooling off ootd

Lately, I've been able to swear pants without melting. My heat sensitivity is heightened due to my "delicate" condition so that is really saying something! I wore this ensemble to run some errands that were long overdue. Maybe it is the horizontal stripes but I feel like I really look the nearly 6 months pregnant that I am here!

 

Details:
Oasap top (c/o)
Gap maternity jeans
Michelle Franz bag (old) (similar)
Chloé flats (similar)
YSL sunglasses, Linea Pelle bracelet (similar), Redraven Studios necklace, Betsy Johnson watch (similar)

Pregnant in Anthro: Primary Colors

I bought this dress on ebay recently. It was previously not an item that made my wishlist but now that I am pregnant, I seek out pieces with stretchy panels and room to grow. This one has a ruched elastic back, making it possible to fit my 24 week belly. I first saw it on a blogger named Katie who sported a great deal of Anthropologie throughout her second and into her third trimesters.

I've long suspected that a lot of Anthropologie pieces might work for a transitioning body. The flowy shapes and elastic fabrics offer room to grow. And although not everything that I thought would be useful has been a success, I figured it made sense to share with others what has worked for me (and what might work for them) so I am calling these posts "pregnant in anthro." I am also looking for other bloggers who shared maternity options that worked for them while pregnant. I know Molly did a great post with a bunch of other anthro-fans sporting full bellies (check out Anthrobumpogie here). She also had an amazing Anthro-centric maternity fashion series that you can scroll through here.

For my week by week belly photos you can follow on my pregnancy blog.

Details:
Anthropologie "Anchors Aweigh" dress (another cute and bump friendly yellow dress here)
Gap cropped cardi (similar)
Michelle Franz bag (similar)
Chloé flower flats (similar)

Anchors Aweigh OOTD

I wore this to a backyard bbq at my friend's house the other week. By now, I'm a bit more round in the belly but still wanted to share.

I have a question about this dress. Will it be possible to style for fall or is it too summery? I do know that it might not fit me by the time it is fall. I am just trying to determine my wardrobe options in the future. What say you?

Details:
J. Crew Maritime Anchor Dress (available here or here)
vintage Alviero Martini leather bag (buy it new, here)
Purple canvas Keds (available here)

Nautical J. Crew fit reviews

Thanks to the deal hunting Fashionism gals, I was alerted that this sweet, striped anchor dress is marked down in stores with an extra 30% off. It is on sale online, too but I hoped to avoid ship costs. I hit up my local J. Crew last night to see if they had it and evaluate whether I could wear it into pregnancy and beyond.

My store had one Maritime Anchor Dress left in my regular J. Crew size: medium. In my opinion, this dress (also available here and here) is cut generously. The medium felt a little loose even after four months of pregnancy. It is a thicker knit cotton that might be a bit warm for summer days. But for a breezy day near a body of water or for evening, I think this dress is perfect! It has two side zippers near the hem and long sleeves. The length was reasonable and I could see this working as a future Memorial Day or Labor Day dress even after pregnancy. Despite the medium's generous cut, I would have tried the large if it existed in my local store. For this price, I still bought the medium on final sale. After discounts it was a great deal! 

While there I stumbled upon the cutest anchor dress and nearly snatched it up at full price. Were it not for my transitioning body, and the practical thoughts that it brings, it would be mine.

I also found it, named the Dizzy Anchors Dress to run a bit large, as I could zip the size 8 with no problem. The only place it was fitted was in the bust, where you probably want a tailored fit. But for my own current bustline, I would probably be better off in a 10. It is a very flattering cut that should suit a bunch of figures. The dress is an un-stretchy, light and airy cotton. Perfect for summer! I believe the bodice was lined though I cannot recall if the lining extended through the skirt. If it did, it was unattached to the outer fabric. The dress features a side zipper and pockets.

A detailed bodice shot above demonstrates how the bust on my size 8 was snug. I must remind those who might usually wear similar sizes that my bust is larger than normal due to my "condition." I think this dress is on the large side of true to J. Crew sizing overall. Ample busts might need a larger size if they're currently in-between. The side shot is just to indulge any bump-watchers. To see more detailed bump shots, you can visit here.

Finally, I tried on this Striped Button Front dress because it was marked down even more so than the Maritime Anchor. It looks so cute on my stylish blogger pal, If Grandma Wore J. Crew.

I loved the length on the striped button dress (wearing size medium) as well as the ease of its cut. It would be a dress that could work through a bit more of my pregnancy (even in size medium) as the waistline was generous. I might even size down under normal circumstances. But I didn't care for the arm/sleeve holes. They were cut a bit larger and the way the tank cut into my shoulders would necessitate a cardigan or tank layer solution. I decided that on final sale, I should be frugal and only pick my favorite of the two discounted stripey dresses. The anchor won.

Hopefully these fit reviews can help my fellow J. Crew fans! I'd check out J. Crew in person this weekend if you are interested in the striped sale dresses since the extra 30% off is currently only available in stores. And my closest, highly-trafficked store (Shadyside, for your Pittsburghers) only had one striped anchor dress left. Happy hunting!

UPDATE: There is now a code for an additional 30% off sale items at J. Crew online. SHOPNOW is the code and as far as I can tell, it doesn't automatically generate a "final sale" designation.

Nautical in (Kate) Spade(s)

Evening Dresses by Kate Spade
Clutches by Kate Spade

As usual, for spring nautical inspirations seem inescapable. Although I'm relishing the cold weather in Pittsburgh, the above ship and magazine clutches along with all the stripes and hues of navy have me itching to travel to someplace warm.

I don't own what I would consider to be cruise fashion but I'm envisioning ladies in strips and vibrant prints with men dressed in Ralph Lauren or Stone Island.

Dressing Room Report

One thing I like about traveling is how easy it becomes to rationalize otherwise indulgent luxuries only reserved for bad days or special occasions. For example, I wouldn't usually eat a plate of beignets for breakfast at home, but while traveling, it becomes an entirely reasonable meal.

Beignets from Cafe du Monde

And meandering around a fairly empty department store, opting to try on full price stuff with little intent to buy becomes a way to kill an hour of spare time.

 

I've always been drawn to polka dots, even though I can't recall the last time I wore them. But when I saw this silk and ruffled dress by Nanette Lepore I decided to move from being the customer who was "just browsing" into one who, "would love to start a fitting room." This is a size 8 or 10. I can't recall which. But it fit loosely on top. This dress also had substantial shoulder pads which was an alarming surprise. Although I liked it, it didn't wow me.

Nautical sails and seagulls enticed me to grab this silk Tibi dress. The size 10 was ill fitting on me.

The next few dresses were from the Urban Outfitters sale racks in New Orleans. This dress was cute but a little more body conscious than I wear.

This heavy corduroy dress by Lark and Wolf by Steven Alan reminded me of an APC dress. But I didn't buy it because it was a little big on top (particularly when I turned to the side, the back bloused strangely).

I'll post the remainder, including things I actually purchased, tomorrow.

Adventures in Nautical Trompe L'Oeil!

My neighbor has a sailboat, which Chris has spent some time on the last few weeks, preparing it for the summer season of sailing. Accordingly, I have been fantasizing about summer events and outfits that will comprise my summer wardrobe. Because that wardrobe now includes a reason to be even more obsessed with all things Nautical than I am every summer season, I found it fitting to pick up this Trompe L'Oeil sailor dress from the Annie Creamcheese consignment and vintage shop in Georgetown.

Too patriotic? Too silly? Perhaps. I admit that it is somewhat costumey but my other outfit idea, (to wear white linen pants with my navy cashmere anchor sleeve sweater from Blanc Bleu in St. Barths) might not be practical, due to the heat and my epic clumsiness.

The tshirt style dress is scandalously short so I've had to layer underneath it an exposed slip by Hanky Panky. Hopefully I won't look too jaggy when just a dream and the wind will carry me.
I hear the canvas can do miracles. (I realize I age myself when I quote such lyrics, but whatever).