Taryn Crepe Shift and Petalblush Sweater Dress Reviews

I went to Anthropologie this weekend to scope a few pieces I was interested in (especially with the newly, temporarily lowered prices) so I figured I would do some reviews. Although I don't shop as often as I once did, whenever I do I always take dressing room photos (old habits die hard). It's from my own blog laziness and life busyness that I haven't shared them. Anyway, onto the reviews!

First up is the Taryn Crepe Shift. I loved the print on this one and once it hit the weekend's sale price (plus the extra 20% off) I was sure I would be buying it. That was until I got to the store to try it on in person. Above I am wearing a 12 which fit well through the torso and hips but remained a bit blousey through the shoulders. The 8 and 10 I also tried (not pictured) were very snug in the bust and the buttons wouldn't stay closed.  I am still larger through the bust at the moment due to nursing so snugness makes sense but the overall flimsiness and tenuousness of the button closures doesn't. This combined with the shortness of the dress (particularly when I raised an arm) meanted that I had to pass. Plus the above 12's pattern placement was a bit too "paisley-ish square marks the spot," if you know what I mean.

I expected to love the Petalblush Sweater Dress on the hanger and hate it on me. I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be really cute on! I grabbed a medium expecting to need a large but the medium fit nicely. The colors were really vibrant in person and the knit is very soft. I actually decided to grab this one. I am not sure that I will keep it but at the promotional price (plus extra 20% off, minus a giftcard balance I had) I wanted to have the option to mull some more. Granted, it isn't nursing-friendly but Emilia doesn't really need or want to nurse on the go much these days. She is easily preoccupied with a sippy cup or solids. Besides my hoarder stash means that I can always bring some bottled milk if I am really worried about it. What do you think of this dress? Is it a keeper? I thought the quality was quite good and the shape was flattering. I also thought that the print is one special enough to justify a space in an otherwise crowded closet. But I am open to opinions. Some online reviewers found it to be short waisted and that is likely true but I am a bit short waisted so it didn't bother me.

What are/did you get from this promotion? You have the rest of today to make final decisions so happy shopping!

Book Print Clothes for Fall (reviews)

Clichés be damned. If you make a fabric printed with a crowded bookshelf, I will want all of the things made with it. Another Anthro Blog posted about this Tommy Hilfiger Book Print Dress and although she didn't love it on herself, I thought it looked fantastic! I tracked one down in my local Macy's and wound up taking it home. Regarding the fit, I needed a large. I didn't want any gaps at the bust or hips that would necessitate pinning and the large fit the bill. I'd say it runs true to size.

The fabric is cotton and has a slight sheen to it, which makes it look a bit dressier. The skirt runs slightly narrow through the hips but the bust had plenty of room. The sleeves are roomy but not blousey. It even has subtle details that feel reminiscent of the Anthropologie of yore. The button placket is lined with a very attractive plaid in coordinating colors. The dress has pockets but they are stitched shut (which I prefer to keep in tact with a slimmer cut skirt). The shirttail hem is very subtle and includes the hemline equivalent of a buttoned epaulet on both sides.  I think it will be perfect for teaching especially once I add opaque tights. The background color is navy blue so it will look nice with brown boots. Be warned that some of the books have the letters "TH" or the words "Tommy Hilfiger." I doubt anyone will notice unless they are looking very closely.

A comment also on Another Anthro Blog discussed a Garnet Hill skirt in a similar book print. I was interested in both pieces because I've not bought much for my own wardrobe lately. I decided to order it since there were no options to see it in person nearby. The skirt has a smocked waist and flexible fit. I bought a medium which worked nicely. Not too poofy. Not too small. I would say it runs large (ala Anthropologie) though I am typically a medium in an a-line shape such as this. The skirt has pockets and is fully lined. Its books are logo-less with black background. They also are larger in scale than the Tommy ones. This skirt would be great for tall ladies because I had to hike it up to my natural waist for it to fall at my knee. But I decided to keep it. I will post an outfit featuring it this week and you can see a close up of the print below.

I love both of them and although I never pay full price, I decided to indulge. I justified this decision in a few ways. First of all, the retail prices are not far off from Anthropologie's sale ones. My mom had a $25 off coupon for Macys so that helped with the dress. I found a 25% off coupon for Garnet Hill via google. And over the last few months I've bought myself very little new clothing. Other than a dress from J. Crew Factory that I loved on Wardrobe Oxygen, these are my first new pieces since May.

Also in breastfeeding-friendly wardrobe news, this is not a book print but I love this Tommy Hilfiger charm bracelet print dress. It's on sale and it suits my on-campus and baby-related needs so I might grab it. I want to wear my Library Dress first and then decide if its worth owning in different patterns.

Dayflower Lace Dress Review

I love the Dayflower Lace dress! It has all the stretchiness of pajamas with all the easiness that draws me to dresses in the first place. And it happens to be pretty, too! My only gripe is the color selection. Salmon pink and ivory are not my personal favorites. I like the shape enough to overlook colors I don't care for because it reminds me of the Fluttering Flora dress (which I wore constantly last summer). But this particular is stretchier while running bigger. The fabric is substantial and the lace seems sturdy. For lace it was not especially delicate which is good if you are a clumsy person who snags things like me.

For fit reference, I am wearing a medium which had ample room. I'd say this runs fairly large. I hope it goes on sale soon because I can't justify full price on a non-nursing friendly dress (or ever at Anthro).

I'll be hosting another giveaway this week so stay tuned!

Silk Mabel and Sunstream Eyelet dress reviews

Silk Mabel Dress

If you checked Effortless Anthropologie this morning, you saw a huge swath of markdowns and second/third cuts at Anthropologie. I figured I would post my take on a few of the new sale items since I tried on a bunch of stuff during my birthday month.

The printed bodice of the Silk Mabel Dress drew me to it instantly. I loved the vibrant flowers though I wasn't sure about the framing on the bottom half of the skirt. I would have rather seen an all over print that dissolved in concentrated toward the hem rather than the striped border with solid side panels. The length of this dress matters in part because of the framing around the flowers of the skirt. If you need to hem, it would be tricky. Still the shape was something that I thought might work on me and I liked that it had the potential to be breastfeeding friendly without requiring a button front. I grabbed a large and thought it was cut amply. I didn't try a medium but it might have worked which leads me to believe this dress runs fairly large. My postpartum figure is not a size medium but I had enough extra room everywhere in the large that I think for this dress a medium would have been fine. The length of the large was just below my knees which (unless in heels) is slightly longer than I prefer. I like it to hit right at my knee, covering it ideally. I imagine the medium would have been a bit shorter. It was comfortable and airy and as described by the name, made of silk. I think for the sale price this would make a great occasion dress (even though it could also be styled easily for day... I personally am not as into the bottom half of the dress as I am the top so I would only shell out for the sale price if I had a specific event in mind).

Sunstream Eyelet dress

The Sunstream Eyelet dress is another s/m/l sized piece that comes in a variety of colors. I tried on the green and very much liked the hue. I grabbed a size medium even though I would have picked the large to try if it was available. I hadn't counted on how stretchy this dress would be. I didn't see a size zipper and still got it on without a problem. So this one also runs big. Even with my current bustline (which is larger than normal due to breastfeeding) I thought the dress worked on my figure despite my short waist. I would definitely wear in real life with an actual bra rather than a nursing tank because as supportive as they can be, I still think I am better held up with underwire. This is especially noticeable in the side view. For the sale price, this is a great dress! I would be more likely to grab it if it was $60 instead of $80 because until I wean I won't be able to wear this much. The fabric is comfortable and although the lining is a poly blend, it doesn't seem like it would be too uncomfortable in hot weather.

Although I'm passing on these two even at their sale prices, I feel that they bode well for the direction in which Anthropologie is headed. I hope that their styles begin to grab me again soon because even with the barrier of my pregnancy and postpartum realities, over the last year I haven't found much to add to even a hypothetical wishlist.

Anila Shirtdress Review

When I was browsing the racks of Anthropologie during my birthday month, I was looking mostly for pieces that could work for nursing. I'm not sure if I would have otherwise been drawn to the simple, lightweight style of the Anila Shirtdress if it weren't for its button front. But I grabbed two different colorways in sizes 8 and 10 to see whether it worked for me. The dress shown above is an 8. The one below is a 10.

 

Both seemed to run large and the drawstring waist is forgiving. It has pockets and is unlined. The fabric is soft but it seemed a little flimsy. One might want to layer a slip underneath, especially when it is too warm to wear tights. I like the fit of the 10 better, particularly across the bust. I was worried about pulling in the 8. While breastfeeding, I am reluctant to safety pin the space between buttons because the entire point of wearing button front garments is to maintain accessibility for Emilia. So I would rather have something fit without pins across the bust and be bigger elsewhere than have to pin.

I thought I liked the first dress more in terms of color/print but now that I see it in photos, I think the lack of striping pattern is nicer on me. I ultimately passed on this dress but now that it is on sale I am again considering it. I like how lightweight it is which will be comfortable in the dead of summer. And I like the longer sleeves. 

I'm curious also about whether it holds up to machine washes. Anyone have this one? Care to share?

Rumina Hands Free Pump and Nurse Tanks Review

As you can see from the giveaway, the Rumina Hands-Free Pump and Nurse tank comes in two styles: regular and full-coverage. I was fortunate to be sent one of each to try for both pumping and nursing purposes and have been able to test them at work and at home for the last month. I have been wearing them constantly, underneath tops and dresses to enable easy nursing and pumping access. I am going to go through some useful specifics regarding the tanks in general, then I will discuss the differences between the styles.

First of all, these tanks have impressive support. I feel secure and stable during a time when my figure is softer all over. The fabric feels nicer to me than that of Bravado tanks. They washed and wore without fading, unlike my black Bravado tanks in the first month. They have enough length to fall to my mid-hip and they provide counter-pressure while smoothing out the stomach. The straps are a bit less structured when compared with Bravado but they're still stable and comfortable. The clips are standard nursing clips, easy to snap and unsnap with one hand. But a flap that goes over the bust is what enables the hands-free pumping. When you lift the flap, you reveal another layer of fabric that can be pulled to the side via an opening, where you insert pump flanges. In the top photo, I am lifting up the flap, but it is difficult to tell because of the design. This same design really keeps one's breasts covered while pumping.

After pregnancy, labor, and birth, I definitely feel less modest in some ways about my body but am grateful to have an option that keeps my business relatively hidden while I pump at work.  Even with an office and a door that locks, and even after feeling really comfortable and confident in using my pump, the first few times I did so at work felt awkward. Having a tank that keeps me covered "just in case" mitigated that awkwardness. More importantly, this tank truly supports a hands-free pump experience that allows me to work at my computer while I pump. I have the Medela hands free bustier for pumping and find it frustrating because it doesn't support me well enough to be hands-free. This is different. I  found both of the tanks to be very easy to use for nursing and was happy with how I could stay covered while pumping in the tanks. 

I also want to speak about fit and sizing but this ties to the differences in styles. With help from Amanda, I was able to determine that the size medium would be right for me. For reference, in Bravado tanks, I took a 34f during the first few months of nursing. At this point I need a 34ddd/e. From the size chart on Rumina's site, my cup size was too large to work with the regular coverage. But the medium fit me. The issue is that the regular coverage exposes quite a bit of cleavage (to the point where I even cropped out my face from the photos), so I use it as a layering piece. The full-coverage comes up high enough to be visible under certain tops and dresses. But generally speaking, I do agree with the recommendation for full-coverage to meet a fuller bust. If I had to pick a favorite between the two styles, I would pick the full-coverage. I think the regular coverage serves a useful role in my closet and I appreciate that it is more likely to be invisible underneath my clothing, but I wouldn't be able to wear it on its own without feeling very exposed. That said, I feel that way about all my nursing tanks. And the Rumina Regular Coverage doesn't expose any more than those.

Overall, I really love these tanks and am so glad to have them in my breastfeeding wardrobe rotation. When I am back in the classroom soon, I will be grateful for the ease of pumping at work, when times between classes are already tight. Thank you to Amanda and Dawn of Rumina Nursingwear for sending me the tanks to review and providing another to give away to a lucky reader of Consume or Consumed!

Don't forget to enter to win one for yourself! 

Maitland Lace Dress Review

I don't have a lot of time to myself these days and with the wardrobe constraints inherent to breastfeeding, I don't have the same ease about shopping as I once did. But as April was coming to a close, I realized that a birthday discount was about to expire unused. So I arranged for my mom and sister to meet me at the mall for some grandma, aunt, and baby time. The three of them played together while I browsed the racks at Anthropologie. I was drawn quickly to the Maitland Lace Dress. The shape reminded me of that of Fluttering Flora. The layering of lace over cotton, the cap sleeves, and the letter sizing were all reminiscent of the dress that carried me through a decent chunk of pregnancy.

Although my gut told me to try the large, there were none available and I grabbed a medium. It was stretchy enough to fit without unzipping (I didn't see the zipper until the dress was on) but still looked snug once it was on my body. I think I need a large and I think that is accurate to my current size. I also think a belt would really help break up my midsection. The underslip is not fully attached (though not fully unattached either), making it different from Fluttering Flora. I'd say this dress runs slightly large. I like the quality of the lace and thought it was a cute dress overall. I am not a huge fan of the color on me so I will be passing. But I think it will be a great look on many figures.

Larrivo Dress Review and Giveaway!!

Larrivo is an American brand specializing in maternity and nursing clothing. I was lucky to become familiar with them when I visited A Mother's Boutique back in October. I tried on two Larrivo dresses. The Ying Anytime and the Irene. Both of them were comfortable, vibrant, and stylish. In terms of size, I found that although I could wear a medium I preferred large to offer a bit more bust room. I chose the Ying Anytime dress because I am a huge fan of prints but the Irene was very flattering and pretty. For the price, I find this brand to be very good quality. These dresses are smart buys because you can wear the pieces during and after pregnancy. And for me, the biggest challenge of dressing a breastfeeding body is finding dresses. Tops and tanks are plentiful. Even big box stores carry them. But nursing dresses are a different story. I also appreciate that many of the Larrivo pieces can be styled for professional settings, making pumping at work less of a challenge.

A detailed size chart can be found on A Mother's Boutique's website.

As promised yesterday, A Mother's Boutique has generously offered one lucky reader of Consume or Consumed a chance to win their very own Larrivo Ying Dress (maternity AND nursing friendly!) in the color of their choice. The dress comes in electric blue print (as shown above), solid olive green, and solid hot chocolate.

The giveaway is open only to US readers. The winner will be chosen via random draw. A Mother's Boutique will arrange for the dress to be sent directly to you. 

Entering is easy!


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Three Seasons Maternity OOTD and Review

I wore this Three Seasons Maternity dress to Thanksgiving dinner(s) with our families. It was comfortable and cute enough that I decided to snap some photos. I've been wearing this dress a lot postpartum because of the nursing-friendly neckline.

For sizing reference, Three Seasons Maternity runs a bit small. I am wearing an XL which is for length more than anything else. The larges that I tried in this brand were too short for my third trimester belly. XL solved the length issue nicely. There are a lot of cute options on Amazon and ebay that are very reasonably priced. If you're a fan of prints this brand offers a lot of simple dresses in vibrant printed fabrics. This brand goes on sale pretty quickly too. I managed to get this dress for 50% off retail (which was already a good deal, in my opinion).

Details:
Three Seasons Maternity dress from Amazon
Assets Mama tights
Payless flats

Backlogged OOTD

I realize I never shared this ensemble which includes a Motherhood Maternity dress that my mom gifted to me. I am wearing size large and it offers ample room without being clingy. I've found that I need a large in both Pea in the Pod and Motherhood Maternity clothes. I would say that they run slightly smaller than other mass maternity lines. In my experience, Target, Gap, and Old Navy maternity run larger just like their non-maternity clothing. Motherhood Maternity runs slightly larger than Pea in the Pod which scales its sizes more closely with other "designer" maternity brands.

With daylight savings, it has been difficult to take photos in between classes in natural light so I've retreated to my office for some of the upcoming outfit shots. And I've fallen behind on belly pics. But it's because I am taking care of other baby and work related preparation business that has taken priority over the blog. I do think that with a nice chunk of time, I'll be able to schedule a bunch more backlogged outfit posts as well as maternity brand reviews. It's just a matter of finding that chunk of time. In the meanwhile, thanks for following along!

(For some reason my camera always blurs the side view... so annoying!)

Outfit details:
Motherhood Maternity dress from Macys (gift from my mom) (in a different print here)
Stretchy non maternity tights (brand unknown)
Payless cushiony flats (gift from my mom)
BP cardigan from Nordstrom (similar here)
Kors watch; Anthro necklace

Orla Kiely for Uniqlo Review

In honor of the recently launched online shopping options for Uniqlo, I couldn't resist trying some of the Orla Kiely pieces. I am an avid fan of the vibrant and sometimes borderline twee prints of this British designer but not so crazy about her regular prices. Orla Kiely dresses that are unattached to other retailers often cost over $400! So this "massclusive" partnership with Uniqlo winds up seeming like an even better bargain. I was hopeful that a few of the pieces could work for a pregnant and (eventually) postpartum body and I was right! They are also of course great for non-pregnant folks.

First up is the Peter Pan Collared dresses in various prints. I picked three of these dresses and was pleased with the softness and give of the fabric in each case. Although they stretch, they are thick enough to not be sheer or require additional coverage from a slip. I liked that the fabric was stretchy without being clingy. The colors were saturated and vibrant. I ordered size large and found it to fit amply over my 34 weeks pregnant belly and full bust. The length was also excellent and probably even better for taller gals when there isn't a full torso winnie-the-poohing up the garments. The shape is tent-like which is fine with me but I also tried it with a belt and found the effect to be quite flattering. I do wonder if a lower belting strategy would work as nicely as this empire one but at the moment I lack the waistline required to attempt it. The above print and the tiny floral one (maroon with navy trim) fit similarly and slightly smaller than the following option.

The deep fall colors of this circles print really grabbed me but I do think that this runs noticeably larger than the other two, even though I got them in the same sizes. I guess the trade off with massclusive lines is quality control. Although my belly means that the medium would have likely been too snug, I do think that without the variable of pregnancy, these dresses fit noticeably on the large side of true, regardless of print option. For the price ($29) they are a good value. And they absolutely work for maternity needs. Although I'm not sure if I will keep them all, I am going to at least keep the first one because the colors are so fun and with tights I think I can wear it to campus.

Lastly, I grabbed a long sleeved stem print tee ($19). I already have two Orla Kiely for Uniqlo tees from the previous collection that I have been wearing throughout pregnancy and I grabbed this in a large. It is less stretchy than the short sleeved tees and a little less soft but the structure is fine. I think these run slightly more snug than some of the other pieces in the collection but the length is ample and covers the stretchy band at the top of my pants without any issues.

As an aside, holy wow does Uniqlo ship quickly with their free shipping option!! I know some websites (GAP Brands, I'm looking at you) downgrade your order's processing time when you get to their free ship threshold. With Uniqlo, I ordered on Tuesday and my package came via FedEx on Thursday! Returns are a flat $7 (which mirrors the cost to ship orders that don't meet the threshold) so I did order more to avoid paying that $7 twice (if I needed to return). Now I'm stuck deciding what to keep and what to send back because I do like everything! Have you ordered from Uniqlo's online store?

Designer Maternity Reviews: Maternal America

I posted an OOTD and belly photos that included this Maternal America dress but I haven't said too much about its fit. I LOVED the print of this when I saw it on Amazon and during their maternity clothing clearance I managed to grab one for a substantial discount. This style is called the "scoop" and my print is called "citrus floral." It retailed for $128 but I got it for 65% off.

For reference, I am wearing a large and believe this dress to run true to designer maternity sizing (though definitely on the small side of big box maternity sizing). The knit of this particular dress is nice and thick (almost sweater-esque) so it is a great piece for cooler weather. It is fully lined in the torso and skirt, providing excellent coverage without needing a slip. The waist tie is sturdy and stays put. The scoop is a bit low (particularly on a full and/or growing bust) so that is something to be mindful about in certain contexts. One drawback is that it is somewhat short for professional settings. Although it has belly room and doesn't "winnie the pooh" up in the front, it is already above the knee on my 5'3" frame. I did wear it to work but with tights and on a day when I wouldn't be in front of the class during student presentations.

What drew me to this dress was the fact that it is a style and print I would covet during not-pregnant times. That it is technically maternity won't deter me from wearing it postpartum. It yields a lot of compliments and is very comfortable. Although I haven't tried other Maternal America styles, I am really happy with this one and can use the sizing from it to work as a baseline size reference in the future.

Designer Maternity Reviews: Nuka Maternity

I was drawn to the cocoon style of the above Nuka maternity dress when I saw it on Amazon so I ordered the navy blue in size medium. When it arrived it was more of a royal than a deep navy but I very much liked the color. I also liked that it was made in the US from bamboo rayon and spandex. The dress length was flattering and actually adjustable, according to the description. I didn't fiddle with it because the dress was too snug on my body for me to want to keep it. Although the information I found online said that Nuka ran large, I found it to run pretty true to size. The price seemed a bit high at full retail but for the sale price, I thought the quality was there.

In other maternity style news, Nordstrom has re-launched their maternity clothing selection online. I am not sure if it is available in stores but was pleased to see so many pretty options when I was browsing their website recently. You can browse my favorite picks on my pregnancy blog.

Designer Maternity Reviews: Everly Grey

Everly Grey Kaylee Dress

Everly Grey Lilly Dress

Also available here

One of the brands that offers interesting, unique, still-stylish-but-maternity pieces is Everly Grey. I discovered them in my professorial pregnancy wardrobe research and I am glad I did. Although they are only arguably designer-ish, I appreciate that their pieces are unique and stylish. The line retails at much more affordable price points than More of Me Maternity or NOM Maternity, which is great and the above pieces are marked down more than 50% off on Amazon (where I bought them).

The first dress called Kaylee is a faux wrap style in a graphic black and white print. The neckline is a flattering v-shape but the bodice is cut in a way that maintains modesty and coverage. The hemline in the front is draped to be a bit longer where the fabric pieces of the "wrap" collide, giving it visual interest and avoiding the potential problem of a bump "Winnie-the-Poohing" up the length. Although it is a faux wrap, it is not fully sewn or attached like the More of Me Maternity faux wrap (reviewed here). The fabric is rayon/spandex and far less nice than that of the NOM or More of Me options I've seen. But the print is fun and the cut is flattering so I have kept this dress.

The second dress is called the Lilly and it is a simple black jersey knit number that can be dressed up or down with accessories. It has ruched seaming along the v-neckline and waist to create a flattering shape while allowing room for belly. Again the v-shape of the neckline is flattering without over-exposure. This dress is very simple but I appreciate its versatility and the sale price is incredibly affordable. The length is also good for professional contexts. The fabric is a bit thin but this can be solved with a slip if it is of concern. It didn't bother me because I appreciate that this specific blend of rayon and spandex fabric breathes.

Unlike the previously reviewed maternity lines, Everly Grey is not made in the US. The above garments were imported from Vietnam. For the price points, I think the quality is quite good. The fit is on the large side of true to pre-pregnancy sizing. For reference, I am wearing a medium in the printed faux wrap and a large in the jersey dress. The large is quite roomy.

Designer Maternity Brands Reviewed: Part 1 (More of Me Maternity)

 

The most frustrating thing about dedicating one's ancillary budget toward maternity clothing is that you know its use-value is temporary. My typical rationale of evaluating the "cost-per-wear" really goes out the window if the period of time during which I can wear something is constrained by biology. But knowledge of the impracticality of an "investment" pregnancy wardrobe doesn't mean I don't want to look like myself just as being pregnant doesn't mean I've stopped caring about clothes.

I've tried to make a lot of non-pregnancy clothes work with mixed results. Sadly, my favorite tent dresses that I had hoped would still fit became too short once a belly was "Winnie-the-Poohing" everything upwards. But jersey knits have been fantastic. Do I think I can command a classroom wearing cotton t-shirt maxi dresses from the Gap? Not really. And definitely not for an entire semester. So in my final days of summer break, I began cobbling together a "pregnant professor" wardrobe to ease my anxieties about being in front of a bunch of post-adolescents with a visible bump. So far, things have gone well. I didn't anticipate how much more easily I would feel out of breath while lecturing and moving around. But I think I look the part of prof through my occasional huffs and puffs.

Recently, Amazon has been running decent clearance sales on some fancy maternity clothes that seem campus-friendly. I also happened to have a 20% off clothing coupon (given when you opt in to receive their clothing emails), so with free Prime shipping and free returns the risk of ordering some new duds seemed low. I picked some clothes from a variety of unfamiliar but supposedly reputable maternity designers. I will be going through each brand in separate posts over the next few days and hope it isn't too much drudgery for the non-pregnant crowd. I put the first review of the above dress under a cut for that reason.

The one really good thing about maternity clothes being a temporary necessity is that A LOT of people sell off what they bought on ebay or in consignment stores once they are done with pregnancy. So there are deals to be found if you are willing to search the secondhand marketplace in addition to sale stalking.

A caveat*: of course everyone "carries" differently so my suggestions regarding the periods of time during pregnancy when these garments will be useful will vary depending on your own belly. I am currently in the beginning of my third trimester of pregnancy. The dresses I am keeping are ones that I believe will fit me through parts of the third trimester and into postpartum (nursing) times.

Vinca Minor Dress review

Vinca Minor Dress

The other week I found myself killing time at the mall, browsing non-maternity stores with some pangs of longing. Although any enthusiasm for shopping my favorite stores is tempered by the pregnancy (and all the shape-related uncertainties it brings), I also know that old habits die hard. So I stopped in Anthro and spotted the Vinca Minor dress. It was so pretty on the hanger that I decided to try it for fun, knowing that it would probably be too short to be practical. At this point my stomach really raises things in the front. I joke with Chris that it "Winnie the Pooh's" clothes upward.

Like the others, this Weston Wear dress is sized in letters, not numbers. I grabbed a large which was the biggest size available in my store. It was small on me and looked awkward over my belly. But this is not at all surprising because I was/am in the thick of my second trimester. It is not a pregnancy-friendly non-maternity option for me but I could see it being very fun for a party or as a guest of honor's bridal shower dress, under normal circumstances. It also seems easily winterized with layers and tights. I'd like to see it layered with a turtleneck underneath, to treat the dress as a jumper or even a dirndl. The dress ran true to size but I found the tulle underlayers to be slightly itchy on bare skin.

Scalloped Stripes in Red review

Scalloped Stripes Dress in red

I don't typically bother to review different colorways of the same dress but because I really loved the look of the Scalloped Stripes Dress, I wanted to give more practical color options a chance. The first time I tried it, my Anthropologie store only had it in white and I instinctively grabbed my pre-pregnancy size while pregnant. That was a mistake (duh). Not only was it too small but I thought it was slightly sheer in some parts. This time I grabbed a red in large and it was a much better fit, with thicker-seeming fabric. The large fit well even though I was nearly 6 months pregnant. There wasn't a lot of room to grow though. The good news is that it also comes in XL. I might need to nab the brown color which I think will be amazing for fall and will fit through at least part of my third trimester.

I love the new print of Flared Caraz!

Flared Caraz in blue motif

I tried on the Flared Caraz dress in its original colorway, back when I was very newly pregnant (and not showing at all... see it here). Now that I'm more than halfway through (and significantly bigger), I revisited the dress to see if it could work as a "maternity" piece. With its elastic waist and stretchy mesh fabric, my biggest concern was about length. When I saw the new fall-appropriate print, I grabbed a large and headed to the dressing room. I LOVE this dress. I still am not sure it is worth the retail price but the print and the length seem great on my 23-weeks-pregnant body. I see that it is available in XL too. I want to wait for a sale but I also have to determine whether I should size up to an XL, just to ensure added length and a few more weeks of potential wear.

Flared Anabelle Dress Review

Flared Anabelle Dress

When I first spotted the Flared Anabelle Dress, it called to mind the New Look silhouette. Its below-the-knee length, fitted and slightly high waist, and generous skirt comprise apparent vintage inspiration. I didn't realize it was offered in petite lengths until I checked it out on the Anthropologie website. I love the drama of the catalog shot they include! I am unfamiliar with the brand, called Mabel by Some Odd Rubies. But I thought the dress was pretty stunning even if it made me look a little stumpy. The quality seemed to be very good. It is fully lined. I tried on an 8 which fit well, despite my nearing the end of the first trimester at the time these photos were taken. For this reason I would say it runs large. Large but also short waisted. I am already short waisted and this particular style made me long for a belt and for a bit more length in the dress's torso. While I find the dress to be stunning it is not for me personally. I look forward to seeing it styled by others because I think it has great potential.

Scalloped Stripes Dress Review

Scalloped Stripes Dress

The Scalloped Stripes dress from Anthropologie is so so so cute. Its details really shine in person. With optimism and naivety, I grabbed my pre-pregnancy size medium in the blue colorway and it was (duh) snug. I also found it to be a little short. This was exacerbated by the snugness. The torso of the dress is lined but I could see see the white bra I wore that day through the dress. This is easily solved with nude undergarments. The sleeves and bust were tight but it is hard to say if that is from my own body's current status or the garment itself. I do think otherwise this dress runs very true to size. It is quite soft cotton fabric, making it fairly casual looking in person. But the stripes are actually an adorable ric rac ribbon trim.

I do believe a large would have been perfect on my current body and I think it would last me through the end of the summer. I didn't have time to try it but I do have a giftcard burning a hole in my pocket and might wind up with one of the three colorways of this cute dress.