What I wore back to campus

My first visit back required that I look somewhat pulled together while remaining breastfeeding friendly. I went with a stretchy dress layered over a full-coverage Rumina pump and nursing tank (review and giveaway to come!). I was comfortable even though the dress is a little body conscious. But by the middle of the day I was the wrong kind of overdressed. Definitely didn't need the trench coat!

Tomorrow I will be launching a Mother's Day giveaway from Rumina and can't wait to tell you about these nursing tanks. I like them even more than the ones from Bravado.

Outfit details:
Rumina nursing tank (c/o... giveaway and review coming this weekend!)
Random stretchy nursing/pumping-friendly dress
Tory Burch Warren ruffle trench
Marc Jacobs Mercer Tote
Marc by Marc Jacobs Mouse Flats (in black here)
Michael Kors horn watch (also here)
Spanx tights
Amber pendant; Anjolee eternity band (c/o), misc. jewelry

Emphasizing the shape of things

When the Bailey 44 column dresses were finally seeing markdowns at Anthropologie (cap sleeved here; tank here; scrolled here), it was just too hard to resist. I ordered what was available that seemed like it could fit a pregnant body without factoring in that 1. I don't really wear BRIGHT RED and 2. I don't really know if I want to "show" that much of myself. Being pregnant gives some women more body confidence than ever before because the body is doing remarkable things. But for me, on many of my more emotional days, my body feels unrecognizable. When your wardrobe is cultivated to emphasize a relatively small waist (the way the bulk of my pre-pregnancy clothes are), it can be a little disorienting to watch your waist change so much in such a relatively short time frame.

So in many ways, my Bailey 44 buy was an experiment. Incidentally, I was able to track down one of the purple versions which I tried and reviewed a while ago. But the red went back. I'm too much of a wallflower to pull it off, pregnant or not. We'll see if I wear the purple while my stomach continues to grow. If not, I am confident it will be a great piece for next fall!

Consolation Date Night

The Friday before Labor Day, Chris and I decided to make the best out of a long weekend with canceled plans. We were originally headed to New Orleans for a conference and for one last hurrah. The trip would have functioned as our babymoon as well as the last scheduled flight prior to the point when I become too big to fly comfortably. Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas. The conference was canceled and thankfully, we were able to be refunded for every aspect of the trip. I am glad we didn't try to go despite the weather because I would have hated to be a strain on the already-strained city resources during recovery.

Instead we made use of the time at home. And Chris suggested we go on a fancy date, Pittsburgh style. As a consolation for canceled reservations at Herbsaint, we went to Cure in Lawrenceville and ate like kings. I decided to debut a dress from an indie designer, Madeleine Maternity. Sadly, it was just too dark to get good outdoor photos so I snapped some from indoors. But this stylish frock promises to be all over my fall wardrobe.

I love the knot at the bust, as it can be flattering to many shapes. The fabric is functional, wrinkle resistant, and has just enough stretch to allow room to grow. For reference, I am wearing a size 3. The body conscious silhouette made me feel sexy and stylish and proud to be visibly pregnant. But the design is also beautifully modest, elegant, and professionally appropriate. I know this dress will be great for the classroom, the faculty meeting, the back-to-school soirée, or the fancy dinner date.

Madeleine Maternity is a brand based in California and designed by an extremely glamorous Swedish woman named Madeleine Simon. The dress I'm wearing is called the Adina and it is currently on sale! I also am in love with the Capri, the Jackie, and well... everything on the website! It's been great to discover new lines that offer options that are off the beaten path from mass maternity retail. As a lover of clothes with unique, feminine details these designs are right up my alley.

Shop Madeleine Maternity with an extra 10% off coupon code: ILOVEPARIS 

Outfit details:
Madeleine Maternity Adina dress (c/o)
Marc Jacobs Stam Hobo bag (similar)
Bracelets: KJL, Target
Vintage necklace
Nine West pumps; tights

Bargain Alert for Lovers of Bailey 44 Column Dresses

Tank dresses similar to Anthropologie's Maia Column, and Petite Column dresses

I am not usually one to promote knock-offs but many Anthro-philes have lamented the retail price point, quality, and full-price sellout of Bailey 44's column dresses, available at Anthropologie in various iterations over the last year. Recently, while browsing my Google Reader, I noticed that the lovely and always well-dressed Najeema of A Stylized Hysteria was wearing a maxi dress that looked suspiciously familiar, with its askew, zig-zagging stripes and its potential to flatter a range of figures. In her entry, Najeema mentioned that she found it at TJ Maxx and the brand was Max Studio. I decided to check out my local Marshalls and TJ Maxx to see what was up.

Tank dresses similar to Anthropologie's Ines Column and Scrolled Column Dresses

Although I couldn't track down the exact maxi shown on Najeema (which is a shame because I love the full length of it) I did find striped and lacy tank tops, shorter dresses, and maxi skirts from Max Studio as well as other brands, adopting a very similar aesthetic to Bailey 44's.

 Bailey 44-esque maxi skirt

In my research I found the "real" Column dresses to be made with nicer and thicker fabrics, offering a bit more coverage than these cheaper versions. But all of the discount options I saw (from checking two Marshalls and one TJ Maxx) were available for $19.99-$34.99, making them an undeniable bargain, comparatively speaking. I imagine the simple design elements and the popularity of the column dresses mean we'll be seeing a lot of brands attempting their own versions in the coming months.

If you missed out on the Bailey 44 Column dresses, do you think you will buy one of the bargain options?

In which pregnant Jess reviews clingy Bailey 44 Maia Column Dress

Maia Column dress

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?

Newest DVF acquisition

DVF Greer (with altered sleeves)

This cute Diane von Furstenberg dress was "RAOK'd" to me thanks to two generous ladies on Fashionism. One passed it along to another who passed it on to me (due to length). The style is called "Greer" and it is a shorter length wrap than the "Jessica" but still longer than "Renny." This particular Greer is a bit on the short side and runs smaller than my other one (worn here). For size reference, I am wearing a 10 which is my usual DVF wrap size. I love the vibrant print. I think it might replace Green Hearts Leaves Justin as my St. Patrick's Day wrap. And because I feel so grateful (and fortunate) for this generous gift, I definitely need to comb my closet to find something that will enable me to to RAOK-it-forward.

Connect Forty Dress Review

Connect Forty Dress

Since it got marked down today, it seems like a good time to finally post this overdue review of Bailey 44's Connect Forty Dress. I tried this on the day after Christmas (when I had just eaten three Christmas dinners) so the practice of trying on such a squeezy dress seemed ill-advised. But I had just come from the Saks sale, where I bought the Pieced Column dress (which is now available at Anthro in a very similar though still not quite the same colorway) so I wasn't totally opposed to tight dresses or Bailey 44. I grabbed it because I loved the green color, the wiggle shape, and the unique length (which I think could stand to be an inch or two shorter on me). This is a size medium and it fit snugly (especially through my stomach and hips). But perhaps it is supposed to? I still wonder if a size large would have been more forgiving. With Spanx or other appropriate shapewear either size would probably look better. But the smoke and mirrors effect of the strategically staggered stripes is missing from this one. You see every curve with ease because the pattern is so uniform. The fabric is nice and much more substantial than that of the Tiered Stripes/Pieced Column/Layered Column family (speaking of, I just noticed the newest iteration featuring thicker, supersized stripes: Rugby Stripe Column). It seems very winter-friendly because it is thicker and warmer. But it is not a dress I will be buying myself.

For the complete sale roundup, which includes a number of sweaters I've long coveted (but still find to be overpriced) check out Roxy's full list.

Pieced Column Review: Tiered Stripes for the Shorties!

(size large in another colorway)

(size medium in another colorway)

I always try to make the after Christmas sale at Saks because the early morning promotion is tough to beat. This year I went a little too late for the best deals and best selection but I did find something I loved in the new arrivals. A shorter version of the Tiered Stripes dress by Bailey 44 (reviewed here). Anthropologie is calling it the Pieced Column Dress. The sales associate at Saks told me they also had it in purple and black stripes which would have been totally up my alley. Sadly, it was long sold out. She said this new version in navy and white was unlikely to last until sale time so I used a merchandise credit to buy it. I like it but I am not sure if I will keep.

I went with the large for this one even though I liked the medium better in the longer version. I'm sure the lack of shapewear and the three Christmas dinners I ate the day prior didn't help me fit into a smaller size of this already body-conscious dress. The fabric is the same as the other iterations of this Bailey 44 number. I wonder and worry about long term wear of what seems to be a somewhat delicate fabric. It is unlined but I find the construction and striping to flatter many figures. I think the placement offers a smoke and mirrors effect at least from the front. I haven't braved wearing this in public yet. Like I said above, I am still deciding.

What do you think? Do you like the long or short option? Does the longer version make it more modest, balancing out its curve-hugging?

DVF for day

DVF Dutch wrap dress (similar here, here, and here)

Blazer from NY and Company (via Gabes)

Spanx tights

Nine West Maryjanes

Jewelry by Banana Republic, KJL, Target, Vintage

This week marks the DVF sample sale in New York. I am lucky to have a few of Diane von Furstenberg's iconic but typically pricey wrap dresses in my wardrobe. This is attributed fully to the wisdom of other bargain-minded lovers of the brand. Thanks to resale, swaps, and sample sales, I didn't have to break the bank for any of them. But I rarely reach for these dresses. As office-friendly as they are, I still shy away from sporting them in the classroom. Something about the body-conscious silhouette feels to risqué or too va-va-voom to feel appropriate. When I do wear them, I tend to add some kind of layer. That is what I did last week, when I wore my DVF Dutch wrap for one of my last days of teaching this term.  I paired it with a tailored blazer and added maroon colored accents. I want to resolve to wear some of the beautiful but lesser worn items in my closet for 2012. I have already parted with many of those items I can't figure out how to wear. So it is time for a re-evaluation of what I have and what I don't use. I think I plan to keep this dress.