what I wore, no. 3

dressing for early pregnancy

I was warned that my second pregnancy would feel different than my first. Namely, I might start showing sooner. I don’t know if that is necessarily true — I think it depends on the day, the hour, and what I’ve been up to, but this pregnancy IS different from my first in that I have to go to work in person, five days a week. There is something especially hellish about feeling nauseous upon waking and then realizing that every single day, pants are getting tighter, boobs are getting bigger, and nearly everything in my body feels *off*.

In 2020, I did buy a few maternity items, but I didn’t *need* to buy much and honestly, what I did buy wasn’t all that thoughtfully selected. I was heavily under the influence of Instagram marketing and very much stuck at home, so I ended up with a real lazy-earthy-cult-mother vibe. Here is the clothing tracker I kept from 2020. Some notes: the linen sacks from Elizabeth Suzann looked a lot better online than in real life (one of my students told me I looked like I was wearing a prison uniform over Zoom — ouch!). It was foolish to buy new bras that were not designed for nursing, but I didn’t really know better at the time — I just needed something that fit me asap. That sort of panic-buying doesn’t make for the best longterm collection of clothes.

This time around, I am trying to be more thoughtful and strategic with my maternity purchases. My goal is that the early first and second trimester purchases will double as easy postpartum options. I plan to rent from Nuuly or Rent the Runway during third trimester, especially because I will be working until right around my due date in mid-October.

First trimester (and postpartum, hopefully) winners:

My “luteal phase pants”: black and navy trousers, jeans with stretch, old linen joggers pulled out from storage (and a second pair in a different color I thrifted for $12), overalls, jumpsuits, non-cropped sweaters, oversized button downs.

I got about three or four more wears out of these jeans after this day!

These pants were initially a size up from my normal size. Looking forward to wearing them next winter. :')

This was a freakishly warm day in March when I realized how much easier it will be to wear dresses this summer than try to find pants that fit.

Another pair of pants that have a lot of give in the waist! I just packed them away last week.

My sister wore this shirt to our Hanukkah party, and I found it on eBay the next day, not realizing how useful it will be for me this year.

I cannot have any belly showing during the school day, which eliminates so much of the pregnancy vibe right now. But on vacation? Belly out all the way!

This was a shameless copy + paste of Harling Ross Anton's pregnancy look! I would swap the shoes, but otherwise, great.

I think this was the outfit that convinced all of my 7th graders of my pregnancy! I've since packed this away, but it was more forgiving than I thought it would be!

Not pictured: these jeans and these pants from Gap Factory (of all places?), flare leggings from CRZ (purchased with a gift card), and at the encouragement of my dear friend Edan (and a gift from my mom), bright pink fancy sweat pants.

Some things I am contemplating:

• Overalls — trying to figure out how much to size up to accommodate my hips and bump.

• A diaper bag! I didn’t need one in 2020 because I never left the house. I am considering a medium Longchamp bag or a classic zip-top boat & tote from LL Bean.

• These linen pants (in black or white) for a more “current” shape.

• A gold anklet. After seeing one on Kate Lindello’s Week of Outfits, I can’t get it out of my mind. Also, I think it will make some of my shorter inseam trousers look more modern.

• Another Nike Alate sports bra. I got one from the employee store on a lark last summer. It is SO nice having a sports bra that I don’t have to pull over my head! It’s very supportive and comfortable (for a bra).

Great maternity (or just comfy) clothes inspiration

• Harling’s spring wardrobe look book

• Elin Strong’s 10 pregnancy wardrobe essentials

• Liz McKay’s pregnancy style posts

• Janelle Taylor’s comfy pants post

If you have any maternity or postpartum must-haves, please feel free to share!