Maternity Style
Favorite Places to Shop for Affordable Fashion
October 17, 2018
in Style
We all have our go-to stores, right? Like, for example, if I just want to meander aimlessly while sipping my grande vanilla soy latte, I go to Target (who’s with me???). I also have a few select stores I always check out when...
Finding the perfect wedding guest dress is no easy feat, but when you’re pregnant, it can feel near impossible. Especially if you’re far along (like me here, I’m 33w2d in these pics!) everything you try on can make you feel like a ballooned whale. I knew I was going to struggle with finding the perfect outfit to wear to the two weddings we have coming up in mid-August, so I’ve actually been searching around for the past two months to find the perfect dress. Luckily, I did, and I’m sharing with you the 10 best maternity wedding guest dresses that are available in store and online! Also, if you’re not pregnant but still want a little wedding guest attire guidance, check out my previous post here!
*This post is not sponsored and may contain affiliate links. All content and opinions expressed are my own.*
Where to Shop for Maternity Wedding Guest Dresses
My new online shopping obsession is ASOS! Seriously I never knew how amazing this online boutique was until I got pregnant and couldn’t find chic maternity clothes ANYWHERE. I just happened to be looking around on ASOS.com and saw they had a maternity line, freaked out, and have been hooked ever since. This beautiful deep navy blue off-the-shoulder dress is actually from ASOS, and what’s even better? It comes in non-maternity sizes as well! #OKASOSISeeYou!
Now I’m pretty sure ASOS is only online (if it’s not, someone leave me a comment and let me know cause this would literally be my Disneyland), so if you’re more of an in-store shopper don’t worry, I gotchu. Macy’s has some great items available, especially in the Motherhood Maternity brand section that they have in most stores. Most of my maternity basics are actually from Macy’s and Motherhood Maternity, including these pieces here that I love!If Macy’s isn’t your style, then I’d recommend checking out Nordstrom. Even though they can be a bit spendy, Nordstrom has a lot of Maternity options and they’re great because you can purchase online and try-on/pick-up in store! That way you don’t have to deal with being on your feet while you shop, but you can also easily return the items if they don’t work out.
I’m really excited that I found this dress because I think it will be perfect for one of the weddings I’ll be attending in August. The wedding is actually going to be at the Portland Art Museum in downtown Portland, so I definitely needed something a bit fancier. This is pretty much the exact outfit I plan on wearing, too! The heels are a nude block heel and I love that they’re only about a 1 inch heel. Then I’ll probably just pair my white Coach leather wallet and a pair of sparkly gold earrings and voila! Good to go 🙂
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I’ve linked up eight other maternity wedding guest dresses that I’ve either tried on and loved, purchased myself, or just think are super chic for a wedding, below! And remember how I mentioned I have two weddings to attend this summer? Well, the dress I’m wearing to the other wedding is included, so be sure to follow along on Instagram to find out which one I chose and how I styled it!
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I hope you enjoyed this post and that it was helpful to any of you mamas-to-be out there! Leave a comment down below if you’ll be attending any summer weddings this year, and what your go-to wedding guest style is!
xo,B
Photos taken by: Eihab Daoud (a.k.a. Hubs)Photos edited by: MeOutfit Details: Dress from ASOS (available here) | Heels are from a tiny little store in Portland (similar here) | Coach wallet from the Woodburn Coach Outlet Store (same color, similar style here) | Earrings from Adorn on NE Fremont in Portland (similar here)
Ok ladies, it’s officially here. The ULTIMATE maternity style guide for your prego fashion needs. I can tell you right now, everyone has their own opinion on what you need and what you don’t during this transition period, so I’m going to break it down and share with you EVERYTHING I’ve purchased, and what items I’m still wearing from my pre-pregnancy days. Let’s get started.
*This post is not sponsored and may contain affiliate links. All content and opinions expressed are my own.*
Maternity Style Guide - Top 5 Most Important Tips
Before I break it down and list out everything I’ve purchased for my maternity wardrobe, I wanted to share my top 5 ride-or-die tips when it comes to dressing your bump:Comfort is key – if you wouldn’t want to wear it for 12 hours straight, don’t buy itYou’re going to be hotter than you think – temperature does a funny thing to a pregnant woman’s body…so keep that in mind when choosing fabrics and silhouettesYes, your feet really do go up a size – this doesn’t mean run out and buy all new shoes (though you may be tempted), but styles like open toe or sandals are GREATDresses and skirts get shorter as the bump gets bigger – this one makes me so sad, especially since I’m tall“Be confident in whatever you’re wearing and you’ll look good no matter what” – according to my husband LOL
Ok, now that we’ve gone over some tips, let’s get in to what you absolutely need for your maternity wardrobe!Maternity Style Must-Haves:Maternity jeans/jeggings (2) – there are options for an under-the-bump fit, but I personally hate the way this feels and would much rather have the high-waist additional belly support style!Maternity shorts (1) –Â again, the extra belly support is a must!Maternity slacks (3) – I work in an office so I have to dress pretty business casual. I purchased three pairs of maternity slacks in total (2 black and 1 grey), and they’re great for the office!Maternity leggings (2) – I have one pair of maternity leggings for workout/lounge, and one pair that are more work appropriate.
Nursing bra (1) – I went ahead and purchased a nursing bra early as I could tell my rib cage was getting wider. It is SO comfortable that I don’t wear any other type of bra now LOL.Maternity tops (6) – so far I’ve purchased a total of three maternity t-shirts, one maternity tank, one nursing shirt, and one office blouse. I found that I can actually get away with wearing a lot of the work blouses I had prior to getting pregnant as they are pretty loose and flowy, but t-shirts and tanks tend to get a little too short.Maternity dresses (6) – depending on the style and fit, I’ve been able to wear most of my own dresses. Long and flowy (or even tight but stretchy) has been fine for me, but I have purchased a few maternity specific dresses, especially for work.
Shoes (2) – now don’t get me wrong, I’ve purchased more than two pairs of shoes in the past 7 months, I’ve just only purchased two for the sake of my pregnancy. The first are a pair of white casual Guess sneakers, and the second are strappy sandals from Target (literally so comfortable, you absolutely have to get something like them!)What NOT to buy:Above are all the clothing items I’ve purchased throughout my pregnancy, and now I want to tell you what I think you can skip out on. Some people can get away with just buying a size or two bigger than they used to wear with things like dresses and tops, but I’ve found that maternity specific styles just fit better in general.Pregnancy underwear – I have not needed to get any of these, however I probably will get the post partum panties once I give birth.Maternity cardigans and jackets – what does that even mean??? Seriously, such a scam.Maternity swimwear – I’ve just been wearing suits I’ve always had my entire pregnancy. The types that fit best seem to be low rise bikinis.Where to shop:My #1 favorite maternity store is definitely Motherhood Maternity. They have their own boutiques, or you can shop them at most Macy’s. You can also shop them online! I’ve found that their clothes specifically fit me the best, especially the maternity jeans and slacks. The one downside I will admit is that most of their clothes are kind of basic. I did get this dress from Motherhood Maternity, but it’s about the most stylish piece they have in store. Online they seems to have some better options, especially in the jeans department, but if trend and style is what you’re looking for then I would recommend checking out ASOS. I never knew they had a maternity line, I actually just discovered it a couple weeks ago when I was shopping for a wedding guest dress.Other than Motherhood Maternity and ASOS, I’ve shopped at Ross and Target for maternity clothes. I love Target’s nursing bra (this one here is my fave) and their leggings are super comfy. I should also mention Pink Blush as I know it’s a well known online maternity boutique. They actually sent me two dresses to try out, and neither of them worked for me because I’m too tall. I ordered my regular size (small) and they were not only really tight, but just way too short for my height. Definitely NOT work appropriate lol.
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Where do you shop for maternity clothes? Do you prefer to shop in-store at places like Motherhood Maternity, or at online boutiques like ASOS and Pink Blush? Let me know in the comments, and I hope you enjoyed this maternity style guide!
xo,B
Photography by: Karya Shanilec PhotographyOutfit Details: Bell sleeve dress (Motherhood Maternity, on sale here) | Fringe heels (I.N.C., similar here) | Grey crossbody (Lavenda’s Closet, similar here)
Lez be honest, when you’re pregnant, you’re barely worried about looking alive, let alone chic. ESPECIALLY during the first trimester #MorningSickness a.k.a. #AllDaySickness a.k.a. #TheSickness However, there were times during my first and second trimester where I was feeling frisky and decided I should try and attempt to resemble a fashion blogger. So this post is to all you ladies who still want to look chic while pregnant (***Disclaimer: it’s actually really easy!).
*This post is not sponsored and may contain affiliate links. All content and opinions expressed are my own.*
How to Look Chic While Pregnant (even when you don't want to!)
Tip #1: Pull out your casual athletic sneakers cause girrrl, you know your feet are swollen. If you haven’t seen my previous post about how to style sporty sneakers, check it out here for some extra tips!
Tip #2: A statement bag is your friend! Seriously, if you want to add flare to an everyday outfit, then just drag along a statement bag. This red Kate Spade purse is the perfect statement piece just for the color alone. It’s also not too big or too small (it’s basically the Goldilocks of statement purses LOL). I usually try to keep my outfits pretty neutral when I’m not feeling like going all out with my style, so a bright color like this really helps the look to stand out, and I definitely feel chic wearing it.Fave Statement Bags
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Tip #3: Wear loose fitting/stretchy materials. Things like an oversized pullover sweater or boyfriend blazer are exactly what you want to wear when you’re pregnant because they’re super comfortable. Lucky for us, they’re also very on trend right now. I’m wearing a comfy old white t-shirt and an oversized vintage blazer in this look. The t-shirt is pretty versatile, you can tuck it in or knot it above a pair of high-waisted jeans, or just let it hang.Fave Oversized/Comfy Tops
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Tip #4: Jeggings, jeggings, jeggings. Jeggings will seriously save your life (and your mid section) during your first few months of pregnancy. I was able to get by wearing my Liverpool Jeans Co high-waisted jeggings up until I was about 20 weeks pregnant (although I did end up having to use the “hair tie trick” LOL). Since your bump typically starts out pretty low, high-waisted is a must. See below for my favorites!Tip #5: Don’t be too hard on yourself! You’re growing a tiny human and your body is EXHAUSTED. Even though it’s hard, try not to get too down on yourself if you don’t feel like getting dressed up (or even getting out of your pj’s), or if you’re clothes aren’t fitting the way they used to. This was the hardest mental hurdle for me to get over throughout my pregnancy, but just try to remind yourself that you’re basically creating a miracle and all these changes are just bringing you closer to getting to hold that little miracle in your arms 🙂
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Do you have any tips for fellow mamas on how to look chic while pregnant? Let us know in the comments!
xo,B
Photography by: Karya Shanilec PhotographyOutfit Details: Vintage Blazer (similar here) | “Bringing Feminism Back T-Shirt (Nordstrom, similar here) | Liverpool Jeans Co high-waisted jeggings (here) | Adidas Superstar (here) | Kate Spade purse (here)
My girlfriend Kristina is pretty much the queen of making any outfit look sporty and chic. Every time I saw her with her distressed denim, blank tank, bandanna, and a pair of crisp white sneakers, I got secretly jealous and totally inspired to try the look out for myself. Then I got pregnant, and literally all I wanted to wear were stretchy clothes and athletic shoes, so it was the perfect time to try this trend!
*This post is not sponsored and may contain affiliate links. All content and opinions expressed are my own.*
Instant Trick to Look Sporty
I’ve found through trial and error that you can make any outfit look sporty by adding a pair of athletic shoes. These Adidas Classics are great because they literally go with everything, and they’re SUPER comfy! Wearing sneakers with your outfit also helps to dress down certain items that may be a bit fancier. This bodycon dress from Zara is pretty form fitting and sexy, but throwing on an oversized sweater and a pair of sneakers makes it appropriate for day to day!
On another note, I can’t believe how small my little bump was in these photos haha! I remember thinking I looked sooo huge for being 16 weeks pregnant, but dang I was tiny! It’s kind of a mind trip cause I worked so hard to lose a ton of weight before I got pregnant, and it’s been weird to see it all come back. I know it’s not the same thing, but it still has been a really hard thing for me to cope with. Would you guys be interested in reading a post about my struggles with body weight/image, pre-pregnancy and during? If so, be sure to let me know in the comments. If it would help anyone, I’d be open to sharing my experience 🙂Fave Adidas Sneakers
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A few tips for pairing your outfit with sporty sneakers…first, I always like to keep the sneakers pretty neutral in color. This way, it’s easier to find sneakers that actually match your look, and you know you’ll be able to wear them with multiple different outfits. Second, my “trying to look sporty” sneakers are different than my “actually work out and be sporty” sneakers. I want the shoes I’m going to wear out to remain clean, so I usually try and separate them from the shoes I actually wear to the gym 🙂 I love the Adidas Classic Superstar because they just embody that classic sporty look and feel. If my outfit is more neutral, then I love wearing a soft colored sneaker, like a light grey or blush, to add some color contrast.Fave Nike Sneakers
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Fave Casual Sneakers
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Are you into this sporty trend? What’s your favorite sneaker for everyday? Let me know in the comments below!
xo,B
Photography by: Karya Shanilec PhotographyOutfit Details: Bodycon dress from Zara (similar here) | BP Sweater from Nordstrom (similar here) | Adidas Superstar (here)
Have you ever been not invited out because you’re pregnant? Sometimes people think that because there’s a bun in the oven, fun can’t be had. But just because I’m pregnant, does that mean all of a sudden I don’t enjoy a Happy Hour get together with my girls after a hard days work? No! #IGoForTheFood #MockailLife This has happened to me and it inspired me to put together a chic prego outfit for a night out with the girls.
*This post is not sponsored and may contain affiliate links. All content and opinions expressed are my own.*
Chic Prego Outfit
I definitely don’t go out as much as I used to now that I’m pregnant, but I do still enjoy the occasional night out with friends, or a date night with the hubs 🙂 One thing I’ve noticed about my style though, is that it’s evolving. I’ve never been very risque with my outfits in general, but now that I’m pregnant I’m even more conservative! There’s something about growing a little human inside you that makes you want to preserve your decency LOL. Every woman is different, and if you have the confidence to go out in a mini-skirt and rock it, then by all means girl, get it! But for me, I need to be a bit more covered in my mom-to-be body, but the details of this look still make me feel chic and sexy 😉
I got this bodycon dress last summer at Zara, and it’s a great sexy staple for my wardrobe. I’ve been able to wear it dressed up or down, because the fit is super sexy but the stripes are casual. I like to let the dress be the sexy aspect of my look, and this dress is perfect for that! Since the stripes are a bit more casual, I thought adding some opaque black tights would dress the look up a bit.
For the final details, I paired my black Topshop boots because they add a bit of flashy edge. The gold heel is just the right amount of detail, especially since the vertical stripes on the blazer contrast with the dress. Also, about this blazer…I’m obsessed with it! It belonged to my Nana back in the 80’s and I just love it so much. The oversized fit is super in style right now, and I love the neutrals stripes. It totally reminds me of the Chriselle x J.O.A. collab striped blazer, what do you think?
You guys know I’m not much of a jewelry girl, so I paired a fun red crossbody with some flashy details to add a bit of color. This one is ASOS and I actually got it at Ross, go figure! I think this look is perfect for a load of different occasions – a night out with the girls, happy hour after work (hell, you could even wear it to work!), or a date night with yo man. It’s also great for prego ladies because it’s tasteful and it shows off that cute baby bump!
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All of these details and pieces are ones I already owned. I’m trying really hard to not buy a ton of maternity clothes, but we’ll see how that goes! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
xo,B
Photography by: Karya Schanilec PhotographyOutfit Details: Dress is from Zara (similar here) | Tights are basic and from Target | Boots are Topshop (similar here) | Blazer is vintage (super similar here!) | Purse is ASOS (similar here)