Outfits Not Just Clothes

In yesterday's post I reveled in the challenge of re-purposing my dresses into maternity tunics, but there are two sides to every outfitting coin and I'm finding work-appropriate maternity top options to be dwindling here as of late. I'm not a fan of actual maternity shirts because they really ONLY work with a bump. The close-fitting kind are just NOT flattering postpartum, and the more voluminous shirts are WAY too big after baby arrives. Plus, I find it hard to justify a new purchase (and get pumped for it) if I only have three more months to wear it.  So I'm looking to tunic options, particularly from ModCloth (I have a store credit) and in thinking ahead to the fall, wanting a shirt that'll see me through the rest of my pregnancy, during my postpartum period, and be a cute piece for my return to work.  Cast your votes in the comments!  A. Cotton Floral Tunic I have this same shirt in chambray, seen here  and here , so it's a proven piec...

cardigan-J. W. Anderson for Uniqlo(more cardis here ), "tunic"-Style Mint(similar here from Everlane ). pants- Gap Maternity , boots-H&M(similar here ) So I just found out about  National Stripe Appreciation Day coming up here on Saturday, the 31st! 😀 Which is something as a stripe aficionado I can really get behind, even if it IS just a made-up day to promote the New Spring Arrivals at J.Crew . Of course, stripes are for every season and go great with other prints like the Fair Isle neckline on this sweater. And while this striped top used to be a T-shirt dress, it now serves as a tunic for my growing baby bump, much like the mini-dress from this post . There are quite a few challenges to endure while pregnant (I'll spare you the gory details) but one that I actually enjoy is re-calibrating my style and finding new ways to wear pieces, like this T-shirt dress, that is now a tunic, until further notice.  There you have it folks, stripes...

I'm going out on a limb here to softly declare that #springhassprung (fingers crossed) and with it another season of transitional outfitting. Early-to-mid Spring aka Sprinter, is much like Mid-to-Late Fall when you have a mix of chilly mornings and warmish afternoons. When the day can be bright and sunny, or grey and rainy. it can be a challenge to find a functional yet still stylish outfit. That's where a good and versatile outerwear game becomes essential... coat-H&M(similar here ), cardigan-Zara(fun option here ), tunic- ModCloth , leggings-Old Navy Maternity(similar here ), boots-DSW(similar here ), necklace-Bauble Bar(similarish here ) For this OOTD I layered a drape-collared long cardi under a plaid overcoat for an unexpected take on outerwear. The cardigan provides some great options for the neckline, as well as a bit of extra warmth when the wind picks up. The tunic, leggings, and boots combo has been my standard casual unifor...

trench-Gap(similar here ), dress-Mango(more midi dresses here ), cardi-Uniqlo(similar here ), boots-Landsend(similar here ), watch- Wenger I seem to have a habit of kicking off spring/sprinter outfitting with this boho-inspired shift dress. Check out this post from last March. Instead of contrasting the bohemian vibe with an edgy moto-jacket, I leaned in with this cardigan and trench. And while this frock is not a maternity piece, it nicely skims the bump and is super easy to wear. The easier the better is my style motto here as we approach the 3rd trimester. 

cardigan-Saks off Fifth(similar here ), top/sunnies-Target(similar here and here ), joggers-Unqilo(similar here ), sneakers- Vans Remember Monday when it was sunny, bright, and a high in the 50s? Yeah, that was a good day... And I had a super-cute "cool mom" outfit for our jaunt in the park! Busting out my bird-print joggers, which are the quintessential spring-time pant, and quite accommodating for my 6th month bump, topped by this comfy, extra-long cardigan as outerwear with it's extra set of pockets. Then finished off this OOTD with another great spring piece--these slip-on kicks. Oh Spring, it was good to see you, please come back soon... 😦