So, I always try to follow a sad post with a lighter one. (People, please be sure say a prayer for Evan, my former babysittee who is healing from stab wounds.)
I delivered my last baby in April, and this one will come around Labor Day. So any self-respecting mom can see this poses a problem. I'll be at my biggest at the exact wrong time of the year for my maternity clothes, and few things can be re-worn. Sweaters good for March not good for August.
It was my goal to spend about $500 for a summer maternity wardrobe that could work at work, and also give me lots of options for play. And I actually came in under budget, with a ton of options.
I already had some pants:
Maternity chinos (black, white)
Maternity jeans (2-3 pairs)
Several skirts of various waist strechiness
Maternity dresses: 2 pucci style prints, black wrap with small dot pattern,
Some random tops and tees, nothing overly coordinated.
I needed some things to pull the looks together. Last weekend, I took advantage of the Ann Taylor Loft Friends and Family discount, and dropped about $200 on a number of staples and fun pieces. This was after my 25% Ann Taylor Loft F&F discount, and after another 10% discount for breaking down an finally opening that card account. Most of my core work pieces are from Ann Taylor and ATLoft - I don't know why it took me this long. So I probably would have spent $300 sans discounts. This included:
Maternity madras skirt
Three patterned tanks for under suit jackets or just with shorts
Black short-sleeved suit jacket (non-maternity)
Maternity white jeans
Maternity brown dress pants
Darling maternity wrap dress at a HUGE steal: $3.88, I am not making this up.
Two pairs of shoes
The black jacket goes over anything, and makes me client meeting-ready. The white jeans are so fresh for summer, and I love wearing white to work, because you really can't wear them at home with a two-year-old. The madras skirt has a ton of colors, and will go with everything. Overall, I felt hugely victorious.
Then, I went to H&M to check out their maternity offerings. Mixed bag in the maternity line, but better luck elsewhere in the store. More on that tomorrow.
