clothing vent (short) - where to shop for dress?

MrsJOSEnADRI · April 2010

Although I'm not showing much, I have to say that most of my regular clothes don't fit me anymore. I've been getting away with wearing most of my tops with my regular skirts (I just wear them a little higher than they normally go), or with maternity pants/jeans.

But, this Saturday, I wanted to wear a dress to go out and all along I figured I could still fit into most of my dresses. Well, I must've gone through ten dresses - a couple which were pretty new and I had only worn once before pg - and none fit! Some were too tight around the waist, but even the more flowy ones just didn't fit around my boobs. The zippers wouldn't zip all the way up =( I knew that they had gotten bigger, but I didn't think they were THAT big.

I was assuming I'd wear a dress I already own to my end of the year party in June and some events this weekend. But, it seems like I need to go shopping for something new. I didn't like any dresses at Motherhood. I saw a dress I liked at Ann Taylor Loft which the salesgirl said could be used as a maternity dress, but I didn't really feel like it had much room for belly growth and I felt like she was just trying to make a sale. So, where can I shop for a nice cocktail dress that will grow with me over the next couple of months and is not too expensive?

cocojack10 · April 2010

I know how you feel! I have def popped already! I feel myself rounder, and see the belly (no longer fat). : ) DH gets all happy when he sees me. LOL

Anyway, I got a cute dress at Kohls not to long ago, and it was about $25 ($20 now!). It was maternity. I got it already b/c I wasn't sure if it would last on the rack for when I did need it. I figured it was cute for work, but would be nice for dinner or a party.

For right now, I'm bee wearing maxi dresses and other jersey dresses I have accumulated along the way. Since we were TTC for so long, whenever I'd buy something, I'd make sure it would accomdate a bump, at least at the beginning. We have a First Communion coming up, and I'll be wearing one of the maxi dresses.

mrsjessnjorge · April 2010

I spent all of last summer pretty much in dresses and I was huge! Not one of them was an actual maternity dress. I had a wedding in July and one in September and I think I found dresses at TJMaxx or Marshalls. These dresses were on the fanicer side but I also found a lot of day to day dresses there. The dress I wore for my baby shower in August was also not a maternity dress. I found that one at Dolphin mall, group usa maybe. I can't remember. Look for dresses without buttons or zippers. You have to hunt a little but you will defnitely find something.

MrsJOSEnADRI · April 2010

That's a cute dress. Is there a Kohl's in Miami?

It's a good idea that you bought things in advance. Most of my dresses were very fitted before, so there was no room for any weight gain at all. I figured they would fit since I haven't gained that much yet, but it's amazing how much your body changes in just a few months.

I also have a First Communion on Saturday, we have an opera on Sunday, and then there's that party in June. I know we'll have other events in between so I'd love to get something that would work for all of these events.

cocojack10 · April 2010

MrsJessNJorge:
I spent all of last summer pretty much in dresses and I was huge! Not one of them was an actual maternity dress. I had a wedding in July and one in September and I think I found dresses at TJMaxx or Marshalls. These dresses were on the fanicer side but I also found a lot of day to day dresses there. The dress I wore for my baby shower in August was also not a maternity dress. I found that one at Dolphin mall, group usa maybe. I can't remember. Look for dresses without buttons or zippers. You have to hunt a little but you will defnitely find something.

Most of my dresses that I speak of are from TJMaxx/Marshalls! LOL Love those places... great quality b/c name brand, but awesome prices. : )

MrsJOSEnADRI · April 2010

MrsJessNJorge:
Look for dresses without buttons or zippers. You have to hunt a little but you will defnitely find something.

Good idea!

MrsLeanna · April 2010

I don't know if you're near Filene's Basement, it's in N. Miami Beach but they have ridiculous prices on clothes!!!!! It's like a designer marshalls. They have a whole section of dresses and I'm sure you can find something that has an empire waist that would grow with you. I found a dress there, I think it was Laundry that was a perfect mat dress - empire waist and flowy and it was super cheap!!

Otherwise, def try Kohls, maybe Target?

cocojack10 · April 2010

MrsJOSEnADRI:

That's a cute dress. Is there a Kohl's in Miami?

Yes! They opened up one last yr in the Town & Country mall in Kendall (Kendall Dr and 117 Ave - off the turnpike). The maternity section is tiny, but had a couple of essentials. Also, you may want to try JCPenny for maternity specific. Oh, and Nordstrom online, has sometimes awesome deals! I've been tempted a few times to buy something b/c of the price. LOL

cocojack10 · April 2010

Not sure if you like these, but have potential!

https://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3079935/0~2376788~6002242~6007533~2379315?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2379315&P=1

https://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3081419/0~2376788~6002242~6007533~2379315?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2379315&P=1

https://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3027247/0~2376788~6002242~6007533~2379315?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2379315&P=1

https://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3079005/0~2376788~6002242~6007533~2379315?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2379315&P=1

https://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3078965/0~2376788~6002242~6007533~2379315?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2379315&P=1

This one is adorable, but long sleeves in the summer, not so much!

https://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3076321/0~2376788~6002242~6007533~2379315?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2379315&P=1

MrsJOSEnADRI · April 2010

Wow, Jackie! Thanks for all the recs!

The black and gold one would be great for the party. I have one maternity dress from Target, but it's very casual. The only thing I don't like about it and I'm seeing it on most maternity dresses are the wide shoulder straps. I prefer a different neckline b/c I've always been pear-shaped (now even more so, lol).

I'll definitely check out Kohl's and there's a Marshall's by my house that always has great dresses. Filene's Basement sounds amazing, but a little too far to make it there before this weekend.

rach312 · April 2010

I loved all of my dresses that I got from Gap maternity. Good luck - it's hard finding clothes to fit your changing body.

southmiamiwifejen · April 2010

I never bought any maternity dresses. All the dresses I wore, including the one I wore for my shower and maternity pics, were non-maternity. They were just all in that long, flowy, bohemian style that is popular right now. Like the other girls said, as long as it doesn't have buttons or zippers and as long as the fabric is loose and flowy, you definitely don't need it to be maternity. Any little boutique or store that has pretty maxi dresses should be fine. The typical strapless, empire-waist maxi dress with the smocked bust is PERFECT for pregnancy because there is room for a huge belly and the smocking stretches out over your boobs no matter how much they grow. I had a bunch of those, both long and short, that I wore all the time. Target has a bunch now, but they are more informal side because of the material and the colors. You can find nicer versions of this in a lot of stores because it's so popular right now for summer. I found a really pretty one last year at a boutique that was white linen. Victoria's Secret has some in that style too the last time I checked. You can easily dress that up with the right jewelry, dressy sandals, purse, etc. And even if you still look a tiny bit casual for the occassion, you get a free pass because you're pregnant!