Am I the only one worried about looking too mommyish?? I'm a first time mom and before getting preggo I considered myself hip and trendy and oh so cool (insert sarcasm here).
However, I'm not sure if its hormones or just plain adjustment issues. See, I can't stand maternity clothes. Quite frankly some of them are frumpy, boring, and just plain ugly. Also, the cute trendy hip clothes are waaaaaaaaaaay overpriced. Seriously? Like, I'm gonna pay $200 for a sweater that I'll wear for 2 months max.
So let me move on to baby gear. I absolutely, positively hate the appearance of some of these stroller systems. What the heck is wrong with me? I should be worried about safety not appearance, right? Thought so. BUT, I can't stop eyeing the Orbit G2 Travel System or the Bugaboo Cameleon both outrageously priced but oh so hip and trendy.
OH! Don't get me started on diaper bags....yeah I'm the one that posted and eyed the $600 diaper bag seen here https://www.miabossi.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=82.
So clearly I have issues that I need to work on. Obviously, I will eventually talk myself into sensible purchases. I hope. When that time arrives, I'm sure I'll be worried about the cutest "oh my baby absolutely needs (insert random overpriced item here)."
Ladies, I need some common sense slapped into me. Not to mention I need DH to pry the credit card away from my death grip.
Re: Oh do I have issues...
Since being considered cool is an adolescent concern, I am not so worried.
Also there are plenty of adorable, stylish and hip clothing that isn't 200$ for one sweater.
https://www.destinationmaternity.com/
If you have the money to buy a 600$ diaper bag or some crazy stroller, have at it. But yes, safety would be a main concern, not looking cool. I have no one to impress. My husband's opinion matters most and I'm pretty damn sure, he thinks I'm hot in sweatpants.
I feel the same about maternity clothes. You can probably get away with wearing non-maternity shirts for quite awhile. Long sweaters and shirts will do the trick.
As far as strollers, are you opposed to used? I've checked craigslist in our area and strollers like the bugaboo go for $400 and are in excellent condition.
I must be really uncool...because I struggled with paying $60 for a maternity sweater.
I shopped at Old Navy & Gap before...and I shop there now.
2 years, 2 surgeries, 2 clomid fails, 2 IUIs, 1 loss, IVF #1 - 10/25/10 = BFP!, DS is now 3.5yrs!
TTC #2 - 6/12 surgery #3, FET #1 & 1.2 = BFN, 12/2012 FET #2 = BFP! DD is 1.5 yrs!
Surprise! 12/16/14 BFP, loss #2 12/31/14
I can't wait for the "im getting a divorce" post in 5 years or so because your husbands were fed up with your disgusting chair asses from playing on the knot all day and getting fired 4-5 times for not doing any work. you guys are all winners!! ~ Laur929
I just stocked up on a lot of cute tops at Motherhood online and on sale... I don't find maternity clothes bad at all. Yes, some of them are frumpy, boring, and ugly, but so are some regular clothes.
As far as the baby gear, again, I think there are plenty of well-priced options that aren't too ugly, but really, I'm concerned about how well it'll function and how safe it is. If that's "mommyish" of me, I'll take it.
The diaper bag I can't help with - I have a Vera Bradley. Even though they're totally marketing the college crowd, I know not everyone considers them "cool", but I love VB.
Personally, I'm not one to over think appearance. I'm not saying I don't consider it at all, but my budget and sensibility will usually (though certainly not *always*) kick in. Again, if that makes me "mommyish", well, that's what I got in this game for - and I think it's totally possible to do it in a non-frumpy, affordable way.
Picture all those cute adorable oh so hip items...not pitcure them slathered in poop and puke, because eventualy they will be. $600 for a poop staind diaper bag worth it now?
Save that money for when they are 6/7 years old and your that oh so stylish classroom mom...
I so needed that
I'm digging the classroom mom idea!
I found a kids consignment shop yesterday and spent 32 dollars on maternity clothes (4 shirts, a pair of pants, and a sweater). I was just so enormously grateful to have something to fit me comfortably for the next little while!!!!!
I try to keep my clothes simple enough that people won't focus on the basics. Then I dress it up with some fabulous accessories and have been rocking a variety of tall boots. It's nothing spectacular...but I love getting compliments on outfits that I just threw together.
I embrace my frumpiness. Who the h3ll am I trying to impress? My 3 year old? I've heard some people have luck going to resale shops in high end areas to find the trendier maternity clothes at more reasonable prices. If you're ok getting "preowned" clothing.
I've always been a jeans and a tshirt over trendy most of my whole life though so I'm not a good one to ask. As far as the pricey baby gear, just like those short-term use maternity clothes, a baby is only going to use some of those neat gadgets for so long. Keep that in mind. Also snacks will explode or things will leak in that pricey diaper bag.
DD1, Kathleen 9/15/2007
FYI the card is now put away and I will continue to window shop on the web. I know I don't have to be hip, trendy, or cool DH thinks I'm awesome just the way I am. I'm actually a supernerd that loves to craft, read, and bake.
Common sense will slip in eventually and I'll check my coolness at the door when the time comes. I may splurge on the stroller, maybe not the Orbit, and stick to bargan shopping. I've been rocking the leggings and butt covering sweaters and my bump hasn't limited my wardrobe too much. So I'll stay far away from the maternity section as long as I can.
Oh and by the way, yeah that diaper bag does look like a saddle! LOL, I have no idea what I was thinking. I'm sure if read this post a year from now I will be rolling on the floor!
When buying maternity, start with basics in maternity and then accessorize. Accessories can make a plain black dress more interesting. You can also layer, for example, today I wore a maternity shirt with a super cute non-maternity jacket in a fun color. I wore the jacket open with a statement necklace. Some of the maternity stuff may not be as "trendy," but you're not pregnant forever and you can go back to your regularly scheduled programming after the baby comes.
There are also plenty of pieces you can buy in regular stores, and because of the cut, you can wear after the baby arrives. I have gotten a lot of things that are really cute at Ann Taylor Loft maternity (online) and from Gap maternity. You can also pay attention to sales and clearance items. Motherhood and A Pea in the Pod have some really cute things, too.
Spending less on clothes in the next few months means I'll have more to spend on shoes and bags.
I wouldn't say I'm frumpy, but comfort trumps style in my book any day, especially now. I'm all for a good pair of yoga pants and a loose fitting t-shirt. I feel huge now, and it's only depressing that it's going to get worse, I don't feel like making myself suffer more by having to buy a ton of pregnancy clothing. I'm hoping to be back to a size 2 after baby is born (obviously not right away) but what will I do with all that maternity crap after?
Also I'm taking it in stride that everything I own will be covered in something that came from one of my child's many orifices at some point. So I'm not really worried about what a baby gadget looks like before hand, safety is more important to me.
Oh, and I totally plan to rock the "young" mom look. I think it's cute.
https://www.gilt.com/sale/gifts/baby-shower-523/product/39737700
this is 235 and seems really nice. its more than I want to spend, but its a hell of a lot cheaper than 600 bucks.
personally im going to tj maxx and buying a big bag that I love and using it as a diaper bag. so im going to shell out about 50 bucks and probably have an adorable betseyville bag as a diaperbag.
I second the maternity clothes part. Most are horrible. What's the deal with a big bow right above the belly? Does anyone find that cute? Apologies to those who do. Old Navy did at one point have some cute stuff, but not lately.
I buy the cuter stuff that are the absolutely must haves, but too expensive on e-bay. For the most part its only worn/used for a short time and most is still stylish. You can save a ton of cash doing that.