Can I pull off a non-maternity dress?

JAck5209 · April 2012

I'm hosting my best friend's bridal shower next weekend and I'm struggling to find a maternity dress that fits properly. I ordered a super cute dress from Motherhood but when it came in the mail today I decided it looks like a burlap sack. No shape and waaay too big in the boobs. I'm 5'10" and not a tiny girl so I'm stumped as to why a medium dress from Motherhood is too big.

Anyways, I'm about to give up on the maternity dress search and just start hitting regular women's stores. I know the dresses will be shorter in the front because of the bump but as long as it's not too short is that a big deal? I just want to look cute and pregnant... not frumpy and pregnant!

genkidesu · April 2012

my SIL totally did this for her own baby shower lol...it was SUCH a cute dress!!! everyone was complimenting her on it, and she said it was just a regular empire waist dress in a large or extra large! hahaha...it was a smidge higher in the front, but nothing bad at all. she really pulled it off, so i would say try some stuff out!

vintagefix · April 2012

Of course you can. Just find something that has room for the belly. I go to Ross or Marshalls all the time and buy regular dresses that are so cute with the bump. Good luck!

uppereastgal · April 2012

I have purchased exactly two items of maternity crap-- jeans and a bella band. "Rocking" non-maternity shizz here.

Do it. If the dress is slightly shorter in the front, throw some leggings on. IMO maternity clothing is unflattering and ugly, and I used to work in maternity fashion. Lol.

SallySunrise · April 2012

Absolutely! I just bought the cutest sundress from Kohl's for like $11.99 a couple weeks ago. Regular size large, it's about knee length and you can't even tell at all that it's shorter in the front. Just pick one with a high waist and a little bit of length and it should be no problem.

Mkay&Billy2011 · April 2012

i think if you can find a regular dress you like then go for it. i have been trying to find a dress and have really only looked at regular stores. i dont wanna buy maternity clothes because i feel like i can find regular clothes that look good still and i feel like i am just paying for them to say maternity. plus they can be very similar to maternity clothes.

tnd81 · April 2012

heck ya! I own just a couple maternity tops and everything else (for this preg and last) is just a size or 2 bigger in regular clothes. For my shower I wore a REALLY cute maxi dress from Express. I can't wait for an event to wear it again this pregnancy

I'm over matermity stuff, it's so frumpy unless you want to spend a ton of money which I don't b/c this is my last pregnancy.

temporalrobe · April 2012

i'm wearing a non-maternity dress at the moment. its stretchy cotton.

styles: empire waist. wrap dresses. those fluttery kimono sleeve dresses. maxi dresses.

you ever wear a dress before you got pregs and said, "gross, this dress totally makes me look pregnant"

well, get one of those.

surprise3rd · April 2012

I am wearing a non maternity empire waist fitted dress for my maternity photo shoot on sunday night. I got it at Ross for $15.

cwm11985 · April 2012

I'm wearing a sun dress from Ann Taylor Loft right now, its not from their maternity line. Its a medium (I typically would wear a small in their sizes) and it doesn't look frumpy. I say go for it! Maybe you can find a maxi dress and then not have to worry about it being too short?

JAck5209 · April 2012

temporalrobe:
you ever wear a dress before you got pregs and said, "gross, this dress totally makes me look pregnant"

LOL I used to say this all the time!

APendola · April 2012

Yes...lots of women don't buy maternity clothes for much (or all) of their pregnancy.

You'll just need a dress with either an empire waist or a stretchy fit.

The only thing that might be tough is finding a cute summer dress that isn't too short - considering that you are tall and have the baby bump.

JAck5209 · April 2012

Thank you for all of the positive comments. I was feeling like a Debbie Downer earlier today but now I'm looking forward to shopping. I will find something cute!

MrsJax2011 · April 2012

I am still wearing my Apt 9 dresses from Kohl's (w/Empire waist...) and I did get a really cute maternity dress at target.

Carly1974 · April 2012

I recommend checking out fashionforwardmaternity.com. They have a huge selection of really nice dresses and you can rent for just $23.50/month and these are nice, designer dresses that retail for $80 or more.

CountryWild84 · April 2012

I haven't purchased any maternity clothes. I say go for it!

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