Ugh. I'm in what I like to call the "ugly fat phase." I don't have a pretty bump yet, just a bloated mass that gets bigger as the day progresses. Some women are into shoes, some are into purses, sunglasses, whatever. My guilty shopping splurges has always been a gorgeous party dress, but this year, it's just making me depressed. I'm definitely not big enough for a maternity dress, and if my maternity jeans have taught me anything, it's that they don't hold in the blump. I've been combing saks, nordstrom, and rent the runway for normal dresses, but the fitted dresses are really scaring me away. I've found some cute ones that could work on RTR, but I want to get at least a 10 and 12 (pre preg size 8), and many of them are only in 10. So, that means 3 dresses to try would be close to $200, and at that point I may as well hit the sell rack at Saks.
We've been out of town for Thanksgiving and just got back home late last night. I have a busy work week and then my husband's big Christmas party is on Friday. So, I either need to find the dress today, or I have to risk online. Any ideas or styles? Anyone else having to find some flattering party dress styles for this awkward phase? If I had a legit bump, I'd rock it. But I feel so insecure right now with the bloat that makes me look 7 months pregnant by dinner. Not to mention that I live in Las Vegas, so tights are not always needed. I can't even get a spray tan to help me feel a little better. I just want to feel pretty, especially after eating a ton of food over the last week and not working out.
I have a dress addiction too! My go-tos last pregnancy were anthropologie and Kate Spade. My shower dress in early Feb was from anthro and my Christmas dress was from Kate Spade and I was due in March last time.
They both have tons of swingy styles that are really forgiving. I just got a great black knit dress from Kate Spade and a plaid cape. I told the salesperson I'm pregnant and asked for everything that stretches, they did a great job. Not sure if you have a store near you, but if not maybe try calling one and asking for their recommendations and then ordering online? The dress I got is black with cap sleeves. I prefer buying stuff like that non-maternity so I can wear it again afterwards.
I just don't know that I'm big enough for a maternity dress. I want to contain the bump, not flaunt it. Heck, I don't even want to go. I had 4th row Little Big Town Tickets that I bought in August that I had to sell when we saw the date of his Christmas party. I could have been 4th row in jeans watching them and instead am forced to last minute shop and spend money on a dress because none of my others fit. And now I'm crying. Hormones are a bitch.
I just don't know that I'm big enough for a maternity dress. I want to contain the bump, not flaunt it. Heck, I don't even want to go. I had 4th row Little Big Town Tickets that I bought in August that I had to sell when we saw the date of his Christmas party. I could have been 4th row in jeans watching them and instead am forced to last minute shop and spend money on a dress because none of my others fit. And now I'm crying. Hormones are a bitch.
So get something that you will feel comfortable in! A nice jersey dress, comfortable shoes. Don't cry! Next Christmas season you can rock your normal holiday style, and will be more into it I bet!
I have a dress addiction too! My go-tos last pregnancy were anthropologie and Kate Spade. My shower dress in early Feb was from anthro and my Christmas dress was from Kate Spade and I was due in March last time.
They both have tons of swingy styles that are really forgiving. I just got a great black knit dress from Kate Spade and a plaid cape. I told the salesperson I'm pregnant and asked for everything that stretches, they did a great job. Not sure if you have a store near you, but if not maybe try calling one and asking for their recommendations and then ordering online? The dress I got is black with cap sleeves. I prefer buying stuff like that non-maternity so I can wear it again afterwards.
Yep, we do have a Kate Spade store. If i can quit throwing an awkward fat phase pity party and force myself to go to the mall on the Strip, I can check out their selection! Thanks for the suggestion!
I've always liked fit and flares with a slightly higher waistline to hide the early bump -- or wrap dresses to show it off without feeling huge. Don't fret, this transition time is difficult sometimes. I'm sure you'll look beautiful!
I am in the same situation as you! I was a size 8 pre preg too. I found 2 dresses that are higher waisted with a flowy length a little above the knee on Express website. I am 26 so I still want to look fun with some sparkles and also have myself covered for a work Christmas party. They have a few dresses that fit this category that are beautiful. Hope this helps!
Thank you for this! I was just going to post something bc our formal work Christmas party is 2 weeks away and I still don't have anything bc I have no idea what to get this time.
@kbrands7 That's cute! I think I may need to drag myself after work later in the week once I get back into my post holiday routine and am not feeling so blah. Either that or order 10 dresses on my credit card that I can run through the night of and return whatever doesn't work after Friday.
This is baby number 2 for me, and my advice is either a swing dress or an A-line for this phase. I adore dressing up, and I completely understand not wanting to flaunt the blump at this point! The other alternative is a fit and flare with a higher waist (some hit to low they just emphasize the bloat). But I personally have two swing dresses I'll be rocking this December and a few a-lines I've already utilized. The bonus is you don't have to shop maternity as they are cut much wider than fitted dresses
I measured myself to order stuff online yesterday, and after seeing that my waist is a size 12 and my hips are still a size 8, I probably do "qualify" for maternity dresses. Maybe I was in denial?
I ended up ordering two dresses and some blingy jewelery with 2 day shipping. They only had the dresses in Medium, so here's hoping I don't need a large. I'll keep everyone posted! Thanks a lot for all the kind words and advice.
I did Kate Spade for Thanksgiving this year, but do a lot of vintage usually, and I've found quite a few dresses that are a bit more accommodating in the waist for the holidays. I also LOVE The Reformation dresses. Empire waists and wrap dresses to the rescue! I picked up this little maxi dress for a wedding last week, and even though it was a bit tighter in the waist, I still felt great in it. I LOVE DRESSES!
I really like all the dresses I've bought from there, and they're very versatile in dressing down for work and up for going out. Best of all, I have every expectation that I'll still be able to wear them post-pregnancy (all the ones I have looked fine at 12 weeks when I wasn't really showing and seem to be adapting nicely now that I'm rolling with a fulltime bump at 16w).
Re: Holiday Party Dresses
https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/strapless-dress/4185492https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/seraphineseraphinaluxe-lace-maternity-dress/4155773https://www1.macys.com/shop/product/suzi-chin-for-maggy-boutique-maternity-accordion-pleat-popover-dress?ID=2239423&CategoryID=66718&LinkType=#fn=DEPARTMENT_TYPE=Dresses&PAGEINDEX=2&sp=2&spc=140&slotId=68
I am kinda obsessed with this dress and wish I had a fancy holiday party to go to... I would buy this in a heartbeat....https://www1.macys.com/shop/product/a-pea-in-the-pod-maternity-beaded-fringed-dress?ID=2587788&CategoryID=66718&LinkType=#fn=DEPARTMENT_TYPE=Dresses&PAGEINDEX=3&sp=3&spc=140&slotId=97https://www1.macys.com/shop/product/collective-concepts-maternity-dot-print-dress?ID=2587789&CategoryID=66718&LinkType=#fn=DEPARTMENT_TYPE=Dresses&PAGEINDEX=3&sp=3&spc=140&slotId=115
They both have tons of swingy styles that are really forgiving. I just got a great black knit dress from Kate Spade and a plaid cape. I told the salesperson I'm pregnant and asked for everything that stretches, they did a great job. Not sure if you have a store near you, but if not maybe try calling one and asking for their recommendations and then ordering online? The dress I got is black with cap sleeves. I prefer buying stuff like that non-maternity so I can wear it again afterwards.
I've always liked fit and flares with a slightly higher waistline to hide the early bump -- or wrap dresses to show it off without feeling huge. Don't fret, this transition time is difficult sometimes. I'm sure you'll look beautiful!
DS: 9/18/12 - 40w5d // DD: 05/17/16 - 40w
Been married since 2009.
Unicornuate Uterus (yes I menstruate glitter)
Several MCs
DD born 2013 (our miracle "you can't have babies" baby!)
I ended up ordering two dresses and some blingy jewelery with 2 day shipping. They only had the dresses in Medium, so here's hoping I don't need a large. I'll keep everyone posted! Thanks a lot for all the kind words and advice.
https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/olian-caroline-maternity-dress/4155601?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=3006
https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/barbie-dress/4145817?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=3006
Bling (30% off sale!)
https://www.katespade.com/products/pick-a-pearl-statement-necklace/098686590243.html
https://www.katespade.com/products/dainty-sparklers-cluster-ear-jacket/098686587113.html
Fingers crossed!
DVF is expensive but I'm sure there are less expensive labels with similar styles.
I really like all the dresses I've bought from there, and they're very versatile in dressing down for work and up for going out. Best of all, I have every expectation that I'll still be able to wear them post-pregnancy (all the ones I have looked fine at 12 weeks when I wasn't really showing and seem to be adapting nicely now that I'm rolling with a fulltime bump at 16w).
T minus 3 days left to find a dress. Where's my fairy godmother when I need her?!