Let’s be real here
Things on ye ol’ fashion page have gotten a little stale.
[That has nothing to do with this post, but I thought it was hilarious]
So why are things so lame over here?
I haven’t been feeling the least bit fashionable lately. Most of my outfits consist of pants with a hair tie through the button loop, a belly band, an undershirt, a hideous nursing bra [why are nursing bra companies against us?? Whyyyyyyy?] and whatever shirt I can find that still fits me, which are few and far between.
The outfit I wore to the fall festival was #4 or 5 out of trying on a bunch of different shirts. During the process, the Pilot walked in and found me in a flowery top, halfway exposing my belly band, and a disgruntled look on my face.
The only person I’ve really cared about dressing lately hasn’t been born yet.
[Little lady got her first pair of Joe’s jean shorts- $15 at Off 5th!]
And after a day at the outlet malls, all I left with for myself was a new pair of Lucky flats, since my gold Aldo ones are too snug right now.
Many women have mastered the art of looking AMAZING in maternity wear [like The Daybook!!], but sadly, I am in an awkward still-trying-to-figure-it-out phase. I don’t want to invest a lot into clothes that aren’t really my style –I only have 2 1/2 months left to go- so I’m trying to make it work since my bottoms still fit me and pick up some new tops and sweaters as we get into the colder weather. This page was never meant to transform into a maternity fashion page, but at the same time, it seems weird to post about clothes and fashion that I can’t really wear right now.
So what does this mean for the Fashion page?
I don’t want to let it die, because I think it’s a fun component of the blog, but here’s what I’m thinking:
1) Let you guys use this space for guest posts and articles on fashion, with occasional posts from me when I find awesome accessories or want to post about hair stuff or beauty products
or
2) Go on a little hiatus until I’m back to my normal self
What would you guys like to see over here? This page (and the whole blog, really) is for you, so I love to hear your feedback <3
xoxo
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I love baby designer clothes! My uncle’s wife is pregnant and I got my cousin-to-be born the CUTEST Burberry polo onesie on sale! And in Saudi Arabia where my mum’s family lives, they have SO MUCH designer baby stuff- D&G, Chloe, Armani, Dior…it’s borderline ridiculous!
As for the fashion page- perhaps some stuff pertaining to trend forecasting? Or focusing on accessories, since even very pregnant mama-to-be’s can wear those
I just started posting maternity fashion pics on my blog after I went shopping for some clothes that actually fit. Before that, I just felt kind of blah in all my clothes since they were all so ill-fitting. Luckily you only have a short time left to go before you little one arrives! Sweaters have been my must have preggo staple as they can be worn after pregnancy as well (I bought my prepregnancy size in cardigans so I can still wear them when I’m not pregnant as well)
cardigans have been lifesavers this weekend! i’ve been wearing them with a tank and crops- it’s been perfect
I think this page is really fun and it might be cool to see how you are making your old clothes work for maternity style since a lot of us will be prego in the near future and don’t want to throw down $500 for a dress from A
Pea in a Pod. I think its awesome that you’re almost 7 mos pregnant and haven’t gone full panel pants yet! Accessories are great too. It’s your page, do what’s fun for you. I’m sure we’ll all still enjoy it.
I’d love to see your “figuring it out” ideas, guest posts from women of all sizes, shoes/bags 🙂 You know me!
I think you can put it on hold or just feature some items you currently love (you could focus on accessories, which you’ll be able to wear until the end of your pregnancy). I guess I’m just not a fan of guest posts because when I come to Fitnessista, I want to hear from Gina and not other bloggers 🙂
She is going to be one stylin’ little lady!
I concur wholeheartedly 🙂
Man…pregnancy definitely puts a damper on the ol’ fashion. I just got SUPER frustrated trying to get dressed this morning and ordered a pair of maternity jeans from the Gap. I’m hoping they fit okay…although from other mamas-to-be, I’ve heard it can take a long time to find a pair that you like.
I know what you mean about maternity clothes. I didn’t buy fashionable ones until I was pregnant with my 3rd baby! I didn’t want to spend $$ on maternity clothes in the beginning, but then I got so tired of looking like a frump (BTY – you totally don’t look frumpy!!), that I splurged on 4 tops and some nice jeans. I felt so much better about myself.
I vote for Option #1 🙂
i FEEL frumpy. i definitely need to bite the bullet and buy at least a couple of tops
Do it! You will feel so much better!
I’m all for keeping the fashion page alive with guest posts, articles of interest and the like. I’m happy to volunteer myself to put a post together, but that’s (obviously) your call. =) I’m still pretty new to the blogosphere — with not a ton of readers — so I’m not “established” in that sense. But if you’re looking for more established guest authors, maybe J’s Everyday Fashion or PB Fingers would be willing to do something!
that’s the purpose of guest posts! it doesn’t matter how new or old your blog is- it’s about meeting new people 🙂
Sent you an email. =)
I love guest posts and reading from new bloggy perspectives! (: But seeing the Lil’ fitnessista’s absolutely adorable wardrobe makes my day!! AH! So, so cute! (:
Nooooooooo!! 😉 don’t let the fashion page disappear! (Guest posts + you occasionally would be my vote).
I have a small confession to make I looked at Dailybook’s site and wow, she can sure pull off the prego fashion! (I’m not prego and I’ve never been- so take this with a grain of salt). But I really like when she puts on leggings with a loose top (plain colored tops can be kind of cheap) and throws a blazer or jacket on it. Even when the jacket clearly won’t button. SO cute. Also wearing the higher waisted dresses but just putting the belt up higher to show off the belly. Or what about that embroidered top you did a fashion post on?
Just a thought. I’m sure I’d be a lot less fashionable than you at this point!! 😀
guest posts are a great idea!
You have to check out Hot Milk nursing bras. They are so much prettier than others.
they are beautiful, but i’m having a tough time finding pretty ones without underwire
The holidays and birthdays are coming! You need a few maternity pieces to get through! I’m not big on the fashion pages, but I do enjoy seeing them! You are busy enough with all the other pages, I wouldn’t worry about it! If you find an outfit that makes you feel good, share it, if you don’t we will just continue reading all of your other posts!
oh my gosh you are kidding me with those jean shorts!!! dying over the cuteness.
I get all your posts through my google reader anyway, but to be honest, I read your blog because it’s an amazing health and fitness blog, not because of your fashion posts, so I think it’d be perfectly fine for you to just have it on hold! No need for guest post because it’s not the main focus of your blog.
love the idea of guest posts! and omg. those jean shorts. they are the absolute cutest. can’t wait to see them on her!!
I’ll be honest… there is nothing wrong with you posting about maternity wear/baby wear… that is the stage of life your in. I have already been there, but I def. do’nt mind seeing reading about it now.
Otherwise, I say take a break. No need for you to be stressed about the fashion page right now…. 🙂 as a reader, I totally understand you waiting until you can wear those things!
I think the fashion page should also be a beauty page. So instead of just outfits it could be about beauty (skin care, makeup, hair). I’m all for guest posts as well but I wouldn’t mind seeing baby outfits on the fashion page. I love seeing little clothes and shoes.
It also doesn’t have to be about the clothes that you own or plan on buying. Some posts could just be about clothes you covet but can’t afford (i.e. celeb gowns, wardrobe from your favourite show/movie).
One of my friends had the most amazing pregnant woman style. She refused to buy any maternity clothes, but she did really well with stretchy tube dresses and tube skirts from places like Marshalls,
I vote for more beauty/ hair how-to’s/reviews for now 🙂
guest posts sound great! p.s. you are a beautiful pregnant mommy 🙂
I can’t imagine how frustrating that is, especially since you don’t want to buy all new clothes for just a few months! I’m having the same problem, but the opposite. I lost about 20 lbs since last year and now all of my clothes are too big. I’m a student living off of loans so I can’t afford new clothes. My morning consists of: “what won’t fall off and doesn’t look like a giant tent?”
As a fellow pregnant lady I’d like to see maternity fashion posts- but that’s just me and I’m totally biased!
Also, I know you don’t want to invest too much in maternity wear, but have you checked out Old Navy? They have adorable skinny jeans and tops, and everything is on sale. Gap also has some good options. H&M has maternity wear too. Rubber bands and belly bands work, but a good fitting pair of maternity jeans and a shirt that is made to fit your growing belly is really a wonderful feeling. You can buy a pair of jeans and 2 basic tees and then invest in cute accessories and wear open cardis and whatnot. Just sayin! You look cute regardless.
Well, option 3…. do some fashion pregnancy posts anyways!!!! lol
and I like your idea of guest posts, too… b/c it’s FUN!! 🙂
holy my goodness!! those girly clothes are so dang cute!
while maybe not technically fashion, i think beauty posts are great, too – hair stuff, makeup stuff, other good finds… guest bloggers are great, too =D
Girl don’t even stress about the fashion page…the family page rocks and of course your other content does too.
Just post whatever you have time for or are inspired by. A picture or a few of things you like and that’s that.
And yes, as you said, you only have 2.5 mos to go with the maternity clothes and if you’ve gone this far without needing them and have gotten by, I strongly encourage buying as little as possible and making due as you have been. It’s much more fun to spend those dollars on nursery stuff, baby clothes, and stuff for her than it is on clothes. Well for me it was anyway. Yes, you need some but I re-wore the same things over and over and just made it work. I wasn’t fashionable but whatever 🙂
The baby Joe jeans are adorable! Designer baby clothes are so cute, and you also looked adorable! I’m not pregnant so I can’t really comment on styles for woman carrying babies, but I’d stick with a wrap dress the whole time and just add leggings.
I so am with you on the maternity fashion slump. Being pregnant and dressing like your regular self is hard with a limited selection. I’ve been relying on maternity tanks and tees from Gap and Old Navy (cheap!) With non-maternity cardigans nearly every day.
I’d love to see you keep up the fashion page w/ maternity and regular trends along with guest posts and beauty/hair tips. I’m no fashion maven, but I’d love to guest post on anything maternity-wear related 🙂 I recently did a post about maternity fitness apparel!
I love all the fashion you post, regardless if its pregnancy or not! I think option A would be good – post about things you love or find and want to share, and maybe get some guest posters!
I’d love to see more on your straightening treatments, or how you do your make up, or maybe a fashion post on maternity workout gear? I’d probably enjoy anything you wrote!
I think you should let it go on a little hiatus, since you have so much going on over on the family page! Soon you will have more to say here, and that is the flow of life and blog, right?
Have you checked out H&M for maternity? I found some cute things there and they have a lot of flow-y and tunic regular tops that might work. I would invest in some pieces so you feel good and you can always use them with your next pregnancy! Also, not to be a Debbie Downer, but I wouldn’t buy too many pairs of jeans for your little one if you’re doing cloth diapers. I find it difficult to find jeans that fit over a fluffy bum, unless they have a really stretchy waist.
As for the fashion page, I think you need to do what you feel most comfortable and what is easiest for you right now! We’ll be here when you’re ready to return, if you take a break!
I think guest posts could be super-fun for your readers and also to keep your fashion inspiration going as it won’t be too long before you’re back in your old clothes and stocking up on even more for your new role as Fashionable Mommy!
i vote option #1! And a post about nail polish!
Oh agreed!! There are such cute ideas for nails out there lately!
if at all possible, keep it going!!!!! 🙂
I think that it’s totally understandable how you feel about buying clothes right now. Maybe a post (or guest post) about “in-between” fashion. I feel the same way because I am currently losing weight and I don’t really want to invest in something that might not fit in a few months but at the same time I don’t want to look frumpy, and it would totally work for maternity clothes too.
Love the reference to The Daybook! 😉 I’m so envious of her style…
If you aren’t feeling it right now, I think you’d be fine to take some of the focus off the fashion page. You always have other awesome posts for everyone to look forward to! You can just sprinkle in some accessory posts, hairstyles, makeup and whatever outfits you end up really liking when you feel like it! I like the idea of putting articles in here too- extra reading for slow afternoons at work is always appreciated 🙂
You can still do hair and accessories. 😀
I agree maternity styling. I’ve decided not to buy anymore maternity clothes for the last 2 months! I would rather save that money for the baby.
Also for cute fancy nursing bras check out hot milk!
that’s what i’m thinking too- i’d rather buy clothes for the baby, or for after i have the baby and i can wear them much longer
I personally think it would be great if you did some maternity fashion posts, if you get the opportunity. Of course guest posts and tidbits about things you DO find would be great. However, I’m guessing many of your followers (me me!!) would love to have some posts to refer to when we get pregnant 😉 I’m sure you’ll pick out super cute things!
I dont thinkt heres anything wrong with documenting your maternity fashion? I know you said you’re frustrated with it though. My sister didn’t wear much for maternity but bought shirts she normally would in bigger sizes. Not a ton though…and if youre having more littles, youll get some use out of them!
please do number 1! you can still talk about hats, scarves, fall accessorizing and guest posts!
I think you have done a fab job of finding the balance on the bloggy- it still has the same “Gina”-feel and has a great mix of preggy & non-preggy content. I think some guest post would be great and even though I am not preggy, I still love seeing the cute bambina clothes & hearing how your style is changing too. I am working on getting my blog live (It will be Abroad Appetit dot com), and I would love to do a guest post if you are so inclined. My fall fashion has evolved a lot since moving to Germany with the Army-hubs!
Hey Gina! I agree with Brett, you’ve done a fantastic job of keeping your blog “you” instead of all baby. Although, I really enjoy the baby elements you throw in…especially baby clothes.
As for your fashion page, what about some accessory posts like someone else mentioned? I love love love necklaces but I always feel like I’m wearing them wrong. My vote is to keep the page going with something…rather then letting it go until post baby!
Also, what about Old Navy for maternity clothes? I bet they’re pretty darn cheap plus ON is always having sales and look for coupon codes on retailmenot. 🙂
This post may inspire you: http://aurajoon.blogspot.com/2010/11/dressing-bump.html
When I feel frumpy and lack fashion inspiration I turn to places like pinterest to get some ideas. If you’re interested here’s my “Stylish inspirations” board. (http://pinterest.com/edesignologie/stylish-inspirations/) I love to combine different colors to keep things interesting.
Oops this was the link I wanted to share: http://aurajoon.blogspot.com/2011/02/dressing-bump-2nd-trimester.html
It really isn’t easy to dress while pregnant. I’m at the point where my pants don’t fit but my shirts do. Maybe I’m carrying lower or something. I noticed that GAP maternity was having a sale yesterday and I ordered some mat. skinny jeans. I figure that some of the clothes I’ll wear post-baby but is a huge pain to spend money on them. Hopefully we’ll have another baby in the near future during the same seasons so I can re-wear some of this!
#1 by the way, and you look fantastic! Still stylish for sure.
I wasn’t the preggo fashionista either. I remember sitting in the mall and CRYING because I wanted cute clothes and didn’t want to buy maternity clothes. 😛 I stuck to buying purses (which even looked funny on my because next to my big belly, purses looked so small!) and shoes. Sigh. I feel your pain, sister!
But for what its worth, you look super cute, even though you don’t feel like you do. 🙂 Rock the lulu & Juicy sweats! 😉
I’m not pregnant right now, but I wouldn’t mind seeing maternity fashion at all.
Also, can I ask why you started buying/wearing nursing bras already? Especially since you dislike them so much? I’ve nursed each of my 3 kids for 1+ year each and can tell you from personal experience, it’s not really worth it to try and guess on sizes for nursing bras until you are actually nursing. Usually your ribcage expands during pregnancy, increasing your band size, but within a week or two after having the baby it will shrink back down. And obviously, you never know how big your boobs will actually get, or not get.
I learned that the best plan of action was to have a couple of nursing tanks and sleep bras before the baby gets here. They both are very forgiving in sizes and stretch quite a bit. Then, I can usually go shopping for a good fitting bra around the 4 week mark. I wasted sooo much money with my first pregnancy on bras that I never fit into. Everything about my size changed while I was nursing.
Hope this may help a little!! Enjoy your regular bras now while you can!!
i started wearing them since my regular bras don’t fit anymore (the band size is find but my cups runneth over), and i can’t wear underwire right now. it KILLS me. so i bought a couple of nursing bras -the recent one is a bravado, which feels like a glorious hug but looks like something a granny would wear.
I’m happy with whatever works best for you. It is your blog after all 🙂 I think guest posts would be awesome. I’m not preggers, but I don’t mind reading about maternity fashion…or baby fashion for that matter.
I am all for keeping the page going in whatever way is best for YOU!
I must say though.. probably because I WANT to be pregnant so bad, I look forward to buying maternity clothes… Maybe because at 31 I have spent many years dealing with infertility.. I want to go into a maternity store and get the most obvious maternity item in there! LOL Hopefully one day soon.
You look gorgeous no matter what you wear!