...because home doesn't happen overnight.

I’m back with another easy maternity look to try: flirty shirts. Flirty as in a little girly. Not as in midriff baring or bra strap showing. Those would be bad maternity wardrobe choices. Bad, bad. Very bad.

Instead, I prefer flowing tops with high waists {much like these comfy dresses} and/or ribbon ties above the belly. The key here is to make sure that the top hits you at crotch level – for lack of a better description – or lower. {Yes, I realize everyone is looking at my crotch now. Oy.} Anything shorter will result in what I like to call the ‘umbrella’ effect where the shirt will poof out from the most prominent part of your belly…like all the old maternity shirts did back in the day when there weren’t as many options.

Of note: The red door in the background is our apartment door. I like the color. I’m thinking it wouldn’t look half bad on the Underdog’s front door with the red brick exterior and gray metal roof. What do you think?

To keep things balanced and to avoid looking frumpy, I pair these types of shirts with fitted bottoms.  Leggings, jeggings, fitted jeans…you get the idea. I’ll be honest. I’m going to have to invest in a pair of maternity leggings or skinny jeans soon. There is some squirming and deep lunges involved in getting these babies on at this time. Once they’re on they’re fine but I don’t think that’s going to last much longer.

THE OUTFIT:

  • button-up cotton shirt: FREE {a Wet Seal gift from my sister a few years ago}
  • jeans: $30 {Mossimo at Target}
  • leather boots: $50 {Macy’s}

All pieces from this outfit I’ve had on hand for years. That’s why I’m going to need some maternity skinny jeans soon!

This is my favorite non-maternity maternity outfit to date. It’s comfy, easy to wear and I can’t get enough of the deep navy silk. The kimono-esque top has a ribbon tie just above the belly. It was meant to be tied in the back but I thought the bow looked cute tied off to one side of my bump. This was another happy accident I found at a local shopping mall on Black Friday while Handy Hubby was spending some gift cards.

I like the contrast of the deep navy against the bright white jeans. The cognac leather boots {which aren’t shown very well here} pick up on the caramel tones of the floral print. I love this color scheme for an interior as well. Hmmm…maybe in the Underdog?

THE OUTFIT:

  • navy silk blouse: $7!!!! {Rue 21 – I couldn’t say no to $7}
  • white jeans: $15 {Walmart}
  • leather boots: $50 {Macy’s}

I wore this outfit to HH’s 15-year high school reunion a few weeks ago. I was the only prego there. Good times.

Try hunting down flowing flirty non-maternity tops to dress your bump. They’ll transition easily into your post-pregnancy wardrobe and beyond!

FYI – I was not compensated in any way to mention the items above. I just love sharing good stuff!

images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

14 Comments

08.December.2011

I’ve only been in Rue 21 once. I was surrounded by polyester, so quickly walked out, lol. I will definitely be going back though and taking a better look. I never would’ve expected to find silk there. And for $7! That’s awesome. Very pretty outfit, as maternity wear or anytime. Love it!

09.December.2011

I can’t believe you were aprehensive about posting pictures of yourself on here, you look beautiful! I am so glad you’re doing these posts because 1 we get to see you which is great because it makes your blog so real 2 you are really showing that you can dress really well on a budget and 3 we get to see your great style! Basically, your blog is amazing. Keep up the good work!

09.December.2011

Lisa – I don’t think I’d ever been inside a Rue 21 store until this past Black Friday. I just happened to walk by and see a few blousy maternity possibilities so stopped in. Like I said, both the navy belted dress {$9} and silk top {$7} were happy accidents. There were definitely other items in the store that seemed quite scary to me and I’m pretty sure I was the only 30-something prego lady shopping in the store!

09.December.2011

I need to find a Rue 21 near me. What cute shirts. I only wish I could have had skinny jeans when I was preggo.

09.December.2011

I have to say it – I am super impressed that your white skinny jeans are from walmart. And I am super impressed that you can wear white skinny jeans – preggo or not. You look fab.

09.December.2011

Hey I know you live in the cinti area, I’m a northern Ky. girl. Not sure if you know about the gap outlet in Hebron, Ky but they have lots of maternity clothes. CHEAP. Good luck and I enjoy your blog alot. Thanks

09.December.2011

You are so stinking cute! Just wanted to let you know :)

09.December.2011

You look so cute! I went shopping a couple of weeks ago trying to find non-maternity tops like these, but none of them seem to fit me that well. I think it’s because my girls have gotten so huge that when the band is in the right place under my bust, the back is all hiked up.

The first time around, I borrowed clothes from a friend but this time, we’re pregnant at the same time. Though recently I was super lucky to find a woman near me selling 3 huge boxes of maternity clothes on craigslist. She had 30 pairs of maternity jeans, capris and shorts, and over 60 tops. All name-brand stuff, for $100. I couldn’t believe it. Turns out she’s finally done after having 6 kids. Yikes. Anyway, I have to say craigslist is a really good option for cheap maternity clothes. And eBay, too. Especially if, like me, you live somewhere cold and you want a fitted maternity coat so you don’t look like the Stay-Puft marshmallow man by wearing a regular coat in a giant size.

09.December.2011

Mary Beth – Great! Maybe I’ll end up checking the outlet for some maternity leggings or skinny jeans! Thanks!

09.December.2011

Let’s talk about your hair too….amazing! Can you share styling tips? How do you achieve the loose waves look? I’m loving it!

09.December.2011

Dana, I have been checking your blog for awhile now, and just wanted to say that I love all of your ideas and fun humor. As we are thinking about #2 sometime soonish, it is fun to read about how you are styling your bump, as well as your apartment and The Underdog. Thanks for sharing!

09.December.2011

Hi Dana,

I just scrolled through all your maternity posts… and I have to say I love your style- I think the best part is that none of it HAS to be maternity. You can keep wearing all of it post-baby! I’m so impressed that you’ve looked so pulled together all week! I’ve been wearing sweats for the past two days and I’m not pregnant! ha! (at least it was two different pairs of sweats.. :)

12.December.2011

Re the door – yes! red, red, red please – red doors look amazing. Did you know they are also lucky?!

13.December.2011

Glennie – I’m all for luck! I think a red door is in our future…