My sister and I have very different fashion senses. Basically, she doesn’t have any. That being said, when I became pregnant, she graciously loaned me a giant tote bin of maternity clothes with the following disclaimer: “When you’re huge, you won’t care.” As I unpacked the scratchy t-shirts and pepto-bismal pink cable knit sweater, complete with green flowers across the chest, I was convinced I would never be huge enough to wear any of it. And, to that, CC replied “That’s why I love you.”
Don’t get me wrong, to each their own when it comes to fashion. Everyone has their own taste and far be it from me to judge an individuals sense of style (or lack there of, in some cases). Fashion isn’t a priority for everyone and that’s fine. But, with Liz Lange for Target, A Pea in the Pod (if you can afford it*) and even Motherhood Maternity, which now carries Jessica Simpson and Heidi Klum, there are tons of super-cute options out there and pregnant women are no longer destined to be clothed in giant, shapeless frocks. In fact, preggos can now rock skinny jeans and jeggings and, I adore all of my maternity clothes. Some of them are actually cuter than my regular clothes. I plan to wear them for as long as possible after B.B. is born, to be honest. Just because we’re pregnant doesn’t mean that we’re invisible or not entitled to look our best anymore.
At my cousin’s engagement party, someone commented about my “cute” dress and how was it possible that I was fitting into non-maternity clothes. The dress was indeed maternity. From Target. And it’s incredibly hot! (The rouching and the fabric make it easily adjustable to any length you desire. I wore mine shorter. I’m pregnant…there is nothing wrong with my legs!) This is a time in our lives when we’re supposedly “glowing” and should be enjoying the miracles that we’re experiencing. Why shouldn’t we be able to look and feel our best while doing it? The same is true when it comes to shoes.
I’m a shoe whore and proud of it. It’s not that I’m a brand brat, in fact, I don’t own a single pair of Jimmy Choos or Monolos. Some of my favorite shoes actually came from Payless. (Shhhh…that’s our secret!) Regardless of their store of origin, I can’t help but fall head over heels (literally!) in love with the colors, shapes and the way they can transform an outfit. And my mood. There is absolutely no amount of blahness that the right pair of peep toed shoes can’t overcome.
Being pregnant, I have absolutely traded my “hooker-heels” (anything four inches or higher) in for more sensible flats, kitten heels or even sneakers most of the time. But special occasions still call for special shoes and I don’t see anything wrong with that. A few hours in a pair of fabulous heels isn’t going to hurt me or my baby. And so, when I went out looking for those sensible flats to add to my fall wardrobe and I came across a pair of to-die-for Marc Fishers instead, I allowed myself to indulge. After all, they were beyond perfect for my dress. So, I got comfortable in my chair and sipped my hot cider while I waited for the sales girl to bring me my size. Little did I know that I was about to learn a horrible, terrifying truth.
Everyone warns pregnant women about reaching that sad milestone where you can no longer see your feet. We’ve all heard the stories about women who went to work in two different shoes. Hey, it happens. But no one ever warns you about the day you have to say goodbye to ankle straps.
While I may be a wee bit above the suggested weight gain for my build at this stage in my pregnancy, I can still see my feet. If I try. I can put on my own socks and shoes. As long as they don’t have ankle straps, it seems. As I slid my feet into the gorgeous, camel and black wonders, I soon realized that I can no longer bend around to the outside of the ankle strap to see the holes to buckle them. Much like the child I’m about to have, I needed help putting my shoes on. What gives??? I tried and I tried but, at the end of the day, the kind sales girl had to buckle my shoes for me. (So I gave her a pass when she made a comment about being pregnant and not being able to walk in those heels.) This, of course, did not stop me from buying what very well may be the most perfect shoes. Ever.
This entire experience has taught me so many things; about vitamins and eating healthy; about taking care of my body and my mind; about selflessness and the ability to still create romance among the ever-increasing bodily functions. And about relationships in general. I have learned that you are supposed to be married or at least in a very committed relationship before becoming pregnant. This is so there will always be someone there to buckle your super-cute new ankle strap heels for you when you’re just too darn big-in-the-belly to do it yourself! Thankfully, I had just the right person at home. (I let his comment about not needing another pair of shoes slide as well since, without him, I would never have gotten them on.)
I have said goodbye to many things over the past five months; alcohol, cold cuts, hot baths, my adorable belly button, sleep and much of my sex-life. But I’ll be damned if I give up my shoes.
* Destination Maternity carries A Pea in the Pod, among other brands, and often has a decent clearance section of the pricey Pea in the Pod line. Definitely worth checking out. The clothes absolutely fit better and are made better/more comfortable than the cheaper counterparts.
My Journey Through Mommyville 