NO, I'M NOT PREGNANT,

BUT YOU MIGHT BE AND I'M HERE TO TELL YOU... 

I'VE BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT. LISTEN UP.

BABY NUMBER 1 (STELLA) KISSING BABY NUMBER 3 (DASHIELL)
ELIZABETH AND JAMES TUNIC BLOUSE AND LEATHER LEGGINGS - ALL NON-MATERNITY

Dressing your pregnant self can be a challenge of infinitely dangerous proportions - no pun intended. It's true. You want to show off that beautiful belly and make sure the world knows that you are indeed pregnant and not just, well, large. You also want to utilize these next 9 months as a time for saving money and not spending money on beautiful material things (ie. clothes) when you know you can't wear them for months upon months, right? Wrong. Thankfully, you chose a an opportune time for getting knocked up. Yep, I said it. Your husband/partner/boyfriend/one-night-oopsie let his swimmers loose and you're going to hatch a new chick in less than 10 months and all during a time when fashion is belly-friendly. That's right, you can shop to your heart's delight and tell yourself it's a-okay because you can wear it all long after the baby rears its head. :)

AWESOMENESS

Pretty unbelievable and also pretty scary for those that like their pre-pregnant figure and their pre-pregnant clothes. Without sounding totally snatchy, let me just be as frank as I can be to those I just described, get over it. This is a wonderful, wonderful time so enjoy it. I should know, I've done it three times. Mama's oven is done baking (yes, I'm serious), but I'm here to guide those ripe for the taking in their daunting maternity wardrobe choices.

HOW ADORABLE IS THIS NON-MATERNITY RACHEL PALLY DRESS?
PERFECT FOR THE GROWING BELLY AND A COCKTAIL NIGHT OUT.
$251 BUY HERE

Let's start with the obvious - you do NOT have to buy maternity. The only time this rule does not apply, unfortunately, is at the end of your pregnancy when waistbands on your pants are no longer bending in the direction you need them to... in other words, you've reached beach ball status. Don't cry, this is a happy phase. People are no longer mistaking your questionable belly pooch as the unfortunate product of a beer bender. Quite the contrary, they are now trying to inappropriately rub your belly and preach to you their laundry list of maternal instinct bullsh*t. Just smile and karate chop their hand away. The good news, it's time to buy a pair of outstandingly cute pregnancy jeans and for those working ladies, some fashionable, but appropriate maternity work pants.

CITIZENS OF HUMANITY KELLY BOOT MATERNITY JEANS, $180 BUY HERE

PAIGE DENIM JIMMY JIMMY BOYFRIEND JEAN, $195 BUY HERE

Shopbop seems to have the best selection of "normal" brand jeans made with that coveted maternity waist band. I always had an easy time selecting a pair or two online through their website. My fave selection for maternity "work" slacks is found at Isabella Oliver Maternity. This company has the cutest cut pants, fully lined and in the most current-not-maternity-ugly fabrics and patterns. I absolutely love her stuff. Of course, you can always wear leggings throughout the pregnancy, avoiding maternity pants altogether. With this season's crop of stretchy-waist jeggings, give it a whirl. Just buy a size or two larger so they stretch and stretch and stretch well into the final hour.

ISABELLA OLIVER BACALL TROUSERS, $97.50 BUY HERE

JUICY COUTURE SNAP CUFF PRINT LEGGING, $48 BUY HERE

Tunics. They are your friend. Empire-waisted or draped like a cape, these tops can go the distance and by that, I mean even after the babushka is born. 

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER SPRING TUNIC, PRE-ORDER $435 AT NORDSTROM
I LOVE IT SO MUCH I BOUGHT ONE FOR MY NON-PREG SELF.

PAPERWHITE BUTTON TUNIC, $148 ALSO AT NORDSTROM
GREAT WITH A PAIR OF JEANS OR WORK SLACKS. NOT EVEN MATERNITY!

Draped layers are key to a flattering silhouette while pregnant. You can play around with these various layers. Slip on a fitted Splendid tank top, ribbed and lengthy, with a velvet (so current) draped cardigan and some adorable jeans for weekend play. Cardigans, vests, sleeves will all do you well as you put on some extra love in the coming months. We all know our arms pay a small price during that time.

SPLENDID 1X1 RIBBED TANK, $40

WINTER KATE DRAPED VELVET CARDIGAN, $350 AT SHOPBOP

My last tidbit of non-maternity-that-works-as-maternity info comes from the beautifully designed work of Elizabeth and James. Plenty to choose from that will work from their line and so easy to find here in town. Madam Butterfly and Nordstrom Arden Fair/Galleria both carry a wide selection of this brand. So chic and so versatile... with child or not. :)

ALL TOPS ABOVE E&J

Now go on and enjoy this amazing time in your life with the style and the fashion power your baby will be proud to see in pictures someday.

- sister