Celebrity Fashion

This kind of ridiculousness is worthy of a late-night Saturday post…

Jessica Simpson was out and about yesterday in an ill-fitting green dress discussing her plans to launch a maternity line. While discussing her new line, she revealed that she has decided not to wear maternity clothing herself because she doesn’t “really love maternity stuff.” Here’s the thing, Jessica. We all like our regular clothing more than we like our maternity clothing–hence the reason most women don’t shop for maternity clothing unless they have to. But as pregnant women, we also embrace reality at a certain point and realize that regular clothing not only doesn’t fit us anymore, but even if we can wriggle into it, it doesn’t look nice or flattering.

As many of your recent ensembles indicate, you have clearly not embraced such reality yet, despite clear evidence that you, more than many of us, really do need to be wearing maternity clothing. I fault the people with whom you surround yourself for allowing you to wear get-ups like these in public, and that’s too bad. But your clear belief that maternity clothing isn’t good enough for you to wear, but is good enough for you to design and then sell to all of us non-celebrities really annoys me.  There are so many talented maternity designers struggling to keep themselves afloat in the market today, you could at least give a few of their pieces a chance. Your wearing just one piece of maternity clothing could guarantee increased sales for these struggling designers. It’s good enough for Jessica Alba, Jessica Garner, and Selma Blair and apparently good enough for all of us to buy from you–is there a reason it’s not good enough for you to wear?

So, I am adding you to my maternity designer shit list before I’ve even viewed your new maternity line. Although, to be honest, based on what you’re wearing these days, it’s a pretty safe bet your line is going to end up on that list anyway. You join the likes of Heidi Klum and Nicole Richie, other celebrities who have squandered their opportunities to use their dubiously acquired fame to design something truly forward-thinking and fashionable for the maternity market.

And to all those talented maternity designers out there who toil away creating clothes that fit and flatter pregnant women, send Jessica a sample or two. She’s not due for a few more months and she is a naturally voluptuous woman. Try as she might, she’s not going to be able to shop in the non-maternity aisle for much longer.

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Pregnant Kate Hudson

This fall and winter, maxi skirts provide yet another opportunity for pregnant fashionistas to bring current runway trends into the maternity fashion arena. Maxi skirts are popping up everywhere, often paired with high boots and loose-fitting sweaters or tops. This is a high-fashion look pregnant women should be embracing this winter–the opportunity to wear a long skirt that camouflages your entire lower half and pair it with comfortable flat shoes or boots, while still looking entirely on trend? Please sign me up. 

Of course, there are some key rules that must be abided by in order to make sure the trend works for maternity style–well, in this case, there is really only one hard and fast rule. An elastic waistband. Comb your favorite fashion boutiques for the ideal skirt, indulge in the vibrant colors designers have released for winters, but absolutely do not buy a maxi skirt for matenity wear unless it has an elastic wasitband. Usually, product descriptions will detail whether the skirt has a zipper closure (meaning no elastic) or a full elastic waistband. Be patient and hold out for the full elastic. I experimented with a drawstring-waisted maxi skirt this past weekend and it did not go well. You need a full elastic waist to make sure the skirt stays up and holds in place underneath your bump, especially if you are wearing tights underneath. You also need to go up one size from your pre-pregnancy size to ensure room for extra girth. And try and stay away from maxi skirts with slits. In your current condition, you don’t need a high, sexy slit in your skirt, you’re just asking for a wardrobe malfunction.

Nicholas Pleated Maxi Skirt

Splendid’s Charcoal Maxi Skirt / Dress is a basic cotton maxi skirt with an elastic, foldover waistband. If you need something a bit dressier, Australian designer Nicholas’s Maisie Pleated Skirt is a fun option with a full elastic waistband. I am wearing this Nicholas skirt often these days–the blue looks great with a basic white maternity tee or tank on top. I’ve also ordered Rachel Pally’s Stripe Rib Maxi Skirt in black and white jersey. I just loved this skirt, I am hoping it will work with a simple black maternity top.

Rachel Pally Striped Skirt

Once you’ve managed to find the pefect maxi skirt, however, your options for tops are limitless. A fitted maternity tank or camisole works well with a hip belt and can be paired with a cardigan for the winter. Or, opt for a long-sleeved maternity tee or sweater on top. I prefer a fitted top with a billowing maxi skirt but a few celebs (like Kate Hudson) feel differently and go for the bohemian-esque blousy top with long skirt look.

Many maternity designers have released maternity maxi skirts this season, but I find they don’t fit any differently than a non-maternity maxi skirt with an elastic waistband. I’d rather just choose a skirt I really like for the color and the style and buy it one size larger than have to settle for one of the more limited maternity versions. It’s not often that a pregnant fashionista doesn’t have to settle, so embrace the opportunity. 

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