There comes a moment in just about every woman’s pregnancy when she is forced to come to terms with the fact that not only does her maternity clothing no longer fit, but her shoes don’t really fit anymore either. For those of us due to give birth during the winter, the “shoe” dilemma is more expansive and pronounced, as sandals are not an option and both shoes and boots are too tight. I reached that very moment about two weeks ago when I realized that not only did my numerous pairs of trusty, knee-high boots feel just a bit too snug, but I couldn’t pull them on over my swollen calves anyway (And, by the way, I’m not going to be talking about Uggs here or ever. This is a serious fashion problem, but not one so big that I or you should give in to wearing Uggs).
I took to the online boutiques in search a pair of flat boots that I could continue to pair with my leggings, tights and skinny jeans, but that were still hip enough that I wouldn’t dread wearing them every day. The clear winner is the Isabel Marant Jenny boot, a flat, suede ankle boot just released for S/S 2012. This boot has a slouchy look that is so very French and casually chic, you can’t help but feel you have outsmarted cruel Mother Nature when you pull them on. Yes, you ‘ve gained 50 pounds and can’t quite get your own underwear on anymore, but you’ve still managed to complete your maternity ensemble with effortlessly fabulous footwear.
The “Jenny” boot is available in two neutral colors, taupe and anthracite, so you should have just about every outfit covered with one pair of these boots. Isabel Marant does not design shoes in half sizes so you will, of course, need to go one size up from your regular shoe size. The Jenny boots are available here in the United States at net-a-porter.com (anthracite) or from Barney’s (taupe) for USD $580. But with a European designer like Isabel Marant, you will actually save money by ordering them directly from Europe. Matches Fashion has the very same boots available in taupe for USD $429–even with the $45 international shipping charge and a potential 10% U.S. duties charge, you will still come out ahead. Net-a-Porter’s UK site has the Jenny boots available in both anthracite and taupe for USD $517 (including shipping and duties).
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![SS_Portia_Pink_3x3[1]](http://www.pregnantfashionista.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/SS_Portia_Pink_3x31-300x300.jpg "SS_Portia_Pink_3x3[1]")
After I had my first son, I thoroughly researched what kind of shoes I should buy for him to ensure he was wearing the perfect type of soles and had the ideal amount of ankle support to begin walking as soon as he was ready. My research led me straight to Pedi-Ped, and I purchased a pair of their infant walking shoes and waited and waited and waited for him to walk in them. In the end, I think he finally got around to walking in a pair of dirty old baby socks, dispelling my naive notions that the shoes have anything at all to do with it. My subsequent experiences have only confimed that fact–they’re going to walk when they’re good and ready regardless of what footwear choices you’ve made for them.![25PEDIPED_0022[1]](http://www.pregnantfashionista.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/25PEDIPED_002211-200x300.jpg "25PEDIPED_0022[1]")
But I still love pedipeds because they are adorable and because, although there isn’t necessarily any research out there to prove this, pedipeds satisfy the primary criteria you should be considering when buying baby and toddler footwear: 1) they are easy to put on and take off, 2) they are durable, 3) they are reasonably priced, and 4) kids think they are comfortable and don’t seem to throw temper tantrums when you tell them it is time to put on their shoes. 
Some of the new shoes are not available for purchase until March 5th, but pediped is a fan of Pregnant Fashionista and is offering a free pair of pedipeds Originals to two PF readers. Just send me an email at 
Little Suri wears them, little Harlow wears them, and now your soon-to-arrive little girl can wear them too. I’m talking about Petite Maloles, the adorable line of baby shoes from Spanish footwear designer Maloles. Maloles women’s shoes are my favorite shoes to buy and wear during pregnancy because they are truly the most comfortable flats out there. And because they are completely surrounded in elastic and made from very impeccable quality materials, they expand as you expand. I am always looking for places to buy Maloles online for myself, but they are quite difficult to find and they sell out quickly.
If you already have a toddler who loves shoes, make sure to look at these Petite Orphelie Criss Cross Violet Snake Print Pumps. Priced at GBP 110 
Or perhaps these Petite Bianca PomPom Snake Print Ballerina Pumps, which retail at a shocking GBP 119 
They unfortunately don’t have anything left in basic black or brown, but if your two year old is going to be wearing purple snakeskin, then you can surely pull off these red pony hair ballet flats at left, even if you are extraordinarily pregnant. 
At only GBP 218, they seem a bargain compared to the PomPom Snake Print Pumps above–and, unlike your little princess, you won’t grow out of them in a few weeks.
Now, I strongly suggest you make your way over to the Neiman Marcus First Call sale and pick up a pair of Pedro Garcia’s Satin Ballerina Flat with elasticized sides 
I bought them in red during my last pregnancy and I still wear them all the time. In fact, I wear them too often. But a good number of people in Jerusalem wear the exact same outfit every single day, so it’s not as if anyone actually cares how often I wear my red satin elastic shoes. 
