Friday Fashion Frivolity: Maternity Wear for the Final Stretch

Every so often, we chat fashion at Carrots. I hope it feels like going shopping with a friend, but not having to try on jeans….or leave your couch.

Well, friends, we are wrapping up the second trimester over here. We have a baby name and we’re close enough to this summer baby’s arrival that I should probably start looking for some baby things to replace everything I gave away when we moved three years ago.

I’m a minimalist when it comes to baby stuff, but there’s a few things like, ahem, a CAR SEAT that I think is highly recommended if we ever want to take this baby home from the hospital. (Friends gave us OODLES of lovely hand-me-down cloth diapers, though, so we’re all set there! Yay!)

When you’re only 5’1″ and some change, second trimester fashion for you looks like everybody else’s third trimester fashion because there is just NO WHERE FOR THAT BABY TO GO BUT OUT. (Consider this your gentle reminder that the correct answer to “when are you due?” is always: “How exciting! You look great!” and never “GOOD GRIEF YOU’RE ALREADY SO BIG.”)

The end of the second tri and very beginning of the third is when my HG (extreme morning sickness) is most under control and I can get through the day without the anti-nausea meds. But it’s also when it becomes imperative that I buy bigger undergarments in order to feel like a human being and find a few maternity items that can help me survive the final few weeks. Enter Stitch Fix.

This post contains affiliate links to Stitch Fix.

Don’t know how Stitch Fix works? 

Here’s the basics: you answer some questions about your style, size, and preferences on their site and write a note to your stylist about what you have in mind. (From experience, I know that the more specific your notes to your stylist are, the better your fix will be!)  Five items are chosen just for you by your stylist! They arrive in a box right to your doorstep with notes from your stylist and a style card to give you inspiration. You try ‘em on, pay for the items you love, and send back what you don’t want with the easy peasy return bag. If you purchase any of the items, your styling fee ($20) is waived. If you send everything back, you pay the styling fee.

For this fix I had in mind a handful of items that I desperately needed so I requested exactly what I was looking for. I had great luck with the fix I ordered for first trimester clothes and those items really carried me through the cooler weather:

But at this point in the pregnancy I needed some new pieces, specifically in the pants department. In the note to my stylist I explained that I wanted some grey leggings and some cute distressed black jeans with that FULL STRETCHY PANEL, BABY. And I wanted a summery dress I could wear for the next 3 months and post partum.

Ok, let’s do this:

I absolutely adore the pieces she put together for me! I bought three out of five and sent the other two back.

Dress: Stitch Fix, Leggings: Stitch Fix, Sandals: ThredUP

Item #1: Winnie Maternity Legging by Rune. Y’ALL. These leggings are the softest most glorious thing!!!! I wear them basically everyday. These leggings are now part of me. I am one with the leggings. They are practically perfect in every way. I’ve been pairing them with t-shirts for around-the-house wear and with tunics and dresses for out-of-the-house wear. This is actually a non-maternity dress that I got from Stitch Fix months ago but it’s still working for me.

My 9yo son’s take: “I like the leggings’ color. Kind of light and dark at the same time.”

Jeans: Stitch Fix, Shoes: ThredUp, Shirt: ? Target?

Item #2: Jorja Maternity Distressed Skinny Jean by Just Black. These jeans are SO comfortable and super versatile. I’ve only had them a week and already gotten so much use out of them. Having comfortable pants is such a must during pregnancy.

My 4yo daughter: “I don’t like those jeans because they have holes.”

Shirt: Stitch Fix,  Jeans: Stitch Fix, Shoes: ThredUp, Daughter: God

Item #3: Ravi Maternity Lace Yoke Knit Top by Skies Are Blue. So I love the lace on the top of this pretty shirt, but since it’s snug already with 13 weeks to go (and unfortunately clingy on my love handles) I decided to send it back. I look a little washed out in pastels so the pale yellow wasn’t great for me. Oh hey, there’s those jeans again.

My 9yo: “I like the lace on the shoulders.”

Yes, folks, that belly has 3 more months of expansion ahead. I am totally on target for my usual 40+ pound weight gain. Go me.

Cute daughter break. I mean…can you even? I feel so lucky that we’re getting another little lass.

Dress: Stitch Fix,  Sandals: ThredUp

Item #4: Reginy Maternity Hi Lo Knit Dress by Lux & Co. This dress was a “no” for me on many levels. We’ve got the pastel pink that I’m not crazy about and the top is very gap-y in the bust so I’d have to wear an undershirt to avoid flashing a lot of cleavage which would make it too hot during the Texas summer. And the cut felt super unflattering, although I liked the length. The print was a little too “grandma” for me. Back it went.

My 4yo: “I like the pattern and I like the color.” Disagree, baby girl.

Dress: Stitch Fix

Item #5: Lolinda Maternity Cross Front Aline Knit Dress by Renee C. This dress on the other hand, was a total win. I love the cut and colors and it’s breathable and perfect for warm weather. If I know I’m going to be in a building with freezing AC (Why, oh why, make it so cold inside when it’s so hot outside?) then I add those fabulous grey leggings underneath.

My 4yo: “I like that dress. It kind of reminds me of Mary.” I have no idea why, folks.

So there we have it. My second maternity Stitch Fix and I couldn’t be happier. Some great basic pants and a great dress to tide me over til baby gets here!

Oh! And before I sign off, I’m totally intrigued by the new “Extras” option that Stitch Fix is offering. You can add on intimates when you’ve tried on your fix and are ready to check out.

So if you’re in the market for some wardrobe staples for maternity or just regular life head on over to fill out your style profile and order a fix!

Disclosure: Links to Stitch Fix are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I only share with my readers products and services that I love and do/would purchase myself.