Pregnant (And Fashionable) in Philly: Part Two
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing two lovely ladies who taught me that the stresses of pregnancy go far beyond picking cute names and nursery colors. For starters, growing a bun in the oven also means outgrowing most of your clothing. And considering the sky-high prices of Pampers and Gerber, replacing your wardrobe with maternity wear isn’t a feasible option for many women.
Anyway, I’ve learned a few tricks from some smart and stylish moms-to-be, like stocking up on stretchy tank-tops, pairing old dresses with tights, and belting to accentuate your belly. I’ve also heard my fair share of tearful rants and cries for help.
So here it is–my top picks for finding fashionable and budget-friendly clothing to help you feel beautiful and confident during your pregnancy. The best part about these looks is that you can sport them pre-baby or as a new mommy so you can spoil yourself and your bundle of joy without feeling too guilty.
They’re also all available locally so you won’t have to wobble too far to find ‘em.
Knit Dress, H&M // Double X Strap Dress, Vagabond // Big Tee Dress, Arcadia Boutique
The Yelverton Dress, Jack Wills // Winking Circlets Maxi Dress, Anthropologie // Flared Jersey Dress, Old Navy
Madness Dress Tank, Omoi // Thick-cut Jersey Dress, H&M // Ella Moss Embroidered Floral Dress, South Moon Under
Great Gifts For Any Mom…
Ok, maybe you’re mother isn’t super chic, quirky, professional or free-spirited. Maybe she’s just a little bit of all those things. Regardless, she deserves an above-average gift.
So to officially conclude our Mother’s Day Gift Guide, here’s a slew of thoughtful treasures perfect for pretty much every type of mom other there…
Gifts For The Working Mom
If your mom is a nine-five gal who’s always on the go, here’s some Mother’s Day gifts sure to appeal to her professional side.
Tango into Spring with the Season’s Hottest Color
Yeah, yeah you already know: bright colors are IN for spring. The sky is blue, grass is green. But for the last couple of seasons, warm, peachy tones have been the staple hues in the chicest spring looks. Earlier this year, Pantone announced “Tangerine Tango” as its color of the year, and the super pretty coral-orange made a big splash in this season’s fashion collections. Here are some of the latest pieces that will give you a beautiful fashionista blush.
Zara blouse, $59.90
Anthropologie skirt, $188
Pollini bag, price upon request
H&M blazer, $34.95
Modcloth dress, $82.99
J.Crew espadrilles, $128
~ Jennifer Nguyen
Local Love: Once Worn Consignment
Ever since Jen Waxman was the wee age of 10, her passion was hunting for bargains. The thrill of thrifting was her most treasured hobby. But now thanks to her, you can find the best deals all in one place: in her NoLibs thrift store, Once Worn Consignment at 910 N. 2nd St.
A mixture of vintage, designer, jewelry, candy-colored pumps, and novelty items (including a keychain of a fetus), Once Worn takes the stress out of the hunt, serving up the funkiest styles all in one spot.
Left: Vintage dress, $28; Vintage Gianni Ferretti pumps, $20 // Right: H&M faux fur coat, $15; Wilster blouse, $40
Essential to a consignment store is a community of hip-dressers. And NoLibs certainly is chock full of those, “The Neighborhood people aren’t generally into designer stuff, but more styles like Anthropologie, Free People, and Urban. They wanna spend 8 or 10 bucks on an H&M dress rather than 200 on a designer piece,” says Jen.
So if you prefer to get a lot of unique pieces for a little chunk of cash, Once Worn is the place to go.
Left: Navajo Poncho, $24; Cowboy boots, $15 // Right: Charlie & Robin sweater from Anthropologie, $40
The consignment factor could also cut down on the cost of that pair of Gianni Feretti pumps. Bring in some items you’re tired of, and Jen will buy them from you or give you store credit. “It’s good for me, It’s good for them!” Jen proclaims.
Only in existence a year and a half, the store has grown to be so successful that a bigger location is in order. But Jen loves NoLibs, and wouldn’t want to move too far from her 2nd street location. Up the street lies her sister’s gallery and boutique, Art star, which is the reason she was attracted to the neighborhood in the first place. Across the street are a fleet of restaurants and tap rooms, and Soy Cafe is down the road.
So fill up a laundry bag with old clothes to consign, shop the afternoon away and then relax with a soy latte or draft beer.
Once Worn is open Wednesday through Saturday 11-7 and Sunday 12-6. Be sure to “like” their Facebook Page for updates on new items and sales!
**Photos by Katie Warburton
–Marissa Oswald
Brighten Up Your Winter
On Sunday, we’ll all have to turn our clocks back. This means that when most of us wake up for work, it’s going to be dark. And when we get out of our offices and outside into freedom, it’ll be dark.
But a bright winter coat may just help you beat the winter blues.
I look forward to buying my winter coat every year because it’s a splurge that I can easily rationalize. Living in Philly, a good coat is a must, and since I have to wear it for 4-5 months straight—everyday—it’s totally worth it. And even if I’m wearing all black underneath, with several layers (which may or may not include long-johns) and feeling miserable about going into the cold, grabbing my “bright, cheery and fun” coat gives me a little lift-me-up.
So, if you’re one of those gals who normally stick to black, brown or camel, why not try something different? Here’s some inspiration…
Candy Apple Chic Coat – Modcloth, $180
Majesty Peacoat – J Crew, $258
Double Breasted Coat – Zara, $129
Vintage Mohair Swing Coat – Etsy.com, $259
–Zenovia Campbell