Hot Mama! Maternity Fashion with Silvana

Who says you can't still look great & in style while pregnant? Today's featured contributor & my co-worker, Silvana, weighs in. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Silvana, I  have 2 sisters and a brother.  I’ve been married for 4 years and we have a 3 year old cock-a-poo named Dora.  I am currently 8 months pregnant and still working!  This will be my third year teaching biological sciences at The Willows Academy.  I have always maintained at least two jobs, 1 full-time and at least 1 part-time.  My husband told me to take it easy this summer and just relax, therefore I did.  My part-time jobs have always been in the retail business.  The first job I had was when I was 15 at Carson Pirie Scott, then I worked at Marshal Field’s before it became Macy’s.  This is actually where I met my husband, Allen.  My latest retail job was at Ulta, where I stocked up lots of makeup.  I resigned from that position to focus on my career in education.  I currently work part-time at Northwestern, where I teach gifted students different science courses.

Are you having a boy or a girl?

I am having a girl!

Do you have any names picked out?

I am leaving the naming up to my husband and we have not decided on one yet.

How would you describe your style before you got pregnant?

Up-to-date and trendy.  I do love my famous labels, therefore I did splurge every once in a while.  As a teacher, I wore pencil skirts with dress shirts and a cardigan or a sheath dress with a cardigan.  I pretty much have a cardigan in every color and style.  For the weekends I loved to wear my 7 jeans - they were the dojo style, which is more of a trouser fit.  My tops were always different, but most often they were fitted.  I love to dress up.  I rarely ever went out in sweats or gym shoes. I always wore heels, as well.  I have a huge shoe collection, most of which are at least 2½ inches tall.  I also like to accessorize with a scarf or some jewelry.  I liked to upkeep my hair color, going from a shiny black to a more chocolate brown.  It was never too drastic and I stopped highlighting because my hair was turning too light.

What has changed about your style since your pregnancy?

Since I’ve been pregnant a lot has changed.  The first trimester was easy.  I bought a belly band and I was able to wear my regular clothes.  For my second trimester, things were getting a little more snug, but I was still able to wear my pants with the belly band.  I had to get some new tops, which were a little more baggy in the middle.  Luckily, I was still able to find tops that were fitting in normal departments and not the “maternity stores.”  I also began wearing leggings with tunics, which I never thought I would wear.  I was always against wearing leggings, but they were so comfortable.  By the end of my second trimester and starting the third trimester, I had no choice but to resort to the maternity stores.  I bought a few maxi dresses in black, olive, blue, purple, and gray.  I also bought a pair of black linen pants and a pair of cropped jeans and regular jeans.  I bought one pair of dress pants which I have not worn yet.  I can no longer wear my heels, which has been the hardest thing to face.  I love my shoes and now that I can only wear flip-flops and flats is really depressing for me.  I have gone out and bought some flip-flops that can be dressed up and some cute t-straps flats, but its just not the same as when I wore my heels.

Before I got pregnant I shopped mostly at Nordstrom and or Nordstrom Rack, Macy’s, BCBG stores, Bloomingdales, Banana Republic, and The Limited and Express.  Now I shop at Target’s maternity section, and Motherhood Maternity, A Pea in the Pod, and I have found a few tops at Nordstrom Rack as well.  I have also found a couple of formal dresses at BCBG.  I wore one for a wedding and I plan to wear the other for my shower.  

What 3 essential items are must haves?

I would say the three essential items to have are the belly band, a pair of leggings (with a tunic), and maxi dress - and of course a pair of comfortable shoes.  When you are pregnant, especially in the summer with the heat, you just want to stay cool and comfortable.  I would really love to be barefoot, but you can’t really go anywhere without a pair of shoes, unless it’s the beach!

What do you think about maternity fashion in general?

Maternity fashion in general has evolved from the funky patterns to more solids, but still there is not much of a selection.  There are some cute things out there, but I really don’t want to spend $70 for a shirt that will probably only be worn for less than 3 months.  There is a lot of the same styles and designs, which is why I still look at regular stores for tops because they still fit.  You really don’t have a choice in pants, but to go to the maternity stores.  I really didn’t have a problem with their pants.  Some of the tops are just not my style and I don’t want to be forced to wear them.

Some tips I would give pregnant women are don’t give up your fashion just because you are growing.  Also, don’t hide behind baggy clothes, you should still accentuate your new curves.  The baggy clothes will only make you look bigger and they give you no shape.  Make sure your tops are long enough even though they are tight.  No one really wants to see your bare belly.  Don’t be afraid of looking in regular department stores. You don’t have to be restricted to only shop at the maternity stores.

{Thanks, Silvana!}

Fashionably Yours,