https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 20 May 2026 09:45:34 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-789001 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:23:39 +0000 Vix 789001@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Manidipa --</p> <p>Agree you've done well with your "making do" and hope you are feeling as good as you look!</p> <p>You know I'm going to drool over the more skimming *and* colorful looks, so as long as they're comfortable enough outfits like #8,10, and 11 have my votes to get you through birth and those initial months with your baby! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788930 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:43:18 +0000 ManidipaM 788930@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hello again, ladies!</p> <p>Una, thank you --- that particular kameez is fast becoming a favourite with me too As comfy as pajamas!</p> <p>Fuchsia --- thank you too :-)</p> <p>Ingunn --- I'm actually a tad worried about tops getting outgrown at some point, or else stretching out my knits beyond recovery. We'll have to see, I guess --- what will be, will be! Most of my sweaters or jackets aren't closing up either, but I'm hoping to use shawls, stoles and gilets to bridge the gap and not get new things for the 2-3 months of winter we have. It's going to get warm again by March, very likely, so doesn't seem a wise use of clothing cash!</p> <p>Deborah --- yeah! A slim bottom was the plan! And sometimes it works, like with tunics and leggings or tights. But now my jeans, being boyfriends, look ready to throw a spanner in the works. Am desperately seeking inspiration on the forum and on Pinterest for petite, apple-friendly boyfriend outfits! :-p</p> <p>Natalie --- what can I say? If you weren't so good about posting your WIWs all through your pregnancy, with no let-up, I'd probably not have dared post ANY! You're my maternity dress-up hero!<br /> And yeah... the bias-cut skirts are now being worn *over* the bump. That was another surprise I forgot to mention. Didn't think that would be necessary or would even work!<br /> Heh, race to the finish line is right I *should* be right behind you, but then you know better than most how 'estimated' due dates are apt to defy expectations, pun intended I believe Indian babies are typically born around 38 weeks rather than 40, oddly enough, though first-timers are also often later... heh! We'll see :-p</p> <p>Here, babies are typically in vests and pajamas or smocks, depending on the season, and then swaddled in thin muslin quilts the size of receiving blankets. One reason for this is that the many parents still prefer plain cotton nappies over diapers except for going out, and this way, the quilt acts as a second absorbent layer to contain the mess. The quilts are made from old clothes and sheets, typically, so it's easy to have lots, which of course is very necessary!<br /> However, onesies and sleepsuits have gotten more popular in urban areas of late. And Summer Infant swaddlers and Miracle Blankets are now sold here too. The gowns are not common, nor sleepsacks, but I'm hoping I can find a couple because I really don't want to wrestle a baby out of sleepsuits and jammies in the middle of the night either!</p> <p>Lyn, thank you too!</p> <p>Ramya, thanks --- I fear precisely the 'behenji' effect when I veer ethnic, but I love our textiles so much that I keep trying anyway. I think I've improved a bit with respect to balancing proportions, and oh, definitely when it comes to trying colour! You wouldn't have caught me dead in rani pink 3 years ago! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788854 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:26:32 +0000 ramya 788854@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love love love the Rani color on you(giggle!!! i always found the term for Magenta funny )...<br /> Love the mangalgiri black top(the 1 in 6) too :)<br /> And you rock your red pants!!!!</p> <p>Mani you are so super fab!!! wonder why you worry :)...</p> <p>Also I must say no one rocks the Indian prints and clothes like you do!!!!<br /> I cannot wear any of these without looking like Bhehenji :)(sFor others : Slang for frumpy in Hindi ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788851 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:23:06 +0000 lyn67 788851@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, good news,--look at that gorgeous preggy Lady! I'm allways late to the party for a reason(?:-(() as I never knew you were expecting, but am sending my best wishes and congratulation for the event, right now !:-) I like all your outfits, but esp 3,4, 7, 8, 10, 11. Some of them are so cheerfull colored, other are so streamlined uni (esp loved nr 4!!)! You are one stylish MTB, for sure!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788843 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:01:47 +0000 goldenpig 788843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>WOW, Manidipa! You look positively glowing! You look radiant in both spicy autumn colors like 1/2 and bright jewel tones like 3/10/11! #10 absolutely blew me away, it looks like a pic from a travel/fashion magazine. And my other faves are 2/4/6/8, but you look great in all of them. And you don't even look pregnant in most of these pics...that's so amazing esp at 6 months! Love the printed tunics. The belted look in 4 is great and the flowy tunics work so well on you too. </p> <p>I guess I look a lot farther along than you even though we're at exactly the same point, because I'm wearing much more tight and body-con silhouettes...mostly because I'm trying to make do with my old prepreg clothes. You are lucky you have pretty and flowy clothes--they really hide the bump well. I'm surprised you're not happy with your outfits because you certainly look great in them! I agree with your assessments...I too was a little surprised at how quickly I grew out of tops, though I've been compensating by wearing my skirts so high-waisted it doesn't matter. Glad you found some jeans that work. I feel the same way about my maternity burgundy skinnies!</p> <p>THANK YOU so much for posting your maternity pics. I loved looking at Scarlet's gorgeous pics but they were so fleeting so I can't go back and view them anymore. I really needed some maternity inspiration so I'm so glad you posted...please keep posting your third trimester looks! Hope you're feeling more rested and the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly. It sounds like we are just about the same point...it will be a race to the finish line! I wonder which of us will deliver first!</p> <p>Oh, and I forgot to reply back to your other thread about the baby's gender. I think that is interesting how you are not allowed to find out...sad that it has to be that way in your culture (I think there's a similar boy bias in Asia esp China with the one-child policy) but I'm glad they're doing that to protect the girls! Neutral baby clothes are great...I loved using the little yellow ducky &amp; brown teddy bear &amp; green sweet pea clothes on my kids. But being a fashionista now, I have to confess a little disappointment that I won't be able to re-use DD's cute girly baby clothes! (We have a younger niece that we're planning to pass down her clothes). Though I still use the pink kitty "Daddy's little girl" bath towels on DS! LOL! </p> <p>What do you usually use to dress little babies? I relied on the zippered footed pajamas and elastic bottom nightgown sacs...so much easier to change diapers when half asleep in the middle of the night rather than fiddling with snaps on the onesies. Loved the Halo sleepsacks and Miracle Blanket swaddle too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788837 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:56:08 +0000 Deborah 788837@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think these outfits are wonderful and your use of color is just beautiful. I always thought the key to looking good while pregnant was to keep it simple and make sure you are comfortable. I wore a lot of pants with tunics and dresses with leggings. I tended to keep my bottom half as sleek and slim fitting as possible to counter my big belly. I think you are doing a fab job with your pregnancy wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788835 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:46:48 +0000 Ingunn 788835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Manidipa, you are far too hard on yourself! I think several of your outfits are fab, and #10 blew me away, too. The colors and shape are FAB! When I was pregnant, I had to replace my wardrobe two times, first at the end of the first trimester, then again at the end of the second. My belly got enormous at the end, and no ordinary sized clothing would fit me at the end. Let's hope your current solutions will serve you well all the way through. I'm very happy to hear that you found your pregnancy jeans, as I think you will find them more and more useful as the pregnancy progresses. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788825 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 08:31:36 +0000 Fuchsia_pink 788825@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, nice to see one can be stylish even when pregnant! Inspiring indeed! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788801 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 06:03:00 +0000 catgirl 788801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Manidipa, 10 is especially lovely - I can't think of a lovelier silhouette on a pregnant woman than a salwar kameez. You are far fabber than I ever was during pregnancy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788791 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 05:31:48 +0000 ManidipaM 788791@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good morning (where I am!), lovely ladies!<br /> (I miss Meredith when I say that... :-(... where'd she go?)</p> <p>I'm so grateful for all the love #10 has got. I really liked that kameez/dress/tunic (not sure what it was intended to be), but kept putting off actually wearing it because I was self-conscious about the sleevelessness with my arms. I'm glad it's not deemed too unflattering... and Angie thinks it's a 'Killer'! ::whoops::</p> <p>Suz, funny you should mention the colour I started following YLF determined to get some colour into a rather... grey wardrobe. So it's good to know I'm incorporating it more consistently now. I can actually still fit into #4, though it looks different --- can't belt any more though!</p> <p>Claire, trust you to notice the straw bags! They are relics from the years when I couldn't afford (or maybe had a mental block against spending on?) 'real' bags... I've quite enjoyed them this year in an office right on top of a messy marketplace, where cute mice race on to my toes every so often (meaning I am NOT risking my sole leather bag on my desk!)</p> <p>Claire and Ornella, the backdrop of #10 is an old fort --- 14th century, actually, possibly the oldest building in the country currently used as a hotel. It's small, being in a rural area, and quite a treat. I'll see if I can find a few more photos for the Off Topic section...</p> <p>Cobaltblue, thanks for the colour compliment! Like I just said to Suz, it's been a small personal triumph to incorporate in what used to be a very neutral palette...<br /> My jeans are from Mothercare, so pretty mainstream. I love that the waist is adjustable---the stretchy side panels conceal strips of buttons. Only, I fear they may have been last season's stock as I don't see them on either the US or the UK websites; but hey, maybe there's more in stores than online? If it's any help, the next best one I saw is a new type where the panel is removable and they say the jeans should convert to regular ones later. Good luck! </p> <p>San, thank you so much!</p> <p>RoseandJoan, you said it! I'm not sure I'm over the surprise of seeing some*one* growing inside yet :-p</p> <p>Denise, thank you! I've been second-guessing myself about wearing black a lot this year --- think my hair colour's fading. Good to hear I can possibly carry it off a while longer :-)</p> <p>Beth Ann, I was too sleepy to post, at first I think a put in an off-topic thread a couple of months ago about the sleepiness. So no wonder many people missed it.</p> <p>Shannon, thank you! Means a lot coming from someone as spot-on with her style as you!</p> <p>Thank you, Caro! I'll take a wild gander that you share Denise's (CocoLion's) yen for the Indian long tunic and tight leggings look ;-)</p> <p>Angie, you *know* how much your support means to me, especially when I feel like I'm flailing. So thanks for chiming in with sore wrists---and a Killer ::still reeling, need to recover::</p> <p>JJ, you know exactly how I'm feeling! I'm so in awe of Scarlet and Natalie, but if I try to pull off those looks, I just know I'm going to be tugging and twisting all day... no good at ladylike, moi! Like your Talls, my solution for tops has been shopping in brands that cater to taller women (well, average height to you, but taller for Indians) --- more bump coverage...</p> <p>Mona, thank you! ::waving back::</p> <p>Shevia, thanks again! The third trimester... should be interesting! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788701 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 02:29:36 +0000 Jaime 788701@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You look fantastic - I love 8, 10 and 11 but #4 is my runaway favorite! No advice but hope to see your last trimester looks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788678 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 01:32:45 +0000 Mona 788678@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So good to see you after a long time! You are absolutely rocking your maternity style and yes the neckline of the black top is gorgeous on you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788671 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 01:25:29 +0000 Jjsloane 788671@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's such an experience isn't it? I learned my first pregnancy that if I sized up and went for Talls I could get by with "regular" clothing more. Of course this was all pre YLF and while I remember feeling pretty good I'm sure I was a mess. </p> <p>#4 is amazing on you. I recommend you keep comfortable at all costs! I would have felt constrained in most of what Natalie has been posting (although it's gorgeous on her) For me there was a terribly awkward period between regular clothing and full blown elastic panel maternity that just was a constant source of adjustment throughout the day. Once you embrace the panel it can be your friend for comfort (but your belly has to be there too) Focus on colors you like, fabrics that feel good and add a little personal jewelry or scarf to stay yourself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788550 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 23:10:42 +0000 Angie 788550@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Echoing the others! Your maternity style is all sorts of fabness, Manidipa. WOW! You took my breath away in #4, #6 and #10. KILLER! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788533 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 21:49:06 +0000 Caro in Oz 788533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love #2 &amp; #10 - gorgeous. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788512 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 21:27:17 +0000 Transcona Shannon 788512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Manidipa - it is so, so good to see you! You look beautiful! I think every single one of these outfits works for your ever changing body. I particularly love #10 and #11 - such beautiful, vibrant colours for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788510 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 21:26:00 +0000 Beth Ann 788510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OK, how'd I miss the "I'm having a baby" post? I wondered why I hadn't seen you post for awhile, but I figured work had gotten hectic. I'm loving 3, 8, 10 and 11, although I really concur with the others that you are managing the maternity wardrobe far better than you think. </p> <p>Thanks for sharing what you've learned with us! Can't wait for the baby announcement! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788468 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:37:40 +0000 CocoLion 788468@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>First, congratulations! I had no idea you are a son-to-be Mama. I love the way you look in the traditional Indian outfits with tunics and leggings (2,3, 10 and 11 which is sort of Indian). I am crazy about this silhouette, it is so effortlessly chic and I never tire of it. I also like your maternity bf jeans. I love my bf jeans too. Finally, I like 8 because I think this is a fantastic color combo on you (black and red). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788467 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:34:45 +0000 RoseandJoan 788467@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think your maternity style is all kinds of fabulous mandipa and the colours are sensational. </p> <p>The expanding ribcage is quite a surprise and can be quite sore too. In fact the whole experience really is one surprise after another. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788456 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:17:50 +0000 san 788456@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You look beautiful in each and every picture!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788455 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:16:45 +0000 cobaltblue 788455@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love so many of the colors you've worn in these photos! You wear them for me, because my skin tone just can't do it (especially #1). I'll steal your outfit from #10, though, wow! Where did you get the maternity boyfriend jeans? I am hoping to buy some when I grow out of my regular clothes (4 months pregnant at the moment!). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788441 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:56:35 +0000 Ornella 788441@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lovely to see you after some time Mandipa I wish I was this fab and colorful mum-to-be!</p> <p>I love how you made your wardrobe work for your changing body. I gasped when I saw 8 - that lovely top, the red pants, the contrast between red and black is stunning on you. My favorite of the lost must be 10: your hair, the tunic, the scarf, the colors together... and that background, this could easily be a postcard :-)</p> <p>I wish you to sail through the remaining time, enjoy it and put your feet up whenever you can </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788439 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:52:54 +0000 Suz 788439@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, the neckline of #8 is especially flattering on you....and I am super jealous because it happens to be a neckline I adore that looks like...well...um....insert nasty word of your choice here....on me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788437 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:48:56 +0000 Anonymous 788437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow! I think you've done pretty well taking pictures if you have this kind of a timeline for us! What Suz said! </p> <p>Loving 2,3,4,8 and 10 just about blew my socks off! What fabulous color on you and a stunning backdrop for your beauty. </p> <p>In addition, that is quite a collection of straw bags you've amassed! I'm so jealous. The texture and pattern are so interesting and eye-catching. I daresay you're carrying them to draw attention away from the bump! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788432 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:41:20 +0000 Suz 788432@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow..just glancing at the thumbnails made me smile. SUCH fabulous colour! I just want to drink it in, looking out my window at grey stone, grey sky....</p> <p>And the full sized shots did not disappoint! LOVE your hair this length! I must have missed the report of its trim, but it looks wonderful on you this way. </p> <p>My favourites here are 1, 2, 3, 4 (what a subtle, gentle pattern mix...gorgeous!!) and WOWZA, #10. You look stunning there!! </p> <p>I assume you cannot wear any of those clothes from the earlier shots now, of course, but someday you should be able to return to some of them. </p> <p>So glad you found some boyfriend jeans to get you through these final months. That makes so much sense; better than skinnies. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788429 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:36:33 +0000 ManidipaM 788429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ceit, I was starting to panic and think I might have to do exactly that --- get oversized jeans or something. I too learnt, despite what I thought I'd prefer *before the fact* (so not good at self-knowledge!), that I HATE having a slithery stretchy panel of polyester or similar clinging to my tummy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788407 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:15:54 +0000 Anonymous 788407@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey, you do what you have to do! I don't think these are all as bad as you think. I like your boyfriend jeans and button up look I think your look in 11 is perfect too. Not constricting, covered up, easy to move around in. You look great :)</p> <p>I found that I just bought jeans larger and belted them under my belly. I could not bear maternity clothing with a stretchy panel on top of my stomach. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-old-and-new-making-do-for-maternity-pic-heavy#post-788396 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:58:43 +0000 ManidipaM 788396@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been pretty rubbish at taking outfit photos the last few months, and I don't just mean the Rip van Winkle month(s) either. However, today I managed to scrounge together a few from the last 6 months that record my changing shape and a wardrobe changing to match.</p> <p>Mostly not outfits I'm happy with, so feedback and suggestions on improvement are most welcome---unless the garment no longer fits, in which case I'll happily catalogue your suggestions for later.</p> <p>However, it has been interesting to realize that many of preconceptions about dressing a pregnant body ultimately did not hold in the face of reality:<br /> 1. I needed new tops first; bottoms later---I had *no idea* my rib cage was supposed to grow out!<br /> 2. I did not enjoy garments that clung to the bump, which I thought would feel 'cuddly'. I wanted loose or belly skimming at best, when the time came.<br /> 3. Maternity-specific garments did not work or satisfy in most cases, and sizing up in ordinary garments actually proved handier for my lifestyle and budget.<br /> 4. My feet did NOT grow out of my shoes---or at least, they haven't in these first 6 months!</p> <p>The outfits are organized chronologically here:<br /> #1 --- 1 month --- the day the pregnancy was confirmed; old dress pants a tad snug but still fit and so did the shirt<br /> #2 --- 1 month + --- a few days later, the more snug of my tunics is already feeling too tight in the shoulder, of all places (thanks, progesterone!), and my face is starting to show the extra fluid; however, the waist is not a problem at all, of course<br /> #3 --- 1 month+ --- again, the tunic is pulling across the shoulders and bust, and this wasn't snug to start with; the face looks moon-ish; but the skinnies fit fine<br /> #4 --- 1.5 months --- can still belt at waist on the old, once slightly loose skirt; but thank god for knits that stretch on top!<br /> #5 --- nearly 2 months --- same knit top but switched from the my regular well-fitting bootcuts to a pair one size larger and more width in the leg (the skinnies did still fit, being bigger in the waist and stretchy; but these jeans I'm wearing here had a relaxed. almost slouchy fit this time last year!)<br /> #6 --- 3.5 months --- most of my woven tops and tunics no longer fit, so had to buy a few new ones, including this silk-cotton blended kaftan, which I wore with capris borrowed from the SO (ahem! and they're a sports brand too: Adidas). Silk and sportswear: that is *so* my pregnancy statement! :-p<br /> #7 --- nearly 4 months --- skinnies still wearable but 'bellying out'; another new shirt that's a wrap-and-tie seems to actually make more of the bump than there is and is rather too short for pants (but don't have skirts that work with it and still fit... yet)<br /> #8 --- 4.5 months --- the swansong of the skinnies with an old knit T-shirt that used to be smock-shaped till the belly filled it in<br /> #9 --- nearly 5 months --- the third new shirt I got in my third-month haul with a sized-up cheap cotton midi skirt cut on the bias: love the softness of this button-down (not my easiest garment category); duplicated the skirt in red to work with the top in #7 plus a few others, *plus* a third in black, another size up, to go with the top in #6 etc (I currently fit the blue and the red, but will need to reach for the black by Christmas I suspect; the three together are my make-do substitute for the one denim maternity skirt I'd really hoped to find by this time)<br /> #10 --- 5 months and a bit --- a crinkled cotton A-line kameez fits my new 'bell shape' for a Diwali getaway: bought it before the pregnancy and am still extremely glad of this unplanned 'foresight'<br /> #11 --- 6 months --- new cotton knit tunic from M&amp;S bought on a lark at the sales, plus old red ruched leggings: the tunic doesn't have the most flattering sleeves but I adore the colour and the sheer comfort of this garment (might be my equivalent of the sweatshirt/pants ensemble much touted for maternity back-up)<br /> #12 --- still 6 months --- found maternity jeans with stretchy side panels, FINALLY, which means they button up... and they are boyfriend jeans, no less, which is the ONE style I hadn't expected to get! The pull-on types (like jeggings) so common in stores needed to be snug to stay on, but required hopping into and were hardly comfy. (That I tried them on with no mirror because the trial room was stuffed with 'supplies' and only the feeding room was free, so I had to buy based on fit and feel only, is a whole other hilarious story---but I was too desperate for jeans that fit by this time.) Got too impatient to wait for the mandatory hemming and wore these out to a casual anniversary lunch with the shirt, though in hindsight (pic taken after we got back home) a T-shirt or knit top would have been a more balanced silhouette.</p> <p>That's all, folks! Twelve 'clothing crisis' confessions in one go --- whew! --- and a tome to accompany the tell-tale illustrations!</p> <p>And now it will be time to layer soon... I hope. Going by Natalie's WIWs and #4 here, I'm hoping layers will make for better proportions over the bigger belly. Meanwhile, if you have shopping suggestions or advice on figure flattery for a growing apple, please let me know! </p>