Little Black Dress

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Accepting a change in your body is difficult regardless of the reason. I’ve always struggled with my weight, I guess being the ‘right side of chubby’ would put into words how I generally feel day-to-day. Over the last year I’ve come to accept my body shape and my skin, and I’ve tried hard to eat well and exercise in a bid to be at my best physically and mentally without dedicating all of my spare time and energy to it.

But life lately has been different. After a two-year rollercoaster ride also known as IVF, we are lucky enough to have been successful. It’s a miracle – really – and though I might write more about this later, I’m keeping things lighthearted for the moment by way of a style post.

For the past four months my body has been changing in a way I’ve never experienced before, but I’m slowly becoming more comfortable with my ever-expanding belly (not particularly easy when your waist, aside from your wrists, is – or was – your neatest feature). I’m trying to figure out what works best on my new shape, but I’m still learning. This £12 dress by Boohoo felt fitting for date night at Malmaison last week, although due to its clingy nature I was pleased to have my new Mama Spanx at the ready. Not glamorous, but if Kim Kardashian West isn’t ashamed to show off her Spanx, then why should we be?

I figured a little black dress is always a good shout, however you feel about your body. Do you agree? This one shows a bit more cleavage than I’m used to, but when your boobs are growing faster than you can say “Where’s Bravissimo?”, anything other than a scoop or v-neck simply won’t do. Monoboob is never good.

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Having been living in the same black elasticated waist jeans since June, it’s now becoming necessary to try other things as my bump grows. Yesterday I wore an old black body-con dress by H&M (again, £12) and I felt good. I started to feel proud of the roundness. I also bought some maternity jeans from M&S and they feel good too, more normal, like myself. However, I can’t find good black maternity jeans, can anyone help?

Having taken 33 years to figure out what works on me, it feels a bit like I’m back at the beginning, trying to secure a new but temporary wardrobe that fits my new body but also my personal style, as cheaply as possible. It’s not easy! I’d really, really love to hear from women who have had the troublesome experience of maternity wear – how did you dress for your bump? Leave a comment below, find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or send me a Snap (username is daydreamer.net).

In time, I think I will share a bit more about my experience of IVF and pregnancy with you. For now, I’m simply hoping for some style tips! Meantime, let’s be grateful for what we have and what we are given, and remember how precious life is for each and every one of us.

I’m Wearing: LBD, Boohoo; Mama Spanx, Spanx; sunglasses, Quay Australia; watch, Accurist; clutch, Gina; shoes, Office. 

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17 Comments

  1. Barbara Lindsay 16th September 2016 / 12:02

    I have to say I went for comfortable! Not so much glamour in my day for Mothers to be sadly! So excited for you! You look great too.

    • Christina Miller
      Author
      4th October 2016 / 19:17

      You could wear nice floaty dresses as the summertime! Thank you. XX

  2. Louise Crowe 16th September 2016 / 12:36

    Congratulations Christina and Kris- so lovely to hear you’re on the road to the mad ride they call parenthood! Looking forward to seeing you blossom, and continuing to look amazing at every stage of your pregnancy. Xxx

  3. Karen 16th September 2016 / 13:22

    Congratulations 🙂

    I found midi dresses were a godsend, shows off the bump nicely and you can get reasonably priced ones that you can use for a lot of the pregnancy and after! Midi skirts were good too. (I’m hourglass shaped and these fit well)

    By the end I succumbed to leggings, long black vest tops with oversized shirts.

    Asos had nice maternity tshirts/jeans and a big selection of dresses too so I would look there.

    I found over the bump jeans more comfy, and had a black pair from new look that fit okay!

    In the beginning I found it hard as my bump was still small and I just looked chubby, but by about 25 weeks I wanted to show it off. I felt more confident as the bump grew. I have just had my wee girl four weeks ago and it’s another shape to adjust to but I’m still getting use out of the midi dresses/skirts and leggings!
    Hope some of that helped 🙂

    • Christina Miller
      Author
      4th October 2016 / 19:18

      The midi dresses are amazing, I agree – the only thing is that my bum is almost as big as my bump! And you’re right, they work for after the baby too. Leggings and shirts will no doubt be my choice too come December… A baby girl, how lovely! What’s her name, and how are you doing? X

  4. Nicki Jordan 16th September 2016 / 17:30

    Love this article! Found a good pair of black work maternity trousers and a top in new look which lasted me a long time but was very very disappointed with the ranges of maternity wear in most of the big shops. I even went to Glasgow to try to get a nice dress for a wedding only to be told by almost all the ‘nice’ shops that they only stock maternity wear online. That seems a bit crazy given its one of the only times in ur life when u really need to try things on.
    U look amazing Christina. Xx xx

  5. MELANIE PERKINS 16th September 2016 / 21:44

    Looking Great Christina, in whatever you wear.Its been a real journey for you with amazing results!
    I love your fashion style and look forward to seeing your outfits and you progress through Motherhood.
    I agree with Barbara, Comfort was key in our day with not much fashion for the growing belly.
    I stuck to leggings and maternity shirts with a few dresses along the way for summer.
    All the best, its a truely great experience!

  6. Kathryn 17th September 2016 / 02:07

    I’m so grateful to read this post! Like you, I recently got pregnant after months of trying, and it surprised me how many body image and self identity issues it brought up. As someone who is also on the “right side of chubby”, I have really grown comfortable with dressing up my body and keeping it healthy. Once pregnancy started filling out my waist, I struggled to feel good. (My waist has been my feature I accent the most, so having to abandon all my A-line, belted dresses was a big change for me!) In the last couple weeks I’ve started really owning the baby bump, so I’m going to enjoy checking back at this blog and seeing what you are doing with it. We can do this!

  7. Kathryn 17th September 2016 / 02:08

    Also, of course: congratulations!!

  8. Jaclyn Beattie 17th September 2016 / 07:03

    Congratulations! What wonderful news. I wore midi dresses and also a lot of leggings and maternity tops from New look. They also had some nice maternity jeans.

    You look great whatever you wear and you really look lovely with your beautiful bump. Enjoy this wonderful journey. Xx

  9. lafotka 21st September 2016 / 16:01

    Congrats once again! You look so glam! Must admit there weren’t that many fashionable maternity wear options 11 years ago for me. I remember wearing my mums jeans at one point (size 14) and crying towards the end of my pregnancy because I couldn’t even fit my uggs I had so much water retention in my feet! Not so glam! You are growing a human being inside of you so no wonder you are getting used to the new body shape and everything else. Can’t wait to hear all about it in person SOON! Xx

    • Christina Miller
      Author
      4th October 2016 / 19:19

      Thanks for such a lovely comment T, I’m sure you were gorgeous, even with the water retention! We are so overdue a catch up. 🙁 xx

  10. Jenn 22nd September 2016 / 19:27

    Congratulations on your lovely news. I gave birth to my second child just over a month ago. Both times I found it hard to source maternity wear – mostly because although many stores do a maternity range, they hardly have any of the products in stock to try on so you end up ordering lots and also returning lots too. I loved leggings as they were so comfy and they looked great with longer tops as well as shorter dresses. Maxi dresses were also great but I was bigger during the summer months. My favourite maternity shops are New Look, Jojo Maman Bebe, Frugi and Next. I found good black matty jeans in Next, but they are quite heavy. Something you may want to consider is if you are thinking about breastfeeding then buy matty clothes that also have a nursing “function”. This way, if you do nurse, the clothes continue to be of use after baby arrives and are a better investment. It’s so strange to buy a new temporary wardrobe but that’s what you have to do when your body is constantly changing. All the best with the rest of your pregnancy. I am sure you will be a very stylish mum-to-be (and mummy too!) x

    • Christina Miller
      Author
      4th October 2016 / 19:21

      Hi Jenn, thanks for the tips on nursing wear – hadn’t really considered that so will keep in mind for future purchases. I’m trying to hold off until the bump grows a bit more! Congratulations on the birth of your baby! Boy or girl? I hope things are going well for you, and that the first baby is loving being a big brother/sister? I am currently wearing black next jeggings with over the bump band, they are comfy and black so I’m happy in them! Going to check out Jojo Maman Bebe as have been recommended to look there, especially for tights which I can wear with my midi/wrap dresses. Thanks for your encouraging words and advice. XXX

  11. Charlene 27th September 2016 / 20:30

    You look absolutely amazing!! I loved that my bump was the first time I was actually able to wear such clingy dresses without being self conscious of my untoned tum! Congratulations on the pregnancy – it is such a special time and your body is going through so many changes! That you are managing to do it in style is a credit to you!!

    I loved top shop skinny black maternity jeans BTW

    • Christina Miller
      Author
      4th October 2016 / 19:24

      Charlene, it’s so nice to hear that you enjoyed wearing clingy dresses – why should we ever be self conscious, really? I mean, who cares? I wish more women would encourage and support each other in style, career, home life, etc. It’s so important that we make each other feel good and confident as, underneath it all, we feel the same way. I am going to check out Topshop’s black jeans – last time I looked they were out of stock in my size so I ordered some from Next which are actually okay so far. Thanks for reading and commenting, and stay in touch! X

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