Ciao, Bella

Posted by Rachel, Editorial Coordinator

When I discovered that I was expecting, I promptly began expecting the worst when it came to maternity clothes. The last thing I was interested in was spending a lot of money on pieces that I would only wear for a couple of months (my news did not deter me, however, from buying a couple of pairs of shoes ... but that's another story). Anyone can tell you that I'm not a fussy dresser (see my blog bio), but even I found the pickings slim. I worried I might have to resort to a polyester pantsuit or an animal-print wrap dress (I am woman.  Hear me roar.)

While I'm on the subject, how about all of those expectant models teetering on stilettos?! That's a fashion faux pas and a face plant rolled into one, if you ask me.

I began to lurk in maternity store doorways, and when I finally summoned the courage to venture inside, I noticed the Bella Band. I asked the clerk what it was -- some sort of cheeky teenybopper tube top that someone placed in the maternity section as a cruel joke? No, it was a seamless, stretchy knit band to be worn over unbuttoned non-pregnancy pants (such as your favorite pairs of jeans) or oversized maternity pants. It keeps them from riding down, and if your top happens to ride up, the band just looks like an ordinary layering piece, like a tank top.

I promptly snapped one up, and soon I was flashing everyone (not necessarily at work, of course) and telling all my expectant-mom friends about it. I even got Kendra -- our associate style editor, whose daughter was born earlier this week -- in on the action. For about $30, this simple strip of fabric really helped me (ahem) stretch my maternity clothing budget. And who knows, maybe I'll stick one in my handbag for the ride home after next year's Thanksgiving feast.

Comments

[tiffany]

Someone was think'in. Sometimes the best ideas are so simple. :)

[faith]

I was pregnant four years ago while living in Amsterdam and these were EVERYWHERE. In all sorts of colours and patterns. It got so I swear they were being worn even by women who weren't pregnant!

As for maternity clothing in general? I found you don't really need special clothing until the last three months and a lot of the time I could get by with just a bigger size which after my son was born, I had taken in.