The Poopsie Collective

Maternity Wardrobe on a Budget

Written by BROOKE

Pregnancy. Round four. Yep, four pregnancies in less than 6 years. And they all had different requirements when it came to clothes. 

Pregnancies 1 and 2 (first, our twins who passed away, second Zach)—I was working full time. This meant slacks, blouses, dresses and skirts. I couldn’t be that teacher who wore the same outfit every three days. I felt my only option was to hit up the maternity store and buy lots of boring and frumpy looking clothes. Ugly.

Pregnancy 3 (Brady)—I wasn’t working outside the home then. Thought I would survive on sweats but realized that gets depressing quickly. I got great hand-me-downs from a friend and bought a few decent pairs of jeans. I also tried shopping outside the maternity department and layering—two things that saved me. Layering helps with the fact that my hips get as big as my belly. Shopping outside the maternity department gave me so many more options and more clothes for that dreaded 4th trimester when none of my normal clothes will fit yet, but when wearing maternity clothes invites that awful question, “when is your baby due?” And sadly, the answer is, “he was born 3 weeks ago.” 

Pregnancy 4 (now)—I thought that I had enough clothes from Brady’s pregnancy to get by. But we’re in completely different seasons and truthfully, I was shocked at how out of style those clothes are three years later. I’m no fashionista either so for me to say they’re out of style means they are bad. I was actually embarrassed to wear my old maternity jeans to the mall to buy new ones! 

I thought I just might splurge a little this pregnancy. I went to the high-end maternity store and bought a $200 pair of jeans. “I want to feel GOOD,” I reasoned. “I need to look CUTE,” I justified. Then I got home and calculated how many hours of tutoring it would take to pay for those jeans. And how often I would wear them being pregnant mostly over the summer. And how at 16 weeks I wasn’t even half as big as I was going to get and the chance of those super tight, skinny jeans fitting me in another 15-20 weeks was slim to none. (And if you have any comments about me wearing maternity clothes at 16 weeks you can call me back after you’ve been pregnant four times.)

My accountant husband has worn off on me and I returned the expensive jeans. I decided there was no reason I couldn’t put together a cute, cheap, updated wardrobe on a budget. In fact, I was pretty sure I could take back those $200 jeans and get myself most of the items I needed for the same amount of money. 

Here’s what is floating my boat this round…

Maxi Skirts

Does it get any more comfortable? Nope. I bought one that was maternity with a roll over top but the rest have been cheapies from the non-maternity section. Paired with a tee and contrasting colored cardigan it looks super cute and I know these are one thing I’ll actually wear after the baby is born. I think I might even have to jump back on the jean jacket bandwagon because this skirt would look so cute with one.

Jeans

My maternity jeans were in desperate need of updating. I haven’t ordered these mint ones yet because I’m nervous about how big they’ll make my thighs look but I’m kind of drooling over them. ASOS is new to me but they have a lot of trendy cute options and the prices are really reasonable. 

I was also really happy when I returned my designer maternity jeans and bought these ones from Old Navy. Although I haven’t loved their jeans in the past, these are actually cute, comfortable and super cheap! If I have to size up at the end I won’t even feel bad buying another pair. They have that stretchy panel which I love and I find to be the only kind that doesn’t have to be yanked up all day long. 

For the Gym

It is sort of sad and shocking how few options there are for working out during pregnancy. But I have found some good options with non-maternity clothes. I wanted workout leggings that were fitted all the way down instead of flared out since I spin and the flares always get caught in the bike. These GAP body fit the bill and with the roll over waist I know they’ll last the whole time. I got them on sale for $20 and at that price, I picked up a pair in my size and a size up for later on. 

I also got some blousy workout tanks from Old Navy but they don’t have them on the website right now. I have to say that ON is doing a great job at knocking off the higher-end workout clothes lately. Their stuff is adorable, comfortable and so cheap. 

Tops

So far, my non-maternity tops are all still fitting. Thanks to this year’s long lengths and blousy styles I’m hoping they’ll last for a while. This Old Navy top is especially flattering on my not-too-huge-yet belly. I saw it in the store they had several more colors than online.

I also have a poncho style top I love, like this one from Loft.

And all my open and flowy cardigans look great over a tighter top. 

So, there you have it! I took back those $200 jeans and haven’t looked back. I think I’ll save the expensive jeans for a losing all the baby weight celebration. 

Celebrity Styling Advice for Mamas: Interview with Taylor Jacobson

written by STEPHANIE

“Your baby’s arm feels like a dildo,” Taylor Jacobson confessed, shocked and a little embarrassed. Taylor isn’t like anyone you’ve ever met before. Her physical presence is notable, sure. She is petite, thin as can be, and all lashes framed by white blonde hair. But that’s just a small part of her equation. The sh*t that comes out of her mouth is f*cking fantastic. When she met my daughter, before finding similarities between her appendages and sex toys, she literally said, “ew.” The thought of a tiny person throwing up on her without notice, then pissing and sh*tting themselves, was too much. But she showered us with a wardrobe of BabyGap anyway and dressed me for a black tie event. She patiently offered gown after gown to accommodate my giant, nursing breasts. To say the girl has a heart of gold is putting it lightly.

She sat down with us and shared her genius styling advice for the Moms of America. But honestly, the Women of America should take notes as well… the girl is good. 

Poopsie Collective: What pieces should every woman/mom have in her wardrobe this spring?

Taylor Jacobson: Every woman should own a great blazer, a LBD (little black dress), and a black pump. Blazers go with everything. You can dress it up or down. The LBD is seasonless. You can always repeat it with different accessories. Also, a great statement nacklace, a fun pump, bright colored clutch. And black pumps never go out of style. They are classic and chic. Invest in a good pair!

TJ: A mistake that lots of women and men make is over styling. You never want to look like a collage. Keep it to one trend, and remember that less is more!

TJ: SPANX IT!!!!! I live for them. No one is perfect and they smooth out every line. Trust me, no one walks the redcarpet without them. 

TJ: Accessories!! Clutches, shoes, and jewels are easy ways to update your look. Aldo and Steve Madden make super chic and affordable shoes and clutches that work for all occasions. BCBG Generation makes fabulous, trendy, faux jewels. Look for statement cocktail rings, layering necklaces and cuffs. 

TJ: I’m working on a new reality show called ‘LA Style (wt)’. It follows the new generation of fashion stylists in LA. It will be airing on Oxygen later this year. 

TJ: I love the excitement of the ever changing world of fashion. I love when my clients rock it on the red carpet. And everything inspires me, from art to people, and places, and movies… life!

Taylor was raised on the mean streets of Beverly Hills, and has worked tirelessly styling for films, shoots and celebrity red carpet events. She is probably best known for her work as Rachel Zoe’s right hand on Bravo’s ‘The Rachel Zoe Project’. She has an impeccable work ethic and is known for being a perfectionist on the job. She headlines the new show, ‘LA Style (wt)’ on Oxygen, which airs later this year. 

Many thanks to Taylor, from the PC team, for taking time to chat with us. You’re a rock star!

But He Needs Them!

Written by ERICA

I’ve always had a thing for fashion. More specifically clothes, and shoes, and bags, and, well, everything. And I’ve always been a decisive shopper. I’m not the type to purchase an item, take it home, let it sit in the bag for weeks, only to decide I don’t really need/like it, return it, and then save the store credit for months until I can spend that one credit on three different items on sale (eh hem, Mom). Nope, not me. I see something I like, I buy it, I take it home, I wear it that day, and I never look back. Or at least, I did.

This was all before Owen. Before I would spend my days potentially getting puked on (I’m writing this after having been vomited on three times in one hour) and before I spent all of my time crouched on a floor or in a play tent or running around a park. Unfortunately, comfort is key these days, and fashion doesn’t have much of a place in my life. Note: I said much; fashion doesn’t have MUCH of a place, not NO place. So if you think this means I don’t want to go shopping AJ…you’re WRONG.

Anyway, where was I? Oh right, I love fashion, but I don’t have as MUCH of a need for it these days. But guess who does? I’ll give you some hints: he’s cute, he’s small, he’s got delicious cheeks, he just turned one, and he is an AWESOME dresser. That’s right kids; I’ve generously decided to temporarily forego my own wardrobe and pass on my shopping skills to my son.

At the ripe age of 2 months, Owen rocked a sun hat, faux aviators, Little Marc Jacobs cargo shorts, and genuine Sperry boat shoes. Ka-BOOM.

I know, I know. Kids grow fast. Too fast. You buy them one thing, and they’re too big for it the next week. You buy something bigger, they can’t wear it for a month, and then they’re too big for it the next week. I’ve heard that tune, and I don’t care. My son is going to be well dressed and nothing, not even his growing thunder thighs, can stop me. 

And here’s the real problem (yes, I have a problem and I’m not ashamed to admit it). I see something cute, and I can’t say no to Owen. I hold up the adorablely mini puffy vest (or polo shirt, or jeggings, or converse) and I know it’s not a necessary purchase, but then I say to myself and the woman shopping next to me and the sales lady, “But he needs it!” and hand her my credit card. Don’t get me wrong; I am a smart shopper. I buy things on sale. I save all those stupid emails that give you free shipping or 20% off or whatever daily deal is out there. I am Jewish after all. And I do have my limits. One time I saw an amazing Bonpoint hoodie sweater that cost more than most of my nice tops and I had to force myself out of the store. But it was REALLY hard. 

Did you know that virtually everything is cuter when it’s tiny? You could take the ugliest eff-ing puke-colored, tacky plaid shirt and make it mini and I’d probably buy it. Actually, that already happened, and Owen looked AWESOME.

I’m trying to be better about my shopping. Currently Owen’s drawers are full and unless something is a really good deal and I can get it in a really big size for down the road, I pass. But the truth is, seeing Owen look adorable makes me smile. Sure, he’d look like a cutiepants in anything (or nothing, have you seen a baby crawling around in just a diaper? IT’S PRECIOUS!). But it makes me feel happy and stylish when he looks happy and stylish. Even if I happen to look like a bit of a slob that day. There, my shopping is justified.

And I sense a pattern developing here. Owen’s wardrobe is just the beginning of things I will give up for myself in order for him to look/feel/be better. That’s what being a parent is all about, so I better get used to it.

Plus, I just saw this amazing pair of Tiny TOMS that are making my ovaries explode, and he really needs them!

Polo shirt, check. Popped collar, double check. Cutoff jean shorts (only attractive on a dude at 10 months old), check mate.