I’ve been thinking about maternity clothes recently. My daughter is expecting, and it’s been interesting to do a little bit of shopping with her, and to hear about clothes that she's liking. Lara's experience in 2014 has been reminding of the clothes I wore during my pregnancies in the early 70s and 80s, as well as calling to mind the styles worn by Mom during her pregnancies in the 50s to mid 60s.
Here is a photo of Mom that reflect the sorts of clothes I recall her wearing when she was expecting one or another of my 8 sisters and brothers. Full tops and slim skirts, somewhat dressy. The fabrics were woven and held their shape. The look was polished.
Here is a photo of Mom that reflect the sorts of clothes I recall her wearing when she was expecting one or another of my 8 sisters and brothers. Full tops and slim skirts, somewhat dressy. The fabrics were woven and held their shape. The look was polished.
In 1973, when I was expecting Alex, my first child, I knew I wanted to make some maternity clothes. I recall making at least three outfits. Here’s a white sleeveless top, full, in a woven poplin, that I wore over maternity pants and shorts. It had a gathered empire waist, and pockets at hip level.
I also made a sleeveless, bright color blocked dress in bright colors – red, purple, and yellow. I don’t seem to have a photo of this dress, but I was able to find a picture of the pattern envelope on google. It's the dress on the far left. The fabric I used was a woven, lightweight denim or chambray.
And I made a somewhat dressy dress, in yellow with white color and cuffs. I used a mid-weight woven poplin, with a bit of a sheen. I no longer have the pattern, but I think this may have been it, also found on google.
Among other occasions, I wore this dress to Bob and Helen’s wedding, which took place the month before Alex was born.
One thing I recall clearly about the dresses I wore during this first pregnancy, they were all quite short -- it was 1973 after all – and during the last month or two they somehow got shorter and
shorter.
When I was expecting Edward in 1975, miniskirts had more or less gone out of style. I recall buying a navy dress with white collar, in a soft silky fabric, and a secondhand nubby oatmeal colored dress with round neck and long sleeves, both of which were at or below the knee in length, and both of which I loved. They seemed appropriate for my law school classes and activities. Outside the classroom, I loved this long short sleeve Lanz maxidress, in a blue patterned woven cotton. Graceful and comfy.
shorter.
When I was expecting Edward in 1975, miniskirts had more or less gone out of style. I recall buying a navy dress with white collar, in a soft silky fabric, and a secondhand nubby oatmeal colored dress with round neck and long sleeves, both of which were at or below the knee in length, and both of which I loved. They seemed appropriate for my law school classes and activities. Outside the classroom, I loved this long short sleeve Lanz maxidress, in a blue patterned woven cotton. Graceful and comfy.
For this pregnancy I made myself a long pink floral print sundress in a jumper style, with empire waist, a wide ruffle at the bottom, and a sash that tied in the back. I loved that dress. While I don't seem to have a picture of it, here’s a photo of a pattern, found on google, that is not the exact pattern, but is similar to the one I made.
Five years later, in 1980, expecting Daniel, and working full-time, I recall making myself several tops of stretchy, medium weight, terry-like knit fabric, with long sleeves and vneck, that I wore over pants. I used the same pattern to make some dresses – basically the same as the tops, but longer. This was a simple pattern that fell smoothly, without a bodice or waist. For casual times and at home, I liked these off the rack sleeveless cotton print sundresses, one with gathers falling from a high bodice, and one with a stretchy elasticized top. I don’t think they were maternity dresses per se, but they
worked well.
worked well.
And here is the purchased knit dress I wore to our 10th high school reunion that fall.
I do not recall making myself any maternity dresses in 1982, when I was expecting our daughter Lara. But I do recall a flowered print blue and white dress in a soft rayon, with long sleeves and a ruffled bibb front, that I loved and wore a lot. I also wore those vneck dresses and tops I’d made two years before. For casual and at home, I was still liking cotton print sundresses with elasticized tops.
And I wore several soft oxford shirts with collar, button front, and long sleeves, over slacks.
It’s interesting to notice that the style in ready made maternity wear today seems to especially favor a sleek and simple look, in knitted jersey fabrics, often with ruching on the side seams to accommodate a changing shape. Rather different from what I, or Mom, wore when expecting.
One day last week, I spent some time browsing at the local JoAnns store. Their in-store pattern books dedicated only a few pages at best to maternity wear per se. On the other hand, thumbing through the books, I saw many garments that looked like they could work for an expectant mom. Sometime soon I might browse the independent pattern makers online, and see what they have to offer.
It would also be fun to hear others' memories of maternity clothes. If so inclined, please share!
One day last week, I spent some time browsing at the local JoAnns store. Their in-store pattern books dedicated only a few pages at best to maternity wear per se. On the other hand, thumbing through the books, I saw many garments that looked like they could work for an expectant mom. Sometime soon I might browse the independent pattern makers online, and see what they have to offer.
It would also be fun to hear others' memories of maternity clothes. If so inclined, please share!