Old Navy: Adorable Maternity

Here's a weird thing I still do more than three years after being pregnant: visit maternity departments. I like to see if my old favorites are still up to par. Old Navy's maternity on 34th Street? Adorable.

Those blue jeggings are on sale for $25. Yes, bright blue Rockstar jeggings will make you feel stylish while pregnant. The maternity workout gear, too, is all cuteness. When one is pregnant and visiting the gym, a bright, pretty tank top can make a world of difference.

Spread the word to the pregnant gals: Old Navy is there for them.


Old Navy150 West 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue

Old Navy Maternity: Out of the Dark on 34th Street

I did kind of bash 34th Street's Old Navy maternity section while pregnant, and it wasn't just because of hormones. I had high expectations but was disappointed when I visited. Not only were style options rather thin, but the department was tucked away on a top floor in a dark corner. And when I was visiting a young couple was making out along the back wall next to the maternity tank tops. I'm not joking. I wanted to say hey, look around and go take a cold shower.


But now, Old Navy Maternity on 34th Street is very well and good. It's come out on the second floor, is well-lit and sits right by the escalator, and it even has a basics section (Baby Bump Basics, above). It is all that I was hoping for about a year ago. There are mannequins with colorful dresses and tops, maternity thongs, and even bathing suits, which last year were available only online. I'm not too crazy about the skirted bathing suits (below, black and white and purple), but they give a pregnant woman an option as yes, it may be the only time in her life she wants a skirt on her swimsuit. It's also a big plus to have the opportunity to try that suit on before buying. Well done, Old Navy.

P.S. Nope, no groping kids this time.
P.P.S. While grocery shopping after the gym on Sunday I finally realized my husband was, again, wearing my Old Navy Maternity tank! Cracks me up, he loves the fit.


Old Navy, 150 W. 34th St between Broadway & 7th

Online Maternity Ordering: What I Learned

I'm out of town on a brief holiday, so before I sign out for the weekend, I'll share with you What I Learned after a couple weeks of online ordering some maternity necessities.

Gap hipster briefs. Pregnant model or photoshopped belly?

These are great hipster briefs. But if they are maternity, I'll eat the whole package. I'm really looking for some comfortable, yes, granny-like panties for these final months (maternity thongs are great, I highly recommend them, but I need the big-pantie back-up). I ordered them online as I didn't see the hipsters in store on 34th Street. They came, said "GapBody" on the label, and I knew they'd never fit. I can, however, recommend them for women who are petite and not carrying big. But if you've gained 35 lbs. and have 10 weeks to go, no, don't waste your time.

I then tried ordering these Medela bikinis from Gap. I followed the sizing instructions and got "M" as that's my pre-maternity size. They came and they did not fit. I definitely need the "L." Again, I'm now 185 lbs. (and I'm a little over 5'10), so the Medela people are most likely cursing me and the rear end that today knocked over display items in the aisle at the grocery store. Fair enough, but if you're pregnant and my size then I say "be damned fitting advice," and get the "L."


Same-same with this Old Navy suit (no maternity suits on Old Navy 34th St). I got a one-piece as it feels really good bobbing around in the pool these days and I don't like bikinis at the swimming pool. I ordered the M and it barely stretched over me. Horrors! This is Old Navy sizing! The M should have room to grow, but no, I'm now wearing the L. I'm very happy with the suit (it's on sale now for $14.99) and the fit is great except for an extra bit of fabric on the southern end that creates an, ahem, "manly" silhouette. I'm thinking this is my room to grow.

And what did I learn today? My center of gravity isn't what it used to be, especially on canoes. Luckily my husband was in the mood for a little swim.

Put Them in Your Top Three

Top Three 34th Street Maternity Picks:

My Old Navy white tank tops, I got them 2 for $14. Problem is, they fit my husband perfectly so he's always wearing them to the gym. For you girls who shop for your man, my guy is about 6'2 and 192 lbs. I think he likes the length of the maternity tanks. Never thought you'd be shopping maternity for your husband, huh?

I was going to pick this easy and practical summer black dress (right) from H&M Mama, but on the second wearing I got one of those annoying holes in it. So instead I pick this ambitious black lace maternity dress (left), also H&M Mama. There's just so much right about black lace and maternity.












Last, of course, my beloved H&M Mama drop-crotch pants, the prettier, straight-on view, and the scary belly side-view. It's my PSA for the month: Practice safe sex, kids!















Have you read those studies about blogs and Twitter? Supposedly people love to read posts with lists and top threes, etc. In honor of the masses, I have given you my top-three, and here is my bullet-point list:

• 2008 American Idol winner David Cook is making an appearance at JCPenney Manhattan Mall today from 4:00-7:00pm. He will be signing autographs.
  
• Get fitted for a bra at JCPenney from 10:00a-4:00pm through Friday. Or call and make an appointment with a Bra Fit specialist. Also, Friday the 7th is a shapewear fit event. Call ahead of time to make an appointment with a Maidenform Shapewear Solutions Specialist. 212-295-6120.
  
• Ann Taylor Loft is having a Friends and Family event this weekend. Click here and scroll a bit to print flyer.
• Fossil is having another photo competition, and you've got till August 14th to enter. Go here and click on Vintage Revival Photo Contest for details.
• babyGap and GapKids is having a BOGO jeans for $10.
• Macy's Herald Square is having semi-annual sales for jewelry and home furnishings and furniture.

Power to the shopping people.


JCPenney Manhattan Mall lower levels 1 & 2, 33rd & 6th Ave.
Ann Taylor Loft, 35 W. 34th between 5th & 6th
Fossil, 38 W. 34th between 5th & 6th
Gap Herald Square, 60 W. 34th St at 6th Avenue
Macy's Herald Square, 151 W. 34th btwn Broadway & 7th
Old Navy, 150 W. 34th St. between Broadway & 7th
H&M Mama can be found at H&M on 34th & 6th Ave.

The Kindness of Women: Maternity Shopping

We love to get our girlfriends gifts, so when they are expecting, we go shopping. Problem is, maternity is a little scary for those of us who aren't typically familiar with ENORMOUS elastic panels on the front of our pants. As this is a big, stretchy mystery side of retail most of us are unfamiliar with, I'll keep an eye on 34th Street maternity through the next couple months. Prioirities are: not hideous scary, and not hideous expensive.

Last week I dropped by Old Navy expecting cute, inexpensive dresses, but only found one enormous muumuu thing reminiscent of flowery, tent-like maternity dresses seen in old family photos. So I went straight for the maternity tanks. If your friend wears classic men's style tanks all summer long, will she stop because she's pregnant and instead prefer big flowered creations? No. These tanks (left) were 2 for $14 in store and come in lots of colors. Perfect. The rest of the selection was kind of blah. Online, however, Old Navy delivers a lot more.

At H&M, the maternity situation is similarly bleak. I was hoping for a little more, especially as they have the cutest label name ("H&M Mama") and no online store. There were basic black pants and a possibly very attractive denim skirt (maternity lacks hangar appeal), but few charming tops or dresses. In contrast, their kids and infant section is bursting with color and cuteness. I definitely recommend H&M for one-stop baby shopping on 34th Street, but that's for later. I'll continue to drop in on H&M Mama to see if anything cute comes in store for our chic pregger girlfriends.

Then there is Daffy's Herald Square, where there are racks of dresses on sale on the 6th floor with empire waists, full skirts, and pretty designs. Most are under $20, some under $15, and all can see a girl through several months of expanding waists with style (just go up a size or two). I'd also try Forever 21 for inexpensive, trendy dresses, but only if she was petite pre-pregnancy as I'd worry about their junior cut.

More maternity later. Let me know if you're looking for anything specific and I'll keep an eye out. I'm currently working on a desperate leggings request.

Who's got maternity on 34th Street:

Gap, 60 W. 34th Street
H&M Herald Square on 34th @ 6th Avenue
Macy's Herald Square, 151 W. 34th btwn Broadway & 7th
Old Navy, 150 W. 34th Street between Broadway & 7th