About Jennifer Hughes
Ottawa City Editor Jennifer Hughes has an ongoing love affair with design, art, fashion and food that began many years ago with redecorating her dollhouse or staging impromptu Barbie fashion shows. Now she unearths the best of the above in our vibrant capital city.
I’m very close to going on a bit of a shopping spree. No, make that dangerously close to going on a major shopping spree.
You see, there is something about having a baby that messes with a woman’s body shape, even after two previous babies. First, there is the muffin top. Second, there is the, ahem, enhanced shapeliness. And finally, there is the need for frequent and, preferably, discreet access to said, er, shapes.
In the final weeks of my pregnancy, I practically lived in my favourite Gap Maternity dress. It’s black, it’s stretch jersey, it’s comfy and cute and works for any occasion, and it’s about the only piece of maternity clothing I’ll miss (and good riddance to the rest of it). For summer, dresses are where it’s at. But this summer anyway, most dresses are out for me (one can’t exactly reach down to one’s knees and roll up the hem for baby to nurse, after all).
So the temptation is great to buy an entirely new summer wardrobe to see me through this transitional time. I’ve even seen a few nursing dresses that might make the cut. This pretty Roses 3/4-sleeve dress ($135) by Num Num Noos would work for almost any outing. For everyday mom-on-the-go gear, I also like this cute little striped number ($98), found on Evymama’s online shop, which is casual enough for flip-flops at the park. I’m considering making an appointment to shop at Ottawa’s own Haute Mama to try out some nursing dresses in real life.
Until I make the leap and actually purchase one of these specialty clothing items, I am stuck with just a few pieces that fit and that are summery enough for the scorcher we’ve had so far.
In the meantime, I’d better leave my credit card at home or I might do something dangerous.