Maternity Style | The Basics

So, I wear sneakers now, apparently.

Like, voluntarily, I mean. Not because I’m doing sport (I am definitely not doing sport…), and not just for comfort, either. I mean, I know no one will believe me when I say this, but, a) I’ve never found sneakers particularly comfortable (Something about the way they totally enclose the foot has always bothered me, plus I feel like I waddle rather than walk in them – even when I’m not pregnant – which doesn’t exactly make a girl feel good about herself, does it?), and, b) I’m not actually noticing any difference in the comfort levels of my heels yet, either. No, really. I know it’s coming, obviously, but so far, although I know my bump looks huge, it doesn’t actually affect my centre of gravity or anything, so walking feels exactly the same as it always did, regardless of what I’m wearing on my feet.

But still I’m wearing sneakers: quite often, actually. Why? Well, one big difference pregnancy has made to my style is that it’s made it a lot more casual. I’m still interested in clothes (And GOD, but I miss shopping so much. SO MUCH.), but most days I just can’t be bothered to make much of an effort with them, so I’ve been reaching for those easy maternity basics, most of which just happen to look better with sneakers than they do with other shoes – or I think so, anyway.

So, this outfit is made up of the absolute basics for me: no, it’s not the most interesting look I’ve ever come up with, but honestly, the fact that I’m managing to get dressed at all right now feels like something of a miracle to me, so I’m calling it a win. I’m also drastically re-defining what counts as a “win” these days, obviously: GOD.

Taking these photos, meanwhile, was a slightly more stressful experience than it usually is, because we’d just started shooting when a bunch of teenage boys appeared from around a corner, all fighting and jostling each other, and then stopping to gather around our car, which they examined with great interest. I’m so paranoid about something happening to The Bump right now that I feel like I need some kind of protective cage around it or something, so I was a bit apprehensive when they barged past, still pushing and shoving each other around (I shouldn’t have worried , because, as an Old Person I know I’m completely invisible to teenagers, but I’m always worried that someone will barge into me and knock me over or something, so suddenly finding myself in the middle of a fight was a little bit alarming…), and then it suddenly hit me that one day I’m going to have a teenage son of my own, which was a bit… WHOA, STOP THE BUS.

Honestly, before we found out the baby’s sex, I was a little bit worried about having a girl, because teenage girls intimidate the hell out of me (I was a particularly moody one myself, and the thought of having to deal with another me was seriously scary: for Terry too, I would imagine…), but it occurred to me while we were waiting for those boys to pass on by that teenage boys are basically another species to me, and OMG, how will I cope?! (Since before I even got pregnant, I’ve had this slightly strange habit of always thinking of the baby as the child/teenager/adult it will one day be, rather than as a tiny baby) Then I remembered our lovely nephews ( and niece!) who’ve all been so amazing with Terry’s mum during her illness, and who aren’t remotely like a different species, and I calmed the hell down again. Panic over, people: for now, at least.

It still totally blows my mind to think of myself as the parent of a teenager, though. I mean, I still think of myself as a teenager most of the time, so it’s just… I don’t see how this can be possible? I’m sure it’ll be totally fine, though, won’t it?

Um.. won’t it?!

WEARING:

ASOS Petite ‘Ridley’ maternity jeans

Bershka ‘Influencer’ tee

Converse Dainty Ox Leather sneakers

H&M Blazer

Kate Spade Be Beau bag

Related: Maternity Essentials | Capsule Wardrobes