casual maternity basics

Maternity Style | The Basics

maternity basics: jeans, t-shirt, blazer and sneakers

white converse sneakers with blue jeans and Kate Spade Be Beau bag

Bershka Influencer T-shirt

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

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COMMENTS
  • Nickolina

    REPLY

    Yep.

    August 29, 2017
  • If it’s any slight consolation, my very own babies are now both teenage girls (aged 13 & 17) and it’s not so bad. I’m now hurtling towards the big 4-0 but still feel entirely unqualified at parenthood! They’re becoming pretty amazing adult humans though so I must have done something right along the way! X

    August 29, 2017
  • Love this outfit, so fresh and cute. And WHOA STOP THE BUS had me rofling.

    August 29, 2017
  • Brenda

    REPLY

    As a parent with two teenagers… I completely relate to your fears! They are scary! But you know what? As they grow, you grow, you know? I have to say that even though there are the moody days (grade 9 — age 14/15 was particularly trying), I am really enjoying this age — waaaaay more than I ever thought I would. One big thing I try to instil in them is to BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS!!! Look at other people, think about other people, be considerate of other people! It helps. They are so encased in their own little world at that age!

    August 29, 2017
  • Justina

    REPLY

    I realized yesterday that my nephew (who is a year and a half old) will be a teenage boy some day and I was so freaked out. I guess I just have to cherish his little baby phase and pray that I can mold him into a wonderful and considerate person. This is all up to me of course 😉

    August 29, 2017
  • Myra Boyle

    REPLY

    I never imagined when my babies were born that they would grow up – sounds stupid I know, but there you go. It came as a shock to me when they became adults with babies of their own, so you’re way ahead of where I was.
    As ever, it doesn’t matter what you wear, you look fabulous

    August 29, 2017
  • cathie

    REPLY

    Well my daughter will turn 25 this weekend and seeing as I still feel 25 she might have to become my sister ? it’s a learning experience for all concerned and although there will come a time when they think they know more than you, you always have the edge with experience. The longer I parent the more I realise we all just muddle through doing our best. And surely there is plenty of baby shopping to do ?

    August 29, 2017
  • Deanna

    REPLY

    As a parent to 24, 21 and 20 year olds, I totally agree with Cathie that we all muddle through as best we can…I believe that kids are way more resilient than we give them credit for, and that as long as they know they are loved, they can recover from all kinds of parental mistakes. Of course, I may just be trying to make myself feel better about all the mistakes (so many) I made with my kids. But they did turn out pretty good, despite all my bumbling!

    August 30, 2017
  • The sneakers are looking good on you. Sometimes, basics work the best. Great pictures.

    September 15, 2017
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