Pregnant & Fancy
August 17, 2011 4:10 PM Subscribe
Where can I find fantastic formal maternity gown?
Hello. I'm 6.5 months pregnant and I'm supposed to go to the Emmys. In a month. Which will make me NEARLY 8 MONTHS PREGGO on the day of the awards. And yes, my show is nominated. So there's a slim (pun intended) chance that this maternity gown gets some camera time.
Some details that make this dress search challenging: I was a size 14-16 before I got preg, which put me on the 'plus' fence anytime I needed anything formal. And I have to tell you guys, most plus-sized formal dresses? Yeesh. So many ugly choices, so little time. So I need help. I may still have time to have a designer friend make a dress for me (I especially like Catherine Zeta Jones' Oscar dress from when she was pregnant) but in the meantime I'm doing a speed internet search. Ideally, I want a floor-length dress, not strapless, preferably some sleeve. Thus far, I've searched Motherhood Maternity, A Pea in the Pod, Bella Blu, eBay, and Isabella Oliver, as well as the plus-sized sections of Saks, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, and Macy's. I have a few options, but nothing that I'm wild about. Have I overlooked a fabulous website or store?
My goal: trying to avoid looking like I ate one of our actresses. Help.
Hello. I'm 6.5 months pregnant and I'm supposed to go to the Emmys. In a month. Which will make me NEARLY 8 MONTHS PREGGO on the day of the awards. And yes, my show is nominated. So there's a slim (pun intended) chance that this maternity gown gets some camera time.
Some details that make this dress search challenging: I was a size 14-16 before I got preg, which put me on the 'plus' fence anytime I needed anything formal. And I have to tell you guys, most plus-sized formal dresses? Yeesh. So many ugly choices, so little time. So I need help. I may still have time to have a designer friend make a dress for me (I especially like Catherine Zeta Jones' Oscar dress from when she was pregnant) but in the meantime I'm doing a speed internet search. Ideally, I want a floor-length dress, not strapless, preferably some sleeve. Thus far, I've searched Motherhood Maternity, A Pea in the Pod, Bella Blu, eBay, and Isabella Oliver, as well as the plus-sized sections of Saks, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, and Macy's. I have a few options, but nothing that I'm wild about. Have I overlooked a fabulous website or store?
My goal: trying to avoid looking like I ate one of our actresses. Help.
Have you tried a bridal shop? I was 8 1/2 months pregnant when I was my sister's Matron of Honor. They had to buy me a bridesmaids dress in a much larger size and then take it in to fit me. My last fitting was just a week before the wedding since that kid just kept growing.
Anyway, a bridal store will have a much larger selection of gowns that can be ordered in plus sizes since bridesmaids come in all different shapes. They might be a good bet.
posted by TooFewShoes at 4:21 PM on August 17, 2011
Anyway, a bridal store will have a much larger selection of gowns that can be ordered in plus sizes since bridesmaids come in all different shapes. They might be a good bet.
posted by TooFewShoes at 4:21 PM on August 17, 2011
Best answer: Maybe this dress at the rental site belly bump boutique? It's a 14-16, and fits many of your requirements (although not the one about sleeves). The whole time I was pregnant I wanted an excuse to rent from them. I guess, too, if there is nothing you want to rent there, or if you don't want to rent, it might give you an idea about other designers to look at.
posted by girl scientist at 4:21 PM on August 17, 2011
posted by girl scientist at 4:21 PM on August 17, 2011
Have you thought about buying a formal saree and having it made up into something vaguely wrapped and all? Just thinking how well the drapes and folds and pleats suit people of all sizes. Some examples (this is drawstring)
posted by infini at 4:40 PM on August 17, 2011
posted by infini at 4:40 PM on August 17, 2011
I absolutely think having someone make you something will be the way to go, considering the challenges you're working with and the fact that you don't want to wear something super-recognizable. The major trouble will be guessing at HOW you will grow over the next month; a garment with pretty draping/pleats/ruching/whatever over your belly will be helpful for finessing that.
posted by peachfuzz at 4:46 PM on August 17, 2011
posted by peachfuzz at 4:46 PM on August 17, 2011
I love Isabella Oliver's non-maternity wear, and she does some lovely dresses for her maternity line.
posted by evoque at 4:46 PM on August 17, 2011
posted by evoque at 4:46 PM on August 17, 2011
Congratulations on both! You're in LA, yes? Lots of tailors there ... if your designer friend doesn't have time surely someone can whip you up a CZJish little something ... in Bangkok I used to just take pics from magazines in and come out with (decent) facsimiles. Best of luck!
posted by cyndigo at 4:54 PM on August 17, 2011
posted by cyndigo at 4:54 PM on August 17, 2011
Ack, you mentioned looking through Isabella Oliver's stuff already! What about Rachel Pally's White Label, Tadashi Shoji, or Carmen Marc Valvo Women? That said, getting a great seamstress to make you a facsimile of a designer gown might be the way to go.
posted by evoque at 5:10 PM on August 17, 2011
posted by evoque at 5:10 PM on August 17, 2011
Pea in the Pod has some decent looking ones, which you could have altered or embellished. Hatari used have flowing sorts of things, but I haven't been there in a while. If you don't already have a dressmaker, I don't this is the time to find one. Fittings are a right pain when you're feeling swollen.
posted by Ideefixe at 5:33 PM on August 17, 2011
posted by Ideefixe at 5:33 PM on August 17, 2011
Bridal boutique seems like a solid idea. Weddings are one of the few occasions when pregnant ladies have to dress up. (This is likely not high-quality enough for you, but something like this dress from David's Bridal? Or this has a bit of sleeve and is apparently available in all sizes and all colors? This has no sleeves, but also seems available in all colors?)
posted by purpleclover at 5:37 PM on August 17, 2011
posted by purpleclover at 5:37 PM on August 17, 2011
This has that CZJ look. It says maternity friendly, but I can't find any pictures of a pregnant woman in it. I know I have seen them somewhere thought! They have a store in LA so maybe you could try it out.
posted by apricot at 6:14 PM on August 17, 2011
posted by apricot at 6:14 PM on August 17, 2011
Best answer: Guilty pleasure of mine - Celebrity Baby Blog - posts maternity photos of celebrities.
Here are a few gowns - 1 2 3 4
And then I started looking more... Here's Google Image for "pregnant" "red carpet"
Congrats!!
posted by k8t at 7:38 PM on August 17, 2011
Here are a few gowns - 1 2 3 4
And then I started looking more... Here's Google Image for "pregnant" "red carpet"
Congrats!!
posted by k8t at 7:38 PM on August 17, 2011
Looks like this brand specializes in maternity gowns.
Don't forget about Japanese Weekend.
posted by k8t at 7:41 PM on August 17, 2011
Don't forget about Japanese Weekend.
posted by k8t at 7:41 PM on August 17, 2011
Best answer: Oh hello! I am the same amount of pregnant as you and also in LA! In your shoes (instead of my own flip flops) I would be looking online at ASOS's huge maternity selection (which is actually where most of my current wardrobe comes from), and especially at the stuff made by French Connection. FC is a well made and thought out brand and they have some pretty fancy and fashionable stuff. Their largest size is a US 12, but I started my pregnancy as a 12/14 with huge boobs, and the FC stuff has always fit me well on the generous side, as has the Mama.licious, the ASOS own brand is more inconsistently sized. ASOS also have an amazing shipping and return policy so you wouldn't lose much by giving a bunch of stuff a try.
posted by crabintheocean at 7:49 PM on August 17, 2011
posted by crabintheocean at 7:49 PM on August 17, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by pearlybob at 4:19 PM on August 17, 2011