After R was born, pooch-hiding was a cinch. Empire-waisted tanks, sweaters, & tops were everywhere. This time around? The whole empire-waist silhouette feels a bit...tired. Boring, even. Instead of looking cute and fresh, my trusty empire-waisted tops are just making me look (and feel) pregnant. (It could just be that my pooch is bigger this time around. But let's not go there, shall we?)
It took me some time, and a bit of trial & error, (shopping research, of course!!)...but the good news is that there is a new silhouette that does a killer job of hiding the pooch.
Remember the over-sized tops of the 80's? Well, it's like the 80's sophisticated older sister. Say hello to your new pooch-hiding silhouette, the dolman/slouchy/swingy-yet-fitted/drapey/thin knit sweater.
(I couldn't come up with a fancy name. M is better at that.)
But seriously, here's the front view. I challenge you to find a pooch!
(wearing: Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Oversized Cardigan from piperlime.com, Flexees shaper cami from Macys, JBrand Houlihans from Anthropologie, J.Crew flats, Salt sunnies, Chan Luu necklace, Bloom earrings.)
So here's the deal: These sweaters are worth spending money on. The best ones are nice and thin (think drapy not bulky), can be layered under various jackets or go over multiple tee/tank configurations, and will be your go-to piece now, this Spring, during cool Summer nights, and next Fall/Winter. The dolman sleeve helps to hide both the pooch and upper arm issues, and a lower neckline flatters a full bust (and allows easy nursing access). The silhouette makes skinny jeans a no-brainer, and also looks good over flares (giving you that whole cool boho vibe). The price-per-wear (especially for post-partum moms) is low, low, low.
The sweater I'm wearing in the pics is Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent's Oversized Cardigan. This workhorse of my post-partum wardrobe is currently on final sale at Piperlime for $85 - down from $295! So snap it up, people. (Note - care label says it's dry clean only. I've successfully washed it on delicate cycle and let it air dry.)
Here are my top five:
I contemplated an article showing all of the various ways to style these babies....but it would end up being longer than our five-part series on plaid. Skinnies, flares, shorts, skirts, flats, boots, TOMS, rainboots - you name it, I've probably worn it with this cardigan. Hunh. Maybe I should pick up another on super-sale.
xo,
S
ps. Thanks to all of those who voted for us in the 2011 Bloggies!! We'll find out the winners on Feb 27. Gulp.
