Looking for cute tops that DON'T look like maternity shirts!

[lmintzer]

I'm so frustrated with the clothes this year. I'm 5'2" and small to medium sized. All of the cute tops look terrible on me! I mean awful--I either look pg or look like I'm playing dress-up. The empire waist look doesn't work for me. I would love some cute, more fitted tops that are still stylish. It seems like it's either t-shirts or these flowy shirts.

Does anyone have any examples of something that might work?

[Twoboos]

Unfortunately I do not have a suggestion, but I feel your pain about the "Maternity shirt look." These empire waist shirts give me anxiety, I cannot bring myself to buy any!!

[s_gosney]

I noticed the same thing! Just the other day I commented to my sis how this would be the perfect summer to be pregnant b/c you could wear regular clothes for several months.

I mostly bought v-necks and some polos, but it sounds like you're looking for something a little dressier. Are you looking for work or just for a little bit cuter stuff for being out and about with the kids?

ETA: what about these:

(the wrap top shown in turquoise or white, there are lots of cotton ones out too.) http://www.expressfashion.com/styles/womens.jsp?groupId=40

http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/browse/product_detail_with_picker.jsp?productId=prod15005 6

http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/browse/product_detail_with_picker.jsp?productId=prod11001 3

Ugh. My other links weren't working so I just deleted them. Sorry about that, but my lunch hour is over. :) I saw an option or two at ATL and a couple more at NY&Co also. Good luck!

[Tondi G]

http://www.babystyle.com/common/dProductFrame.asp?sort=X&sPg=0&vwa=1&sale=0&ClassID=3902&sze=0

anything here?

[s7714]

>http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/browse/product_detail_with_picker.jsp?productId=prod15005 6

I tried this one on in the store and if you have any tummy what so ever it makes you look like you're possibly PG. Didn't look too bad if I sucked everything in and held my breath though! ;)

I've found that the empire waisted shirts in the juniors dept. aren't nearly as billowing as the ones in the misses or womens departments because they run slimmer. (They're also slimmer in the bust too though, which can be a problem depending on the shirt/person.)

Jennifer
Mommy to
Miss Pure Energy 3/03
Miss Limit Tester 6/05

Our bones may be brittle, but our spirit is unbreakable.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta www.oif.org

[lmintzer]

Aren't these all maternity??

[Laurel]

Yep, I'm 7 months along and still wearing regular shirts because everything is empire waist. It's crazy, but at least us pg ladies are benifiting. Sorry I don't have any good suggestions!

[Tondi G]

I'm sorry. I'm not getting good sleep these days.... got a 2 year molar cutting, runny nose toddler waking up at all hours of the night on my hands. I thought you needed maternity shirts that didn't "look" like maternity shirts.... something that was more fitted. I didn't read that right.... forgive me! :)

I hear you loud and clear though. I tried on a couple of umpire waisted tank tops at Old Navy and I just felt like I looked either fat or looked pregnant. Just wasn't that flattering for me anyways!

Since it's warming up here I've been wearing a lot of simple long ribbed tanktops from ON. Have you looked at Michael Stars???

Good Luck

~Tondi

[atexski]

I'm in my 9th month, and am also a small-built 5'2" (on a tall day!) woman - I too have been dumbfounded by the lack of cute maternity wear - very few companies that make maternity make petite or XS sizes - even the size small clothes at Motherhood swallow me & only make me look bigger.
I have tried to size up in regular clothes - of course, this is really only possible with tops. I found cute non-maternity-but-useful-for-maternity tops at Target, Old Navy, and New York & Co. (formerly Lerner's) Good Luck!