Formal Maternity Wear Ideas?

[kijip]

So right around the time I was ditching the baby gear, we decided to get around to renewing our long lapsed opera subscription habit:ROTFLMAO: . Since Toby was born, we have made it to the opera in SF two different times but that was when he was 4 and then again at 4 years and 4 months. We tried to go locally when he was about a year and it was a bust. So with the new baby on the way, I think we have a 2 opera window of opportunity and then we can say bye bye to that past time for another several years. (We will be using the 3 sets of tickets dated for after the baby arrives as Christmas gifts for my dad and two sets of friends). On top of the two operas, I have several fundraisers for work and for my own board commitments plus at least one wedding. All of this will be after I am pretty darn pregnant. Thoughts for 1, possibly 2 formal dresses/outfits? I am assuming I will resell these to recoup part of the cost. Sadly I am of a totally different shape/size than all of the recently pregnant people I know. Ideas don't have to be super formal because this is Seattle and we tend to be pretty casual. Truth be told, I could go to the operas at least in jeans if I wanted to, but since these are my last two for the foreseeable future and J and I were really looking forwards to them, I want to make the most of the two date nights.

[JenaW]

Do you have any NICE second hand stores near you? In Pittsburgh we had one that frequently sold high end items ($400+ dresses) for a fraction of the cost. I bought a nice long (floor length) satin (shimmery like dupioni silk) skirt that I wore a few times with different tops. Once with a velvet maternity camisole, and once with a white dressy wrap top. I have also occasionally found some dressier dresses at Mimi/Motherhood (although I usually stay away from there) that were not outrageously prices (maybe $40ish). These were dressy, but all knee length...not sure if that is what you are looking for. I wore one to DH's residency graduation - a black tie event that others broke out their fur and diamonds for. I know knee length is not black tie, but I think when you are pregnant you can get away with more, and it was definitely a dressy dress, just short. Another idea is to find a stretchy, slinky black dress (I usually find these at higher end department stores) and pair it will a colorful pashmina, or dressy accessories.

Just my thoughts....I am sure some of the real style mavens will have more advice.

Have fun at the opera.

Jera

[vludmilla]

By no means very formal, but I attended my SIL's wedding in a dress from Isabella Oliver and I loved it. The dress was beautifully made and the wrap style ensured that it would fit a wide variety of sizes. I also think that it is flattering to most women's pregnant bodies.

[Melbel]

I had several formal/semi-formal functions, including a wedding, from weeks 30-37 weeks of my pregnancy. I really liked Cadeau as a brand (items in outlet offered at a significant discount at babystyle.com). I purchased what ended up being my "go to", flattering black dress on clearance at gap.com pretty early on in the pregnancy for about $20. I had made much more expensive purchases throughout the pregnancy, but this particular dress really worked for me.

[jvs195]

I noticed some nice dresses here for $39.97 (less 20%):

http://www.picklesandicecream.com/cravingdresses.html

And there is an extra 20% off outlet (CRAVE20) right now.

I ordered the Red Olian one. I would think with some strappy sandals and maybe a nice wrap or jewelry they might get you through.

[KBecks]

Check out Motherhood, they have some cuter dressy tops that have some beading, etc and are inexpensive. Pair with black pants or skirt. They will probably also have other things that are satiny or shiny that might work.

Otherwise get some cool accessories/jewelry, like a cool long necklace or something that you can wear now AND later!

[StantonHyde]

I hit the Women's section of a local department store and I have worn that outfit from 6 mos-bursting-after pg!! It's elastic pants that I can put below my belly and then a tank and a sheer top/jacket. Very pretty chiffon with beading.

[ThreeofUs]

I remembered your post today at Saks, when I saw some really fabulous dresses - long, empire-waisted, beautiful fabrics and with enough room for a pregnancy underneath or could be easily modified with a long panel insertion.

They weren't cheap - but they weren't over $400, either. A search on the saks.com page for "long skirt" came up with a few hits.

Here's a maternity long dress that looks awesome:
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2825744927 07416&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446183402&R=5051481348803&P_name=HomeMummy+Maternity&sid=11AA9F3EB06F&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1214032331982

If you're interested, this is one that I saw:
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2825744927 10876&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446187804&R=843805154185&P_name=Alice+%26+Olivia&sid=11AA9F3EB06F&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1214032119168

[mytwosons]

Here's a maternity long dress that looks awesome:
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2825744927 07416&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446183402&R=5051481348803&P_name=HomeMummy+Maternity&sid=11AA9F3EB06F&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1214032331982

If you're interested, this is one that I saw:
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2825744927 10876&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446187804&R=843805154185&P_name=Alice+%26+Olivia&sid=11AA9F3EB06F&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1214032119168[/QUOTE]

I love them both but the second is just gorgeous! Even without resale, I think it would be worth the $$ to look that good while preggo!