Oh, Baby!

One thing most women expect when they are expecting is to give up their stylish, hip (and maybe hip hugging, oo-la-la!) wardrobe for all things tent-like and elastic. Well, I have some good news! Most women are wrong! At least about pregnancy bringing out the frump in all of us. The fact of the matter is, there is no reason to sacrifice style, and even a little sex appeal, just because you have a bun in the oven. The Shabby Apple maternity line, Mama Apple, is on its way, so soon you can just visit us for all your maternity needs. But, in the meantime, here are some tips to get you through your special nine months with fashion and flair.

Curves Ahead

Don't be afraid to show off your assets, especially your burgeoning baby bump. And, let's face it, your breasts will probably be getting bigger as well (lucky duck!), so you might as well show those off, too. Keep your maternity clothes relatively form-fitting, and resist the urge to live in your husband's sweats for the next nine months. If you decide to wear a baggy top, balance it out with tighter pants. 

Comfort First

I know what all you moms are thinking. Comfortable while I'm pregnant? Hah! And, it is true that I am no expert. But, comfort during pregnancy is not an illusion. At least when it comes to your clothes. (I don't know what to say about having to go to the bathroom all the time.) Check out soft, stretchy fabrics, and wardrobe pieces with interesting necklines, like a cowl neck, that draw attention up from your tummy. It's also best, for comfort and safety, to stick to flat shoes, but flat does not mean boring. Experiment with bright colors and bold patterns. If you simply have to wear heels, go with a lower kitten heel that helps you keep your mojo and your balance. Also, a caution: most women's feet will expand half or even a full size during pregnancy. Just ask my friend Miranda, who had to cut her favorite boots off her baby-bearing feet with scissors the other day. Consider investing in some pregnancy-only shoes to avoid sacrificing your favorites.

Mono-chrome

The slimming effect of one-color ensembles always holds true, whether you're pregnant or not. Darker colors, such as blacks, browns and charcoal grays will help take off the pounds, and keep you in step for Fall. Use accessories such as scarves, jewelry, shoes or cardigans to add a splash of co

lor or pattern.

Layering it On

A pregnant woman's metabolic rate increases by about 20 percent (or so they say), so when everyone else is shivering, you're probably about to melt. (This actually sounds sort of nice to me, as it is 70 degrees outside and I am wearing a fleece.) Including some layered looks in your pregnancy wardrobe makes it easy to peel off and put on as your body dictates. Don't get too carried away, as too many layers can seem sloppy, but sweater sets, a T-shirt or polo under a sweater or a turtleneck under a cardigan, are all good ways to go. 

Must Haves

Besides stocking up on adorable onesies and diapers, women waiting for the stork (how many euphemisms for pregnancy do you think I can use?) should also make sure they have a few wardrobe staples on hand. These include: a white button down shirt (if you don't want to buy one, raid your husband's closet); at least one empire waist dress; a good pair of jeans; a black jacket; an elastic top skirt; and, of course, well-fitting essential underthings. (Remember those bigger breasts we talked about? Yeah, you are going to need a bigger bra. But, when is that a bad thing, right?)

And, finally, how can you accommodate your expanding belly without having to expand your budget? Here are some clues.

Borrow: This is probably the cheapest and easiest route to avoid going broke for a maternity wardrobe. Your sisters, sisters-in-law, friends and colleagues will probably be just as happy to say good-bye to their maternity clothes as you will be to say hello.

Make the most of your existing wardrobe: If you look closely, you'll probably find at least a couple of items capable of growing with you, such as drawstring pants. You can also pair pre-pregnancy clothes, say a brightly-colored cardigan, with pregnancy items, such as your black empire waist dress, for

a whole new outfit.

Hit up thrift stores and garage sales: Anyone selling baby items on their front lawn probably has maternity clothes to unload as well. If you don't see any, ask. 

And then, armed with nine months' worth of stylish and feminine clothes, sit back, relax and wait for your little bundle of joy! (Who, after all the great advice I just gave you, I expect will be named after me.)

Are you a baby mama?

Tell us about the maternity wardrobe item you simply couldn't live without!

What a Vignette! (Keep reading! It's a contest!)

NOTE: This contest ends today, Monday, November 10th, at 7p.m. MST (Mountain Standard Time.) Keep reading, and enter before it's too late!

When I was a little girl, I loved to play dress-up. And my guess is, I'm not the only one. I loved to carry my mom's briefcase around the house, decked out in heels and a sensible skirt and top, playing the role of a capable and competent businesswoman. My grandmother had the most magical collection of gowns and jewelry that we wore as we pranced around her house, giggling as we greeted our (imaginary) princes and danced with them across the ballroom (living room) floor.

As adults, dress-up might be a little less rooted in fantasy, but not any less fun. Now dressing up is about what dress says, I deserve this job, or what shoes say, You'll be sorry if you don't ask me out!, or what accessories let everyone know that if they're looking for fun, they can find it with you. Our clothes speak just as loudly and just as clearly today as when they turned us into fairy princesses years and years ago.

Here at Shabby Apple, we want to hear the stories that your clothes tell. And so, out of the goodness of my extremely large heart, I have designed a little contest just for you. It goes something like this:

1. Put together a vignette, using a dress, shoes, bag and any other accessories you'd like from the Shabby Apple Web site. Put together an outfit you would want to wear, something that would make you feel feminine and fun. If you need a little help getting your fashion brain started, take the test in our Fit to Flatter section and see what dresses look best on you.

2. Choose a name for your masterpiece. What does this ensemble represent? What does it mean to you? What story does it tell? Pull out all your creative stops on this one and have fun!

3. Post your vignette and the story behind it on your blog. Also, you must include a link to Shabby Apple in your post. If you don't have a blog, post it on a friend's blog. If you don't have any friends with blogs, let me introduce you to the new century. Also let me know and you can use mine. I might ask you for cookies in exchange, but that seems only fair.

4. Once you've posted about your vignette somewhere out on the Interweb, come back here and leave a link to your post in the comments section of this post. I will go out, visit your blog (or your friend's blog, or my own blog) and read all about it. (I will also, fair warning, probably start stalking you on your blog once I know where to find it. It's just what I do.)

5. I will narrow all the entries (and I am hoping there will be a lot!) down to five finalists. I will post the five final vignettes here, in a separate post.

6. Then you, dear reader, will come back and vote on the final five. Whoever gets the most votes is... wait for it... the winner! And the winner's prize is the very vignette she designed! Because we love you that much.

The first stage of the contest (where you design and post your genuis), will run until Monday, November 10. I will post the final five on Wednesday, Nov. 12 and voting will close one week later, on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The winner will be announced the next morning, and a fabulous ensemble could be headed your way.

So, what are you waiting for?

Go play dress-up!

Here comes the... Perfectly Dressed Wedding Guest!

I am going to make a little confession here and say that weddings are not my favorite thing. In fact, a few summer ago I took a little wedding hiatus. I mean, sure, I love to see my friends and family members happy and in love as much as the next person, but the whole business of wedding attendance can be completely exhausting. What to get for a gift? To take a date or no? And, of course, what in the world to wear?

Well, here at Shabby Apple we can't solve all your problems, but we can solve some. Because we can't stay on wedding hiatus forever, here are some helpful hints for looking good at any nuptial celebration, without upstaging the bride, of course. (Unless, of course, the bride happens to be marrying your ex-boyfriend or something, in which case I think a totally different set of rules apply.)

But, I digress.

Fall-ing In Love

For a fall wedding, brown, orange, cream and yellow accent items such as shoes, purses, scarves and jewelry, will help tie your ensemble together, and tie it to the season as well. What's that you say? You wish you had a killer pair of orange suede heels? We thought you might say that. Don't be afraid to choose a dress with a bold pattern, like autumnal plaid, or an eye-catching metallic dress that transitions perfectly from a quiet evening ceremony to the late-night wedding festivities. Also don't be afraid to use some layers. I don't care what your mom said at Prom. There is no need to freeze to look good!

Winter Wonderland

For a winter wedding, stick to dresses with a little more length, as well as dresses made from thicker material. Accents in red, black or plum are a good way to bring a little style to the long winter months. Just be sure that whatever you choose matches the tone and setting of the wedding. For more formal affairs, stick with elegant, knee-length dresses, such as the classy black lace Antiquated dress, and simple accessories in metallics or shiny stones. (Don't be afraid of cubic zirconia. We promise no one can tell the difference!) Strings of beads and tea-length dresses are a good option for more casual events.

Spring Bliss

It might seem far away, but Spring wedding invitations will be coming before you know it, so might as well start planning now. As always with Spring, pastel colors and floral prints on a light, airy fabric do best. Word to the wise (from more personal experience than I would care to admit): triple-check the transparency of your light, airy dress before you walk out the door and into the chapel of love. You upstaging the bride is bad enough. Your unmentionables on accidental display upstaging her is even worse.

Summer Lovin'

For summer weddings, forget about fancy accessories and go for bright, bold colors that speak for themselves. Knee-length dresses are best for summer, and if you have to spice them up, do it with a bold belt or brightly patterned shoes.

My final word of advice? Wear a dress with plenty of mobility for all-night dancing, and the brawl that will certainly follow the bouquet toss. You'll be worried about what people will wear to your wedding before you know it.

Are you an expert on dressing for someone else's wedded bliss?
Please, give us your best "perfectly dressed guest" tips!

In The Apple-light: Betty Beguiles

I am most pleased to introduce a new feature on this here blog of fashion goodness, "In The Apple-light" (like limelight, but with apples. Because, you know, Shabby Apple. Get it? Another joke!), wherein I, Frances, introduce you, our loyal Shabby Apple customers and fans, to each other! Who doesn't like to make new friends, right? Especially new friends with impeccable style and fashion-sense.

And so, dear ones, without further delay I give you the lovely and talented Betty, a fellow crusader for modesty with charm, and proprietor of the delightful blog, Betty Beguiles.

Job Description: stay-at-home mom (and homeschooler!) of four kids under the age of six (whew!) and wife of seven years to Dan, "the cutest, sweetest husband a girl could ask for." All together now: Awww!

Favorite Color: Blue.

Favorite Food: Strawberries.

Favorite Indulgence: Long, hot, bubbly baths and dark chocolate. 

What is your greatest accomplishment? My marriage and our four children. (All together now: Awww!)

How do you get yourself into a creative mood? Music usually works, but sometimes you just have to dive in and hope inspiration follows.

Where is your favorite place? Somewhere near the water. Beaches, lakes, rivers, or any place that has lots of rain.

Where have you lived? California, Texas and Alabama.

Where have you traveled? I've backpacked through Europe, seen a bit of India, and have explored much of our own lovely country, the USA.

What is your worst habit? Biting my nails. I drive myself crazy! I just can't stop!

What would you do with $1,000 right now? I'd go shopping for dresses, new and vintage! (We hear you on that one, Betty! Who's with her?)

How did you hear about Shabby Apple? Good old Google. I was searching for lovely, modest wear.

What is your favorite item of clothing? A new 1950s green and blue chiffon dress I found online.

What is your favorite Shabby Apple dress? Nantucket. (I selected it with help from the Fit To Flatter feature. I was not disappointed.)

What do you think someone's clothes tells other people about them? So much. Are they outgoing? Demure? Artsy? Humorous? Serious?

Describe yourself in one word. Traveling.

And that, ladies and gentlemen (are there any gentlemen reading this? Besides the cutest, sweetest husband in the world, Dan?), is our new friend Betty. Nice to meet you!

Want your moment in the light?

Leave your contact information in the comments section and we'll make you famous!