| STEPPING OUT: CAMOUFLAGE CLOTHING REDUXThe
fourth trimester is pretty similar to the first. You simply don’t want
to look fat. The problem this time around is that you have much more
weight to camouflage. Again, you have a choice: you can give in to your
exhaustion and walk around looking like an extra from the set of Lost,
or you can step up to the fashion plate and pull yourself together.
Move away from form-fitting, bump-kissing duds and head back to drippy,
nonstructural shifts, trapeze dresses, tunics, and empire-waist
camouflage clothing. Once again, rely on these body-skimming
silhouettes (see pages 10-12) to strategically cover the pooch and
conceal your port-star breasts. If it’s winter, love thy sweater and
shirtdress. For spring/summer, make nice with empire-waist sundresses,
slip dresses, or a simple A-line. Continue to think about volume and
proportion. Showing décolleté with V-necks, scoop necks, and low-cut
tops will elongate the torso. Add length with a heel. The tricks
outlines earlier—empire waisting, long, layered necklaces, verticality,
and open nonstructural knits—will extend your silhouette and draw
attention away from the midriff. The only purchase you should make is a
pair of “transition” jeans. After a few weeks of running around like a
lunatic, you will have lost some water weight and will be able to
retire your pregnancy jeans for civilian denim (two to three sizes
larger than your pre-pregnancy size). With the help of a belly band,
these should work for about three months. |
| FOURTH-TRIMESTER LOOKS• Preggo jeans or transition jeans with tunic top • Black empire-waist dress with scarf or shawl creating verticality and coverage of postpartum pooch • Stretch-cotton-jersey dress with scarf of shawl creating verticality and coverage of postpartum pooch • Shift, slip dress or shirtdress with a long, open-knit cardigan • Soft cotton T-shirt dress and leggings • White button-down and leggings |
