From here to maternity

Imagine wearing this crazy getup during your pregnancy? I don't flippin think so.

Thank heavens the floaty silhouette is in this summer, or else I'd be up fatso creek without a paddle.

I am "in the family way" (isn't that the dumbest expression ever?) and let me tell you, finding cute clothes that fit isn't so easy.

Sure, you hear that it's easy, and in theory, you think, why yes, I can be a fashionable pregnant lady.

Um, no you can't.

Because:
1) Maternity pants fall down and make your ass look saggy
2) You can't wear really flat shoes or really high heels. In fact, experts recommend a two-inch broad-soled shoe. Right. Did you read that? Have you even seen a pair of shoes that match that description other than in an old-lady shoe shop?
3) All those well-shod pregnant celebrities are buying clothes at boutiques you can't possibly afford
4) Gap is closing down it's maternity sections in Canada. So you're stuck with Old Navy instead. I can wear Gap, I can't wear Old Navy. You can try. More power to you.

Luckily I'm still able to fit some of my sundresses and blouses from last summer, and the few things I did buy at regular stores are billlowy.

The Gap, Lululemon

The Gap's been suffering for a long time. Sure, you can go in and get little bits and bobs, the odd pair of pants or a halfway wearable coat, but in terms of really stocking up there...I don't think so. They haven't had a must-have item in ages. Plus, they haven't changed with the times. Plus, the store never has enough merch or people in it...it looks dead. It's got a new CEO, the ex-head of Shoppers Drug Mart, a Canadian drugstore for those of you not familiar with it. Shoppers Drug Mart ain't no super store either, if you ask me...it's just a necessary evil. He doesn't know fashion, is what I'm reading. What's there to know? You dont' have to know fashion, you just need to hire people that no fashion. Like, duh.

Lululemon offered it's IPO, and it's doing quite well. Lululemon is a Canadian success story. Athleisure wear at a just-high-enough-to-be-aspirational price point.

Personally, I've tried to like Lululemon and I just don't. I like Stella McCartney for Adidas.

Stella!!

Anthropologie

We need to get Anthropologie here in Canada. This store is so lovely, the dresses are adorable, the clothing on-trend but not striver-ish, chic but unstudied...oh, I just love it. But I have to go Stateside to shop there.

It is expensive considering the quality, that I concede.

As far as I can tell, and I haven't heavily researched this or anything, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters are run by the same company. This is just judging by the store set up and the fact that the price tags look identical (you know, like how Gap and Banana Republic have similar looking price tags). Urban Outfitters, we have.

But I think I'm about 5 or 6 years too old to be shopping there. If Urban Outfitters is your younger sis's rocked out, edgy shop, Anthropologie is for big sis who got her first string of pearls.

Judge for yourself:
www.anthropologie.com