Day 30: Evading the maternity tax
And an attempt at style
I turn 30 weeks tomorrow, three-fourths of the way there and one (very niche) source of pregnancy-era pride is not having spent that much on new clothes and a whole maternity wardrobe.
This is not a “humble brag” about maintaining a certain body size or being some sort of fashion guru with the perfect closet. Quite the opposite: I’ve never been curvier and perhaps 80% of my clothes won’t be fitting me again anytime soon.
Really, I attribute most of my clothing non-spending to the remote work revolution. Most days, I’m a hermit in my own home working brand magic on the computer. On the days that I don’t have video meetings, I am my most unstylish: rotating between the four maternity leggings and bike shorts that I did invest in, tossing on one of my husband’s old and long-rejected t-shirts, and calling it a day. We are just coming out of our upstate New York winter—so most days I was also layering in sweatshirts that, even before the bump rendered them very ill-fitting, were always more functional than fashionable.
When I do have a client meeting or a reason to venture out into the real world, I rely on my Steve Jobs’ inspired “uniform”: black maternity leggings, a black sports bra, and an open button-down shirt to feel “smart.” I like to think this habit fitting of a design agency owner. But really, it’s just laziness and uncreativity.
My “resort” wear was once again a rotation — this time between the 2-3 swim tops I have and my Thai sarongs that fit an ever-expanding waist.
I’ve made it 30 weeks on the maternity wardrobe bare minimum. And I know I’m one of the few lucky ones who can. I don’t have bosses or workplace dress codes to appease. I don’t wake up having to commute to public spaces where I feel inclined to perform through outward appearance. I don’t take that for granted.
I’m gearing up for a shift, though. Our May is blessedly filled with events and occasions that call for a bit more dress up — so maybe all this evading of the “maternity clothes tax” these past 30 weeks have actually just been me banking up for a spree and for the patience to turn my mind, ever so slowly, to what my true bump style might be.