A pop of surprise
If you are looking for maternity clothes, check out Poplook’s website for comfortable tops and pants for Muslim women, writes Syida Lizta Amirul Ihsan
MY mother says my generation is lucky because when she was pregnant with me and my brothers, there was no such thing as maternity clothes.
There were no jersey pants that could accommodate a growing bump, no empire line tops or even dresses for mothers-to-be.
She would sew four or five cotton dresses and wear them until she delivered and could fit into her pre-pregnancy clothes. Those dresses either go to her sisters or were stashed aside for when she would carry another child.
While the idea of maternity clothes isn’t foreign in 2017, I think the market is still hugely underserved.
In Isetan at Suria KLCC, only one corner is set up for maternity clothes and even then, the selection is, well, unimaginative.
Brands like Topshop and Marks and Spencer have maternity lines in the United Kingdom but they don’t sell them here.
Online at FashionValet, there are more labels and varieties from brands like 9 Months, Poplook, 40 Weeks and JubahSouq, offering pregnant women a variety of choices in terms of design and colours.
PRACTICAL CHOICES
But it was on the Poplook website (poplook. com) that I found many practical pieces a pregnant lady would feel comfortable with.
The Spring (Maternity) line focuses mainly on the urban Muslim women, with most tops in long sleeves. There are also long dresses and loose pants.
The Gia Tulip peplum blouse (RM76) is my current favourite. I bought the one in dark green, in one size bigger than my prepregnancy size and it fits well.
Made from jersey fabric, I wear this often because I don’t have to press it - one less thing to do when you are consistently breathless and sleepy.
The empire line blouse has a sash under the bust that you can tie into a ribbon and from there, it flares down, giving pregnant women tummy comfort and space as the bump grows.
I like the Lana pleated jersey dress (RM109) but both the black and grey have sold out in my size, otherwise I think it would have been a perfect piece to have. It’s stretchable and comfortable with pleats under the bust. The silhouette is clean and simple- and that’s why it’s sold out in most sizes, I guess.
I also realise that dresses isn’t a good option if you are pregnant and short - at best, I think I look like a walking tent, which is why I am sticking to pants. It cushions the fact that I’m huge and short - not really a pretty combination.
WEAR THE PANTS
The Carlotta jersey pants (RM64) is heavensent. It uses jersey fabric and has garter waistband to accommodate my bump. This one’s also very comfortable and it makes my legs looks slim - as slim as they could look on a pregnant lady.
Another winner is the Ida tapered pants in twill fabric (RM86). It’s low rise and stops below the bump.
I thought this would mean discomfort but it doesn’t. It’s still comfortable but you have to wear a long top if you don’t want to reveal your bare bump in case you raise your hands up.
I admit, I miss my old clothes - my work shirts, loose pants, even my baju kurung Pahang - but they will have to wait until I deliver and start running again. For now, these four Poplook articles would have to do.