Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 12, 1990 TAG: 9008080179
SECTION: PARENTS' GUIDE PAGE: 13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
According to Carol Klein, owner of Maternity World in Roanoke, the trend is also moving slowly away from the strictly career-look for the working woman. Now, she said, women are looking for softer, more comfortable clothes as they gain confidence in the work place and don't feel that they have to rely on dressing to state their case.
"Dresses are very big - a large percentage of our market is working women. The working wardrobe is their basic investment," Klein said.
Since Maternity World covers price ranges from budget to better, as Klein puts it, the selection gives the expectant mother some leeway.
Styles to accommodate the growing belly are also varied. Some clothes still use the stretch panel, but many have gone to side-snaps and elasticized waists. "Snaps are so practical," Klein said. "The [clothes] expand with you, and you can wear them right after and still not wear an item that hollers `I'm maternity.' It's a practical investment. They want everything that looks just like everybody's clothes - and why shouldn't they?"
Klein said that while women used to wait until they were five months pregnant to buy and wear maternity clothes, that is not the case any longer. Families have worked and planned for this occasion, she said, and they are happy to announce the fact that they're pregnant.
Buying the correct size will save constriction and more investment in clothes in later months. Klein said that usually a woman will wear the same size in maternity items that they do in regular clothes. "The shoulder stays the same and that's the way they're cut. In pants, snaps give allowance for growth. Once in a while you need to go up one or two size, but we know how to fit pants."
Although Maternity World has false tummies that women can strap on to get an idea of how clothes will look in the later months, Klein cautioned against taking this frontal approach too seriously.
"The false tummies exaggerate in the way that they're shaped. It looks like it's pointed. Everybody carries differently; those tummies are not flattering and I've seen girls put those on and really get upset."
The time to buy clothes is anywhere from six weeks to three months and Klein offered a list of essentials for the expectant mother. Bras, she said, are very important, and they must fit correctly. She said that it is not necessary to buy a maternity and a nursing bra - that if they are fitted right to begin with, they will last through the breastfeeding period, also. Two to three bras will be enough.
Add to that list of undergarments maternity panties, maternity pantyhose, a slip, and nightshirts, which come buttoned up the front or with slits in them for nursing.
Although the basic wardrobe depends upon the woman's lifestyle, a working woman will need anywhere from three to seven dresses, Klein said. Maternity World is even thinking of starting a holiday wear rental program. Other maternity wear can be found at Mother Care in Valley View Mall, Hess in the New River Valley Mall and Wal-Mart at The Market Place in Christiansburg.
by CNB