Paula-Ann Porter in a modern-day maternity wear.
-File photo
Alicia Roache, Staff Reporter
GOING FROM frumpy to fabulous, maternity clothes have made significant changes over the years. Gone are the days of long, shapeless, floral or polka dot maternity frocks with string that ties into a bow at the back. The '70s and '80s have given way to not only a new generation of women, but also to a more liberal way of viewing what types of clothing are appropriate for maternity wear.
At 23 years old, Kenesha Edwards is seven months pregnant with her third child. She has never worn and will never wear a traditional 'mother's dress'. "I just can't see myself in them," she says. "If I can wear regular stuff that everybody is wearing and it can still fit me, why not?" Kenesha's view is echoed by 30 year-old Diana Allen, who does not yet have a child.
She says that whenever she does gets pregnant she will buy her clothes in the same store she does now, but will instead get them in a larger size. "If I'm a medium (size) I would just buy them in the large size," she says.
This is what Kenesha does, "I wear regular clothes so long as it could fit. If I normally wear medium, I buy extra large. I wear the same tops that are wearing, just bigger sizes. I wear corduroy pants, or something that could stretch to fit. I just button the pants under my belly and wear big tops to cover my belly," she says.
This, she says, is a change from what her mother wore when she was pregnant linen pants and tops or the maternity frocks previously described. As the changing norms of society dictate, with the increased demand for women to do more pregnant women will need to not only go to work, but do so in appropriate attire.
She is expected to socialise, attend formal functions, perhaps go to the beach with her family, exercise and generally maintain an active lifestyle. As such, she needs a wardrobe which also reflects these changes. The maternity frock, then, could not entirely address all the needs of the modern gestating woman.
PLUNGING NECKLINES
Today, maternity clothes are available in various styles and fabrics. There are plunging necklines, mini dresses and skirts, strapless, sleeveless and backless dresses, as well as gowns. There are stylish tailored pants and skirt suits, bathing suits and jeans outfits, all made for the pregnant woman who wants to remain in vogue.
There are even maternity sweat pants in which women can work out and maternity lingerie in which she can feel sexy. Pregnant women can also get adjustable belt extenders, called 'belly belts', which allow them to adjust the size of a pants or skirt waist to accommodate the growing belly.
Pamela Cole, dressmaker of 20 years, explains that women believe buying clothes from the store not only saves time, but ensures they get exactly what they desire in comfort and style. "They have nice little flare-off dress and steam pleated dress available for sale," she says. "There are even 'maternity jeans pants", according to Cole, which limits the necessity for a woman who likes wearing trendy clothes to employ a dressmaker. "The type of material you get with readymade stuff, you won't see it a sell," Cole continues.
Therefore, she claims if the woman buys the material to make the dress, she may not get them in the latest styles.
The material, according to Cole, takes a while to make it to the local market. Plus, she says many sewing machines are not quite equipped to handle the 'slinky', sheer material that most women prefer to wear. "In the past people used to wear Dacron and cotton or linen; it was uncomfortable, thicker and hotter, not soft and stretchy like what they have nowadays," she says.
The linen, dacron and cotton of the '70s and '80s have given way to softer, cooler and more comfortable fabrics like blends of rayon, nylon, spandex, silk and chiffon. Pregnant women can even rock designer maternity wear. Liz Lange, Anne Klein and Diane Von Furstenberg are a few notable designers of maternity clothing.
With an extensive selection from which to choose, it is no wonder many pregnant women choose to buy clothes readymade, rather have them made by a dressmaker or tailor. Even Cole, who is able to make her own clothes, insists that she would not make a maternity dress if she got pregnant again. "Mi a 43 years old and if mi get pregnant, mi nah mek nuh clothes. A di time dat fi look pretty," she says. However, not everyone thinks the current trends in maternity wear is appropriate.
INAPPROPRIATE.
Two older women, one in her '50s and the other in her '70s, who spoke on condition of anonymity, believe that current maternity wear is often inappropriate. "I don't think that what you are seeing now is suitable for maternity wear; they are too tight," said the woman in her 50s. "Especially the tops and some dresses, the suck-on ones," continued the 70-year-old.
However, even they agree that some of the current styles in maternity wear are quite impressive. Who could resist a black bustier top with pink ribbon, paired with a black flare pants, or a layered empire waisted silk or chiffon dress trimmed with a ribbon? Certainly not Kenesha. "It's modern time now and everybody getting hip to everything... everybody wants to be hot," she said.
