( 
)Pregnancy is the perfect time to add purses, handbags, messenger bags,
back pack purses and even a new stylish briefcase to your wardrobe! In
a season fashionwise when your body seems to change daily, your
accessories can be the anchor that keeps you feeling sane as you stand
at your closet bewildered as to what to wear today! A beloved purse can
change your whole outlook, and it is one of life's affordable luxuries
now that we have a venue like Ebay to find our bags at incredibly low
prices!
There is little reason why an expectant mother cannot have new purses as a pampering treat, and most importantly, to help her stay organized especially at a time of great transition.
During pregnancy, I always advise mothers to be to stick to the basic style that they have always loved. Rarely does a minimalist who lives in a basic black Gap tee shirt and boot cut jeans decide to become a frilly maternity dress wearer just because she's expecting! As far as clothing goes, unless you want to find yourself in tears as you sift your closet for something you feel like "your old self" in, DO NOT take fashion risks. If you loved boot cut jeans, look on Ebay for a pair with a maternity panel, you will be so thrilled to put them on, trust me! Yet with the changes going on in pregnancy, sometimes mothers yearn for some drastic changes or a way to show their style, even as they find themselves wearing the same maternity clothing over and over again for nearly a year! Since most of us do not invest the same amount of money in to our maternity wardrobe as we do our non pregnancy clothing, the perfect answer to this yearning for style is to add bags, purses and the like on to your wardrobe as an investment both now and in the future.
This guide is designed to help you pick out just what you need for the months ahead! Don't be afraid to splurge a little. Much in the same way a dinner out can revive you and give you the get up and go you need to go on when you're tired, the smile you'll have carrying your new bag will be a balm to your senses.
Diaper bags are an absolute must, but we will not disuss them here. These bags are for YOU, not the baby.
Begin with an assesment of the bags you already own. What looks worn, tired, out of style for your tastes, the wrong colors for what you prefer now? What is too small, too bulky, what bags have annoying handles that slip off your shoulder or are not easy to carry any longer?Are there some that leave your shoulders or neck aching, or your back tense and sore? Are there ones that have scratchy straps?
Rate all of your current bags carefully, placing the ones you no longer want to keep in a give away bag. Someone will benefit from your taste changes! Maybe you can even list them on Ebay for another person to enjoy! The bags that you feel you will return to again in another time, set them aside safely for future use, but do not use these ill-fitting- for- now -bags during pregnancy! The last thing you need is another reason for a back or neck ache or another discomfort to add to the ones already present in pregnancy!
Now begin fresh. Which bags made the cut? What would be your dream bag? Is there a designer brand you can purchase on Ebay that will help you to feel glowing as you carry it? Is there a particular wish you have for your busy lifestyle, like a backpack in a certain color of leather or design that you have yet to spot somewhere? Do an Ebay search for it, you never know what may turn up! I searched for a Dooney and Bourke Backpack in Green and British Tan and actually found one being auctioned, won the auction, and it's been a joy to me ever since. Consider adding a back pack style bag to your wardrobe, especially since the new baby coming will keep both of your hands full! Consider adding a smaller bag to your collection that can eventually be tucked in to a larger diaper bag which you will be carrying. You can pull your smaller bag out of the diaper bag when you need it, then safely stash it away again without having two separate bags to manage.
Consider also bags with longer straps, such as the vintage style Dooney and Bourke bags and the like, because during pregnancy, it's great to put those bags across your body and under your opposite arm to distribute the weight of the bag's contents more evenly. It also makes such a cute way to accentuate the belly, much like those adorable shrug sweaters and crop jackets over long shirts work to draw attention to a gloriously pregnant belly. This makes your belly an accessory as well as your bag. Find a vintage Coach Willis or City bag, what about a Dooney and Bourke Essex bag or Equestrian bag? What about the Dooney bags that have a satchel carry handle AND a shoulder strap? Many of them are adjustable and you can experiment to find out what length works best for you at any stage of pregnancy, and you can change it drastically when you have had the baby. These bags are durable, gorgeous, and timeless in style and beauty, as well as instantly recoginzed as fashion icons.
Hobo bags that tuck securely under the arm can be another fashionable option during pregnancy, just be sure not to go too large or too slouchy at a time like this. Medium sized barrel bags, bags with fairly defined lines and the like are usually the safest bet while your belly grows. Highly structured bags can look a bit harsh and sharp against the soft curves you are made up of right now. Too little shape in a bag can make for a sloppy appearance now matter how crisp and fashionable your clothing, and you don't want that. It's hard enough to not look tired and slouchy right now! Now is also not the time generally speaking to carry the teeniest bags out there. Unless you have a very, very thin upper body, small bustline, and very thin and willowy arms even during pregnancy, these probably spell out fashion disaster. Why not pick a mid sized bag, and if weight is a concern, you don't need to fill the bag with anything but the basics. There are bags such as the Coach City and Willis bags that are weighty in appearance enough to balance an expectant mother's figure, yet have a very slim and streamlined profile, for instance.
Why not pick a few bags that play off of eachother style wise? You may find yourself wearing the same maternity basics over and over, but if you can pull out your Dooney It Bag Lunch Bag and use it with your Dooney It Bag purse, you will feel like you have an entirely new outfit on! What about a matching or harmonizing briefcase or attache to help you stay organized as well as complimenting your choice of purse? I am expecting presently, and my favorite combo is my Vintage Dooney and Bourke Ivy and British Tan Essex bag, worn sling style across my body to show off my belly, and my matching Dooney Vintage briefcase. I even have my doctor's lab sheets in there for my next round of lab work. Doesn't that seem endless during pregnancy? I feel so much more in control with a command center such as my briefcase, that is such a comfort to an expectant mother. Why not upgrade or make a change when you need to be more organized than ever?
What about your favorite colors and textures? We all have our preferences, even if our preference is for neutrals! I inherited a good friend's maternity wardrobe, and suddenly, I was wearing more blue than I ever have my whole life! As a brown eyed brunette, wearing a blue eyed blonde's color choices, I was in a whole new world! I hadn't realized how much forest green and egg plant plum, burgundy, chocolate brown and black I usually wore until I experienced a wardrobe selected entirely by someone else. What colors do you love to be surrounded with? Do you enjoy pattern, or solids, or a blend depending upon your mood? Maybe you've played it safe with your bags up until now, but this is the time to own many and enjoy them all, daring and basic alike. What about searching for the bag in your favorite color, no matter how different it may be from the ones you've already picked. Even lavendar looks gorgeous with some outfits, go for a bag that color if that's your favorite color of all. Soothe your senses when you carry your bag through color.
Pattern can add interest to your bags, and much like a cheerful vase of flowers, it can perk your mood up instantly. What about the Vera Bradley and Vera inspired bags available today? What about discontinued ones on Ebay? Search to find the pattern closest to your color palette, and decide which style or shape of bag suits you best right now, and consider purchasing at least one patterned bag to save for the days when you could use a little of that fresh flowers in a vase feeling. What about the favorite cartoon character of yours that is now appearing on handbags and totes everywhere you look? What about a bag with wording, or a particular scene or design that catches your eye on Ebay or when you are out and about? Why NOT add something funky and fun at a time like this? Just be sure not to go too small with these novelty bags, as I warned in the past. You surely don't want to look like you borrowed your niece's or little sister's purse in desparation. If you select a cartoon character purse, make sure you are choosing a sophisticated shopper tote or a style with classic lines. Too much trendy- trendy can be overwhelming to the eye, so let the character or pattern be the novel and attention getting feature on the bag, not some exotic shape or odd style lines.
Begin now to care for your bags well, keeping them dry and clean, wiping spills and soil off of your bags according to manufacturer's instructions of course. Dooney, for instance, advises that you only use a mild bar soap to remove soil from All Weather Leather, or simply a baby wipe. You will have plenty of those on hand very soon if you don't already! It isn't hard to keep your bags looking their best. Who knows how long you will wish to use them, or whether you will even want to re-sell them one day or pass them to someone else? Keep them in great shape and they will serve you well. Vaccum out crumbs or turn them upside down over a trash can and shake regulary. Why not use make up bags to keep the interior clean as well as making it easy to change handbags in a hurry? Less loose items translate to more organization for you! Some purse designers make matching or complimenting cosmetic bags for their lines. At the least, find a pretty pattern or material you like for a set of cosmetic bags, just make sure they are the right size for your bags, not too large and not too small for your items. Get in the habit now of putting cheap dollar store tissue paper into your bags when you are not using them, to help them keep their shape. What about tucking a small part or perhaps all of a dryer sheet in to a bag that has some odor to it or could use freshening a bit before putting it back on the shelf? If you need to do any scrubbing on a leather like handbag, consider trying a paste of borax and water. Borax is not abrasive, but it works like a charm to remove ground in soil or some surface marks. Test on an inconspicuous area of the bag first, but I can tell you I've never had a problem with borax and water. Fabric can be a bit more challenging, but I have faith in your ability-- after all, stain removal is going to be your forte before too long, you smart mother to be, you!
What do you use to organize your days? If you use a Day Timer style planner on paper, now is a great time to upgrade your planner binder and even the insert pages you use. It's a wonderful time to start using one if you haven't already, or if you don't use a palm type device or smart phone.
Do you have a personal sized planner? A mini sized planner? Do you need to downsize from a bulky full size planner so you can keep it with you more conveniently? I have found the midsize, also known as the desk size, to work perfectly for most mothers with a busy household to keep organized, which is around 5 and 1/2 iches by 8 1/2 inches. What might require more of your planner space in the upcoming months? Will you need to add a section with a shopping list, will you need to upgrade from two pages per week to one page per day or even two pages per day to keep up with your new busy life as a mother? There are many binders available that are done in leather or simulated leather, and in beautiful patterns that will look fabulous in your new briefcase or however you choose to carry it. Let your planner be your ultimate trademark in your favorite color of all time, because you will be relying on it more and more! Make it something you will be glad to see and happy to keep near you at all times.
Best of wishes to you and blessings on you and the new baby! Enjoy this time of expectancy and hope for the future! You are carrying a miracle within you, relish that and treat yourself well, you are busy cooperating with God to knit together a whole other human being! You accomplished a little bit more of this noble task even as you were reading this guide. Congratulations!
Please do check out my auctions and read my About Me page! I look forward to chatting with you after your winning bid on any of my bag auctions. I am currently expecting as well, and that is what renewed my interest in bags-- needing a way to look fabulous through this pregnancy season!
God bless you and keep you!
Jennifer Gill
lillygill on Ebay
There is little reason why an expectant mother cannot have new purses as a pampering treat, and most importantly, to help her stay organized especially at a time of great transition.
During pregnancy, I always advise mothers to be to stick to the basic style that they have always loved. Rarely does a minimalist who lives in a basic black Gap tee shirt and boot cut jeans decide to become a frilly maternity dress wearer just because she's expecting! As far as clothing goes, unless you want to find yourself in tears as you sift your closet for something you feel like "your old self" in, DO NOT take fashion risks. If you loved boot cut jeans, look on Ebay for a pair with a maternity panel, you will be so thrilled to put them on, trust me! Yet with the changes going on in pregnancy, sometimes mothers yearn for some drastic changes or a way to show their style, even as they find themselves wearing the same maternity clothing over and over again for nearly a year! Since most of us do not invest the same amount of money in to our maternity wardrobe as we do our non pregnancy clothing, the perfect answer to this yearning for style is to add bags, purses and the like on to your wardrobe as an investment both now and in the future.
This guide is designed to help you pick out just what you need for the months ahead! Don't be afraid to splurge a little. Much in the same way a dinner out can revive you and give you the get up and go you need to go on when you're tired, the smile you'll have carrying your new bag will be a balm to your senses.
Diaper bags are an absolute must, but we will not disuss them here. These bags are for YOU, not the baby.
Begin with an assesment of the bags you already own. What looks worn, tired, out of style for your tastes, the wrong colors for what you prefer now? What is too small, too bulky, what bags have annoying handles that slip off your shoulder or are not easy to carry any longer?Are there some that leave your shoulders or neck aching, or your back tense and sore? Are there ones that have scratchy straps?
Rate all of your current bags carefully, placing the ones you no longer want to keep in a give away bag. Someone will benefit from your taste changes! Maybe you can even list them on Ebay for another person to enjoy! The bags that you feel you will return to again in another time, set them aside safely for future use, but do not use these ill-fitting- for- now -bags during pregnancy! The last thing you need is another reason for a back or neck ache or another discomfort to add to the ones already present in pregnancy!
Now begin fresh. Which bags made the cut? What would be your dream bag? Is there a designer brand you can purchase on Ebay that will help you to feel glowing as you carry it? Is there a particular wish you have for your busy lifestyle, like a backpack in a certain color of leather or design that you have yet to spot somewhere? Do an Ebay search for it, you never know what may turn up! I searched for a Dooney and Bourke Backpack in Green and British Tan and actually found one being auctioned, won the auction, and it's been a joy to me ever since. Consider adding a back pack style bag to your wardrobe, especially since the new baby coming will keep both of your hands full! Consider adding a smaller bag to your collection that can eventually be tucked in to a larger diaper bag which you will be carrying. You can pull your smaller bag out of the diaper bag when you need it, then safely stash it away again without having two separate bags to manage.
Consider also bags with longer straps, such as the vintage style Dooney and Bourke bags and the like, because during pregnancy, it's great to put those bags across your body and under your opposite arm to distribute the weight of the bag's contents more evenly. It also makes such a cute way to accentuate the belly, much like those adorable shrug sweaters and crop jackets over long shirts work to draw attention to a gloriously pregnant belly. This makes your belly an accessory as well as your bag. Find a vintage Coach Willis or City bag, what about a Dooney and Bourke Essex bag or Equestrian bag? What about the Dooney bags that have a satchel carry handle AND a shoulder strap? Many of them are adjustable and you can experiment to find out what length works best for you at any stage of pregnancy, and you can change it drastically when you have had the baby. These bags are durable, gorgeous, and timeless in style and beauty, as well as instantly recoginzed as fashion icons.
Hobo bags that tuck securely under the arm can be another fashionable option during pregnancy, just be sure not to go too large or too slouchy at a time like this. Medium sized barrel bags, bags with fairly defined lines and the like are usually the safest bet while your belly grows. Highly structured bags can look a bit harsh and sharp against the soft curves you are made up of right now. Too little shape in a bag can make for a sloppy appearance now matter how crisp and fashionable your clothing, and you don't want that. It's hard enough to not look tired and slouchy right now! Now is also not the time generally speaking to carry the teeniest bags out there. Unless you have a very, very thin upper body, small bustline, and very thin and willowy arms even during pregnancy, these probably spell out fashion disaster. Why not pick a mid sized bag, and if weight is a concern, you don't need to fill the bag with anything but the basics. There are bags such as the Coach City and Willis bags that are weighty in appearance enough to balance an expectant mother's figure, yet have a very slim and streamlined profile, for instance.
Why not pick a few bags that play off of eachother style wise? You may find yourself wearing the same maternity basics over and over, but if you can pull out your Dooney It Bag Lunch Bag and use it with your Dooney It Bag purse, you will feel like you have an entirely new outfit on! What about a matching or harmonizing briefcase or attache to help you stay organized as well as complimenting your choice of purse? I am expecting presently, and my favorite combo is my Vintage Dooney and Bourke Ivy and British Tan Essex bag, worn sling style across my body to show off my belly, and my matching Dooney Vintage briefcase. I even have my doctor's lab sheets in there for my next round of lab work. Doesn't that seem endless during pregnancy? I feel so much more in control with a command center such as my briefcase, that is such a comfort to an expectant mother. Why not upgrade or make a change when you need to be more organized than ever?
What about your favorite colors and textures? We all have our preferences, even if our preference is for neutrals! I inherited a good friend's maternity wardrobe, and suddenly, I was wearing more blue than I ever have my whole life! As a brown eyed brunette, wearing a blue eyed blonde's color choices, I was in a whole new world! I hadn't realized how much forest green and egg plant plum, burgundy, chocolate brown and black I usually wore until I experienced a wardrobe selected entirely by someone else. What colors do you love to be surrounded with? Do you enjoy pattern, or solids, or a blend depending upon your mood? Maybe you've played it safe with your bags up until now, but this is the time to own many and enjoy them all, daring and basic alike. What about searching for the bag in your favorite color, no matter how different it may be from the ones you've already picked. Even lavendar looks gorgeous with some outfits, go for a bag that color if that's your favorite color of all. Soothe your senses when you carry your bag through color.
Pattern can add interest to your bags, and much like a cheerful vase of flowers, it can perk your mood up instantly. What about the Vera Bradley and Vera inspired bags available today? What about discontinued ones on Ebay? Search to find the pattern closest to your color palette, and decide which style or shape of bag suits you best right now, and consider purchasing at least one patterned bag to save for the days when you could use a little of that fresh flowers in a vase feeling. What about the favorite cartoon character of yours that is now appearing on handbags and totes everywhere you look? What about a bag with wording, or a particular scene or design that catches your eye on Ebay or when you are out and about? Why NOT add something funky and fun at a time like this? Just be sure not to go too small with these novelty bags, as I warned in the past. You surely don't want to look like you borrowed your niece's or little sister's purse in desparation. If you select a cartoon character purse, make sure you are choosing a sophisticated shopper tote or a style with classic lines. Too much trendy- trendy can be overwhelming to the eye, so let the character or pattern be the novel and attention getting feature on the bag, not some exotic shape or odd style lines.
Begin now to care for your bags well, keeping them dry and clean, wiping spills and soil off of your bags according to manufacturer's instructions of course. Dooney, for instance, advises that you only use a mild bar soap to remove soil from All Weather Leather, or simply a baby wipe. You will have plenty of those on hand very soon if you don't already! It isn't hard to keep your bags looking their best. Who knows how long you will wish to use them, or whether you will even want to re-sell them one day or pass them to someone else? Keep them in great shape and they will serve you well. Vaccum out crumbs or turn them upside down over a trash can and shake regulary. Why not use make up bags to keep the interior clean as well as making it easy to change handbags in a hurry? Less loose items translate to more organization for you! Some purse designers make matching or complimenting cosmetic bags for their lines. At the least, find a pretty pattern or material you like for a set of cosmetic bags, just make sure they are the right size for your bags, not too large and not too small for your items. Get in the habit now of putting cheap dollar store tissue paper into your bags when you are not using them, to help them keep their shape. What about tucking a small part or perhaps all of a dryer sheet in to a bag that has some odor to it or could use freshening a bit before putting it back on the shelf? If you need to do any scrubbing on a leather like handbag, consider trying a paste of borax and water. Borax is not abrasive, but it works like a charm to remove ground in soil or some surface marks. Test on an inconspicuous area of the bag first, but I can tell you I've never had a problem with borax and water. Fabric can be a bit more challenging, but I have faith in your ability-- after all, stain removal is going to be your forte before too long, you smart mother to be, you!
What do you use to organize your days? If you use a Day Timer style planner on paper, now is a great time to upgrade your planner binder and even the insert pages you use. It's a wonderful time to start using one if you haven't already, or if you don't use a palm type device or smart phone.
Do you have a personal sized planner? A mini sized planner? Do you need to downsize from a bulky full size planner so you can keep it with you more conveniently? I have found the midsize, also known as the desk size, to work perfectly for most mothers with a busy household to keep organized, which is around 5 and 1/2 iches by 8 1/2 inches. What might require more of your planner space in the upcoming months? Will you need to add a section with a shopping list, will you need to upgrade from two pages per week to one page per day or even two pages per day to keep up with your new busy life as a mother? There are many binders available that are done in leather or simulated leather, and in beautiful patterns that will look fabulous in your new briefcase or however you choose to carry it. Let your planner be your ultimate trademark in your favorite color of all time, because you will be relying on it more and more! Make it something you will be glad to see and happy to keep near you at all times.
Best of wishes to you and blessings on you and the new baby! Enjoy this time of expectancy and hope for the future! You are carrying a miracle within you, relish that and treat yourself well, you are busy cooperating with God to knit together a whole other human being! You accomplished a little bit more of this noble task even as you were reading this guide. Congratulations!
Please do check out my auctions and read my About Me page! I look forward to chatting with you after your winning bid on any of my bag auctions. I am currently expecting as well, and that is what renewed my interest in bags-- needing a way to look fabulous through this pregnancy season!
God bless you and keep you!
Jennifer Gill
lillygill on Ebay
Guide created: 07/12/06 (updated 07/19/08)
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