WIW 1/2 My new FFBO formula: chunky sweater+stretchy skirt+booties

My Fast Fallback Outfit used to be dresses...whenever I was rushed for time I would just throw on a dress and go. But lately my dresses have been getting tighter and shorter as my belly is growing, so I've switched to a new FFBO formula for winter...chunky knit sweater+stretchy skirt+booties. I bought three ponte skirts from Target that were only $19 apiece--black and white snakeskin, turquoise snakeskin and leopard print. They are non-maternity but very stretchy so I'm hoping to still wear them postpartum. And of course my Gap dolman sweaters in navy and cream, and I have a pair of cowl neck sweaters from H&M in black and burgundy. My black lace-up ankle booties are getting quite the workout lately--I'm wearing them all the time! And my new black studded satchel is fitting right in as well. I've already worn this formula at least twice a week for the past month or so! So easy to mix and match! And it works for both work and MOTG. I usually pick one piece of jewelry--either bracelets for the cowl neck sweaters or necklace for the funnel neck sweaters.

1-2. WIW today: Gap navy sweater, Target turquoise snakeskin skirt, Mia black booties and Michael Kors black satchel. I used a blue and turquoise necklace from F21 to tie together the navy sweater and turquoise skirt, and black bag to match the black booties. I am so matchy matchy--I always like to bookend my colors!
Other recent examples which I've posted previously:
3. H&M black cowl neck sweater, ASOS yellow and black chevron skirt, yellow D&B satchel
4. Gap navy sweater, Japanese Weekend maternity skirt.
5. Gap ivory sweater, Target leopard skirt, La Canadienne boots
6. H&M black sweater, Target black and white snakeskin skirt.
7. Another matchy matchy favorite--H&M black sweater, Nordstrom Bobeau polka dot skirt, Marc Jacobs Dotty purse, Ann Taylor polka dot cuff. Polka dots are so fun!
8. Just realized this was a repeat of 6, but with my new Michael Kors studded satchel.

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20 Comments

  • rute replied 11 years ago

    What a stylish mom! I'm in love with outfit 7!!

  • Kirti replied 11 years ago

    Love this formula! I hope I'm this stylish when I'm pregnant. I love #1, #6, #7 :-)

  • Karie replied 11 years ago

    I totally agree re polka dots - they are fun! I LOVE your polka dot skirt and handbag. Glad you decided to keep the Michael Kors satchel.

  • missvee replied 11 years ago

    These are all such stylish outfits. You really have a wonderful wardrobe now and you accessorize everything so well. I love the skirts in 6 &7, and your new satchel is a great addition.

  • Atlantia replied 11 years ago

    Great FFBOs. I love seeing your new bag come out to play.

  • kimlee replied 11 years ago

    I love your FFBO! I wish I had thought of this when I was pregnant. Heck, I may incorporate this idea into my life even though I don't have the baby bump. I am swooning over looks 5-7. Totally fab!

  • TraceyLiz65 replied 11 years ago

    You are adapting your style beautifully as your pregnancy progresses. I literally gringe at what I wore 26 years ago....

  • Jjsloane replied 11 years ago

    Great formula - you're wearing it so well in all of these. My personal favorite is the polkadots.

  • Susie replied 11 years ago

    Wow, this formula works so well for you! I love the MK satchel and the polka dots. With your jewelry pick, I prefer the bracelets with your sweaters.

    What a stylish pregnancy you're having!

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    I love that you've already found a new FFB formula! That is so fantastic. And you look great in these chunky knits with skirts.

  • replied 11 years ago

    Perfect FFO formula. You are doing an amazing job with those stretchy skirts, and your new formula should keep you from getting bored here near the end. Cozy, warm and fab too! Love it.

  • Amy replied 11 years ago

    Perfect. You look great, Natalie!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    And what a fab FFBO formula it is! These are all lovely Natalie but #1 and #7 are just completely WOW!!!

  • Beth Ann replied 11 years ago

    Such a creative and gorgeous solution to the challenges of maternity dressing! #1 and #7 are my favorites!

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    I remember those skirts! Love 'em with the slouchy toppers, and your new bag is lookin' gooood.

  • annagybe replied 11 years ago

    You look great but I'm worried about you using your regular clothes as maternity clothes. I'm afraid stretching them out will ruin the integrity of the clothing and that they won't bounce back after you have the baby.

  • Day Vies replied 11 years ago

    I love them all. I especially love the large graphic dot skirt. You are so great and finding what really works for you. I like how you mix texture and pattern. I love the necklaces. What's not to love?!

  • Kari replied 11 years ago

    Natalie, you look beautiful. I don't blame you for sticking with this formula because it works so well on you! And in a way, the proportions of the longer sweater on top might even work even better during your pregnancy - I know sometimes when I wear a heavy, long sweater over a skirt I feel like my torso is too blocky and elongated, but your bump gives you a more defined shape. It reminds me a lot of what Patience did with long tops and skinny pans.

  • Joy replied 11 years ago

    You are looking fabulous! Those Gap sweaters are perfect for you.

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    Thanks Rute, Kirti, Karie, Missvee, Atlantia, Kimlee, Tracey, Jjsloane, Susie, Suz, Claire, Amy, Shannon, Beth Ann, Rae, Anna, Day Vies, Kari and Joy! I agree with you guys, I think the polka dot version is my favorite too--polka dots are my favorite pattern so it's the most fun to wear. I am getting a LOT of use out of my MK satchel so I'm glad I decided to keep it! I think it's going to become my main bag!

    Kimlee, I am hoping to still wear these pieces after the baby comes, which is why I bought non-maternity clothes. They may be a bit baggier but I think it'll still be OK.

    Tracey, my first pregnancy was 5 years ago and I don't even want to wear many of those items now (even though I really liked them then), so I think fashion is always evolving. I agree there are a lot more options in maternity fashion nowadays (even though most of the stuff I'm wearing this time is not actually maternity).

    Anna, I had the same concern about my clothes stretching out and posted a thread about it here:
    http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....tchbag-out
    There was some great advice in that thread about wearing my clothes anyways because by the time I get through post-partum and eventually return to my pre-pregnancy size, I may want to move on to new clothes/trends anyways. And someone said to me in another thread "Your clothes are there to serve you, not the other way around", and that really made sense to me. If I save my clothes and never wear them for fear of ruining them, then I will just end up with a bunch of dated clothes that need to be purged anyways. That really helped me get over my fear of stretching my clothes out. Anyways these particular items (knit sweaters and ponte skirts) were all cheap (25-40 for the sweaters and 20 for the skirts) and I bought them particularly to use now, so if they don't end up fitting me later it's not the end of the world. I just didn't want to buy maternity clothes since it's my last baby and nobody wants to wear maternity clothes when you're not pregnant anymore (even though I did for many years, pre-YLF!). At least these clothes I have a chance of still wearing after baby, even if they become a little more oversized fit.

    Kari, thanks so much! That is an awesome post by Patience! Will have to refer to it often--it has so many good tips! I love her outfits! And I wonder if maybe your beautiful bust has the same defining effect as my baby bump? Because I can't remember the exact outfit, but I seem to remember you wearing long sweaters and skirts before and I thought you looked amazing!

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