Etsy Tuesday: Vintage Maternity Wear

In terms of ready-to-wear, form flattering retro 1950s and 1960s maternity wear the pickings are slim. (From all of the maternity wear patterns available on Etsy, it appears that many women had to sew their own attire. If this is true, where did they find the energy?) Worse is that many designers who once provided maternity options, such as Betsey Johnson,* no longer do. So what did this girl do for inspiration? Turn to Mad Men of course.

Inspiration (top to bottom): My Old Kentucky Home Episode 3, Mad Men Season 3 2009, spotted on TV Fanatic and Episode Unknown, Mad Men, spotted on Moosifer Jones' Grouch. Etsy Finds (top clockwise): Sleeveless black lace trapeze dress, c.1960, no label, $72 from Story Boutique; Aubergine lace empire waist dress, Arkay, $65 from Vintage Mouse, and Sleeveless hot pink A-line dress with duster, Toni Lynn, $95 from FruFruChicks. Any guesses to which of the three dresses I chose?

My one regret about getting pregnant before Mad Men Season 5 airs? I won't be able to use Joan Harris's pregnancy attire for inspiration. Most of the clothes I've come across have been trapeze or tent styles, suitable for Betty, but less so for Joan. I can't wait to see what she wears.

Who were your vintage fashion role models for your pregnancy wardrobe?

Ciao Bella!

Eden

 

Credits: Collage created by Eden Hensley Silverstein for A Timeless Affair. Product images taken by their respective Etsy sellers: Story Boutique, Vintage Mouse, and FruFruChicks. Madmen screenshots found on Moosifer Jones' Grouch and TV Fanatic.

*According to Etiquette Girl, Betsey Johnson only designed the Jeanette line of maternity wear dresses for one year, 1974-1975. Etiquette Girl had an adorable maternity sundress available for sale earlier this fall, alas not in my size.