Pregnancy Chic: The Fashion Survival Guide (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Jody Kozlow Gardner (Author) "It began as a test order in early September 1994..." (more)
Key Phrases: closet shopping, maternity leggings, layering piece, Belly Basics, New York, The Pregnancy Survival Kit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

While the cover image of a glowingly pregnant woman wearing a dress and spike heels is a bit hard to believe, Pregnancy Chic will save the sanity of any woman who finds it hard enough to get dressed in the morning, let alone when her midriff is expanding. The authors, creators of the "Pregnancy Survival Kit," offer some ingenious advice for looking classy and keeping comfortable and cool (or staying warm, depending on the season and your hormonal swings). Here's how to wear your favorite pair of pants through your first trimester or two: "Keep a ponytail elastic in your pocket at all times. If things get tight, make a quick escape to the nearest bathroom (which you are probably quite familiar with already), and slip it on as an "extender." Loop the elastic around the button, pull the body of it through your buttonhole, and bring it back over to loop around the button again."

Other helpful tips abound on topics from accessorizing, shopping for maternity bras and shoes (try a size larger than usual), and dressing for work, special events, or just schlepping around town. Be warned, though, that women on a limited budget may not appreciate the preponderance of fancy-label clothing (contact numbers are given for Eileen Fisher, Joan Vass, Bloomies, and their ilk).

Product Description

We began in 1994 as two pregnant fashion executives who knew there had to be a simple solution to the universal challenge of remaining well dressed while pregnant. We packaged it in a little white box and called it The Pregnancy Survival Kit--a simple four-piece wardrobe consisting of the essentials. And with it, we changed the world of fashion.
        Now we've written Pregnancy Chic: The Fashion Survival Guide. In it, we explore ways to get dressed without compromising your style (why would you wear something you wouldn't normally wear, just because you're pregnant?). We've included hundreds of firsthand tips discovered through trial and error, such as increasing your pregnancy wardrobe by extending the life of your pants with a simple rubber band, or wearing your husband's walking shorts with his woven belt (no notches--fits anyone!). Haven't you got better things to do than spend an hour in front of your closet picking out what to wear? With chapters on how to dress for work, casual and formal events, and even travel, we make it easy and affordable to look chic.
        From your first doctor's visit right through to post-baby, we'll show you how it's done. Enjoy, be comfortable, and have fun! Jody & Cherie

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Villard; 1st edition (April 20, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375500278
• ISBN-13: 978-0375500275
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 7.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #377,932 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Informative and entertaining, but ..., September 16, 1999

By A Customer

I found this book well-written, entertaining, and informative, but HELLO Cherie and Jody, NOT EVERY WOMAN IS A SIZE FOUR OR SIX!!! However, it is possible to get past that and use their advice as a starting point, especially if you work in a field where you must maintain a professional, pulled-together image.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice advice, though narrow in scope, November 14, 1998

By A Customer

Serota and Gardner offer sound fashion advice, and I'm sure I'll use some of their suggestions. They do spend quite a bit of time promoting their own products (though I suppose that's only natural). Also, I'd have liked more in the way of illustration (perhaps photos, as in the Chic Simple series?)--this book offers only line drawings. My main disappointment was in the lack of flattering options for those of us who do not begin pregnancy a size 6. Remember, ladies, that the average woman out there is a size 14; I don't think a tank top tucked into elastic-waist pants is something some of us want to see staring back at us from our mirrors!

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I didn't like this book much, but I gave it 3 stars because:, April 10, 2000

By A Customer

1. The authors acknowledged that not all women can wear the "Survival Kit" products to work - some women work in environments where cotton/lycra stretch fabric doesn't cut it. I thought this was very honest of the authors.

2. THANK GOD they pointed out that overalls are a bad idea for anyone over 5'7" Not that I think they are such a great idea for anyone under 5'7", but I guess you have to start somewhere! And, of course, I guess it depends upon your age and where you live as well.

On the other hand...

1. Patterned hose are a bad idea on anyone, much less a pregnant woman.

2. Ditto blue shoes with a black outfit.

Overall, I thought the book was very unambitious. Instead of containing hard to follow advice from exacting New York City fashion sophisticates (i.e. a standard to strive for), it mostly contained advice on how to stretch a wardrobe (i.e. use stuff you already own). If you can't figure out how to do that on your own, you should buy this book. But I think most women would do just as well without it.