Non-Maternity Maternity

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This post is brought to you by Ruche.

I’m nearing the end of this pregnancy & I can proudly say that I have yet to buy any maternity clothes. I didn’t mean to do that at first, but I’ve been increasingly disappointed with what’s out there. Either it’s frumpy & inexpensive or sorta cute & expensive. I don’t want to spend a lot of money on clothes that I know I’ll want to burn after Felix comes.

It’s been pretty easy to avoid maternity clothes with the current trends of jeggings & belted tunic tops. I’ve been able to find most of these items at my favorite shops, which is great! I don’t want to limit my style just because maternity isn’t offered at all of my favorite stores.

Ruche is one of those shops that definitely doesn’t have a maternity line, but with their wide variety of clothing & accessories it’s easy to find something to suit any style/figure. Ruche kindly sent me a tunic dress that I just love. The elastic waist is meant to hit at the true waistline but is easily adjusted over my belly bump. I think it’ll also make for a great transitional top for afterward because of its hourglass structure. This tunic dress is SO comfortable! It’s lined & well made. I’m also impressed that it’s $30 (originally $40, but still!). If you’ve never heard of Ruche, think of it as the affordable Anthropologie.

This is one of the outfits I wore at ALT. Check out the fashion section for all of my Alt outfits. Thanks to Ruche for sending this to me! I LOVE IT!

Ruche has generously offered to give one lucky IS•LY reader a $50 gift certificate to their online shop! Best part? You don’t have to live in the US to enter. Here’s how you can win:

  • Visit Ruche & take a look around
  • Leave a comment on this post telling me  & tell me what item(s) is(are) your fave
  • Comment by 11:59pm (MST) Monday, January 31, 2011
  • This contest is open to everyone!
  • Only one (1) comment per person
  • No purchase necessary
  • One (1) winner will be chosen via random.org & announced Tuesday, February 1, 2011
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    1. Kim says:

      My friend LOVES Ruche but I’ve never visited the site until today (I also shared this giveaway with her!!). I love the fact that they have a “curvy plus” section b/c most retail stores don’t and it really sucks!! I love the sincerest sentiments plus size bubble dress… just too bad they’re sold out!! i love the ruffles and buttons on the front!!

    2. Mandi C says:

      I love the whole “explore” look! Especially the shoes and cardi. I could never pick one thing from Ruche..I pretty much just love it all.

    3. Patti says:

      I love how you styled the tunic/dress! My favorite thing from Ruche right now is actually their Leaf Bag in mustard. I missed out on it last year and it’s taking a lot of self-control not to break my budget and snap it up now.

    4. Danielle says:

      So many favorites, but I keep coming back to the better than a bouquet indie silver ring. Thanks!

    5. Miriam says:

      I love the “my love will come” floral dress!

    6. alicia says:

      I always visit Ruche for inspiration so I am happy to hear about your give-away. I have never bought anything on this site but I especially love their vintage style shoes. And I also love their accessories. Very affordable and stylish stuff!

    7. Evangeline says:

      My fav is the hush hush little flower top. I love their lookbook!

    8. Ashley K says:

      Im really loving those girl on the go olive tie shorts. So cute and perfect for summer!

    9. Gretchen N says:

      LOVE the “sipping tea bib tunic”, which I think I could do for maternity. I’m expecting, too, and love the inspiration in the cutie fashion pictures you post!

    10. Elizabelle says:

      Love love love Ruche! I’ve been eyeing the “enchanting lady strapless dress in gray.” I may have to order it anyway! I’ve been on the hunt for a cute/inexpensive dress for a wedding. Under $50, wow!

    11. Libby says:

      Those breakfast club cardigans look shmumphy enough to live in…yes, please!

    12. Kathleen says:

      I’ve never heard of Ruche, but you’ve inspired me to check it out for some maternity (oops, I mean non-maternity) clothes.

      I’m in love with the Embroidered Gardens Navy tunic dress. Better hurry and snag that one, only a few left!

    13. Jessica says:

      Loving so many of the things I see. Bummed that the Breton top was sold out, but so many other favorites to choose from. I especially liked the “love is on the way” bow tank – I love a top that includes it’s own accessories!

    14. Erin R. says:

      Oh my, great shop. Love the pleasant surprise embroidered tunic and the sweet nectar top. The spots and dots sleeveless dress and the staying on the sunnyside dress. And, I’m drooling over half of the sweaters in their shop. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to wear some of those adorable dresses for a while as non-button front dresses and nursing just don’t quite go together. :o)

    15. becky says:

      http://www.shopruche.com/fondness-for-fedoras-in-straw-p-5413.html
      i think i would start with this!
      boon1211atgmaildotcoom

    16. Aimee says:

      First of all, you are adorable, and don’t look pregnant at all (other than your tummy). Secondly, what a fun site I didn’t know about before! I love the click, click, camera ring. So fun!!

    17. Lisa says:

      I am newly pregnant with my first! 9 weeks along and happy as can be but secretly wondering how I will do practically saying goodbye to my closet full of fun fashion!! First, how have I lived without Ruche?!?! I love it!! My goal is yours…to not part from my fashion and just make today’s trends work with stores like Ruche! I LOVE the “We belong together one shoulder top” for a fun night out with some skinny jeans and heels. The “Just the way you are” top would be fun belted for work or play! I could eat up the “Float on by butterfly dress” Makes me swoon!!! How SMART is that “Parisian chic striped tunic”!?!? The “Autumn in the woods” dress and the “Free spirit tribal dress”…..Okay I could go on and on. THANK YOU for the intro. to Ruche!! This is making my day alone! Enjoy yours as well…

    18. Janet says:

      How can I chose!? There are so many things I love at Ruche! Here are a few.. ‘A burst of Inspiration dolman top’, ‘Right where the roses are floral tunic’, ‘leave me with the leaves top’, ‘loving you floral ruffle dress’, ‘champagne toast dress’, ‘hello, goodbye dress’..
      Seriously, there are so many things I could put on this list!

    19. kelly says:

      i’m all about stripes, so i love the love boat nautical striped bag. it’s got the sailor theme i go for again and again, plus i really like the combination of canvas and leather.

    20. Oo, tough choice! If I had a $50 gift card, I’d definitely have to spend a bit of time sifting through everything on the site. After a quick look, I’m really loving the Happy Hem Skirt and the Don’t Forget About Us Lace Top.

    21. Kylie says:

      The tops, the aprons, the magnets, the shoes! Oh man, the shoes. If I won, the prize money would probably help me buy those blue oxfords. :)

    22. Estee says:

      I love the she’s like the wind one shoulder dress in gray.

    23. Noelle says:

      Why haven’t I found this store before. What don’t I love. I am totally in love with the “paint the roses cream” dress. It’s so girly.

    24. Summer says:

      I love it all! but especially the raglan bouquet knit top. I am sure I could wear it for some time with this 20 week baby belly I have. So cute!

    25. I love the Neutral Palette- Slow Down look! I love that it’s simple and chic with patterns and textures in neutral colors. It’s so sophisticated! Love the whole line actually.

    26. Meghan says:

      The “love’s neverending flame” dress is my favorite, but it’s sold out. My other favorite is the “finding elegance in everything” dress in teal, but I’d have to convince my husband to take me somewhere fancy in it.

      I’m so into dresses lately. It’s no-brainer dressing and you always look pulled together.

    27. Anne says:

      I love me a good cardigan. I wouldn’t say no to the “eight days a week cardigan” or the “easy to love cashmere cardi in light sage” And speaking of cashmere, how comfy chic does the “daffodil fields cashmere sweater dress” look? Thanks for introducing me to a great new site.

    28. AE says:

      Shopping online is one of my favorite things to do! I’m discovering this website right now (as I’m writing this comment (2 differents windows)), because of you, and I love it! My favorite item is the ”PS I love you” dress… for the name and the dress itself. It’s simple and I love de Claudine collar.

    29. Gina says:

      What a fun website – love the names of the clothes. Most of the things I loved were sold out but I really like the hugs & kisses ruby coat.

    30. Olga says:

      This shop is absolutely fantastic! I love everything! I love jacket called “desert storm wool blend jacket” and shoes called “stepping in time oxford booties in brown”. I can’t decide between them;).

    31. Christi says:

      I’m in love with the “roses for my love button up blouse.” It’s perfectly updatedly retro and adorable. And all the shoes, but I’m thinking of picking up that blouse for me anyways.

    32. Becca R says:

      I love the Chelsea Crew “Susan” oxfords but they’re out of stock. The hugs & kisses ruby coat is pretty cute too though!

    33. cassidy says:

      Love the “staying on the sunny side” dress! Such a fun summer look. Great store, thanks for the intro.

    34. SarahJane says:

      I know this giveaway is over, but I had to leave a comment on this post, because your hair is looking so beautiful! Just wanted you to know, that most women have yucky dry pregnancy hair. NOT YOU!

    35. […] mentioned this rad company before. I love their clothes, accessories & boots! In a nutshell, I like to call them the affordable […]

    36. […] also made this maternity top into a skirt. It wasn’t really a maternity top, I got it from Ruche, but since I only ever wore it in the maternity context, I couldn’t help but feel fat and […]

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