Did you catch my 7 month banishing the baby bulge post earlier this week? If yes, you know that I’m finally feeling back to myself physically and I’m happy with my progress as far as becoming fit again (and strong!).
My husband got me a pair of really nice jeans for Christmas. I told him I wanted dark jeans and he got me an awesome pair. The only problem was that they didn’t fit right.
I went to the store where he got them to try on a bunch of jeans and pick out the ones I liked best. I ended up being ‘helped’ by a young girl who kept telling me to try on smaller and smaller jeans even though the ones I was had on were pretty darn tight. I tried to explain to her that I understand they are going to stretch, but I don’t need these painted on if I’m going to wear them to work.
What happened next (and I am not kidding) is that I split a pair of jeans from the knee to the crotch. At first I was embarrassed to go out and tell her and then I realized how funny it was that she kept telling me to try smaller jeans which resulted in me busting up a $190 pair of jeans. You know what she said when I told her? “No problem those are ugly anyway.” (At least I didn’t have to pay for them.)
I’m glad that I’m feeling good about myself and I’m not at a point in my life where my self-confidence is low because that rip probably would have sent me over the edge. Instead I was able to laugh, realize that a) those jeans didn’t fit and b) they weren’t sewn right if they were ripping that easily. What didn’t cross my mind? Thoughts like ‘I’m so fat’ or ‘I can’t believe I ripped those jeans’. This may not sound like much, but if you’ve ever struggled with self-image or have felt like a less beautiful version of yourself you probably understand. Getting to a point where you are happy, comfortable and healthy is a huge step.
After trying on a million different pairs of jeans, I ended up with the same ones my husband originally bought in a smaller size. Kudos to my husband for knowing what I like. 😉
(Holy cow was it hard to figure out how to take a picture of myself wearing these…)
New jeans that fit are part of my plan to continue feeling fit and sexy now that I’m a mom. I still spend plenty of time in my sweats when I’m home getting spit up on by my baby, but I want to have some go-to items that help make me feel great because I look good. Vain? Maybe. True? Absolutely.
What are your 2012 Fashion Resolutions? How do you plan to feel great by looking your best this year?
This is part of the BlogHer Life Well Lived campaign and you can get involved too. Check out and contribute to the year round fashion resolutions on the post at blogher.com and you can enter to win a Kindle Fire or Amazon gift card.
Amanda, those are some nice jeans! I so agree that looking good and feeling good go hand in hand. I promised myself that I would get creative with my wardrobe during pregnancy and have fun with scarves, jewelry and do whatever I needed to feel great about myself. At almost 30 weeks, I’ve actually bought only 4 or 5 maternity articles…the rest are just some inexpensive, fun, non-maternity pieces that I picked up at consignment stores, but just taking an extra few minutes in the morning to put together a colorful and bright ensemble has made me feel really beautiful throughout pregnancy. That said, I can’t wait to fit back into my one and only pair of awesome jeans (A pocket 7’s) after babe gets here 🙂
Thanks Jaya! Wow…that’s awesome that you have been able to stay so fashionable during your pregnancy. I bet you feel awesome! If you do need some shirts for the end of your pregnancy I highly recommend the gap body maternity shirts. They are SO comfortable! 🙂
Glad to see you can laugh about splitting those jeans 🙂 My mom just bought me a new pair of jeans. My first designer pair since the pregnancy. They feel awesome!
YAY for you! That was so nice of your mom. You gotta feel good… 🙂
I LOVE THIS!! So proud of you for NOT letting the stupid ripped jeans turn into a self-image meltdown. That is HUGE! What’s more? That you found jeans that make you feel beautiful and sexy which is the best feeling in the world. My mood totally changes if I’m wearing something that makes me feel GOOD. A pair of new (and AWESOME) jeans like the one you got are SO worth it in my book. yay you!
It’s just funny…it really didn’t cross my mind to think about my self-image. I only thought of it later and realized…wow that’s a big difference than what I would have thought a few years ago! Jeans really are awesome…just not the shopping for them (or paying for them) parts.
Oh my goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is awesome. I wouldn’t know what to do if that happened to me. I would have tried to sneak out of the store. haha!!! And to answer your question: no new years resolution for me…just trying to grow a healthy baby:) Does that count?
Ummmm YES! That counts. It’s hard work being a mama…even before you’re baby is on the outside! 😉
wow i’m so impressed. honestly, i think i would have cried. I’m definitely still struggling with fat talk and body issues. you do look amazing and you should be proud. focusing on strong and healthy is the way to go!
Thank you. Honestly, I think almost everyone does and sometimes even if I feel that way I refuse to say it. I decided a few years ago to remove those words from my vocabulary (at least outloud!) and it really does help. Your friends really don’t want to hear you talk about how fat you are, especially when you’re not. 😉
I love this story! And I am glad it didn’t put you over the edge when they ripped! Painted on jeans make me uncomfortable too and they never look right. These look awesome on you! What braind are they??
Thank you! They are Joe’s Jeans (joe’s jeans provocateur petite). They are super comfy!
I hate shopping for jeans. I would have been crushed if that happened to me in the fitting room. My self confidence is improving but when it comes to trying on clothes, I crumble. On that note, I love the jeans you ended up with.
And I am so jealous of that picture of you doing a pullup. That is one of my goals for this year. One pullup.
I don’t like shopping for them either, but I love when I find a pair and get them home and can wear them. 🙂 Really try not to beat yourself up when clothes shopping. Just remember that some things look good on you and some don’t. That’s true for everyone!
Well…now that I know you live SO close…we can help you with those pullups. You can definitely do one this year. 🙂