I had about two minutes left to fly before potentially giving birth next to the drink cart, so Brad and I headed to Palm Springs. I took a carry on and a backpack, and this is what I packed for five days. Lots of this stuff I’ve had forever, so links are mostly to similar items.
• Tank Dress H&M | I’ve been living in non-maternity jersey stretch dresses so as to take full advantage of this nine-month period where a gut is adorable. Here’s a fancier one than mine.
• Saltwater Sandals | These are a million years old, impossible to destroy, and my go-to travel sandal.
• Romper PJs | I try to pack PJs I can wear out if I need to, and these are good by the pool. For romping.
The belly! See you soon, baby.
This is me just after we landed, I’d changed shoes, but otherwise this is a pretty typical travel outfit for me — stretchy and PJ-esque.
• H&M knit dress | Another stretchy non-maternity piece, the skirt was originally ankle length, but I stained the bottom, so I cut it off. Then I cut the sleeves off. Then I realized you can totally customize knit dresses just like you can T-shirts and why aren’t we all doing this constantly?
• Open Cardigan | I got this in Australia, and I’ve worn it a lot less than I anticipated because ironing. Pbbbbt.
• Maternity Swimsuit | I figured I’d wear this like twice, so I went with basic and cheap. I’d go bikini, but my belly button is a monstrosity. It’s like eight inches across, and I feel actual shame about it.
• Straw Hat, vintage | I got it in a consignment shop in San Louis Obispo, and it makes me feel all gaucho. That’s a bit of rosemary tucked in the band after a walk.
Normally, you could get away with packing two sundresses and a bikini to Palm Springs, but we’ve already discussed my belly button and it was February. It gets cold in the desert at night always, but in February? It actually rained all day the day I wore this.
• Black Maternity Pants | I’ll never live without black pants again. So much more versatile than jeans for me.
• Gap Body Long-sleeve T-shirt | Also not technically maternity, but I always pack it as an under layer when I travel.
• Metallic Pewter Tieks | This was the other pair of shoes I packed, and always pack, and may they never stop making them amen.
• Vintage Silk Scarf | Can you tell I’m falling asleep in this photo? This trip was 80 percent nap.
• Vintage embroidered Mexican shirt | You find these a lot in antique stores in California, but they’re all over eBay.
• Stretch jersey tube skirt | Not maternity, but if you don’t own one of these, get one. So crazy comfortable. The only problem is that they tend to turn inside out when you go to the bathroom and then you’re walking around with your tag out. Be ye forewarned.
I don’t normally wear purple, in part because that poem made me uncomfortable about it, but the embroidery on this was too beautiful to pass up, and it covers the yoke in back as well.
• Silk Scarf Top | I’d owned this lovely hand-painted silk scarf for years and never worn it. So I made it into a top by folding it into a triangle, cutting a slit for my head along the fold, and then hand-stitching a rolled hem. Took about half an hour, and it packs down to nothing. Makes a great suit coverup as well. Do this immediately.
• Black Tank Top
This is how I traveled home with pool hair.
• Vintage Silk Scarf
• Urban Outfitter Sunglasses
• American Apparel deep-V tee | My go-to for nursing.
• H&M Long Sweatshirt | Not a maternity piece, I think it was actually from the men’s department, but I wore this when I was pregnant with Hank, and kept right on wearing it until now. H&M men’s section has the best stuff. (Speaking of which, another option.)
• Muji Foldable Shoulder Bag | I bought this in France when I realized that I’d never make it all day on foot with a heavy leather purse. It’s nylon so it zips down to a little pouch I can throw in my luggage, and weighs nothing.
Not pictured:
• My backpack with camera and electronics.
• Undies
• My Dopp kit
• An extra, zip-down tote to carry home thrift store treasures.
And that’s it. You can do it! Thou shalt not check.
Mighty Girl 