Am I pregnant or hatching an egg??

As my husband brightly pointed out, last night’s Project Runway was right up my alley – Heidi Klum asked contestants to design an outfit for Rebecca Romijn and her a big ‘ol twin-filled baby belly. As predicted, designers sent looks down the runway that vacillated between ridiculous and pitch perfect. Dressing for a pregnant body can be like that, depending on the day (and the fatigue, the mood, the bloating…).

I liked the fact that the designers’ difficulty with this challenge highlighted the tension that pregnant women must navigate daily, namely that:

- Pregnant or not, women do not want to look like they are getting ready to “hatch an egg” (or “drop a baby” so please stop saying that). Unfortunately, Malvin discovered this concept as he was been off-feterseined by Heidi. Indeed, both Heidi and her guest judges made it clear that swaddling the pregnant belly in yards of white fabric while hiding her bustline in a black tank might have been the worst sins that a designer has committed on Project Runway. Instead, a mom-to-be wants to look like at least a shadow of her formerly girlish self (read desirable).

- On the other hand, pregnant ladies try to avoid showing off too much, which is why Ra'mon's tight “bowling bag” tank dress, with overzealous emphasis on the belly’s shape, also tanked. Likewise, Louise’s look, was too sexually charged, not to mention almost teenager-ish.

So, flatter the bump but do not make it the center of attention. How do you do that? Stay tuned for tips on how to navigate an amazing nine months – in style.

Jenny