Don't!

Matronly.  Maternal.  Maternity.

These are not the typical words you would use to describe fashionable clothing.  I mean, they are literally the opposite of fashionable.  They are the words that you hear when watching a do's and don'ts segment.  Guess which category you hear them under.

So, being a mildly fashionable woman (and a moderately hard to fit one at that!) I would rather not spend the next 4 months looking like a tent.  No offense REI.

On the flipside, I am more than mildly cheap and I also refuse to drop a ton of $$$ to avoid this tent-i-ness.

But don't you worry, I'm formulating alternatives as I type!!  

Alternative #1:

Using high-waisted shapewear to construct my own "panel" in my already good-fitting and semi-stylish jeans.  You hear people say "Oh, I just use a ponytail holder to fasten my jeans!"  Well, call me fatty (I dare you.) but a ponytail holder doesn't hold my pants up!  I'm going to rip my belt loops off with all the yanking!  

Alternative #2:

A wide elastic belt with adjustable lengths.  Not quite as supportive as a full panel, but more conducive to multiple pairs of pants.  And no sewing involved!  (unless you really want to!)

Alternative #3:

Stretchy clothes.  This is of course the easiest solution, but you can only wear yoga pants so many places.  Unfortunately.

Alternative #4:

Suspenders.  I may go there.  If I do, please stop me ;)

A definite "do"

 

 Umm....no.