Spotted: Maternity Wear at Zara

I was on a mission today:

To find a non-maternity outfit that I could wear to Eliz's wedding dinner in 2 weeks time.

I had put the shopping off till today because I knew I would be growing, and didn't want to be stuck with an outfit that wouldn't fit by the time the dinner rolled by.

I was pinning my hopes on TopShop, but since I was at Taka, decided to hit Zara and Mango as I was too lazy to walk over to Wisma. Given recent fashion silhouettes, I thought it wouldn't be too difficult to pick up a baby doll-ish/ trapeze like outfit that could accomodate my growing belly.

Sure enough, found quite a few of these type dresses. But they were either: $200 plus (not what I would like to spend on an outfit that I will likely wear only once), in jersey knit (too casual), ikat (!) print (too ethnic for my taste), or adorned with giant crystal beads (not my style).

Finally, spied something that I thought might work. A black and white graphic print, mod-ish, halter-eque satin shift in an A-line silhouette. $129! Yes! There was 1 piece in S, and 2 in L. I prayed that I would fit the S; L is definitely too big for me.

I tried it on and it fit! There was even some extra room around the belly, but not too much that I looked like I was wearing a sack. Joy! (Being able to fit into a size S was a bonus, I usually wear a M these days. And at 7.5 months, I was hoping to buy something that I could wear even post-preggers - this is assuming I return to my previous size, of course)

It was comfortable to boot, and I was glad for the fact that it wasn't an empire line/baby doll dress. That particular style just screams "pregnant!". Instead, this one skimmed over my belly and I actually felt quite hot in it (very rare these days, let me tell you). The halter style also allowed me to bare my shoulders and back, one of the few remaining areas of my body that look pretty much pre-pregnancy.

But wait, what's this??? A giant snag running down the front! Crap. I left the fitting room and looked around for a Zara staff for help. It came in the form of a lanky teenage emo-rockerish looking dude. I wasn't too sure if it would be safe to put myself in his hands, but what the heck I was desperate. Asked him to check if there was any more stock of size S.

He came back: Nil. Nope. Crap!!!!! I asked him to call the other branches to check. He returned and said that the lines were all busy, would I leave my phone number and they would call me back. I did and left the shop.

I walked around Taka, visiting Mango (nothing) and still no phone call. Decided to take matters into my own hands and give the Great World branch (which is near my place) a try.

I walked into the store with bated breath. Found it! TWO size S! Haha.....however upon inspection, I found one to be defective but the other one was OK, thank goodness. (A fabric defect - there was a line going all the way across the back of the dress. I actually started to give the salesgirl a minor lecture on how this was a defective piece of garment and that it should never have passed Quality Control, but she gave me a blank look and I gave up. Occupational hazard.)

Finally. Mission accomplished.

And the dude from Taka still hasn't called me back. So much for service at Zara. But what to do, they have nice clothes.

No pictures of the dress - yet. I will post when I actually wear it :)

Oh, and I haven't forgotten the title of this post.

Yes, I did spot maternity wear at Zara Great World. A little too late for me, shall we say. But for all you budding mummys-to-be out there, Zara has introduced a "special" collection for mums. I asked one of the sales staff if this was a temporary promotion or a long term line, but she didn't seem to have a clue. (Again, so much for service staff at Zara)

I saw smart work worthy blouses, jackets and a dress, and some T-shirts too. It's not a very large collection, but it's a start at least. I would have bought one of their graphic Ts with "Kill for High Heels" (very much how I feel these days) emblazoned across the front, but they didn't have it in my size : (

BTW, if you frequent Great World City, I just found that one of the newly renovated shops houses Dorothy Perkins! Another label that carries a maternity line. Yay GW!