October 23-29, 2003

naked city

firstlook

by A.D. Amorosi

Despite spending years fraught with what I thought was morning sickness, I know nothing about being pregnant. What I do know doesn't look good. That is, that maternity clothing doesn't wear well. Yes, I'm certain that every pregnant women has that certain glow. But why cover a sunshiny bulb with an ugly lampshade? While design houses Olian, Cadeau and Carla C. have made stunning leaps for pregnant fashionistas (even Diane von Furstenberg altered her wrap dress to accommodate the laboring lady), you could never find those goods in downtown Philly.

All my girlfriends who lived downtown, having children, couldn't find clothes that suited their life, their age, their style, says Patty Fagan (not a mom yet), who's taken over the shamefully barren shop that was Adresse and made it into Center City's first tony maternity-wear salon, Belly. Fagan left the store's black-tiled front untouched but updated Adresse's antiseptic vibe with warm colors (cranberry, mustard), Oriental rugs and a cushy sitting space.

To suit professional, stylish women of Fagan's age (34), Fagan strapped on a fake stomach and went shopping at N.Y.C.'s most chic maternity designers. You have to make sure the outfits don't look like a tent. These are women who like the nicer things, she says. Maternity clothing can still maintain sexiness and sleekness, Fagan notes, and Belly aims for fashion as well as function, like the faux suede Mama Coat by San Francisco's Japanese Weekend that shifts in size to be worn throughout (and beyond) pregnancy. Belly will carry a line of maternity pinstripe suits by Chiarakruza, the Liz Lange Baby Boutique line, the von Furstenberg wrap (Amazing, right? The material has enough give so that it doesn't cut into your breast, Fagan enthuses), the Lazar Egg line of baby blankets and non-pregnant goods like the Dulce leather handbag.

Women come off the street, they think the clothes are so beautiful, Fagan says. They just have a little extra material in front. Who doesn't need that?

Belly, 1600 Pine St., 215-985-1169.