Feature image via Gajus/Shutterstock
To me, maternity wear has always been the light blue, gauzy polyester dress with the faux lace collar that my mother wore to her baby shower before my sister was born. She looked beautiful in it, but it was such a particular style: pretty, delicate, feminine feminine feminine. And while that style works well for the femmes of the world, it leaves out a huge number of people who have just as much interest in pregnancy, style and comfort.
So thank the universe for Butchbaby & Co., a new clothing company by Vanessa Newman and Michelle Janayea, and their upcoming seven-piece maternity line for androgynous and masculine-identified parents-to-be. Vanessa got the idea in college, when she and her best friend were daydreaming the rest of their lives and realized some things: They both wanted to carry children, and neither had ever seen the clothing they pictured wearing while doing it. The standard options of scoop-neck tees, loose, flowy tunics and maxi dresses whispering gently of femininity didn’t appeal to their butch tastes. So Vanessa decided to make her own. She teamed up with designer Michelle, and Butchbaby was born.
Vanessa and Michelle
via Butchbaby & Co.
The pair has already produced some prototypes, and they’re planning a crowdfunding campaign for next fall. By winter 2015, you’ll be able to pick up the pieces they’ve designed so far:
- T-shirt
- Oxford button-up
- Flannel button-up
- Pullover sweater
- Signature jogger pants and jacket
- Boxer brief underwear
- Pregnancy bra
There aren’t any prototype images out yet, but I can’t wait to see them. For email updates on their progress, subscribe here, or follow the company on Twitter.
Well… what can we say, we’re here, we’re queer, and we’re working on making some great androgynous maternity wear for you! #FirstTweet
— Butchbaby & Co. (@butchbabyco) December 6, 2014
This looks awesome! I remember reading about how difficult it was to find decent masculine maternity wear in the “Pregnant Butch” graphic novel. My girlfriend is butch-identified and it can be hard enough for her to find masculine clothing that fits well, I can only imagine that difficulty magnifying for maternity wear.
We do want to have a baby, but I want to be the one to carry it, not my girlfriend (the idea squicks her out, and she has some health issues that may make pregnancy difficult). Still, even as a femme I’m hoping that affordable maternity wear improves, especially professional maternity wear. I want to keep my individual style and still be pregnant, feel attractive AND maternal. Pastel shades and lacy housedresses make me shudder. Also, I would like to work as long as I can during my pregnancy, and I still want to come across as sharp, smart, and professional while pregnant. It’s sad that the fashion industry is just now acknowledging that pregnant women work, and it’s great that people like this are independently providing maternity clothes for masculine-identified people.
Back before maternity fashion wear was a thing an oxford from the men’s section was pretty much it once you started to show and couldn’t hide with a girdle. This told to me by my mother while we were watching Back to the Future.
So uh butch maternity fashion kinda brings maternity wear in American culture full circle.
Cool.
this is so awesome
This is SO. EXCITING.
While I am myself fairly femme, this is definitely something I’ve noticed missing. Also, I love a good button up and vest and would like to continue wearing them, well at least the button up, through pregnancy.
This reminds me so much of Cameron Esposito’s joke about how she’ll never have kids because they don’t make maternity vests!
errrrr “they don’t make vests” as in clothing companies, not as in kids don’t make maternity vests, thanks grammar!
Props to this company, I hope they are successful.
This is kind of amazing.
Like… I would say something clever or wordy but no. I can’t it’s just amazing.
I was just planning on wearing large men’s button downs for 9 months, BUT THIS IS GONNA BE SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!
this is so wonderful. I have had Serious Feelings about the possibility of being pregnant and more masculine presenting.