Photo Credit: Pinc. Photography
Remember my Portofino shirt obsession? Well, I have another one . . . the Barcelona Cami from Express. This shirt is nursing-friendly, POOCH-hiding friendly, comes in a TON of colors and patterns (it’s reversible!) and is perfect for spring and summer. I first fell in love with them before I was pregnant because they DRAPE so well, LOOK high-quality and I CAN THROW THEM IN THE WASHER AND DRYER. (I don’t know about you, but I HATE clothes that have special washing instructions. Everything’s getting thrown in the washer and dryer whether they’re “supposed” to or not. This is probably why I don’t own white jeans. And why my husband washes his own stuff. But I digress.)
I wore the Barcelona Cami throughout my pregnancy (and even to my baby shower in my 32nd week) and it was my first go-to when I was newly post-partum and needed to hide the belly. Now that it’s been 8 months, I’ve lost some of the weight but I still have that lovely jiggly pooch that I’m sure (hoping??) many of you are familiar with. This shirt covers it up without looking overly baggy or sloppy. You can tuck it, not tuck it, wear it with leggings or jeans, under jackets or blazers . . . it literally goes with everything. (Seriously, can you tell it’s my favorite shirt??) They come out with new colors and prints for each season and I’m eyeing up this particular pattern for spring. For size reference, I wear a size small as did Cams in her Boyfriend Jeans post.
Photography Credit: Pinc. Photography
Wearing:
Top: Barcelona Cami
Jacket: Old, but similar from Forever 21 or Macy’s and a similar color blazer here
Pants: Low-Rise Sateen Leggings, and I’m loving the high-rise version (both available in short and tall sizes)
Shoes: Sam Edelman Gladiators
Purse: Fringed Bag (similar)
Thanks to Patty Belt from Pinc. Photography for her awesome photography!
Here’s a pic from my baby shower to show you what it looked like (cue the cheesy smiles) . . . I wore the same size and it stretched nicely over my belly.
Everything at Express is currently 40% off (the best sale until Black Friday!) including the Barcelona Cami until April 6th! Happy shopping!! 😉
XOXO,
Scotti
Cute and I love the patterns/drape but definitely not bra friendly…I’m breastfeeding and a dd and this would be super impractical for me….
Ummm, nursing friendly??? Are you supposed to tape your breast pads to your boobs?!?!
How about some realistic options for mamas with large breasts??? This cami (and any other) isn’t going to happen with my 32DDD self. Would love some options!
Sorry, but what nursing mama’s go braless? Let alone the large number of us with D’s and above. Very very cute top, but pretty unpractical for most of us.
I was wondering about bras too. Strapless? None? I’m not nursing so that’s not a concern (but when I was I’m pretty sure I need a BRA) but as much as I love this neckline, I hate a strapless bra because I constantly have to pull them up. Advice? I’m a lowly and saggy A.
You look awesome!! Sadly this shirt wouldn’t work for me, ever, but especially not while pregnant or nursing. I started out adulthood with 34Ds, and motherhood gives me a bra size barley known to man (I usually have to alter bras to come up with something that fits me.) I need tops with substantial straps to hide my substantial bra straps. I can handle a strapless bra for a few hours max — for maybe like a wedding or something super special, but never under normal circumstances. Wish this would work for me though. I can see why you love it!
Hahahaha! These comments are EXACTLY what I was thinking. I’m a 32H! I have to buy gigantic bras and have nordstrom convert them to nursing bras.
But Scotti, I whole heartedly agree with the laundering! Why does EVERYTHING say “hand wash cold. Lay flat to dry”?!? If I did that my whole house would be covered in wet clothes. And I’ve never hand washed something in my life.
I agree about the hand washing. It’s just not practical for a mom!
What bra did you wear? Breastfeeding left me not as, um, perky (shocker!)
Hi guys! Soooo . . . it crossed my mind as I was writing this post to include my bra and other suggestions and now I see I should have! Sorry about that . . . I’m definitely wearing a bra with this top! Even if I could go braless (I can’t), I can’t stand the feeling of it. I would suggest either wearing a strapless bra, a spaghetti strap bra (either a halter or use one of those clips that pull the straps together . . . try this one: http://rstyle.me/n/yu9afbcujf), clear straps OR just wearing it underneath a jacket or cardigan and not taking the top layer off. I actually have a ton of strapless bras from everywhere . . . Victoria’s Secret, Norsdtrom, etc. but my FAVORITE is just a cheapy from Target (http://rstyle.me/n/yu9m6bcujf). I just pull down the front of it and latch G on. If you still aren’t sold on the strapless or spaghetti strap thing (I get it, believe me), try the sleeveless Portofino from Express (http://rstyle.me/n/yaz5wbcujf). . . it has all of the nice drape, washability and color/print option but your bra straps remain covered! Hope this helps!
Love your posts and your style, Scotti. I haven’t been to Express in about 10 years but I’ll definitely head there soon for this top and the flare jeans. And I love that these are budget friendly too. Thanks!
Reading these comments made me feel so much better, ha! I was just feeling sad about not being able to wear spaghetti straps anymore, and I’m at the end of breastfeeding. My boobs have “gone down” to a 36E, strapless bras are not my friend. I totally would have loved this shirt pre-baby though! Question: is it stretchy material? I wasn’t sure how you got your boob out of it…?
Hi Scotti – I love this look. What do you suggest wearing under this for added support? I’m a bit busty and am not sure I can pull this off without looking saggy. 🙁
Nevermind – for some reason the other comments didn’t show up before I posted mine! Disregard. Thanks for the suggestions!
I LOVE camis in summer, minimal tan lines, and this drape looks perfect…alas! polyester! i just.can’t.do.it! Please let us know if you come across any other cotton/rayon similars 😀
Ali, I completely agree, especially for summers in the South.
Why is cotton so hard to find???
I absolutely love this look.