[Blarg]

Showing your tummy or showing your boobies isn't necessary or even ideal, by my lights. It's just that there's a lot more choice than maternity clothes versus thong. I don't think you have to bare any skin at all and think it's pretty inappropriate in most workplaces to do so, and overrated on the street, too. There's nothing wrong with flaunting it when the mood hits you in your private life, but I'm probably happier seeing that mood hit only occasionally. First of all, fewer women can do it successfully than think they can, and secondly, there's something to be said for a little modesty, and thirdly, it does tend to bring things down to whose is better and is sticking it out more, which is fine for the beach and nightclub but a little diminishing and atavistic the rest of the time. I don't think the body is something you need to hide, but putting it on parade every chance you get is a bit much. I'd like to think a woman is confident and together enough that she can pull off "attractive" without wearing a thong and grinding a stripper pole.

So, even if you have your conservative side too, it doesn't mean you think mousy colored maternity wear is a good look.