
Pregnancy Style: Angela Tafoya of Refinery29
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Photographed by Maria Del Rio
The coolest pregnant lady in San Francisco? That might very well by Angela Tafoya, the Bay Area-based editor of Refinery29. Of course, as former colleagues…we might be a little bias! But we think after taking a look at the 29-year-old’s impressive collection of “maternity” duds (many not from the “maternity” aisles, mind you), plus her equally impressive closet-turned-nursery that we profiled last week, you might just agree with us. Here, the California native with a baby girl bun in the oven talks about the excitement of impending motherhood, work/life balance, expertly styling the bump, and her daughter’s already insane shoe collection.
- "I would say my style is playful and fun. I try not to take it too seriously. I love prints, bright colors, and interesting textures. But I definitely keep comfort in mind when getting dressed." Angela wears a Hatch jumpsuit, Storq tank, Bryr clogs, and Marisa Mason necklace.
- "I've actually introduced more solid-colored items into my wardrobe. I've realized that all-over prints might not be the most flattering during this time. Also, when I grew out of my pants, I didn't really opt for maternity jeans or anything like that. I just started wearing dresses more, which has been a nice change for me. I tried to buy dresses I know I would wear post pregnancy."
- "Definitely jumpsuits. I wore them a lot before, so I was happy that I could keep them as part of my wardrobe. It can be hard trying to figure out an entire outfit when you're pregnant. Jumpsuits are definitely the lazy girl's option—it's an instant outfit. I've been living in my Hatch jumpsuits. Also, the basics from Storq are a dream. I love lounging around in the leggings and tank.”
- "I found it challenging. I think because my bump has been relatively small during my pregnancy, it's been a little harder to figure out what to wear. Like, I can't fully ‘style' it up in the way I had imagined, which is fine, but definitely a tougher fashion obstacle. I feel like I was in the 'in between' phase (before I really started to show) for a long time."
- "Again, I could live in Hatch's jumpsuits. They've definitely been a wardrobe life saver. With this one, I paired a Storq tank underneath for extra support."
- "I feel like I've been seeing the city with new eyes these days. I’m a fan of all the adorable kids stores I've checked out, like The Podolls, Tug-Tug, and Aldea Ninos. Also, I went to pre-natal yoga the other day at Yoga Tree on Valencia and it was amazing. The energy of twenty pregnant women in one room is so cool and inspiring. Plus, it helped with a lot of the aches and pains I've been getting these days."
- "I work as the S.F. editor at Refinery29—overseeing and producing Bay Area content for the site." Angela wears a Just Female jumpsuit, Freda Salvador shoes, and a necklace from Reliquary.
- "All of the interesting, creative people I've met and the ability to tell their stories through the content we produce. And, overall, just being immersed in what's happening in S.F. culture. I love this city so much and I am really inspired by it."
- "I work from home—so not so much on a daily basis. I still hang out in pretty comfy garb while working. But, I do find it more challenging to come up with creative outfits for meetings or when I'm on shoots."
- "That is a great question. I literally think about this all the time, but have no set ‘plan' as of yet. I think the best approach for me is to feel out her moods and what kind of baby she is before I strategize the balance. I recently read an article in The New York Times about the positive impact working moms have on their daughter's upbringing. I really want to continue to create a strong sense of identity within my work and life for her to look up to."
- "When I first found out I was pregnant, I really thought I was going to feel insecurities about weight gain and the like, but I think the most surprising thing is how much I love the changes and have really rolled with the punches so to speak. I have some days when I might be a little frustrated with how things are fitting, but overall I really love the natural beauty of the entire process."
- Tallie's Old Navy jellies.
- "Her shoe collection is a bit ridiculous. She definitely has every color of moccasin under the sun!" Freshly Picked Palm Leaf Moccasins, $60, Nordstrom; Freshly Picked White Moccasins, $60, Nordstrom; Freshly Picked Banana Moccasins, $60, Nordstrom. Freshly Picked Merci Moccasins, $60, Freshly Picked.
- "This romper was another recent non-maternity purchase. I liked it for its easy, roomy shape, but saw that it could be worn way after pregnancy. I bought it at Voyager in the Mission and it's been one of my favorite pieces this summer.”
- "She can never have enough pineapple gear!" Bonheur du Jour Pinapple Sweater, $40.80, Sweet William.
- "I've been living in this dress. It's so cozy and I love the color." Asos Maternity Swing Dress, $40, Asos.
- A Cave Collective necklace, Karen Walker sunnies, and an Erica Tanov clutch.
- "Our space is definitely non-traditional—it's a converted storefront and has a lofted bed. The area below the bed was my walk-in closet (Eric surprised me with it one year for Christmas). I would be lying if I said I didn't miss it a little, but when we found out we were pregnant, we knew this would be the perfect area to make into a little baby's room—especially since they don't need that much space in the beginning years. We took out the shelving, did a little DIY magic with help from Ikea, and now it's her nursery and it's perfect. All of the furniture fits in it like a dream!” (Check it out in our feature here!)
- An Erica Tanov clutch, Asos sunnies, and some important pre-baby reading.
- "At first I was really into having a boy. I had a gut feeling she was a girl, though, and now I am so excited! I think what excites me—and also scares me—is being able to raise an open-minded girl with a strong set of values who will (hopefully) grow into an inspiring, powerful woman and serve as an inspiration to her own children one day. Oh, and I do have to say, seeing her collection of little rompers gets me every time. Dressing her will be fun." Angela, with her pup Rye, wears an Ace & Jig dress, Birkenstocks, and Marisa Mason necklace.
- "It's Tallie! Which is short for Talula. I was sitting on the couch one day and asked Eric, my fiancé, ‘What do you think of the name Talula?' and he said he was literally thinking of that name the other day. It was just one of those moments where it just felt so right. You can't really say much else about it other than when you know, you know. I haven't even entertained the thought of other names, cause I love it so much."
- "Birkenstocks are the best/comfiest shoe for pregnancy. I've been wearing mine non-stop. Also, this was a dress I bought before I was pregnant and it has come in handy. I recently wore it to my baby shower.”
- “It was at Stable Cafe, an adorable spot in my neighborhood with lush greenery—it actually used to be an old horse stable. I chose a pineapple theme, not only because it's the cutest fruit ever, but it's also the Hawaiian symbol for welcome."
- "Um, yes! We were very fortunate enough to get a lot of gear from friends and such. I can't wait to take my new strollers out for a spin—and her Stokke mini crib is the cutest thing I've ever seen. She's going to love it. And, since her room is basically a renovated closet, it fits perfectly." Baskets by Eliza Gran.
- A bold necklace from San Francisco's Reliquary boutique.
- Backyard steez.
- A standout Nanushka vest.
- "A lot of things. One of which I already mentioned—raising a strong female—but also just seeing life through a different perspective. I really can't wait to discover and rediscover things with her and be her guiding light. Also, just loving her beyond comprehension—that's exciting to me."
- "The fear of missing out on our former life, losing self identity—also how it will impact my relationship with Eric."
- "I have to admit I haven't read any cover to cover, but The Joy Of Pregnancy was a great resource for when I wanted to look up something specific. I’m currently reading Bringing Up Bebe and I also picked up Ina May's Guide To Childbirth from my hospital. I've seen one or two movies—both showing the up close and personal elements of birth."
- "I've been loving Ace & Jig's silhouettes for pregnancy. I was looking for a short summer dress and this one is great for expanding bellies and can be worn way after the baby comes." Angela wears an Ace & Jig dress, Freda Salvador shoes, Baggu bag, and jewelry by Anna Sheffield, Svelte Metals, and Sarah Swell.
- "Not particularly. Aside from typical cravings for sugary things—I wasn't much of a sweets person before—I feel like I've been really lucky to have a breezy pregnancy."
- "Both of our families live in the Bay, so yes! And, while Eric is freelance, he definitely plans on taking some time away from his workload for the first few weeks."
- "I do have some specific requests in my birthing plan—like delayed cord cutting, skin to skin, etc. But, honestly I am still debating natural versus epidural. I am going to try to last as long as I can without, but I know if the epidural seems right, that's okay, too. We'll see. I think fear of the unknown is the scariest part about labor."
- "Enjoy it! It goes by realllly fast."
- To follow along with the rest of Angela's motherhood journey, check out her Instagram feed.
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