Have Fun Buying Clothes for Pregnancy
Don't change your style just because you're pregnant. Never before have there been more fashion options for the pregnant woman, so have fun translating your signature style into belly-friendly looks.
Vanessa Knox-Brien and Baukjen de Swaan Arons own Isabella Oliver, a London-based online designer maternity boutique. On their website they encourage women to embrace and emphasize their voluptuous, pregnant bodies by choosing styles that celebrate cleavage, that radiant glow of pregnancy and (of course) a beautiful round belly.
Why Buy Maternity Clothing?
Some women may think they can get through pregnancy in style by squeezing into their regular clothing or simply going up a few sizes in non-maternity fashion. While this strategy may work in the early months when your abdomen is only softly swollen, by the time your belly blossoms (around the second trimester), roomier regular clothes and larger sizes just won't cut it.
"You look smaller in your maternity clothes than you do stuffed like a sausage into your regular clothes," says Claudia Roberts (owner of Generations Maternity Shoppe in Los Angeles) in an article for SheKnows.com.
When to Buy Maternity Clothes
To get the longest wear of your maternity clothes, buy them early. Although Roberts points out that you may have to buy clothes at least twice during your pregnancy: once by the end of the first trimester, and again in the third trimester, when your belly grows bigger than you ever thought possible.
Maternity Sizing
You should buy your pre-pregnancy size when purchasing maternity clothes, say Teresa Gallagher and Maria Mueller, of Anna Cris Maternity. Since your basic proportions remain the same, your size in well-made maternity garments will have extra room in the thighs, hips, upper arms, and bust, and will allow more length on hemlines, as tops and dresses will ride up as your belly expands. Bottoms should have generous elasticized waist panels or panel-free bellow-the-belly waistlines to accommodate your growing belly.
Which Styles Flatter a Pregnant Body?
The ladies behind Isabella Oliver suggest investing in a few essential maternity items and combining them with existing, maternity-friendly pieces in your pre-pregnancy wardrobe, such as favorite shawls and cardigans.
Flaunt your new sensual body by purchasing fluid fabrics (like jersey and silk Lycra), simple silhouettes, and curve-hugging cuts.
Staples in your maternity wardrobe should include solid colors that will mix and match easily so people won't notice that your fabulous wardrobe consists of just a few items.
Maternity Fashion Must-Haves
BellaBand: One essential purchase for every pregnant woman is the BellaBand, from Ingrid & Isabel. This elasticized band helps you wear your regular pants or skirts longer (by concealing an open zipper), holds up too-loose maternity pants early in pregnancy, and helps you fit into your normal pants sooner, postpartum.
Maternity Denim: A great-fitting pair of jeans in a cut that you like will probably be the most important clothing purchase you make during pregnancy. Designer maternity denim is extremely popular, offering an endless variety of hip styles and washes.
For maximum wear, buy a darker wash that dresses up for work or play, day or night. Expected Maternity offers an excellent variety of designer denim for yummy mummies to-be.
A Not-So-Little Black Dress: The little black dress is a pregnancy staple. Look for wrap dresses, empire waists or something with ruching in black that can be dressed up or down, depending your shoes and accessories.
Seasonal Tops: A black or dark gray turtleneck for fall and winter is a chic, slimming staple you won't want to do without. In warmer weather, a few quality T-shirts and twin-sets can keep you comfortable and greatly extend your wardrobe.
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