How to Dress Fashionable During Pregnancy

by Anonymous

I would love to hear your thoughts on how to dress fashionably during pregnancy, especially on how to:

1) Cover the bump at work before telling colleagues and
2) Dress through the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

I am a big fan of your site! Thank you!


This one is a bit of a tricky one as I've never been pregnant and never had to deal with maternity clothes :) However I do have some thoughts and tips on how to maintain a chic and fashionable style throughout your pregnancy.

I've admired celebrities such as Heidi Klum, Nicole Richie and Jennifer Garner who really have worn their clothes during pregnancy with such grace. They successfully pulled off the maternity look by dressing stylishly without looking like a tent.

I know that they're celebs, but their maternity style is quite doable and affordable :)

How to Dress Stylish During Pregnancy

Dress like a pregnant woman, not a tent.

That's why it's important to purchase maternity clothes (starting from your second trimester). Maternity tops and dresses are cut to be form-fitting against your growing belly. Many might look at it as waste of money, but there women who actually get pregnant several times during their life. Avoid shapeless, baggy pieces that will only make you look bigger.


Celebrate your tummy And cleavage.

Although I've never been pregnant before I find women who showcase their belly and breasts very beautiful. I really believe this is your time to embrace and emphasize your voluptuous, pregnant body. It gives you that gorgeous, and radiant glow!

Tops and dresses that show the contour of your bump is much more flattering than those that cover you up in yards of fabric (aka 'tent'-look). Showing off a little bit of cleavage helps you maintain a sexy mama look. You can also still show off your figure by accenting legs or whatever else is making you feel sexy.

Tips on Hiding the Bump at Work

Empire waists, loose tunics and tees and scarves are excellent ways to disguise your bump before telling your co-workers about your pregnancy.

You can wear a silk scarf knotted where a v-neck would "v"- it masks your growing tummy size and draws attention up to face instead of down to belly.

Also, wearing a suit jacket or cardigan open works very well, especially with a black top or camisole underneath.

How to Dress During Second to Third Trimester

Now is the time to buy maternity clothes. Old Navy - Styles For Moms-To-Be and GapMaternity offer lots of basic maternity clothes at affordable prices, but if you want something that looks more high-end then I recommend Isabella Oliver Maternity who provides a chic and demure-looking collection of maternity clothes. The prices aren't that bad given their flattering cut and quality.

However, if you're on a tight budget, oversized tops and tunics will accommodate the growing baby bump.


Maternity Clothes by Isabella Oliver

You can otherwise layer your clothes with existing flowy vests and sweaters or use accessories like scarves and jewelry to put some life in the boring basics from Old Navy.

Remember to purchase fluid fabrics like jersey and silk Lycra to accomodate your growing tummy and chest.


Fashionable Garments, Styles and Details to Wear During Pregnancy

• Tops and dresses with ties, ruching or one that has a gathered hem under the belly
• Boyfriend jeans, bootcut and wide leg jeans and pants are flattering on your pregnant body (they look very stylish with bump-hugging tops and tees)
• Lots of accessories for your basics. Jewelry, scarves, shoes, etc. always draw attention away from the over-sized bump and onto your neck and face.
• Belts to wrap above or below your tummy to give shape to a voluminous tented dress or top
• Maxi dresses to keep you looking feminine and on-trend. Make sure to select a maxi dress with an empire cut to give some shape to your silhouette - it trims your waist and skim past your belly.
• Wrap dresses and tops to flatter and accentuate your breasts

Here's a great link which talks about your essentials during this trimester:
Style tips for second trimester

How to Dress During Third Trimester

Comfort is what really matters during this stage, so I advise you to secure the Bella Band, which is a maternity support band that alleviates the pressure in your pelvis. It can be folded down in half to hold up your pants. Pants always want to roll off a very pregnant belly. Another great thing is that it looks like a camisole or tank top whenever your maternity shirt rises up.



Ingrid & Isabel BellaBand/Bare Necessities


No need to buy more maternity clothes as I think you'll fill out the ones you bought in second trimester. It's not long to go now :)

Sincerely,


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