Here are some baby friendly, value-for-money tips to see you from bump to post baby bulge in style.
Comfort and support are your new found buzzwords followed closely by flat shoes. If you normally wear heels you can continue to do so for limited “spurts” but you will find yourself living in flats. Luckily there are some seriously glamorous ballet pumps out there and Pennys is one shop that springs to mind for inexpensive footwear.
You will also get through these nine months with two new best friends, the empire line and the elasticated waist. An empire line cut drapes over your tummy and is tightest under your bust. This style is flattering and can be found in dresses and tunic or smock tops in your original size. If you’re comfortable doing so, v-necks are great for showing off your newly bigger boobs.
In the initial stages, maternity jeans may be too big, so loop a rubber band through the button hole of your regular trousers and jeans and hook it over the button, this should get you another couple of weeks wear. Otherwise, the “bump band” from Topshop which is worn around the waist, means you can comfortably wear most of your own shirts and blouses without exposing too much of that beautiful belly.
While some maternity clothing ranges can be expensive, there are some basics worth investing in.
Boutiques can be expensive so try Topshop or H&M’s Mama. Topshop stock “under the bump” jeans which will do you until a certain stage. For the latter stages of your pregnancy, you may want “over the bump” trousers – try Next’s bootcut jeans which are very flattering. When trying on maternity jeans and trousers, stand up and sit down a few times to see if they stay put.
Other choices in the trouser department are leggings or maternity black trousers. Between the pregnancy and the post baby bulge you will need some basic stylish items.
Only invest in items you’ll wear after the baby such as belts, bags and flat shoes.
For underwear, most high street shops have maternity bras but note that if you’re pregnant during the summer, maternity bras have thicker straps, so bear this in mind for sleeveless tops. Elle Macpherson Intimates is a stylish range of maternity bras which you can source online.
Nursing tops are something you may live in post-birth. You won’t have time to think about what to wear, so during your pregnancy buy some nursing vests and different colour cardigans to wear over them. Jojo Maman Bebe is a good online resource for nursing tops whereas H&M and Zara are perfect for coloured cardis in block colours.
Dressing for an “occasion” while you’re pregnant needn’t be an ordeal. Look for a flowy, grecian style dress with an empire line cut. Monsoon offers a great choice. Otherwise, Beautiful Shapes in Lucan, Dublin, have good maternity occasion wear which you can hire.
Jackets: Wear an open jacket to reveal a narrow column glimpse of your dress underneath. This is a great way to achieve the illusion of a slimmer silhouette! Don’t wear cropped jackets; they will sit on your bump, emphasising rather than hiding it.
If your work dresscode dictates that you have to wear a suit, find a longer length suit jacket which will accommodate your bump. Even better if you can get one with a low cut neckline to lengthen your upper body.
Maternity tights are expensive so a more prudent option is opaque “hold up” tights which will hide your swollen ankles. Believe it or not, your legs will look slimmer than ever during this time so rely on a pair of black opaques which will go with most dresses in winter and spring.
Jersey, jersey, jersey. This material will expand with your shape and is seriously flattering. Wrap dresses in a jersey fabric are the best thing since sliced bread when you’re pregnant (even when you’re not!). Choose a dress with a busy print which will take away from your curves and keep you looking in proportion.
Finally, once you are back to your normal shape you can swap your favourite buys with your girlfriends - especially those maternity jeans!
The original article was published on WhatSheWears.ie. Anne Marie Boyhan is the editor of WhatSheWears.ie , a fashion tips, latest trends and celebrity style website.
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