Dressing well during pregnancy can be difficult to master. Your body is changing and growing and while your normal clothes may fit for a while, there will inevitably be a time where you need to invest in some new pieces. You don’t have to lose your sense of style when you’re pregnant. In fact, you can even use your pregnancy as a time to experiment with your personal style. Try things you may not have before and display your bump in ways that make you feel confidence and stylish. No matter your body type, these looks and tips will ensure you stay comfortable yet chic. Here’s how to dress when pregnant.
How to Dress When Pregnant: 10 Maternity Fashion Tips
1. Comfort Over Everything
When you’re pregnant, the last thing you want to do is compromise on comfort. Do a comfort check at home and if it’s even vaguely uncomfortable, whether it’s shoes, fabric, size or undergarments, change into something that feels better. Your body itself can already be uncomfortable when pregnant, so what you wear shouldn’t add to your discomfort. Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean you need to be wearing baggy, loose-fitting clothes all the time. Fitted, stylish pieces can help you feel confident and comfortable.
2. Avoid Baggy Garments
While you may think baggy, shapeless garments will help camouflage your pregnant belly, they actually tend to do the opposite. These garments can make you look bigger and don’t offer any support to accommodate your physical changes during pregnancy. Look for closer fits that follow your curves- these are the garments that will be most flattering.
3. But Don’t Go Too Tight
The most important thing is that your clothes fit properly. While oversized garments can be unflattering, clothing that’s too tight can rub against your skin, causing chafing and irritation. It can also restrict blood flow to you and the baby, especially anything worn around the waist. While it can be tough for some people to see their body changing, don’t try to squeeze into your pre-pregnancy clothes. It can limit your range of motion, contribute to acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion, and just generally be very uncomfortable.
4. Size Up At Your Favourite Stores
Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you have to shop at maternity stores. Keep shopping at the stores you love and size up in clothes that suit your personal style. While you may find that certain pieces don’t work for your changing body, there will be lots of options that do. Keep in mind that you also may have to style pieces in new ways. For example, if you usually wear a cardigan buttoned all the way up, consider wearing a t-shirt underneath and buttoning the top button so the rest of the cardigan sits open, displaying your bump.
5. Look for Stylish Maternity Pieces
There may be a point during your pregnancy where regular clothes aren’t working for you anymore. Everyone and every body is different so if you feel like it’s time to make the switch, look for versatile and flattering maternity pieces that fit your personal style. Maternity clothes are great because they offer support to your belly and offer comfort to your changing body. While hearing the words “maternity clothes” may turn you off, there are lots of trendy maternity brands today, including Bumpsuit, Carry Maternity and Légoe Heritage.
6. Invest in Maternity Basics
You obviously don’t want to be spending all your money on maternity clothes that you only wear for a few months. Invest in a few basics like maternity jeans, leggings, tops and undergarments, as well as a few special occasion pieces like dresses or skirts. Look for versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched and choose clothes based on your daily activities, whether you work at home or at an office, are busy with kids or have a jam packed social calendar.
7. Find Your Footwear
It’s generally best to keep footwear as comfortable and supportive as possible while pregnant. Fortunately for women everywhere (pregnant or not) sneakers continue to be on trend, and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. When you need a dressier shoe, look for a comfortable pair of Mary Jane flats or loafers. A short block-heeled sandal or boot are great if you want to dress up your look, but make sure they’re stable and comfortable.
8. Highlight Your Bump
While some people are more conservative with showing off their bump, others use it as an accessory, and we’re all for it! Wear a button-up shirt or sweater unbuttoned halfway to display your bump, try body con tops, or even try a crop top. You can pair the bump-bearing tops with loose trousers, stretchy skirts or low rise jeans for a cool girl look.
9. Don’t Forget Outerwear
If your belly is at its roundest during fall or winter, you’ll need the right outerwear. Opt for an oversized jacket that you can close throughout your entire pregnancy or get a wrap coat that can adjust to your body as you grow. There are also maternity jacket extenders that allow you to keep wearing the jackets and coats you love throughout your pregnancy.
10. Focus on on Accessories
Accessories can elevate any bumpfit. If you’re feeling lazy and all you can manage is to throw on is bicycle shorts and an oversized button-up, accessories can take your outfit up a notch. Add on bold gold or silver earrings, a hat, or a choker necklace to add some personality to your look. A fun handbag and trendy pair of shoes can also work wonders.
Maternity fashion doesn’t have to be as complicated as it seems. Use these tips to maintain your personal style during pregnancy.
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