A woman goes through numerous physical changes during pregnancy, the most obvious being the growing baby bump. Changes in the figure mean maternity wardrobe changes, but your fashion sense does not have to suffer. Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean that you need to wear your husband’s clothes.
Comfy and stylish maternity clothes can still reflect your sense of style. With the help of maternity clothes made following today’s trends, you can keep your style statement up during the pregnancy and even beyond. All you need to do is build a simple maternity wardrobe with clothes that flatter your growing body.
Maternity Shopping by Trimester
There is no need to run to the store right when you find out you’re pregnant. It will be a few months before you will need maternity clothes, and you will know the time has come when you no longer fit into or feel comfortable in your pre-pregnancy clothes.
The best approach you can take to a continually changing body is to divide your maternity shopping into three parts and shop for maternity clothes when you actually need them. This will allow you to see how your body will change during the pregnancy. Even if this is not your first pregnancy, you can expect to be surprised by the changes in your body.
#First Trimester
The first part of your maternity wear shopping should occur when you first notice you are running out of clothes that fit you. During your first trimester, you may not need maternity bottoms, but you’ll find that your breasts are changing dramatically. These changes will affect your choices of tops and dresses in your closet. Since your breasts will keep growing, invest in a couple of supportive maternity bras to ease the discomfort.
#Second Trimester
The shopping for the second trimester will probably occur when you outgrow your regular bottoms. When you’re ready for maternity bottoms, buy stretchy maternity leggings that will expand with your growing belly and one nice pair of maternity jeans for special events or work meetings.
#Third Trimester
During the third trimester, if you plan on breastfeeding, you can start looking at feeding tops and nursing nighties. Maternity and nursing clothes of high quality will grow with your pregnancy and shrink with your sliming body after the delivery, saving you money and time.
The Do's and Don'ts of Professional Workplace Emails
Maternity Wardrobe Do’s and Don’ts
#Do’s
Being pregnant can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. Fun and exciting, shopping for maternity clothes can sometimes be confusing as you don’t have any idea about the belly size to come.
To stay stylish while pregnant, remember your style. Pregnancy does not mean you can not be fashionable; on the contrary, you can be stylish and look great; below are some tips to follow:
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Make sure you have at least one pair of high-stretch maternity jeans in your new collection. Look for an adjustable waistband, stretchy material, and a flattering cut, such as a bootleg. This would be an excellent item to splurge on because you will probably wear them for a bit after the baby is born.
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Maternity pants are a must for your maternity wardrobe. Dress them up with a glamorous tunic, or wear them for lounging with any maternity top.
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If you like shorts, make sure you have a couple of maternity shorts in basic colors with lightweight material and a stretchy waistband.
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A wrap maternity dress is a must-have item for the pregnant woman. The size is adjustable by definition, and it is a perfect look for your new shape.
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Don’t forget to pick up a figure-hugging top with a cute neckline to accentuate your bump. A flirty and feminine empire-waist shirt is also a great look, and you can never go wrong with a fitted tee.
#Don’ts
Pregnancy is not the time to reinvent yourself. If your pre-pregnancy style was casual, there is no need to get tailored maternity clothes. Some of your maternity clothes will go with you even after the pregnancy, if they are of high quality or if you get tops that are also designed for breastfeeding.
Stay true to yourself, enough things are changing in your life, and your style doesn’t need to be one of them. You can find maternity clothes in so many different types, so there is no need to compromise your style.
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Waiting too long to buy maternity clothes has no benefit. Get clothes that can grow with you, and be comfortable from the start. There is no reason to wear uncomfortable clothes for half your pregnancy. Shop smart, look for flexible maternity clothing that you can wear even after delivery.
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Since you can’t foresee all the changes to your body throughout the pregnancy, buying all your maternity clothes early and all at one time is probably not a good idea. Buy the items you need and know you may need to expand your collection later on.
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For example, your bra cup size may change dramatically throughout the pregnancy and then again after giving birth. It is a good idea to wait until after you deliver to purchase nursing bras.
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Avoid the tent look. Empire waist style may be a solution if you do not want to wear tight tops. Embrace your new curves, don’t hide them.
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This is not the time to neglect yourself. Pampering is essential to feel good about yourself, especially now that you may feel insecure about your body’s changes you may not have expected.