Striped Twoway Maternity Tank Topblackl
[…] and ultimately make you look larger than you really are (womp womp). We want to […]
Maternity Fashion: Looking Cute While Pregnant April 10, 2013
Can I just throw something out there really quick?
Why is it so hard to find fashionable maternity clothes? Why does everything look like a giant moo-moo? There are so many maternity do’s and don’t’s, we just need to chat about it. What happened to still looking cute and fashionable while you’re growing a human inside of you?!?!?!?
I’ve had a LOT of downtime lately (see here), which has resulted in SOME online shopping. I started browsing for maternity clothes…just to SEE what was out there. Aaaaand that’s when I wished I hadn’t. Because quite frankly, most of the clothing is hideous. Have you seen the things they are selling? Yeah. No thanks.
That’s when I decided I needed to share some KEY points with maternity fashion. So pregnant ladies, listen up! Now I fully understand, all women have different body types…some may feel insecure about the way they look being pregnant while others don’t. But let’s be honest, NO ONE wants to look bigger than they actually are. Am I right? So here are some tips on how to feel amazing about yourself regardless of size while you’re growing that tiny miracle inside of you for 9 months, and the first few postpartum months after. 🙂
Wear solid colors.
Solid colors really help flaunt your bump! Patterns have way too much going on and tend to draw attention AWAY from your bump, and ultimately make you look larger than you really are (womp womp). We want to show that bump off! Solid colored maxi dresses, maxi skirts, or a brightly colored solid pant with a neutral top can be easily accessorized with hats, scarves, belts, and jewelry..your options are limitless!
Dress Options / Pants Options / Dress
Invest in pieces of maternity clothing that will grow with you and fit you WELL.
I am loving the ruched maternity tanks from Old Navy. I have one in black, gray, and white. They are amazing and make you LOOK amazing. They hug in the right spots, and really flatter your shape. Plus, they are easy to throw under a long cardigan that’s already in your closet or to wear with a maxi skirt. Maxi dresses in a neutral color are also a great investment. Don’t give up on jeans just because they don’t button! Purchase a belly band (less than $20!) that way you can wear your jeans for as long as possible. But when you’re further along, find a pair of maternity jeans that fit you well.
Tank / Jeans: Option, Option, Option / Belly Band
Avoid baggy clothing (that doesn’t look good with a properly positioned belt – see next tip).
No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Baggy shirts, sweaters, etc. are doing nothing for you when you have a giant bump. This is acceptable for first trimester when you aren’t really showing, or if you’re trying to hide your pregnancy because you haven’t made the announcement yet. But wearing a large baggy sweater when you’re 7 months pregnant? It’s not flattering. You will most likely feel very large, and not good about yourself. And this is a time you should embrace because you’re GORGEOUS and therefore, you should feel amazing!
Accentuate your beautiful bump with belts.
My husband hates when women wear belts on the outside of clothing, aka not on belt loops. Then again, my husband spends maybe $20 a year on clothing and still wears a fleece from 1997. Belts are your friend! We want to show our bumps off because after all, they’re beautiful! So use a belt to accentuate your bump by placing it right at the top of the bump/right under your boobs (which are also probably large at this point) to really show it off. It gives you a “waist” back and really flatters your new/changing body shape. I do this all the time with non-maternity dresses, tanks, blouses, and tees!
Don’t hide your curves or that belly!!!
SHOW. OFF. YOUR. BELLY. Got it? There are some women out there dying to be in your shoes (I was one of them!). Stop complaining about it, and show it off. You are pregnant and beautiful. You are growing a blessing inside of you. Show your shape by wearing ruche and wrap styles that really enhance your curves and grow with your bump.
Hope that helps my soon-to-be mamas out there! I am super grateful it will be warm when I’m at my biggest…maxi dresses and skirts all day every day for me! 🙂 Let me know some your maternity do’s and don’t’s!
To see my personal maternity style, go here!
Also, read about my favorite maternity stores here!
Planning your maternity shoot? Here are my tips on what to wear!
i am so glad that taylor “introduced” me to you! although i’m only 17 weeks, and still in the “fat stage”… i am trying to buy/plan ahead for some trips and events this summer, and i am having such a hard time! the maternity clothes are terrible… and why is everything striped? i would imagine stripes would be cute for a little while, but definitely not across my 9 month belly.
thanks for the tips! i will remember these as i am searching EVERY store for non-maternity dresses and tops that will hopefully work for the majority of my pregnancy!
I actually don’t mind the strips too much, but I think that’s because I’m carrying outward….but some people don’t, and stripes only making you look wider! :/ Try the dress from Old Navy, it’s really comfortable and you can’t go wrong with black! And I found a couple cute non-maternity dresses from Forever 21 that I’m waiting to arrive, so I’ll post on those once they get here! But the belt trick has been my saving grace with non maternity shirts, just to highlight the bump a bit more. And I also live in tanks and cardigans. Lol. Let me know if you find anything good!
I love it I’m taking every idea because I was lost but now I’m no thank you so much
Glad you found this helpful! 🙂 xo
Where did you get the dress in the picture? I would love something like that for my pregnancy photos. Thank you!!!
I have no idea :/ It’s from a photographer, and not me!
Loved this post!!! I hope lots of peeps read this! 🙂 I’m sharing it for sure!! 🙂 xoxo
thanks lady! 😀 xoxoxox
Thank you for linking my photo. It is still one of my favorite shoots ever!
Great post (coming from a 4 time mama!) 🙂
amanda
You’re welcome! The entire shoot is gorgeous! 🙂 Thanks for reading!!
I love this advise!! I wish I would have found it sooner! but I will keep it all in mind for baby # 2 🙂
Do you have ideas for post maternity? I’m doing my best to lose the weight but as I’m sure you know it’s taking some time : /
I hear ya! I would suggest wearing flowy-er types of tops and dresses. AND…spanx are a beautiful thing :D.
what would you suggest for larger women? this is baby #2 and im showing sooner but have never been small by any means. i wear like a 14 pant so im wondering what i should wear to not look like i just gained weight lol
Again, I think the skinny belt right above your bump could really help! It will help give you back the figure that you lose with a growing belly! And of course, get a good pair of maternity jeans! You can never go wrong there 🙂 Hope that’s helpful, and congratulations! 🙂
Great tips! Totally agree that bodycon styles are the way to go in the latter stages of bumpdom… Layers also look nice and add some flow and/or length.
Thanks for the great tips. I wish I knew this when I was pregnant. I usually wore baggy things, although I did have a few really cute maternity outfits.
Where did you find that dress? I love it!
I too was afraid of dressing with my new bump and body but a friend tol me about the clothing website ASOS, they have a maternity section with awesome stuff for all budgets. I found in the mall Destination Maternity, also cute stuff for all budgets.
I’m going to be heavily pregnant during winter. I love the idea of maxi dresses, but with 2 feet of snow, they don’t sound like the best option. Any ways to make (non-baggy) sweaters and jackets fashionable for the bump?
hello! It’s probably too late now, but try http://www.hatchcollection.com – it’s terribly chic maternity wear that you can wear pre and post baby!!
Yes, I have heard of hatch! I plan on checking that out next pregnancy 🙂 Thank you!
What is the best way to hide love handles when pregnant i want to show off the baby bumb but not the love handles.
The belt trick is a good way! 😉
I am a new mommy at 20 weeks and Im Petite and not big to begin with. My baby bump is just now starting to show so I am still at that weird stage between a bump and not a bump. I don’t know what to wear or how to wear anything. I need some help please!
I would suggest flowy-er tops until the bump pops! 🙂
Check out this new web-store, http://www.precioustimematernity.com. They carry stylish Annee Matthews clothes and are adding new products almost everyday.
Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday.
It’s always helpful to read articles from other writers
and practice something from other sites.
Cloth choosing is not a easy task, specially is you are choosing it for special occasion. I live your blog and clothing suggestion. Thanks !
I just stumbled across this post via Pinterest and it’s very encouraging! Maternity clothes have to be some of the ugliest things I’ve ever seen. And are pregnant women really the right audience for horizontal stripes on literally everything? No.
For my first pregnancy, I completely avoided buying anything maternity because I hated the clothes so much. I wore XL Shirts and ended up looking absolutely huge! I mean, yes I did gain about 65 pounds but… it was the clothes, for sure.
I’m 14 weeks pregnant with baby #2 and I’m determined to 1) Not gain 65 pounds and 2) Look a million times better this go ’round. I’m loving these tips and I can’t wait to finally get out of that awkward “Is she pregnant or did she just eat 14 tacos?” stage so I can dress my bump 🙂
I’m so glad you found it encouraging! Congrats!!!!!