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Maternity wear – how to wear your bump with style

Mention the words, ‘maternity wear’, and catwalk fashion is probably not the first thing that springs to mind! The good news is that it’s now easier for you and your bump to step out in the latest fashions. Even some maternity lingerie is so attractive you’ll want to wear it long after you’ve had the baby! So forget thinking you’ll have to wear tent-like smock dresses, unless of course you like that style! You can now buy just what you need for the next nine months – whether it’s going to the office or popping out to see friends.

Listen to the fashion ‘advice’ that helps you look and feel more confident and ignore the rest

Proper, well-fitting maternity clothes will ensure you avoid the following irritations:

• Skirts looking strangely short and riding up.
• Tops, even if they’re bigger than your usual size, feeling tight around your middle and not fitting on the shoulders properly.
• Putting up with months of discomfort, making you wish you’d bought maternity clothes earlier on.

You’re not fat, you’re pregnant!

If you’ve been told not to bother with maternity clothes but just buy a larger size of your normal clothes instead, don’t listen! A pregnant body isn’t one that’s just piled on the pounds. Pregnancy will literally change the shape of your whole body, and maternity clothes need to be specially designed to fit your bump, which might not show at all or it could be quite large in the first few months. No two pregnancies are the same and what works for you one month, may be decidedly uncomfortable the next.

Wait and see how things develop

Considering that maternity clothes get worn for such a relatively short period, you’re not going to want to spend a fortune. Tempting as it may be to buy everything in one go – try and hold back. You can’t tell how much weight you’re going to put on and when. This is when friends and relatives come in handy, as they’ll probably be pleased to give or lend you their old maternity items.

And remember you can always rent outfits for special or formal occasions.

Buying the right sized maternity wear is simpler than you think

Generally speaking, when buying maternity clothes, you pick a size that’s the same as when you weren’t pregnant. Inside most stores you’ll probably find helpful sizing charts and strap on fabric bumps in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester sizes. But it’s always better if you can, to try pieces on first in the shop and ensure any purchases you make online come with a good return policy.