Have you been struggling with maternity clothes? Pregnant fashionistas everywhere start their pregnancy excited about styling their growing bump but become quickly discouraged when shopping for options.
If oversized frumpy frocks, excessive florals, and big bows around the waist are getting you down, fear not! Not all maternity clothing has to be hideous. Options for pregnant women are endless, so let us help you sift through the moo moos and cutesy patterns to help you find some stylish and elegant options for your pregnancy.
For Every Occasion
Anyone who has been pregnant would most likely agree that dresses are by far the way to go. They are far more versatile than maternity pants and tops and are infinitely more comfortable. The last thing you want as you creep up to the nine-month mark is something tight and restrictive around your waist. Not to mention how difficult it can be to put pants on by yourself when you’re about ready to pop. Slipping a dress on with ease is a much better option. Let’s look at how you can shop for and style maternity dresses for any occasion so you can say no to pants as much as possible.
- Casual Wear: Finding a couple of comfortable dresses that you feel confident in will be your first step. You can rock these at the grocery store, on a lunch date or to your doctor’s appointments. If you are loving your bump and want to show it off a bit more, we recommend a stretchy cotton material in a solid color. These form-fitting tee-shirt style dresses are having a moment right now, and they look amazing on pregnant bodies. The soft, expandable material on these allows you to wear the same size throughout different stages of pregnancy. The best part is the trend of pairing these dresses with sneakers. The last thing you’ll want to do is feel like you have to don a pair of heels with your dress, so thank god for the trendsetters that set this style in motion! If form-fitting isn’t your style, this same look can be replicated with an oversized tee-shirt dress. You can still pair them with sneakers and have a complete look.
- Business Wear: If you plan to spend your pregnancy working at the office, then picking up a couple of dress options that fit into your office dress code is a must. Depending on the level of formality at your office, the stretchy cotton dresses that you have for casual wear could be repurposed. Pairing one of these options with a sweater or blazer and a pair of low heels can have you feeling confident and put together while at the office. We have also been seeing jumpsuits as another great business casual option. If your office has a more formal business dress code, you may be surprised to find similar styles to what you already wear, specifically made to fit pregnant bellies.
- Formal Wear: This is probably the category that can cause women the most stress when shopping for pregnancy dresses. Finding out that you will be seven months pregnant at your cousin’s wedding can be daunting. Seeing your entire family and being expected to pose for pictures when you are going through extreme body changes and potential discomfort isn’t your first choice. However, the perfect dress can help your confidence soar. Some of our favorite formal maternity options are made up of looser-fitting silk in solid colors or subtle patterns. Silky feeling materials are light, comfortable, and universally flattering on pregnant bodies. Also, you won’t have to worry about feeling restricted should you decide to hit the dance floor. Nothing frumpy here!
For Every Season
If you are shopping ahead for maternity dresses, it is important to consider what time of year you will be the most pregnant during. Options for a summer pregnancy in California are going to look very different from a winter pregnancy in New York. So, before you start buying out every cute sundress you see, take this into consideration.
- Summer Pregnancy: If you are lucky enough to be hitting your second or third trimester in the summer or springtime, go ahead and buy out the sundresses! Sundresses come in just about every shape, size and color and are a staple in warm-weather pregnancy wardrobes. If you are somewhere that reaches especially high temperatures (like the south) then seek out light and breezy materials in light colors or patterns. Many women find themselves struggling to keep cool as it is during pregnancy, so if you’re somewhere extra hot, light and breezy is going to be key.
- Winter Pregnancy: If you will be spending your pregnancy in the fall or winter months, be prepared to bundle up! Dresses are not totally off the table, although you will have to employ the art of layering. We love a good sweater dress for winter, and we especially love them for pregnancy. It is even possible that you have non-maternity, oversized sweater dresses that you can rock during your more pregnant months. The tip here is to ditch the tights and swap them for high socks. No woman wants to attempt to fit tights over a pregnant belly, so keep your legs warm with individual high stockings. Pair with boots and a coat and you’ve mastered the maternity dress for winter.
For Postpartum
Once your baby has arrived, don’t rush to donate all those maternity clothes just yet. Many women find themselves still loving their maternity dresses postpartum. It’s no secret that our bodies will take a while to stop looking pregnant and many options come equipped with nursing-friendly straps or closures that can be useful for discreet breastfeeding. If it is important for you to get the maximum use out of your maternity wear, then make sure you look for nursing-friendly options when purchasing clothes.
Get shopping, fashionista!
Now that you know that not all maternity wear has to be ugly, get to shopping! Looking and feeling great during pregnancy is important to so many women. It allows them to focus on what really matters most, their new family member!
Related Posts:
- Tips to build a maternity wardrobe without blowing your budget 2022
- 3 Tips on Going Back to Work After Maternity Leave
- 10 Ways to Look Stunning While Pregnant
- Uncommon Things to Consider When You Are Pregnant to Stay Organized
- Hypothyroidism: How Does It Affect Fertility And Pregnancy?
- 8 Most Common Problems Faced During Pregnancy
