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You've Got (Pregnancy) Style!

How to Build a Work and Leisure Pregnancy Wardrobe on a Budget

In the not-so-distant past, being pregnant pretty much meant giving up all sense of personal style. As white Peter Pan collars, pink and blue bows, and polka dot tents dominated the maternity fashion scene, there was little in the way of free choice or style.

Not so today. Thanks to some of Hollywood's hot chic maternity mammas -- glamorous women like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kate Hudson, and Gwyneth Paltrow -- the world of fashion is now spotlighting maternity wear. As a result, stores are exploding with wardrobe options and enough choices to allow even the most eclectic among us to find the outfits that suit our needs and our personal taste.

But before you run out and buy, buy, buy, experts say take a look inside your own closet. You may be surprised to discover how many outfits will do just fine, at least during the early part of your pregnancy. Begin by picking out all those loose-fitting sweaters, blazers, and even T-shirts, as well as pants or skirts with any degree of stretch or elastic in the waist or fabric. Remember, spandex is your friend, and it can help stretch any non-pregnancy wardrobe well into at least the start of your second trimester.

Next up is to see how far the accessories you already own will take you. Forget belts -- they're not going to fit comfortably much past the first 8 or 10 weeks. But items such as scarves, shawls, hats, bags, socks, and especially jewelry can not only turn the simplest pregnancy basics into snazzy, stylish looks, they can also help you carry on your prepregnancy sense of personal style. One dear friend pulled herself through an especially difficult third trimester by wearing as many of her prepregnancy accessories as possible. She said it kept her in touch with who she was before she got pregnant and helped her visualize that there really was an end in sight to the weight gain, fatigue, and bloating that can come with carrying triplets.

Once you know what you have -- in terms of both clothing and accessories -- it's finally time to do a little shopping. But don't limit yourself to just one maternity shop. Although most carry a wide variety of styles, if you're not the type who would ordinarily buy your entire wardrobe at a single store, then I urge you not to confine yourself to one source for your maternity wear either. If there are no great shops in your area, do check the Internet. From high-end designer wear to everyday duds, you'll be amazed at the online choices.

Also remember that non-maternity stores are a resource as well, if you simply go up a few sizes. As long as the styles are not ultra-form fitting or super tailored (lots of darts and seams aren't going to be so comfortable) you may find that the exact same type of outfits you wore before pregnancy still work for you now -- only a few sizes larger. In addition, don't bypass chain stores or outlets for some great buys, even if you don't routinely shop these kinds of stores for wardrobe-wear. As long as you stick to basics -- tops, skirts, and slacks in solid colors -- you can mix and match the less expensive pieces with a few designer items, then use the accessories you already own to keep the whole look stylishly you and up-to-date.

In all instances, however, the key is to choose items that resemble what you might normally wear when you're not pregnant -- the designs, fabrics, and colors should appeal to your personal sense of style. Above all, your maternity wardrobe shouldn't make you feel like you got dressed in the dark in someone else's closet!

Pregnancy and Your Professional Style

For many women, the greatest pregnancy fashion challenge comes when choosing a work wardrobe. However, with just a little forethought and planning, you can quickly and easily pull together a polished and professional look without spending your baby's college tuition fund!

Pregnancy and Your Professional Style continued...

The key here is to shop with an open mind while keeping the following basic guidelines in mind.

1. Stick to solid colors and similar fabrics so everything goes together -- and you can get away with fewer pieces. Darker colors will give you more wear from each piece, plus it will help detract from your growing size. While nothing is going to hide that you are pregnant, you can certainly keep from calling attention to yourself if you avoid loud prints, bright colors, and extremely tight clothes. Simple basics in black, navy, brown, camel, or grey can be easily accented with brightly colored scarves, jewelry, hats, and shoes -- all of which you can also make use of long after baby is born.

2. Don't become a fashion tent. Large, full-cut tops and dresses may seem as if they'll hide your size, but in reality they will actually make you look much bigger, so shop for clothing that is slim cut with some shape. The goal is to develop a neat, pulled-together look that gently hugs your body without clinging. Items with a bit of stretch will not only fit better but also make you feel more comfortable in your clothes, as well as increase their longevity -- important if you can't afford to buy a lot of new pieces. When choosing slacks, look for styles with a slightly flared leg to balance your figure. Skirts should be long enough to allow you to feel comfortable while sitting in direct view of your boss. If you have great legs, however, don't be afraid to show them off with a slim-fitting, knee-length skirt -- just skip the minis and the slits up the side for now.

3. Update your look with fashion jewelry. Nothing says "this season" like a few well-chosen and trendy accessories. Great earrings in colors that complement your eyes will bring lots of attention to your face, while bracelets and necklaces will focus attention away from your outfit and onto your sense of style. And if pregnancy is keeping you from wearing this season's trendiest outfits, remember, for each new style there's a coordinating accessory, so going for half the look will help keep you looking up-to-date.

4. Never underestimate the power of a great jacket to give a polished look to any pregnancy outfit. Start with any full-cut blazer you already own -- it's OK to leave the bottom buttons open. Later on, invest in one or two maternity jackets. Usually cut with a wider girth, in an unobstructed style, they will drape gracefully over your belly without making you look too large. A great belly-hiding trick: Tie a long (60"-72") scarf loosely around your neck and put on a jacket, leaving all the buttons open. Not only will no one even notice what you are wearing underneath, the softness and full length of the scarf does a wonderful job hiding your growing tummy.

5. A pregnancy must-have: Shoulder pads! While the broad-shoulder power suits of the 1980s may be long gone, neat, well-balanced shoulders can do miraculous things for your figure, particularly during pregnancy. Look for pads that are medium in size with clean lines, either rounded or squared, in dense foam that will hold its shape under any fabric. Pads can also help clothing fall more smoothly over your increasing bust size and give a neater, less rumpled appearance to all your tops.

6. To complete your polished, professional look, opt for a shoe with at least a one-and-a-half inch heel height. This will not only give your look a more stylish edge, it's actually better for your back than flats.

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