dressing the bump: what i know now
as i sit here at 38 [!!!!!] weeks, i think i’m finally far enough along to share my perspective on one seems-peripheral-but-really-is-necessary pregnancy issue: finding clothes to accomodate the growing body over its 9- [or 10-] month adventure. one major caveat is that i think this is an area where everyone is different — and every PREGNANCY is different! so if you’re just starting out, i think the best thing is to read a lot of perspectives so that you can at least have an idea of what might work for you. and at the very least, you’ll see that you’re not crazy if you need maternity pants by week 10 — or barely need them by week 30.
things i wish someone had told me
◼ that you’re not crazy if you’re outgrowing your clothes in the first tri. and that this sign is NOT necessarily a harbinger of a future 60-lb weight gain! looking back, i laugh at the idea that i was ‘showing’ in this picture. however, i had gained a few pounds [my first tri was the hungriest by far!], and had an incredibly slow-moving GI tract, and the fact was, my clothes didn’t fit. it didn’t help that many of them tended to be fitted in the waist — after all, previously it was a body part i liked to accentuate.
in this picture, i’m wearing a dress borrowed from a generous friend and ended up attending a wedding feeling confident and happy. if i had tried to squeeze into my own frocks, that would not have been the case.
SO: if curves and a little bumpiness appears early, don’t be ashamed — own it and don’t worry. borrow some transitional pieces. wear leggings and forget fitting into your jeans. if you listen to your body, things WILL even out in the end.
◼ that you are probably going to want to wear the same types of things pregnant that you did before.
loved my pregnancy basics — and my heels
i spent most of my pregnancy in very similar styles to what i might have sported a year prior — down to wedge heels that somehow worked in my front-heavy state! it makes sense to keep this in mind while maternity shopping. the idea that ‘hey, it’s just for 9 months, i can branch out with my style’ actually doesn’t make that much sense, since you end up wearing every piece A LOT [at least, i did, since my wardrobe wasn’t that huge!]. since you’ll be sick of everything by the end, one way to ward against this is to go with your ‘normal’ looks as much as possible.
things i’m really glad i did
◼ borrowed a TON of stuff! clearly, this tip isn’t going to work for everyone — but if you are lucky to have a close friend/sibling/etc in your size and they make the offer, this is a fantastic option. my wonderful sister-in-law happens to be very similar in size to me, and several of her hand-me-downs became absolute staples in my maternity wardrobe.
celebrating thanksgiving in a borrowed frock
◼ skipped on spending lots of money on workout gear/pajamas/extras. while i did continue running through pregnancy, i was not very glamorous about it.
5K at 21 weeks in yoga pants + a running jacket that was about one week away from being too tight
the items i bought for working out included one running jacket [that i wore religiously from weeks 22-38] and several cheap maternity t-shirts which doubled as sleepwear. i did splurge on some nicer sports bras — that was an absolute necessity! but otherwise, i just wore my own capri pants and yoga pants folded below the bump. they worked great and i’m glad to have not spent the extra money on gear with such a limited lifespan.
◼ used that faux bump when shopping! i felt ridiculous strapping this thing on at the maternity store, but it really did help me to get a good idea of what would work in later weeks. in particular, it helped me realize that shirts needed to be bigger and longer than i could have ever imagined to last past the 2nd tri.
17 weeks in this picture . . . PLUS a 7-month faux bump
other tidbits
◼ not everyone likes the full-panel pants — even in the third tri. i have actually worn my below-bump bottoms throughout the pregnancy and have felt really comfortable. in fact, i have one pair of hand-me-down khakis that do have a panel, and i always wore them with it pushed down because i hated the feel of the fabric on my middle!
the aforementioned pants at ~18 weeks
and then at 34. with a long top, no one is the wiser
◼ layering pieces are important. because of the whole bump-growing-to-giant-proportions thing, it’s good to have some long maternity tank tops on hand. layering is good! i had a very embarrassing trip to whole foods once where at the end i went to meet josh [he was sitting the cafe] and he burst out laughing because my shirt had ridden up and i had no coverage underneath — ie, i had given all the poshest downtown durhamites a belly show. AWESOME. sorry, no pictures for this one!
◼ a few splurges are worth it! while i mostly stuck to super-practical basics, i did splurge from time to time — especially if i had an event to attend. it’s very easy to feel frumpy and shapeless during pregnancy, and sometimes the right dress really can turn everything around in an instant. as a bonus, i’m sure i’ll wear this again in future pregnancies — and i’ll be happy to lend it out to preggo friends.
feeling classy at an early-2nd-tri wedding
so that’s all i got
because all i can share is what worked for me! i’d love to hear your experiences [similar or different].
** read more posts from bloggers sharing their experiences of motherhood on the Huggies page — Huggies — on BlogHer.com **
52 Comments
As I’m nearing the end of the third tri, I’m loving my bella band – rather than going out to buy new shirts because the ones I have are too short 🙂 And you and I feel very differently about the full panel pants in the third tri – for me the second tri pants with the half panel end up getting pushed down and I feel like the crotch is at my knees 😉 and my pre-pg yoga pants end up feeling really tight under my belly (that hasn’t stopped me from wearing them though, too cheap to buy anything else!)
Borrowing is KEY! 🙂
We all know that how difficult it is to battle with the body changes, the mood swings and the feeling of looking anything but beautiful when pregnant. Maternity pants and long dresses are comfortable for this time.
Totally agree with you, Maternity Clothes.
Most women who are expecting are looking to find ways to get stylish maternity clothes that are also affordable. I think most women feel that maternity clothing is a specialty clothing type that is going to cost much more than their regular clothing.
There are also maternal cotton nightwear that are applicable for women who are expecting. Primed for comfort and fitting.
First and foremost, you look great whether pregnant or not. Second, I bought a couple of maternity dresses because I got pregnant during the holidays. But I kept these dresses because one never knows when will another miracle will happen.
..Clothes are important as it covers our body. It protects us from extreme temperatures like the harsh cold during winter and the hotness during summer. ..
Thanks for the post. After reading this post, I gain some knowledge and gathered some information’s. This article is really very important very informative article I really enjoyed with post. It is also very helpful for me. I am also regnant. Thank you again.
The woman body size will increase when she is pregnant, she should have to change her fit clothes into quite lose, because body size is increasing. The old clothes become misfit or tight at that time, to avoid the irritation the woman should write your college essay and have to buy some lose clothes.
I am really inspired with your writing skills and also with the structure for your weblog. it’s just for 9 months, i can branch out with my style’ actually doesn’t make that much sense, since you end up wearing every piece A LOT [at least, maternity jeans
Interesting one, i saw your article in google, very interesting to read.I have seen this blog,its really nice to read and has more informative information.
I really enjoyed reading this post, thank you
Most women who are expecting are looking to find ways to get stylish maternity clothes that are also affordable. I think most women feel that maternity clothing is a specialty clothing type that is going to cost much more than their regular clothing.
I totally agree – borrow when you can and buy the same style of clothes in maternity that you have in your regular sizes. Also, I spent zero money on workout clothes or pajamas…. like you said just work with what you have! Great post!
Totally agree with you, Maternity Clothes.
I totally agree – borrow when you can and buy the same style of clothes in maternity that you have in your regular sizes. Also, I spent zero money on workout clothes or pajamas…. like you said just work with what you have! Great post!
I totally agree – borrow when you can and buy the same style of clothes in maternity that you have in your regular sizes. Also, I spent zero money on workout clothes or pajamas…. like you said just work with what you have! Great post!
We all know that how difficult it is to battle with the body changes, the mood swings and the feeling of looking anything but beautiful when pregnant. Maternity pants and long dresses are comfortable for this time.
I totally agree – borrow when you can and buy the same style of clothes in maternity that you have in your regular sizes. Also, I spent zero money on workout clothes or pajamas…. like you said just work with what you have! Great post!
Most women who are expecting are looking to find ways to get stylish maternity clothes that are also affordable. I think most women feel that maternity clothing is a specialty clothing type that is going to cost much more than their regular clothing.
Clothes are important as it covers our body. It protects us from extreme temperatures like the harsh cold during winter and the hotness during summer.
Assignment and essay writing are well organized and civilized for the betterment and efficacy. The kinds and types of the studies are resurrected and utilized. The skills are made effective and oriental for the types and all kinds of the triumph.
Interesting one, i saw your article in google, very interesting to read.I have seen this blog,its really nice to read and has more informative information.
We all know that how difficult it is to battle with the body changes, the mood swings and the feeling of looking anything but beautiful when pregnant. Maternity pants and long dresses are comfortable for this time.
I think, thise who are expecting be a mother should wear that types of dresses which are comfortable. But it’s really hurt that many women triy to have stylish dresses which sometimes may not comfortable.
Most of the women who are going to be a mother, they always like to wear comfortable dresses. Sometimes they try to have some different and stylish dress as well. Whatever you may also love to make plan about your baby. Here you can go The Kids Poin
..Clothes are important as it covers our body. It protects us from extreme temperatures like the harsh cold during winter and the hotness during summer. ..
Most women who are expecting are looking to find ways to get stylish maternity clothes that are also affordable. I think most women feel that maternity clothing is a specialty clothing type that is going to cost much more than their regular clothing.
We all know that how difficult it is to battle with the body changes, the mood swings and the feeling of looking anything but beautiful when pregnant. Maternity pants and long dresses are comfortable for this time.
I totally agree – borrow when you can and buy the same style of clothes in maternity that you have in your regular sizes. Also, I spent zero money on workout clothes or pajamas…. like you said just work with what you have! Great post!
You look so gorgeous! I remember when I had my first pregnancy, I really hate looking in the mirror. I’m so big, my nose, my shoulders, I really feel so ugly! As per experienced people, I am carrying a baby boy in my womb. Hold and behold, my first child is a boy! And now, I’m back to old fresh look and figure.
Fashion suitable for pregnancy and elegance at the same time I was very wonderful
I totally agree – borrow when you can and buy the same style of clothes in maternity that you have in your regular sizes. Also, I spent zero money on workout clothes or pajamas…. like you said just work with what you have! Great post!
I totally agree – borrow when you can and buy the same style of clothes in maternity that you have in your regular sizes. Also, I spent zero money on workout clothes or pajamas…. like you said just work with what you have! Great post!
We all know that how difficult it is to battle with the body changes, the mood swings and the feeling of looking anything but beautiful when pregnant. Maternity pants and long dresses are comfortable for this time.
You look so gorgeous! I remember when I had my first pregnancy, I really hate looking in the mirror. I’m so big, my nose, my shoulders, I really feel so ugly! As per experienced people, I am carrying a baby boy in my womb. Hold and behold, my first child is a boy! And now, I’m back to old fresh look and figure.
I totally agree – borrow when you can and buy the same style of clothes in maternity that you have in your regular sizes. Also, I spent zero money on workout clothes or pajamas…. like you said just work with what you have! Great post!
As I’m nearing the end of the third tri, I’m loving my bella band – rather than going out to buy new shirts because the ones I have are too short 🙂 And you and I feel very differently about the full panel pants in the third tri – for me the second tri pants with the half panel end up getting pushed down and I feel like the crotch is at my knees 😉 and my pre-pg yoga pants end up feeling really tight under my belly (that hasn’t stopped me from wearing them though, too cheap to buy anything else!)
Most women who are expecting are looking to find ways to get stylish maternity clothes that are also affordable. I think most women feel that maternity clothing is a specialty clothing type that is going to cost much more than their regular clothing.
As I’m nearing the end of the third tri, I’m loving my bella band – rather than going out to buy new shirts because the ones I have are too short 🙂 And you and I feel very differently about the full panel pants in the third tri – for me the second tri pants with the half panel end up getting pushed down and I feel like the crotch is at my knees 😉 and my pre-pg yoga pants end up feeling really tight under my belly (that hasn’t stopped me from wearing them though, too cheap to buy anything else!)
Borrowing is KEY! 🙂
Assignment and essay writing are well organized and civilized for the betterment and efficacy. The kinds and types of the studies are resurrected and utilized. The skills are made effective and oriental for the types and all kinds of the triumph.
We all know that how difficult it is to battle with the body changes, the mood swings and the feeling of looking anything but beautiful when pregnant. Maternity pants and long dresses are comfortable for this time.
Most women who are expecting are looking to find ways to get stylish maternity clothes that are also affordable. I think most women feel that maternity clothing is a specialty clothing type that is going to cost much more than their regular clothing.
Assignment and essay writing are well organized and civilized for the betterment and efficacy. The kinds and types of the studies are resurrected and utilized. The skills are made effective and oriental for the types and all kinds of the triumph.
You look so gorgeous! I remember when I had my first pregnancy, I really hate looking in the mirror. I’m so big, my nose, my shoulders, I really feel so ugly! As per experienced people, I am carrying a baby boy in my womb. Hold and behold, my first child is a boy! And now, I’m back to old fresh look and figure.
-Lisa, Poconos spa
Most women who are expecting are looking to find ways to get stylish maternity clothes that are also affordable. I think most women feel that maternity clothing is a specialty clothing type that is going to cost much more than their regular clothing.
Most women who are expecting are looking to find ways to get stylish maternity clothes that are also affordable. I think most women feel that maternity clothing is a specialty clothing type that is going to cost much more than their regular clothing.
You look so gorgeous! I remember when I had my first pregnancy, I really hate looking in the mirror. I’m so big, my nose, my shoulders, I really feel so ugly! As per experienced people, I am carrying a baby boy in my womb. Hold and behold, my first child is a boy! And now, I’m back to old fresh look and figure.
Thanks for the post. After reading this post, I gain some knowledge and gathered some information’s. This article is really very important very informative article I really enjoyed with post. It is also very helpful for me. I am also regnant. Thank you again.
Most women who are expecting are looking to find ways to get stylish maternity clothes that are also affordable. I think most women feel that maternity clothing is a specialty clothing type that is going to cost much more than their regular clothing.
Interesting one, i saw your article in google, very interesting to read.I have seen this blog,its really nice to read and has more informative information.
Fashion shouldn’t be taken for granted just because you are pregnant. It is still advisable to look your best, and dress well, so as to avoid depression during pregnancy. Look for a good maternity dress that would still show how sexy you are despite those baby humps!