5 Tips For Staying Fabulous During Pregnancy

By Guest Contributor: Don’Chunte Foster-Bates

Sometimes during pregnancy your ability to effortlessly throw together an outfit for a casual lunch with  friends seems to go out the window. My daily style mantra became ‘I just wear what fits’ instead of ‘I wear what I love’. First trimester is easier due to the fact that most women don’t change dramatically. A couple of weeks into the second trimester is when things seem to get very tricky and complicated. You’ve outgrown your jeans and that adorable baby bump you envisioned previously actually looks now like a big lunch that just hasn’t quite settled. Leaving strangers to wonder if you’re pregnant or not. At least that’s the way I felt during my second trimester. I struggled the most with finding silhouettes that  work for the office and casual outfits but aren’t too sloppy. Only in the third trimester have I seemed to somewhat master dressing for my bump. Here are a few tips to help you find your fashionista a little sooner than I did:

1. You don’t have to invest in an entirely new wardrobe. Pregnancy is only 10 months. Buy as you go. I strongly suggest waiting until 2nd  trimester to start purchasing items as your body will start to noticeably change around that time for most people.

   

2. Buy maternity jeans/pants! While using a belly band is a great way to stay in your regular pants as long as possible, nothing beats maternity jeans in my opinion. I suggest buying 2 pair in the second trimester and one more in the third trimester. Work pants with elastic bands are your friend.

   

3.  It’s ok to wear fitted clothes. I struggled with this. I bought loose boyfriend-style t-shirts from stores like H&M which are fine, but they didn’t do my pregnant figure much justice. If you’re still in the secret period of your pregnancy, then it’s understandable that you want things to be a little loose. After that, go ahead and show off that bump.

   

4.  Don’t be afraid to repeat items. Finding things that fit, look great and are comfortable can be a challenge. Make the most out of your favorites as well as mix & match pieces.

   

5. Some of your pre-pregnancy items will still fit. Don’t get so caught up in finding clothing labeled ‘maternity’ that you don’t try to wear things that you were wearing pre-pregnancy. Cardigans, blazers and some of your athletic wear may still fit.

   

   XOXO,

   Dynamically Branded