With 6 pregnancies between us (and 7 kids!), we know a thing or two about dressing during – and after – a pregnancy. It can overwhelming, daunting, and let’s face it, all out frustrating. Your body is ever-changing, and “proportion” is a thing of the past. Maternity clothes can be over-priced and sometimes the quality and fit just aren’t what you need them to be. Although investing in a wardrobe you are “only going to wear for a few months” may be a tough pill to swallow, we promise if you find the right pieces, you will wear and love these items during and after your pregnancy. Most importantly you will feel good about dressing your changing body!
We’ve searched high and low in all the local shops for maternity wear, and we have our go-to online boutiques as well. We teamed up with Erin Souder, owner of Earnest Home Co., to create the perfect maternity capsule collection. Our “Seasonal Update” shopping service is one of our most popular services. It can be especially beneficial for pregnant women who don’t have time or energy to shop for their maternity clothes. With this service we don’t only shop for your clothes like we did for Erin, but we take pictures of all the different ways to mix and match your new clothes (complete with shoes and accessories) so you can easily make decisions on outfits each day. We know that dressing for women (especially pregnant women) isn’t a one-size-fits-all. Each woman grows differently, and we have ideas on how to accommodate and accentuate different body types and styles. Pregnancy isn’t a time to give up your personal style in favor of basic dressing.
When you think about investing, you find yourself asking, what true “Maternity” pieces do I need? What can I buy that is “Non-Maternity” that I will use after baby? Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Tops can be found non-maternity…except for the very end. Invest in basics such as t shirts and tanks that are maternity, and fill in fashion tops/tanks in non-maternity in larger sizes. Some of our favorite tops for during/after pregnancy are button downs in larger sizes – great for nursing, too!
- Even non-dress wearers will find the comfort of dresses appealing while pregnant. And they’re super versatile! Find a few knit dresses, maybe even a maxi dress. Dress it down with a denim jacket, chambray shirt, or military jacket and sandals, dress it up with a statement necklace and heels. The “swing” silhouette is very popular these days, which is a great way to dress a baby bump without shopping in the maternity section.
- Accessories will keep your outfits feeling new/different. If you have the basics in your wardrobe, these will allow you to take pieces from day to night without much thought. Pieces you need: long pendant necklace, short statement necklace, gauzy scarf, statement earrings, and several pairs of sandals/statement heels.
- One of our favorite tricks for summer is to snag some non-maternity pull-on shorts (drawstring or elastic waist). Swingy little tap shorts are a huge trend this summer and they slip on easy to sit below your bump. Half tuck a button down or t-shirt to give your bump definition. They work great when your post-baby belly is transitioning too!
- Take pictures of outfits you can make quick decisions, even on days when you are your most tired!
- Don’t underestimate the power of “styling” your outfit. This is what we work on most with our clients. This includes rolling sleeves and cuffs, layering, accessorizing, and half-tucking – all of which are just as important to highlight your growing baby bump.
Here is our maternity fashion survival guideline for must-have pieces!
MATERNITY
2-3 dresses
2-3 pairs of jeans: skinny, destroy, white
Tops: button downs, t shirts, tanks, fashion tops
Shorts/skirts
NON MATERNITY
Denim jacket
Military jacket
Pull-on shorts
Maxi Dresses
Tops
Accessories: long pendant necklace, short statement necklace, gauzy scarf, statement earrings
Shoes: flat sandals, statement wedge/heel
Shop some of our maternity favorites here!