Baby bump to it
With your body changing in pregnancy, it’s all about smart buys that’ll go the distance, stylist Joy Gregory tells PRUDENCE WADE
IF EVER there’s a time to put comfort front and centre when it comes to what to wear, it’s during pregnancy – but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy fashion and have fun with your pregnancy style.
However, having to navigate the tricky issue of what to wear with a constantly changing body can also be a bit of a challenge.
“Pregnancy can be such a beautiful, happy and exciting time for most women, but it can also leave some mums-to-be feeling out of sorts with their style due to dressing a whole new body shape,” says stylist Joy Gregory, founder of The Style Guide.
As your belly grows, you have enough on your plate – you don’t want to be worrying about what to pull out of the wardrobe in the morning, or spending unnecessary amounts of money on new clothes you won’t fit into in a month or so.
That’s why it’s worth focusing on the staples, which will get you through pregnancy while still fitting with your sense of style. Here are Joy’s top tips for pregnancy dressing...
MAKE WRAP TOPS AND PEPLUM FITS YOUR FRIEND
LOSING your waist is one of the most obvious changes that comes with pregnancy. This particularly comes as a shock to “women who are used to being slim, staying in shape and dressing to show off their midriff”, says Joy.
Your bump means you might not be able to wear the belted styles you’re used to, but think of it as an opportunity to explore new cuts. “Try an empire waistband, where the seam sits just under your bust,” Joy recommends. “Peplum and wrap tops work a treat to accommodate a bump.”
INVEST IN THE BASICS
as “you are growing out of things at a rate of knots”, says Joy.
This means you need to be smart with your purchases – so they’ll go the maximum distance.
New clothes will be necessary at some point but the stylist says: “Plan to replace only the basics.” For Joy, this means buying “one or two decent, more expensive pairs of jeans or trousers at the three-month mark to last you throughout your pregnancy, and then between five to seven simple vests, tops or T-shirts from a slightly more budget brand”.
She also suggests finding one key dress – “like a navy wrap dress or stretchy elasticated shirt dress, and styling it multiple ways to get that cost-per-wear down and avoid that ‘wasted money’ feeling”.
LEARN TO ADAPT
ONE of the hard truths about pregnancy fashion? “Your normal styles don’t feel comfortable any more,” says Joy. This often particularly becomes the case during the mid and final months, when “you may find things like your usual skinny jeans, shirts or tailored workwear start to feel restrictive”, Joy adds.
Don’t despair too much though – this is when “it’s time to adapt”.
Joy recommends
WITH so much to buy for when the baby arrives, many expectant mothers are loathe to purchase new clothes for themselves – particularly
“the elasticated waistband, over-thebump maternity jeans, or bump-flattering wrap dresses” as great options. After all, the more comfortable you are, the better you’ll feel overall.
YOU SHOULD STILL DRESS AND FEEL LIKE YOU
EVEN if you lean fully into maternity dressing, this doesn’t mean you have to lose yourself and your personal style entirely.
“Find those comfort pieces that feel great on, reflect your usual style personality and still feel like you. It’s so important not to lose your identity,” Joy says. Although you might have to put some of your favourite items of clothing into storage for a while, she adds: “You don’t have to feel frumpy. Vamp up your outfits with accessories, handbags, jewellery and prints. Add some of your favourite colours to your wardrobe or invest in some new trainers or loafers to keep you looking stylish and chic during your pregnancy.”
If you do want to spend too much money on clothes,
“buy investment pieces”, she suggests, like coats, accessories, handbags and jewellery – things which will last long after the baby is born.