Maternity Fashion 101

When you think about going shopping for a great new outfit, maternity clothes probably don't come to mind. If you have given up hope of dressing fashionably during your pregnancy, you may be in for a surprise! Thanks to stores like GAP and Target, maternity clothes have undergone a fantastic transformation, and other stores are following suit. Gone are the days of frumpy dresses and mega-paneled maternity pants - today's maternity wear can be super stylish and very affordable, of you shop around.

Treat Yourself Right

During pregnancy it's important to keep a positive self-image. You will be experiencing a lot of changes and adjustments, most noticeably in your physical appearance. Though the idea of putting on weight may be discouraging, there are ways to make the best of every situation! By putting together a maternity wardrobe that is both flattering and fun, you can increase your confidence and self-esteem. Learning how to treat yourself right can make all the difference. Though you may not be ready to talk about your pregnancy just yet, trying to hide it can be uncomfortable and even harmful if taken to the extreme. Spending a little money when it becomes necessary for comfortable, well-fitting maternity clothes will benefit your health and your self-image in the long run.

Getting Started: The First Trimester

For the first few months of pregnancy, you can start with the looser, stretchy clothing you already own. After about three months, though, you will begin to show, and it's good-bye favorite jeans (at least for a while). This is the But don't despair! Looser clothing will be much more comfortable and will help avoid any explanations before you are ready to offer them.

First Trimester Wardrobe Options

• Roomy sweaters
• Longer shirts
• Stretchy shirts
• Sweatshirts
• Wrap-style shirts
• A-line dresses
• Stretchy low-rise jeans
• Jackets

The Lovely Little Bump: The Second Trimester

As your pregnancy progresses, you will probably need to buy some actual maternity clothes, but you will be able to ease into the transition into a maternity wardrobe. Skirts and pants with fold-down maternity panels can be mixed and matched with looser sweaters and tops you already own. Baby-doll tops are ideal and fit right in with the current trends. You don't' have to embrace a particular style just because you think, "This is what maternity clothes are supposed to look like." Create your own look! You'll be happy and feel at ease during your pregnancy, and you'll have some favorite clothes to wear after delivery until you get back to your target weight.

Second Trimester Wear

• Big sweaters
• A-line shirts and dresses
• Maternity pants and jeans with a fold-down, supportive belly panel
• Maternity sweaters
• Sweat pants
• Yoga-style Capri pants
• Stretchy, long tops

Growing Every Day: The Third Trimester

By your third trimester, it is likely that you will no longer be able to hide your growing bump, expanding waistline and other parts that seem to be getting bigger by the day. While during the second trimester, it may have been possible to keep a few of those transitional items in your closet, it becomes harder by the 6th or 7th month to fit into anything that isn't designed as maternity wear.

Remember, not only does your belly expand as it fills with the baby and fluid that protectively surrounds, but your hip span is also likely to widen, as your body prepares for child birth.

Third Trimester Wardrobe That Flatters

• Longer maternity dress shirts
• Three-fourth sleeve maternity shirts
• Low-cut necklines that accentuate those positives!
• Full-panel maternity skirts and pants
• Shorter jackets paired with longer skirts

Accessorize!

Use accessories to finish off each look to add a personal, polished touch, and is a great confidence-booster. Accessories are inexpensive and can add variety when you may otherwise grow tired of a somewhat limited wardrobe (true even when you are not pregnant). To express your individuality, pick out styles that suit your taste and personality.

Shoes

When considering clothing options, don't overlook your feet. Pregnancy often causes water retention, and your feet and ankles may swell. A simple remedy is to buy comfortable shoes with low heels and firm support, but of course, these shoes aren't always the cutest ones out there. While it is recommended that you do not attempt to wear dangerously high heels later in your pregnancy, as your balance can shift to accommodate your new front load, there shoes out there that add height without adding peril - wedge, clogs and platforms allow for lift without much more of a threat of falling, since your entire foot is elevated, and not just your heel.

The most important thing to remember is that pregnancy is temporary, but your body may or may not be quite the same after delivery. Keeping this in mind, try to avoid spending a ton of money on shoes or tight-fitting clothes while you are expecting. Instead, wait until you get back to your ideal size, and then celebrate with a new outfit or two.