One of the concerns for pregnant mothers who are working is dressing up for work without spending a fortune on maternity clothes. Here are some tips and tricks which will take you through the first few months of being pregnant, and also the few basic items which you will need to last you through the second and third trimester.
In the first trimester, you’ll probably be able to wear your regular work wardrobe. You may need to leave the top button undone on your skirts and pants, but you can camouflage that by leaving your tops untucked. Here’s a trick – Loop a rubber band through the buttonhole and then wrap it around the button. This will provide that crucial extra inch or two of breathing room. There’s also a handy accessory known as the belly band, a stretchy band that holds your pants up so you can leave them unzipped.
Then you’ll enter the Awkward Zone: You may not look pregnant yet, but you will look like you’ve put on some weight. At this time, most true maternity clothes will still be too big for you. The consolation is that you may still be able to get through this phase by buying a few regular skirts and pants with elastic or drawstring waistbands in a size larger than you usually wear or by picking up a couple of pairs of trendy low-rise pants that sit below your belly.
Stretchy yoga pants work wonders too! They will look dressy enough for work if they’re made from a reasonably thick rayon or cotton fabric. Sweaters, long jackets and cardigans, tunic tops, loose shirts, and leggings also work well during this transition time, gracefully concealing your growing belly without accentuating it. If you have not shared your news with your office mates, this kind of creative dressing will buy you a little more time. These transitional clothes will also help you get through the post-baby weight-loss period.
Once the word of your pregnancy is out, you might as well make life easier by dressing the part. If your job requires you to be dressed in more formal business attires, you will need the five key pieces in similar fabrics and complimentary shades: pants, a skirt, a jacket, a dress, and a tunic top. Combine those five pieces for at least six different looks – mix the tunic with the skirt or pants; the jacket with the dress, pants, or skirt; or wear the dress on its own. You can get a few more outfits out of the mix by adding roomy non-maternity sweaters and tops.
The more you can borrow from friends who blazed the baby trail before you, the better. So be sure to hit up your friends, relatives, and co-workers for their maternity hand-me-downs. Also, don’t forget local pregnancy and parenting groups or online auction sites where women are re-selling their maternity wear.
While you’re updating your wardrobe for pregnancy, don’t forget about your feet. Many women’s feet expand half a size or more during pregnancy. Along with the expanding waistline, your center of gravity shifts, causing your balance to be off, therefore it is a good idea to keep those heels away for a few months. Instead, put on a comfortable pair of flats or shoes with low and stable heels.
Formal occasions
A little black dress will bring you a long way. Not only is black slimming, it is also seasonless and goes well with everything. Your black dress will be able to suit any occasion by pairing it with the right jewelry, shoes and bag – all the items which you already have!
A wrap (or scarf or pashmina) is a must-have during your pregnancy. If you are extra conscious about your arms, a wrap will allow you to go sleeveless without totally baring them.
If you have a gala event to attend and want to wear something really special, it’s possible that your local formal wear rental service offers special-occasion maternity clothes – everything from full-length evening gowns to Halloween costumes.
At the end of it all, your pregnancy is a joyous occasion, and dressing up during your pregnancy should be equally fun. All you need is a little creativity and some direction in terms of shopping at the right places for the right items.
