When my husband and I discovered that we were going to have a baby, we were both over the moon. Everything we ever wished for was happening.
The first four months were relatively easy for me. I didn’t gain much weight, and I was still able to fit into my regular clothes. I was always flattered when people would observe: “Wow! You definitely don’t look pregnant!” However, as soon as I started my 20th week of pregnancy, all this came to an end. I felt the drastic changes in my body almost overnight, and to be honest, I did not accept them easily. At first I refused to change my wardrobe and insisted on wearing my J Brand and Rag & Bone skinny jeans. But then I realized that it was time I started embracing my new curves.
I went through a lot of trial and error when shopping for maternity clothes, and here’s what I came up with:
For daily wear during fall and winter, maternity jeans are real lifesavers. From personal experience, I can say that the brands with the most comfortable and fitted cuts are: Topshop (the Moto Jamie and the Moto Bleached Authentic Ripped), DL1961 (the Emma and the Angel) and Citizens of Humanity. These jeans give you a sleek and sexy silhouette, and they’re also among the trendiest styles you can wear.
Even though loose tops may seem like a good idea when you’re pregnant, they often make you look bulkier. So I opted for fitted cotton T-shirts, like the LNA basic tops – the fabric is amazing, and they’re just long enough to perfectly cover your bump. I also had a fair amount of basic tank tops from Zara, but my hips still looked huge and my arms bulky when I wore those tops. The solution? Accessorize your look with a denim gilet (Current/Elliott, Topshop, Levi’s) or simply borrow your husband’s denim shirt! You can also wear a leather or neoprene gilet, or even a summery cape.
As temperatures heated up in summer, it was no longer bearable to wear jeans, so I opted for cotton dresses and overalls. I found two comfortable cotton jumpsuits, one from Theory, available at Aïshti, and another from Zara. The good thing about jumpsuits is that they stretch with your bump and can serve you the longest. I’m still wearing them now, in my final month of pregnancy.
Cotton dresses are useful as well when you’re pregnant. I bought one in every color – black, purple, grey, white and striped – and I wore them constantly, day and night. By accessorizing your cotton dresses differently, you can wear them just as easily to the movies or to the club.
Remember, it’s incredibly fulfilling to embrace your changing body, because pregnancy is the most magical experience a woman can go through. Keep in mind that loose outfits won’t hide your extra weight, so it’s always best to emphasize your bump and try to blur the tricky parts with trendy outerwear.
Enjoy your pregnancy while it lasts!