What to look for
Initially, you may be able to get away with buying ordinary clothes, one or two sizes larger than you would normally wear. But by about the sixth month of your pregnancy, (if not before, depending on your bump), you’ll probably want to wear the comfiest, least itchy and most flattering maternity designs you can find. Here are our tips for making the perfect pregnancy purchases:
- Cotton is king. Choose natural fabrics that won’t itch. During pregnancy it’s common for skin to become sensitive to man-made fabrics, resulting in hot, scratchy rashes.
- Think big. Make sure waistbands have plenty of room for expansion. You don’t want to buy maternity clothes only to find you’ve outgrown them a month later. Look for front or side panels of stretchy fabric inserted where your bump is going to swell.
- Be practical. Remember that you may continue to wear maternity clothes after the birth, until your body gets back into shape. So if you’re planning to breastfeed, choose styles that will be practical for feeding – tops that undo or are easy to pull up.
- Support yourself. Ensure the right support for your growing bust
Business bumps
Gone are the days when a pregnant woman reclined at home for nine months preparing for the arrival of her baby. But, going to work with a bump can raise fashion problems, especially if you’re expected to wear business suits and want to be comfortable throughout the working day. Liz Lange‘s online shop stocks a range of business wear as does www.funmum.com whilst businessbump.co.uk, www.sculptmaternity.co.uk or www.pushmaternity.com also cater for working mums-to-be with a range of suits and shirts.
If you don’t have the money or inclination to invest in maternity business wear, just buy a well cut pair of trousers and a skirt in a dark colour – a couple of items which should see you through until you go on maternity leave.
Maternity wear on a budget
Borrow: You probably have friends or relatives who have been pregnant before you and, if you’re a similar size to you, why not borrow their pregnancy clothes? You’ll only need maternity wear for a very few months, so why splash out hundreds of pounds when you could save the money to spoil baby instead!
Hire: If you’ve got a special event to attend, you could hire a maternity outfit. Check out www.doesmytumlookbiginthis.com and www.9monthsandmore.co.uk for more information.
Secondhand: There’s a thriving market for secondhand maternity wear on the internet. Visit www.budget-bumps.com , www.bums2bairns.co.uk or www.bumpsmart.co.uk for bargains, plus check out eBay for nearly new clothes.
Celebrity style tips
Celebs like Victoria Beckham, Madonna and Sarah Jessica Parker have done a great deal to show the world that pregnancy is a time when women look blooming, womanly and fabulous. Bumps are displayed, cleavages revealed and curves accentuated by the new generation of well cut, and frankly sexy, maternity wear. Find out more about starstyle
maternity wear, plus starstyle pampering to make the most of that glowing skin and shiny hair. If you want something a bit different then visit Tiffany Rose which has a range of unique maternity clothes that are both stylish and flattering.
Special sizes
If you’re taller or smaller than average, it can be a struggle to find maternity wear that fits. Check out LongTallSally‘s trousers for tall ladies. Most places which stock maternity wear go from a size 8 up to at least a size 20 and www.funmum.com caters for both petite and larger sizes. But, if you’re really stuck for clothes, try Room for Two‘s made to measure service.
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