bump style

Seeing your body change can make you feel anywhere from excited to stressed to depressed to amazed. Most likely at one point you'll feel all those emotions at the same time, and no matter what you'll be stricken with a blank mind over 'what to wear???' Especially if it's your first pregnancy taking a look into your closet and seeing racks of clothes that no longer fit may send you into panic, thinking you have to rush out and buy all new specially designed maternity wear. But who has the time and money for that? So stop....look closer. Do all your dearly loved and carefully chosen garments REALLY no longer fit, or do they have potential to fit differently?

I've pretended jersey strapless blouson tops were low-waisted pencil skirts, that a short full skirt was a big billowy top, seen my loose t-shirts get suddenly shrunken and most favoritely wore long full flowing printed skirts as dresses pulled up to the bust.


Since that makes a strapless look I usually preferred to get coverage for my arms from a short cropped jacket or sweater shrug, which is a great trick to emphasize shape too.



No sewing usually required for this kind of fun, garments in stretchy knits or with elastic waistbands are your best friend when experimenting wearing old things new ways. You might have some safety pins handy though, play with draping using scarves or belts for trying high empire lines and low-slung hips. Don't forget to raid your husband's closet! Oversized t-shirts are always a good time too.



A few new peices can make a big difference in making what you already have work, Bellabands are a super-posh little item to have to make the most of your regular jeans as long as you can. I've never owned maternity jeans but many of my friends have loved their maternity pair of Sevens or Citizens, good denim really is a great investment. As could be a well made dress for a special occasion or a few versatile peices to be your professional wardrobe workhorses.

I lead a casual life so for pants I leaned on leggings. I already had a million pairs in my closet anyway, trimming or completely cutting the waistbands out to fit an ever-changing waistline is simple and quick. With everything from long loose tunics to fitted tanks are a couple ways I wore them.

Dressing the extreme convex shape of a baby bump can at first seem like a challenge, but it's really such a fun fashion opportunity to have your body in a state so different than usual, and so beautiful! Play with the proportions by pairing a tight top with with a long full flowing skirt, or wear skin-tight leggings with a breezy, voluminous blouse.
For showing off shape my go-to look was wearing my jersey stretched tight tight tight from head to toe! It makes the parts of you that are still small look even smaller, so flattering and super comfortable.



Loose sack dresses or a straight-up muumuu is probobly the most comfortable you can get, and was pretty much all I wore in those final days and weeks. Thrift and vintage shops are the best places to find these kinds of dresses on the cheap and most authentic if you're drawn to Mexican style like I am.


A note on being pregnant in heels. Yes, it looks super posh but whether it's safe and comfortable should be your concern. Giving up my heels as my belly grew was my biggest maternity style challenge, I missed them so much and tried to rock them as long as I could but had too many outings where I came home early, limping in pain. *TIP* If you're going to try to wear heels when in your pregnant heart you know you shouldn't, put a pair of flats in your purse! Or if you're like my super-posh friend Jennifer who wore her heels happily to the end, rock on.

Speaking of the end, as you begin this baby bump fashion expedition keep in mind that the clothes that fit well during the first part of your pregnancy will probably be what will fit you best during postpartum. Don't buy a single new thing without thinking about your baby having easy access to your breasts! V-necks and stretchy scoop-necks are the best.


All-black is always posh but don't be afraid to embrace wild print and color, be your best woman - big and bold! And DON"T forget to take a picture. You'll want to remember these days when you, were really two.