Pregnancy feels different the third time around.
It’s my last one so I’m really trying to savor every part and enjoy the process. I know how quickly it all goes by and how soon this pregnancy will feel like a distant memory. In the meantime, I’ve been enjoying pregnancy style and figuring out ways to use my own wardrobe to dress my growing bump.
For my first two pregnancies, I had a rotation of ruched dresses that I wore to work. They were easy, comfortable and looked stylish. I feel like I now have a better sense of how to tailor my existing wardrobe for maternity and its longevity than I did the first time around. I now make it a point to use non-maternity pieces and only buy new items that I really love. The pieces that I do buy are those that I know I’ll be wearing for long after giving birth. Side note, before having my first baby, I thought I would give birth and leave the hospital back to my pre-pregnancy weight. That is a gross misconception. It took me almost a year to get to where I wanted to be with my body. Then I was pregnant again with my second baby. 🙂
My goal with pregnancy style is to stay true to my personal style while remaining comfortable and stylish.
I find the first three months of pregnancy the most difficult to dress for. You’re starting to show but haven’t necessarily told anyone you’re pregnant yet. Your body is changing and your clothes start to feel different so it becomes really hard to dress normally and not make it obvious that you’re pregnant. As you get further along in your pregnancy, you can let it all hang out, so to speak, and really embrace the bump. That’s when the styling fun begins.
For the most part, I’ve been getting creative with my existing wardrobe this time around. I’ve gotten a few pieces from Hatch but overall, I have been wearing my regular clothes. Keep in mind that if you’re aiming for non-maternity, you may need to go up a size or two since your waistline is continually expanding.
In this post, I’m breaking down my pregnancy styling tips so you can look polished and stylish while still remaining comfortable throughout these nine months. Keep scrolling for a chance to win a $500 Nordstrom gift card!
5 Pregnancy Styling Tips
Starting seeing body-hugging dresses in a whole new light
Before pregnancy, I would never feel 100% confident when wearing a skin-tight midi dress because it accentuated my midsection so much. While pregnant, form-fitting dresses are my everyday staple. They make your bump look so cute and they stretch so you can wear them in any stage of pregnancy. I love a monochromatic outfit and one of my go-to pregnancy looks is a long sleeve black ribbed midi dress with black booties. This is the most comfortable option for maternity wear because you don’t feel constricted and there is room to breathe. If you’re pregnant in the winter, sweater dresses are comfortable and stretch as your grow. I included some options for midi dresses below.
Layer with a leather jacket or blazer
The dress I’m wearing in these photos is also non-maternity from Zara. I bought it last year and loved the color and loose fit (here is a similar one). It looks conservative on its own since it provides maximum coverage but with a leather jacket and booties, it takes on an edgier vibe. I’ve been into a more neutral style for the past few years and love how the beige and black tones look together.
Invest in two pairs of maternity jeans
One item in your closet that is difficult to make bump-friendly is jeans. If you’re going to buy any maternity clothes, I would make it a pair of jeans that you feel good in. In the beginning of pregnancy, you can get away with wearing your regular jeans with a belly band. As time goes by, this will basically become impossible. If you’re committed to wearing jeans, you’ll need to find maternity versions with elastic bands. I would invest in two pairs of maternity jeans, one in blue and one in black that you can wear with your favorite oversized t-shirts and blazers. Madewell (currently 25% off) and ASOS have some great options for maternity jeans that are reasonably priced. Wearing jeans helped me feel like myself and like I didn’t have to abandon my regular life uniform.
Slip dresses are your new best friend
In all seriousness, what can slip dress not do? I wear slip dresses every week with endless layering options. For example, a sweater or long cardigan on top, a long sleeve shirt underneath, or a blazer on top. Throw on literally any shoe-pump, sneaker, or boots and you have a chic outfit. I recently wore a simple black slip dress with black suede pumps and a blazer to a holiday party. I had about 10 minutes to get dressed and my slip dress saved the day. It’s always my go-to when I need to get ready quickly. I also love that it always looks different depending on how I layer it.
Have cute black leggings that you feel comfortable in
If you’re pregnant in the winter, you’re going to have days when you wake up and only want to wear leggings. I have a pair from Lululemon that are non-maternity but I’ve been wearing them throughout my pregnancy. They are more than what I would normally pay for leggings but I have been wearing them multiple times per week, they’re comfortable and they still look new. I personally think they’re worth the price for an item you’re going to be wearing a ton. For really cold days, I wear my black leggings with an off-the-shoulder sweater and warm boots. It’s also my go-to outfit for preschool drop-off because I can’t concentrate long enough to get any fancier when I need to get two toddlers out the door.
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