Maternity Wear Essentials
Top 10 Mama Must-Haves
Are you avoiding the maternity scene for fear of frumpy frocks and your mama’s mumus? Well, it’s time to rediscover the maternity world, which has come a long way thanks to fashion-forward designers and high-tech textiles. Spare yourself the discomfort of squeezing into your non-maternity wardrobe, and gracefully decline your sister-in-law’s ten year-old maternity hand-me-downs. This is the one time in your life you have a perfectly legitimate reason to shop, but be sure to make the most of your purchases.
#1: A Wardrobe Extender
When you fear the button on your pants is about to pop, it’s time to expand your wardrobe: literally. Early on and postpartum both the Bella Band and Belly Belt give the extra inches you may need to be comfortable in regular pants. The Bella Band is a tube designed to keep your pants from falling down and to keep you covered when tops start to creep up over your belly. The Belly Belt is a set of elastic inserts that fit any pant and keep you contained when your pants are undone while providing a bit of support.
#2: The D&A Top
During & After tops are designed to give you the coverage you need while pregnant and the convenient camouflage you may prefer postpartum. Many D&A tops also have innovative design lines that grant you nursing access and typically feature high performance textiles to provide excellent retention and moisture wicking action. These smart buys will serve their purpose long after your due date.
#3: One Little Black Dress
Though you may not have an event on the calendar, you’ll thank yourself later when you have something sassy for a night out. Basic black is the most versatile but get creative with the cuts. Wrap dresses are great buy, as they promise a perfect fit throughout your pregnancy (and is also an ideal cut for nursing). The empire dress, a style you may not have loved pre-pregnancy flatters your new curves because it cinches in just above your belly.
#4: A Splash Of Color
Give into your craving for decadent eye-candy colors like a boysenberry sweater or a plum colored tee. Rich tones such as chili pepper and paprika are also a great way to spice up a basic black bottom with a sprinkle of color on top. Pink is the color of flushed cheeks, and slick, glossy lips- and the perfect pop color for pregnancy. Pink can indeed pack quite a punch; so wear it in moderation and with denim, dark chocolate or black. If you’re not feeling so pretty in pink pull them in with your accessories.
#5: Layer-able Looks
Create clever combos by investing in a few quality tees of varying sleeve-lengths, colors, necklines and weights. Layers are the perfect solution for our Colorado cold fronts and your inevitable hot flashes. Lightweight cotton knits are best when blended with a bit of spandex so they hug your curves. Keep in mind, better quality means longer lasting. Yes, this typically translates to more expensive, but it’s important to realize these tops will be washed and worn many times over!
#6: Try A Tunic
You just popped, and nothing fits. What to wear? Try a tunic. The bonus? A tunic is contemporary camouflage for the postpartum pooch. Tunics, are versatile, easy-to-wear, and will be your best friend for the next year. A few pointers: search for tunics in a solid or stripe; prints clash with the edginess of the look. If you’re on the shorter side, go for shorter tunics. Finish off the outfit with a heel, sweet ballet flats, or bring out the boots for a mod look.
#7: Leggings
The 80’s are back in a big way and nothing says ‘80‘s like leggings. Pairing a funky or feminine top with basic black, deep chocolate or smoky grey leggings achieve the seemingly impossible: cute and comfy. Avoid self-conscious concerns and wear them with long tops, tunics, or sweater coats.
#8: Something Stripe-y
You may not believe it, but stripes on a pregnant body give the illusion of a narrower silhouette because the curve of the belly bends the stripe. The eye wraps around the body and actually emphasizes what waist you may have left. However, all stripes are not created equal! Delicate, horizontal stripes reek of last year’s nautical trend, and vertical pinstripes belong in the office. The stripe you’re after is reminiscent of “‘80s punk and ‘60s beatnik” Chunky, punk stripes are in.
#9: A Comfortable Pair of Jeans
Most standard jeans these days are blended with a bit of spandex to give you a little “give,” but this will not get you to the finish line—sorry. Maternity designers are keenly aware of all the changes, not just a bulging belly, that go along with pregnancy. They incorporate extra room into the fit of the hips, thighs and butt: this does not mean “mom-jeans.” In fact, many maternity jeans sport an underbelly cut in front, but a higher rise in back, (solving the problem of the peak-a-boo panties!) and they’re every bit as fashionable, in terms of cut, wash, and weight as other designer denim.
#10: Blooms-With-You Bra
Though it’s obvious your cup size is increasing at an alarming rate, be aware that your ribs are also expanding. This makes it extremely tricky to get a good fit with a standard bra. Check out Bravado’s Body Silk seamless (which doubles as a nursing bra) or Spanx’s Bra-le-lu-a. These super supportive, seamless, stretchy bras will grow with you as you bust out of your old bras and give you a smooth silhouette for a put-together look.
Take into consideration these top 10 gems, and you’ll be sure to sparkle throughout your pregnancy (and beyond). Some may call these items splurges; but we call them “Mama Must-Haves”.
