Haute Mama!
Shopping for Maternity Clothing
There is so much excitement in finding out the life-altering news that you will be a mom some day very soon. Everything is so joyous and new…that is, until you realize that your pants are getting a wee bit snug and your chest might just cause a button or two to pop off your shirt. Maternity shopping can be really confusing for anyone, especially a first time mom. So here are some tips for every phase of this journey that can help anyone look like a haute mama!
Phase One: So, where does a girl begin?
Before the news of your impending motherhood has time to sink in, no doubt
your waist will have already started to expand. In between lying on the
bathroom floor in despair and eating cookie dough straight out of the
tube, this is the perfect time to invest in several great pairs of pants
to be the staples of your wardrobe throughout your pregnancy. The hip
maternity boutiques and designers have banished the outdated maternity
pants with the unsightly panel, and have traded them in for sleeker under
the belly looks. Must have pieces include black pants, brown pants and
a great jean with a narrow thigh and boot flare. Many current jean designers
such as 7 and Citizens now make maternity versions of their denim styles.
This can make shopping for jeans a much more enjoyable (but also more
expensive) experience. You should also invest in a few tops that are not
too blousy just to get you by until your tummy becomes more pronounced.
Keep these tops basic and dress them up with accessories. Did I tell you
that accessories are a pregnant woman’s best friend?!
Phase Two: Poof! Where did this belly come from?
Fashionistas rejoice…for this is when the real shopping can begin!
This is the perfect opportunity to indulge in some fun prints and styles
to vary up the basic wardrobe that you have assembled. 2006 is a year
of rich jewel colors and amazing texture. Purples, blues, greens and browns
are essential for this season. Some things that are hot in maternity at
the moment are novelty tees with fun sayings, hip long skirts with low
slung belts and gaucho pants. These fun items can be sprinkled into a
dull wardrobe to bring a little magic to your closet. This phase is the
perfect time to indulge in some much needed retail therapy. Stop by your
favorite maternity store every couple of weeks and get a couple of new
tops. You will want to stop in often as many boutiques will get new shipments
every week. Some of my favorite fashion-forward maternity lines include
Olian, Maternal America, Noppies, Juliet Dream and Chiarakruza.
Phase Three: Okay, so when is this little bundle
going to make it’s appearance??
Once the excitement of pregnancy has worn off and you are sleep deprived
from heartburn or having to go to the bathroom ten times per night, you
will ask yourself the aforementioned question. This is the time to make
sure that you are ready for the hospital. You should purchase one or two
good nursing bras if you plan to nurse. It’s best to have a professional
fitting to make sure that you are purchasing the right size to accommodate
your changing shape. Yes, if you can believe it they will get even bigger!
Bravado and Bella Materna are two of the lines that offer a good fit and
a good price. You will also want a cute set of pajamas for the hospital
and a nursing top or two. Nursing styles have come a long way and are
also actually flattering if you can believe that! The list of nursing
lines has increased dramatically over the past few years and the styles
have become much more “of the moment”. Some lines to look
for include Majamas, Japanese Weekend, and Lait.
Phase Four: The Joy of Motherhood.
This, I must say, is the best phase of all. The past forty weeks have
built up to this amazing event. It is the most incredible and breath-taking
moment that a person can ever experience. You are so lucky that you get
to take this ride, for your life will never again be the same! Have fun
and cherish every moment!