Maternity Fashions
Nine Essentials for a Fabulous Wardrobe
Your pregnancy is one of the most exciting times in your life. Like many, you may have kept this little secret just between you and your husband until you made the decision to share the news with everyone. Novelty tees by Samson Martin and 2 Chix, will help you spread the word with humor and style. Samson Martin's signature “due in” tees and tanks will answer the number one question, “when are you due?” while tees , tanks and hoodies from 2 Chix bring lots of smiles with “we're hungry”, “does this baby make my butt look big?” and “with bump not plump.” So let the world know you haven't just let yourself go, you're having a baby!
As the excitement builds, you surf the web for pregnancy timelines, read everything you can get your hands on about preparing for a baby and stroll through the maternity boutiques to check out all the goods to make you a fashionable mommy-to-be. Before you know it, you won't be able to comfortably button your favorite pants and your blouses will be close to popping a button. Now the whole experience is starting to sink in. Here are nine essentials to build a fabulous maternity wardrobe.
Core Pants
Let's face it; the waistline is the first to go. The foundation of a great wardrobe is on the bottom half of your body. Great pants will be versatile enough to go from day to night and the office to weekend errands. Look for pants that can go the distance, taking you through your pregnancy and then transitioning you back to your post-baby body. Noppies makes a great bengalin trouser in full and capri lengths that are worn over or under the belly and have adjustable insets in the waist for transition periods. Other noteworthy styles include the Olian Vertigo pant and the wide leg trouser from Maternal America . Look for a fit that complements your body type. Just because skinny jeans are in, doesn't mean they are in for everybody.
Perfect Tees
No one designs a fabulous tee like Michael Stars. Styles range from shirred scoopnecks and v-necks to ruched sides and tunics. The perfect tee accents your bump and gives you room to grow. They are a one size maternity cut so each style fits your body differently. That means lots of options for your personal style. His shine fabric is one of our faves.
Denim
No matter the season, you'll need a great pair of maternity jeans. Many fashionable designers have added maternity cuts to their collections. Choose from over or under the belly styles to suit your comfort. Some designers simply pop a mid-belly panel into their original cuts to make room for your growing belly. Shop for jeans just as you normally would. Try on several different styles to see which suits your changing body. Our faves: Paige Premium Denim's Laurel Canyon, Citizens of Humanity's Kelly jean and Japanese Weekend's slim-fit bootcut with their signature OK waistband. Also consider a great denim skirt that will go from Spring, paired with flip flops, to Fall, paired with boots.
Seasonal Tops
This one is easy. On your great shopping experience you will be amazed with the wonderful selection of maternity tops. Today's maternity designers have gone to great lengths to make you feel like you have walked into your favorite boutique. Vary the styles you buy to build a great wardrobe. Tunic styles can be paired with leggings, Lauren Kiyomi's kimono tops can be perfectly paired with any pant and sleeveless styles can be popped under your suit jacket for the office. Collections we love: Maternal America, Olian and Ripe.
Versatile Dresses
No wardrobe is complete without the Versatile Dress by Pouch. This little number can be worn at least five ways (and we've actually tied it into 9 different styles!) from one simple piece. It starts with a strapless dress that has two versatile pieces of fabric that can be tied into a halter, Grecian halter, bandeau, single shoulder, classic crossover and the list goes on and on. And it even converts into a skirt. Classic colors include Caviar Black, Chocolate, and Red and they've added the dress in a “party” length (about 1 ½“ shorter) in fuschia, turquoise and purple. Also notable: Japanese Weekend's 2/1 skirt that can be worn as a strapless dress.
Everyday Dresses
Every Houston mom-to-be will be perfectly in style and nice and cool with the addition of a few everyday dresses to her closet. These pieces are effortlessly worn and will become your “go-to” piece when temperatures top out near the 100's for Summer. Wrap dresses never go out of style and maxi dresses are the comeback style for the year. Cotton Glam makes a great line of simple dresses in solid colors, so affordable that you'll buy two at a time!
Occasion Dresses
For some reason, we get pregnant and are suddenly invited to tons of special events. Have no fear; several designers have set themselves apart with incredibly stylish occasion dresses perfect for weddings, holiday parties and most importantly, your baby shower. Haute mamas fall in love with Notice's “boobie tube” dresses and tops that feature great prints with grosgrain ribbons sashes or wide belts—yes, we said belts. Maternal America has perfected portrait collars in pique fabrics with large stone embellishments that become the sweetest of all shower dresses. This could be your toughest style decision yet.
During & After Tops
Extend the life of your wardrobe with a few “during & after” tops. Wonderful styles that have the built in components to convert the top from maternity to nursing once the little bambino arrives. Japanese Weekend cleverly conceals the lift-up nursing option underneath empire bands or within crossover styles. And many of the tops are a tie-back style so you can continue to make adjustments as you transition back down to your pre-baby body.
Bella Band
A little purchase with big benefits. Ingrid & Isabel's Bella Band will help to extend the life of your regular jeans as your bump begins to form. And at the end of your pregnancy, you can use it to extend the life of your maternity tops that are starting to pop up in the front. It is also a great transition piece. And it comes in many solid colors for the season or with lace trim.
Finally, splurge on something that makes you feel great. You're stylish, sexy and pregnant!
