Maybe it's just me, but it seems that everyone's preggers these days. From celebrities to siblings, I'm inundated with belly bumps and baby boppies.
Thankfully, this makes pregnancy fashion easier to follow than ever.
Photography by Joel Hodges |
A Japanese Weekend top with built-in cami, $68, is paired with an easy pair of khaki linen cropped pants, $66, by Olian
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Dot Gardner, 31 weeks pregnant here, wears a red and cream faux-wrap dress by Olian, $98.
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On this page, Dot wears a pair of sleek black trousers by Olian, $60, and a modern-print scoop-neck tee, $60, by Sexy Belly, all available at Pitter Patter in Greenville. Oversized black clutch from Nine West, $59, and necklace with gray stones, $22.50 from Lane Bryant.
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Opposite page, Dot's own jeans, from Target, a v-neck tee from Target, $14.99, ribbon flats, $16.99 from Target.
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When in doubt, all you have to do is turn to E! or the pages of Us Weekly to find which trends are front and center for ... well ... your front and center.
And the great news is, maternity fashion has come a looooong way.
Mothers-to-be don't have to sacrifice their personal style for nine grueling months – today's clothes are simply reshaped versions of the hottest designs.
"Maternity clothes mimic ready-to-wear clothing," said Kim Seymour, owner of Cravings, a maternity boutique in Raleigh's North Hills. "When you're expecting, the last thing you want to worry about is what to wear. Pregnant women now have a wealth of options that are fashionable, body-conscious and comfortable – and designed in ways that grow with you."
Chic at any size
For the pregnant fashionista, numerous designers are now offering their acclaimed styles in maternity wear.
Cravings carries clothing from Michael Stars, Three Dots, Paige Premium Denim and Habitual, among others.
A Pea in the Pod, which has a store in Raleigh and offers online shopping, features fashions from designers like Cynthia Rowley, Diane von Furstenberg and Lilly Pulitzer, and jeans from Citizens of Humanity, True Religion and 7 For All Mankind.
Channel Your
Inner Goddess
Especially in the third trimester, feeling sexy (or comfortable) can be a bit of a challenge.
Thankfully, one of spring's hottest trends, Grecian- and Roman-inspired pieces, is ideal for expectant mothers.
Styles with soft pleating and layered drapes are fashion-forward and flow comfortably over belly bumps.
The mother-to-be can feel like a goddess in a flowy tunic top or a feminine maxi dress (the opposite of a mini dress).
Greco-Roman styles with a close-fitting empire waist are flattering to most figures, and halters and bandeaus can accentuate your bustline as it expands.
Rich Mediterranean blues, elegant silver grays and ripe olive tones are the hues to choose for goddess dressing.
Diaper Duty
Moms-to-be no longer have to trade style for practicality with diaper bags.
Today's totes are fashionable, versatile and can be used long after the little one is potty trained.
Bags featuring bright, gender-neutral colors like orange and green are being paired with brown shades for simple style.
Alternatively, bold graphic patterns are popular and make a fun statement.
And many celebrity moms have been spotted with a Mia Bossi diaper bag, a couture tote that can be found at Cravings.
Nine Months of Style – Affordably!
Outfitting yourself for pregnancy doesn't mean spending a ton of money on pieces you may never wear again – it's about shopping smart.
Splurge on staple pieces that can easily transition from work to play and back again: a great pair of black pants (with a jacket for professional settings), jeans with a belly panel that make you look and feel good, and a fun, empire-waist blouse you can wear with slacks at the office or with jeans for a night on the town.
If you have to pick and choose, foundation garments are also key items to spend a little money on.
Spanx offers functional and flattering maternity shapewear like the "Power Mama," a mid-thigh shaper that provides lower back support, and footless and full-length pantyhose with under-belly support.
The BellaBand is a fantastic invention that extends the life of your pre-pregnancy bottoms by disguising unfastened buttons and zippers and can be worn post-pregnancy to conceal a recovering belly.
Mainstream meccas like Old Navy and Target carry extensive maternity lines that are wonderfully affordable and available online if your local store doesn't have the selection you need.
Your previously pregnant friends are also a great resource, so be sure to raid their closets! And don't forget to peruse eBay and local consignment stores for maternity bargains.
