As a woman embraces pregnancy and the prospect of becoming a mother, she is faced with challenges in terms of her body undergoing tremendous transformations. The bodily changes have an impact on the clothes she wears and how she carries herself as a pregnant woman. Many think that maternity period means saying ‘Goodbye’ to style, fashion and your usual dressing approach to compliment your transforming body and opt for more comfortable options.
While this is true that you need to dress comfortably, but it is wrong to assume that you cannot be stylish andattractive. For this, you do not necessarily need to incorporate maternity clothes in your wardrobe. You must learn the art of how to dress during pregnancy without maternity clothes so that your fashion does not get hampered and you do not end up with extra clothes in your wardrobe that you will not wear after pregnancy.
Can You Wear Non-maternity Clothes When Pregnant?
With your body giving nourishment and growth to another human being inside you, it is but obvious that you will not fit into your normal clothes, especially during the later stages of your pregnancy.
You will need a makeover for the later pregnancy months, when the baby and you will put on most of the weight. However, this does not mean that only maternity clothes can come to the rescue. With the right guidance, planning, research and experimentation- you can include non-maternity clothes into your wardrobe tohide baby bump while helping you look elegant.
You might also be feeling unkempt, messy, fat and ugly all at the same time due to the mood swings, hormonal changes and bodily changes. Add to it the maternity clothes that make you stand out especially in public spaces and gatherings. So why add to this feeling of not looking good or not being confident in what you wear?
Keep your personal style intact while accepting the changes going on in your life and opt for bump friendly non-maternity dresses, clothes and accessories which will help you feel confident and radiant.
And no, you need not spend money on maternity clothes but either adjust the clothing you already have in your wardrobe or experiment with non-maternity clothes. Remember, no one knows your body and your style better than yourself so do not let anything come between your fashion and your wardrobe.
How To Dress During Pregnancy Without Maternity Clothes?
When it comes to dressing during pregnancy, all new moms tend to focus on general rules for pregnancy wear and instead of hustling around for ideas end up investing in maternity clothes which provide comfort but might be of no use later on. We want to open a Pandora box for you and highlight 9 hacks so that you do not have to buy maternity wear and can enjoy your pregnancy days with sophistication and fashion.
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1. Pick clothing that grows with your bump
Does your wardrobe have pants with elastic bands, free flowing skirts or dresses made out of stretchable fabric? If yes, then you can wear these conveniently during your pregnancy because these expand as your baby bump grows. Along with that, the pants and skirts can be teamed up with loose fitting shirts, oversized short kurtas etc. from your wardrobe as and when required.
2. Opt for bigger sizes of clothes
When it comes to dressing during pregnancy without wearing maternity clothes, the ideal hack would be to choose non-maternity clothes which are bigger in size. So for a size or two up and these will work well even after giving birth to the baby.
You also have the option of exploring your partner’s wardrobe for loose fitting shirts, bottom ups, trousers etc. and borrowing them for your pregnancy days.
3. Happily embrace your bump
The whole idea of opting for non-maternity clothes is to make sure that you feel confident and sexy. For this, you need to embrace your baby bump and flaunt it withbump friendly non-maternity dresses.
So get those tank dresses, t-shirts made out of cotton or adjustable fabric and even body suits out of the closet and flaunt your baby bump..
4. Make smart use of belts
A belt can be an essential piece of clothing accessory that can make any dress or shirt (especially the loose fitting ones) look attractive. A belt can also help accentuate your body shape along with creating the illusion of new waist line. You can either use the belt just below your bust or below your baby bump.
5. Experiment with different colors and patterns
Who said that you cannot experiment with variety of colors and patterns during your pregnancy days? We say that go all out and try to invest in some black, red, orange, yellow, navy blue outfits. Along with that, experiment with stripes and patterns printed all over on the outfit as these tend to flatter your body.
6. Add one or two maxi and wrap dresses in your wardrobe
Best thing about dresses is that it gives space to your pregnant body to breathe plus the maxi and wrap dresses help you turn into a fashion icon without much effort. Pick up dresses which have sleek silhouette, have stretchable fabric and have slits as well because these really compliment a pregnant body.
7. Pay attention to your bra
Comfort should not be just about the clothes you wear but also the bra that you wear inside your clothes. Remember that along with the baby bump, your bust size will also fluctuate. If new lingerie seems expensive to you, then you can use bra extenders or sports bra to support your growing bust. Opt for maternity bra when absolutely necessary.
8. Learn to layer your body
If you excel in the art of layering your clothes, then it will not make you look fatter but will enhance your look. In accordance to your body proportion and style quotient, you can use outwear like kimonos, capes, light blazers, jackets, button-down shirts, vests and also scarves to layer your body right.
9. Spice it up with right footwear
Pregnancy does not mean you pack up your high heels and switch to flat footwear especially if you have years of experience in carrying yourself in heels, platforms or wedges. Wearing heels is generally not recommended because if you trip, it could be fatal for both you and your baby. Pencil heels should definitely be avoided.
Wear heels if you are comfortable, otherwise other options would be sneakers, slip-on shoes, ballet flats etc. You can try wedges also, since they offer support to the entire foot.
Quick Dressing Tips During Pregnancy For Different Occasions
Dressing during pregnancy for office
Pregnant working women can experiment a lot when it comes to non-maternity clothing and still appear professional and elegant.
- Pair up loose trousers with comfortable t-shirt and good quality vest on top to hide baby bump.
- You can wear a stretchable skirt with suitable top and complete the look with flat sandals or belly shoes.
- Cotton dresses having waist bands under the bust are simple yet gorgeous outfits for work.
Dressing for a casual outing during pregnancy
For a casual outing, you must keep your comfort in mind and since you are just going to hang out with your family or friends, we advise you to experiment new styles as well.
- Denim overalls with undershirt or loose jeans with oversized top and sneakers could give a very casual look.
- Jumpsuits with different patterns are another great option.
- A simple plain colored dress with a light jacket would work as well.
- Try these mom knit pants for a trendy yet comfortable look
Attending a wedding during pregnancy
Is an upcoming wedding you need to attend giving you jitters because you do not know how to dress during pregnancy without maternity clothes? Do not worry, we present to you some hacks.
- Opt for a lavish and chic maxi dress, wrap dress or off-shoulder dress. The longer the dress the better.
- For traditional options, choose silk sarees, anarkali suits, palazzo and kurti or any Patiala suit.
A formal dinner during pregnancy
If you do not want all eyes on you during a formal event, but want to blend in with the crowd easily then hope these tips help:
- Wear flowy dresses which are oversized but having a structure to compliment your silhouette.
- Do accessorize yourself with the help of shiny yet trendy handbags as well as great formal shoes.
Dressing in summer and winter months
The weather definitely has to be considered before you pick clothes to wear during your pregnancy days.
For summer months-
- Go for light colored yet breathable fabrics like cotton outfits which will be comfortable for you.
- A dress or a stretchable skirt coupled with a tank top and a vest would be suitable option.
For winter months-
- As mentioned as one of the hacks above, layering is must during winters.
- Cardigans and sweaters with woolen scarves would also work.
- Blazers and trench coats can be good clothing options to hide baby bump.
Dressing when travelling during pregnancy
Since you will be moving about from one place to another, it is advised to opt for some of the following easy-to-wear and easy-to-carry clothes for traveling during pregnancy:
- Maxi skirts or light and long dresses.
- Stretchy pants, leggings and jeans.
- Comfortable shoes like sneakers/ballet flats.
- Tummy tucker pants
We hope this extensive guide allows you to maintain your fashion while helping you dress functionally, practically and comfortably during your pregnancy. Plus you never know which dressing style sticks to you even after your baby is born. So keep experimenting and do what makes you feel good and empowered, ladies!