Before reaching for your partner’s oversized T-shirt consider a few tips on buying maternity clothes
Maternity fashion rules
Put your hand up if you’ve considered schlepping around in your husband’s oversized T-shirt, or buying something from a regular clothing store but in a larger size, rather than investing in a proper maternity top. Guilty? A common misconception many pregnant women have is that they should simply upsize their regular clothing to a larger size instead of investing in a maternity wardrobe; it may even seem frivolous spending so much on clothing that will only be worn for a few months.
But unlike regular clothing, maternity clothing is specifically designed to accommodate your changing body shape. Maternity clothing is created to flatter you throughout your pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond, and provides extra room for growth in the places you really need it. Designed with additional fabric and details that provide added comfort and support, like stretchy belly panels or empire waist ties, maternity clothing flatters your pregnant body, while still ensuring your comfort.
Regular clothing does not allow for your growing belly or breasts and may look and feel too tight, too short, or too baggy in all the wrong places. The end result is ill-fitting clothes that aren’t nearly as flattering or as comfortable as properly tailored maternity wear.
So before you reach for your partner’s oversized T-shirt or head out on a shopping spree, consider the following maternity fashion rules when planning your maternity wardrobe.
- Comfort: Buying too tight, itchy, or too short means it just won’t be worn. Soft fabric that stills provides support should be the basis of your maternity wardrobe. Try and avoid fabric that may itch, like polyester and nylon.
- Adaptability: Your body is going to be growing, so you’ll need clothing that will adapt with your changing body shape. Maternity pants with adjustable waistbands and stretchy elastic panels and maternity tops with ruching or pleats are ideal and will flatter your changing figure.
- Durability: Maternity clothing needs to be hard-wearing and able to endure several washes; you’re going to be wearing the same clothing for several months, mixing and matching it up to create new and interesting outfits.
- Versatility: Choose practical maternity essentials. Stretchy maternity tops or long sleeve maternity T-shirts that can be layered or mixed and matched are a great choice. Colour-block skirts or maternity pants in neutral colours can be worn over and over again with a range of tunic tops or maternity tops.
- Don’t skimp on a maternity bra! Absolutely essential during your pregnancy is a good quality maternity bra. One of the first signs you’ll notice during pregnancy is an increase in your breast size. It’s not uncommon to go up a cup size or two. A maternity bra will not only provide you with additional support and comfort, but will see you through breastfeeding too, with specially designed clips that allow you to drop down each cup for easy nursing.
