10 Style Tips for The Glowing Maternity Months

So, you’re expecting a blessed event in eight or nine months. That’s no reason to allow your style to slide. In recent years, maternity and fashion finally got together and decided to pay attention to the dowdy, frumpy mess of a wardrobe that pregnant women were subjected to while they waited for their bundle of joy. At TopTenREVIEWS™ we put together a list of tips to keep in mind as you assemble a maternity wardrobe of your own.

1. What are the basics of a maternity wardrobe? A pair of dark jeans, dressy slacks for the office, a wrap dress, elastic waist skirt and a few tops in a range of styles and colors from fitted t-shirt to empire waist blouse.
2. Buy the basics and then accessorize with items that can be worn, post-baby. Look for great jewelry, purses and wraps to add flair and personality to your maternity wardrobe.
3. Choose maternity pieces wisely. Invest in a few good pieces and then supplement with inexpensive items. Where to splurge? A good fitting pair of jeans, work slacks and a polished, flattering top or two. This way you’ll always know you’ve got at least one or two go-to outfits on those less than gorgeous days.
4. Create the illusion of (or enhance) long, shapely legs with dark jeans. Good for dressing up or down, these jeans look polished and will provide a balanced counterpoint to your larger upper half.
5. Choose bottoms (skirts, pants and shorts) whose waistband sits high on your bump so you don’t have a funky bulge under your shirts and blouses where the top of the pants hit.
6. Comfort is king (or queen in this case.) It really doesn’t matter how cute a pair of pants or top is in the picture. If, once you try it on, you find that it digs in uncomfortably or makes you feel like a beached whale, you won’t wear the article of clothing and will have wasted your money on a useless piece. This is no time to be vain about the size either. Buy clothes that fit you well, no matter what size is printed on the tag.
7. Shoes play a big part in your comfort during pregnancy. Ultra-high stilettos and tight shoes are not going to work well and can be downright dangerous as your center of gravity shifts in the later months of your pregnancy. A heeled shoe is usually okay as long as you keep the height at around 1 1/2” to 2”. Kitten heels provide a bit of lift while still being stable and supportive. For an everyday shoe, choose a style that has good arch support and can be adjusted if you experience swelling in the later stages of pregnancy (which most expectant women do to one degree or another.) A great pair of slip-ons or flats fit the bill nicely.
8. Don’t go in for shoes that buckle or lace up intricately. You will get to a point in your pregnancy where bending over to tie your shoes is a fond wish. Simple and comfortable should be your guiding principles. Pizzazz should come from the details of the shoe such as color and design, not in its functional parts.
9. Radiant skin is generally one of a momma-to-be’s greatest assets. Pamper your glowing complexion with regular exfoliating facials and body scrubs and then slather on a good moisturizer for dewy, fresh skin. The jury is still out on whether or not this will help prevent stretch marks but it will certainly make you feel more comfortable and attractive.
10. The underwear under there. As your pregnancy progresses you will find that your breasts increase in size. Now more than ever, choosing the correct bra is in your best interest both in terms of your health and comfort as well as your looks. An improperly fitting bra will not support you and can contribute to mastitis, a nasty, painful infection of the breast tissue and nipple. Wearing the wrong size of bra will result in unattractive bumps and bulges as the increased amount of breast tissue overflows the cups on both the top and bottom of the bra and on your back.

Whether the pregnancy was planned or a surprise, your health and ego is worth taking a little time and investing some effort to choose clothing and shoes that will make you look good and feel great. Check out our online maternity stores review to see the best sites for maternity clothes.