When expecting, many women dread going shopping for maternity clothes. A common concern is that there won't be enough appealing and pleasant alternatives to choose from. However, the old stereotype of dresses that look like tents or are otherwise unflattering is simply not accurate today. Many contemporary fashion designers have elevated the maternity clothing market to an unprecedented level of variety and sophistication.
There are many questions that may arise during pregnancy, including when to start wearing maternity clothes, how to feel confident in your wardrobe (and body) as your shape changes, where to shop, and how much money you will need to spend.
Should You Really Buy Maternity Clothes?
It's up to each woman to decide for herself if and when she needs maternity clothes. Some expectant mothers feel comfortable staying in their usual wardrobes well into their pregnancies. If they are expecting their first child, they should stock up on maxi dresses and other comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
For some women, the third trimester is the time when they will need to start shopping for maternity clothes. Some women, meanwhile, report that they have a hard time feeling and looking their best before and during pregnancy unless they are wearing maternity clothes.
In the end, it doesn't matter what you do or say. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to clothing, especially during pregnancy when everyone's body and preferences are changing. Find something in your closet or your partner's closet that works for both of you in terms of fit and comfort. However, you can always go out and purchase some maternity clothes to ensure that you always have something to wear that is comfortable, flattering, and appropriate for your changing body.
Try to avoid wearing anything too constricting while you're expecting. Constricted clothing is not only unpleasant to wear but can also cause pain, poor blood flow, and even yeast infections. If you're starting to feel the pinch, it might be time to shop for maternity clothes, borrow from a friend or partner, or both.
How to Accept Your Changing Body
Gaining weight and getting curvier as a pregnancy progresses can be a source of excitement for some women. Others find it challenging to gain the necessary weight and adapt to the many other physical changes that occur during pregnancy.
Some expecting women experience anxiety due to the public nature of their expanding bellies. This, coupled with the widespread acceptance of insensitive comments like "Wow, you are getting big," helps explain why some pregnant women experience feelings of unease about their bodies. Some people will go to great lengths to conceal their pregnancy.
You should enjoy your pregnancy and your beautiful body without worrying that you'll get too big. Making an effort to shift your perspective could help.
1. Enjoy the Process Your Body Is Going Through
Keep in mind that you are nurturing a new life within you. Try to appreciate the incredible feats your body is accomplishing. That's a miraculous blessing, and every time your belly expands, you'll be reminded of the miracle happening inside of you.
2. Acknowledge the Present Moment
Pregnant women often express disappointment about the difficulty of regaining their "pre-pregnancy body." However, dwelling in the past is what you get when you think like this.
Being pregnant alters a woman. A person's physical appearance does alter. On the other hand, it has an impact on your psyche and heart as well. That's good to hear, by the way. Accept and enjoy the moment you are in. Also, remember the importance of prenatal care for your growing baby. Instead of worrying about repayment, focus on the gift you will receive in return: a new baby.
3. Don't Compare Yourself to Others
It's normal to feel self-conscious about your changing body during pregnancy. You don't have to look like anyone else because your body is beautiful just the way it is. Body image issues and other negative emotions can result from excessive comparison to others. The psychological well-being of both mother and child can be negatively impacted by a prenatal woman's perception of her body, according to studies.
Don't dwell on the past or worry about the future; instead, remember that this is just a brief chapter in your life. Don't waste energy worrying about how you measure up to others or how your body looks to you. Enjoy the process of your body adapting to the growing life inside of you.
4. Self-care is Essential
It's more likely that you'll embrace the transformations with excitement if you have a positive attitude toward your body. Do the things that bring you peace and joy in addition to getting enough sleep, exercise, and healthy food.
For instance, you could go for a stroll, chat with a friend, relax in the tub, practise yoga, paint your nails, get a massage, swim, or do water aerobics. You can also treat yourself well by treating yourself to some maternity clothes you really like.
Where to Find and Buy Maternity Clothes
Numerous stores, both big and small, both offline and online, stock fashionable options for pregnant women. When deciding where to shop, take into account your budgets, personal style, clothing requirements, and way of life. These days, it's common to find a maternity section in a major retailer. A Pea in the Pod, Seraphine, PinkBlush Maternity, Baby Be Mine, Mamaway, and Sweet Mommy Maternity are just a few of the many trendy and functional maternity specialty brands available.
Unique, high-quality, and on-trend maternity wear can be found at stores like Hatch, Filly Boo, and ASOS Maternity. Try Motherhood Maternity and Boohoo Maternity if you're on a budget. The Gap, Old Navy, Target, and H&M, to name a few, are just a few of the well-known, budget-friendly big-box stores that also carry maternity clothes.
Tips to Find Affordable Maternity Clothes
You should probably buy some maternity clothes to make sure you feel good and look good during your pregnancy. On the other hand, you can acquire some of the items you'll need to complete your maternity wardrobe in a variety of other ways.
1. Try What You Have Already Got
Have a look at what you already have in your closet in case something there will work for your pregnancy before you go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Maxi dresses, skirts and tops that flow freely, oversized button-down shirts, bulky sweaters and cardigans, and soft, stretchy jersey shirts and dresses are all great options for pregnant women. Keep these things at the forefront of your closet and add to them with complementary items.
2. Borrow From Family And Friends
Possibly see if a friend of a similar size who has recently given birth has anything you can borrow or buy. Wearing the fashionable clothes that a friend wore while pregnant can save you a lot of money (and time). You can make these items uniquely yours by combining them with other accessories.
3. Keep an Eye Out for Discounts
Looking out for discounts, secondhand stores, and online shopping. In many cases, you can save a lot of money. You need only be prepared to look around. It's wise to plan ahead and avoid making any hurried purchases.
As an illustration, if you have a wedding in June but it's currently April, you should probably start thinking about what you want to wear and try to get something in advance. When you wait until the last minute, you might end up spending more money than you intended. Remember to account for the fact that you will be significantly larger when you actually need to wear it.
4. Do Not Complicate Things
Jeans, leggings, and tops that can be dressed up or down are your best bet when shopping for maternity clothes. Think about what you already have and try to find new things that will go well with it.
You can get a lot of mileage out of basic pieces like jeans, black pants, and button-down shirts. Use the button-down as a cardigan over a colorful cotton tank top and your favourite pair of jeans. Wear the black pants and button-down shirt to a professional event, and accessorise with a cardigan and some fun jewellery.
You can easily update your closet by adding versatile pieces that work with your current clothes. Don't waste your money on useless trinkets that you'll have a hard time accessorising with anything else.
5. Buy Grow-With-You Items
Remember that your current size won't fit you at 34 weeks or later when you're out shopping. So, if you're going to buy something, try to find something that can be worn longer or a size larger as your body develops. It's not cost-effective to stock up on jeans when you're 20 weeks pregnant if you'll need to buy more when you're 30 weeks. If you can, choose clothes that can stretch or expand with you.
How to Dress the Baby Bump
You may feel excited about the prospect of wearing maternity clothes, or you may feel frustrated and overwhelmed by the prospect. It can be difficult to know what to wear and what to buy when your body is going through so many changes.
1. Highlight your best features.
Experts in the field of fashion advise opting for clothes with vertical seams, such as v-necks, button-downs, and dresses, to visually lengthen your frame. The goal is to artificially increase your apparent stature. In addition, many individuals seek methods of drawing attention to their legs. Under a growing belly, they can look longer and leaner with the right choice of skirts or pants.
2. Don't Try to Hide That Baby Bump!
Never forget that a tiny human is developing inside of you right now. Be confident in your curves. This is the time to flaunt your expanding figure in loose, form-fitting tops and dresses made of stretchy material. Have fun flaunting your bump; other people enjoy doing so, too!
3. Pick Comfortable Clothing
There are some dangers associated with wearing clothes that are too tight. Overheating, poor circulation, and infections are all side effects of wearing clothing that is too tight. Try to find an alternative that is lightweight, breathable, stretchy, soft, and/or has a loose fit.
4. Use your pre-pregnancy style
You don't have to start wearing dresses with flowery patterns just because you're expecting. Indeed, fashionable maternity wear should be easily accessible. If you typically wear jeans and T-shirts, for instance, you should purchase several pairs of maternity jeans and a few interesting T-shirts.
You should definitely buy some new leggings if that's what you normally wear. Additionally, if you need to present a more businesslike image at the office, maternity wear can easily be adapted to achieve this. You no longer have to wear tent dresses and boxy blouses.
5. Footwear Cannot Be Ignored
It's crucial to put some thought into your footwear options to ensure that they go well with your wardrobe. Pregnancy can cause changes to your feet, including swelling and increased size, which can make it difficult to maintain your balance. Pick a pair of shoes that won't just keep your feet at ease, but will also keep you upright as you walk. But that doesn't mean you can't wear heels anymore. Make sure you can walk normally in them and that they are comfortable.
