Maternity Fashion

Once upon a time fashion and pregnancy were not something that you heard together in the same breath… but with high street chains introducing maternity ranges, as well as the ease of ordering clothes online, there is something for every shape and size bump! So there is no need to be relegated into smocks and tents for nine months, as there has never been more choice in terms of business wear, formal wear, casual wear, even lingerie and swimwear! See below for a list of both online stores and bricks and mortar shops. If you have a maternity shop or pregnancy fashion item that you would like to recommend, please let us know and we will add it to the list.

There is no need to feel pressurised into buying a whole new maternity wardrobe either, as they are worn for such a relatively short amount of time. Most family and friends and delighted to clear unwanted and unneeded maternity wear out of their wardrobes! Try pooling your maternity clothes among friends and family, allowing you to save money and a bit greener by recycling your maternity wear. Some dress rental shops also supply maternity outfits, so there is no need to splash out for just one event, very recession friendly on your pocket!

As you well know, people like offer advice to pregnant women, whether wanted or not… so we would like to dispel a few pregnancy fashion myths:

Myth 1: “You don’t need to buy maternity clothes, just buy normal clothes in a larger size!”

Every mum and bump is different. Some mums show very early on, and others bumps will be hardly noticeable for many months. Being pregnant is not the same as just putting on weight, and your shape and size will not necessarily grow according to standard sizing measurements. Ill fitting clothes will only serve to make you uncomfortable, especially if they are not designed to house a bump! Good fit on maternity clothes will make you look and feel better.

Myth 2: “Just buy maternity wear in your normal size to last your entire pregnancy”

All shops use different measurements to decide on their sizes so it is imperative that you try on clothes before you buy them, or ensure that online clothes shops have a returns policy. Also you may go up a size (or two!) even in maternity sizes throughout your pregnancy, so don’t rush out and buy an entire wardrobe early on, as you may find you have grown out of them nearing the end of your pregnancy, just when you need comfortable clothes the most! Also remember that your pregnancy will most likely span three seasons, so if you are buying in advance, remember that temperatures and weather conditions will vary throughout your pregnancy. Buying items in dribs and drabs is more sensible, as you can add bigger/comfier/warmer/cooler etc clothes as you need them.

Pregnancy Fashion Links