Dress your Bump without the Frump Part I

Okay, so anyone who has every experienced pregnancy knows what it feels like to go through the stages of awkward chubby to just plain… LARGE. With my body changing, not only in the front but also, eh hem, in the back, it’s depressing to even to try to get dressed let alone take photos to share with you all. This is a little scary for me and it may not be pretty, but it’s real. Last pregnancy I was in denial about my changing body and refused to buy maternity clothes- I know I am weird. I just wanted to see how far I could stretch (literally) my wardrobe. It wasn’t until my sister bought me my first pair of maternity jeans that I learned how delicious they felt on my  body compared to using the good old rubber band around the button trick – which this pregnancy I opted to skip all together. That being said, I am still a firm believer that you don’t have to go ALL maternity but can mix in your old wardrobe with the new depending on how it fits on your new body. But beware! It is possible to pair things together that… well for lack of better words add to the frumpiness.

Case in point- here is my everyday comfortable sweatshirt (one of my favorites may I add) and a pair of slightly baggy maternity jeans.

Am I pregnant or did I just eat too much dinner? Why is that the comfortable baggy clothes just make me look frumpy and larger than I really am (or at least I think I am)? There comes a time when it’s time to let go of your old favorite sweatshirt… especially when the bottom of your belly begins to show. It’s time to become intentional on what you wear with your changing body.

Take a look at some of your pre-bump clothing and see what you can make work. The rest I would recommend getting out of your closet all together so it doesn’t make you sad every time you go to put it on and you can’t squeeze into it. 🙂 Here I took an old stripped top as shown in the photo from last summer.

And pulled out some maternity leggings (which are so comfortable btw), a jacket, and paired them with boots and you have just spiced up your frumpy look to bringing sexy back. I don’t know about you but anytime I wear heals while I am pregnant- it makes me feel… well, less pregnant.

 Despite the  fact that these are horizontal stripes which some would say is a “no no” for the slimming effect-which can be true…I figure with the large bump in the front (and once again in the back) there is not much I can do to hide the fact that they are there. Tip: I like to wear solid jackets over tighter fitting shirts. It just feels more slimming to me. Also get a pair of maternity leggings- they will change your life.

But don’t be afraid to go ALL maternity either. Here is an outfit I picked up from the maternity section of H&M. Yes, they do have patterned leggings in MATERNITY… Thank goodness because I love them! Have I mentioned how much I love maternity leggings? Tip: black and dark solid colors are always the most slimming- but I say what the heck- have fun with your wardrobe!

Tip: I like to add a belt to my outfits to create definition in where the belly begins and plus it feels as if I am saying to the world, “Yes I really am pregnant- in case you weren’t sure.”

Lastly, I love skirts! I could wear a skirt every day if I wasn’t always chasing a toddler around. This outfit has nothing maternity but just what I adapted form  my old wardrobe. However, these items have always fit me slightly loose so it is easy to make work in this stage of pregnancy.

The most important thing to remember is to get out and have fun with dressing your baby bump(s)! 😉 

xo