How to Avoid Buying Maternity Clothes

Pregnancy is an amazing experience. You will experience changes to your body - and wardrobe - as your cute, new shape blossoms. Who says you have to stick to mumus and maternity clothes resembling tents? You can treat yourself to a stylish wardrobe that will grow with you during your pregnancy, but also be wearable after the babe is born! Being pregnant does not mean you have to stop being fashionable and foxy. If anything, it can make you even more so!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• a positive attitude towards your body -- it'll be the most beautiful its ever been!
• comfy shopping shoes
• fabulous accessories to try on with clothes
• a good shopping buddy (optional!)

1. The first and most important thing is to ENJOY your body. It is going through some surprising and exciting changes. The key is to make these changes work for you. Show off your bump instead of hiding it!
2. Look out for higher waists! Scour the boutiques for empire waist dresses, high waist skirts, and baby doll cut tops. These ultra-stylish items naturally give way for your bump to grow. They will also be great to wear during stroller time with your baby!
3. Find waistbands without elastic. They will be more comfy for your tummy, grow with you, and then shrink back after baby!
   
   American Apparel is a good company to start with. Their high waist straight leg pants are fabulous. They also have an A line skirt and pencil skirt with the same waistband that are baby bump must-haves.
4. Accessorize! From ballet flats to riding boots, you're going to want to strut in comfort! Expect your feet to grow a little, that's completely normal. Make sure your shoulder bag isn't too cumbersome, or try for a sleek clutch. Indulge in cool jewelry for just the right touch.
5. Materialize.... long shirts made of ribbed or stretchy fabric are key. Test the material on clothing to see if it has a nice amount of give. A long tank with the waist band of your bottoms under your belly is a nice loungey look -- and underbelly cleavage isn't scandalous, it's sexy!
6. Improvise. Certain skirts can double as tube tops or provide a gorgeous lampshade silhouette. For an added bonus, experiment with wearing skinny belts under your bust to cinch in the look!

Tips & Warnings

• Eat healthy! Your body is beautiful, nourish it properly with lots of green leafy vegetables. Ask your health care provider for suggestions for a healthy diet.
• Avoid black. Wear the fun and fresh colors of the season, or try deep jeweled hues if you are a fan of darker shades.
• Your nipples are going to change, grow larger and get darker. Treat yourself a bra with slight padding to avoid the headlights effect.
• Every pregnant woman's body is different. You might just gain weight in your belly, or you might gain weight everywhere.
• Buy things that fit. Make sure that the sizes you are trying on are flattering. It might mean going up in size, but that's absolutely normal and gorgeous!