Faq's & Guides to Maternity Dressing
Shopping tips for your
pregnancy.
Pace yourself. Buying maternity clothes is an ongoing process. Most women don't
need "maternity" garments until the third month -- although many buy regular
clothes in larger sizes before that. Also, the clothes bought during the second
trimester might not fit until the end, so there might be even another shopping
trip closer to the due date.
Hit the lingerie department. Typically, a pregnant woman goes up a cup size and
her rib cage expands, so new bras are needed. Then comes the nursing bras.
(Available at Wild Woman Maternity)
Plan on a little post-pregnancy shopping. New mothers shouldn't feel too pressured to fit into their old jeans right after the baby is born. Instead, buy a couple of new and comfortable transition pieces. (Already available at Wild Woman Maternity!)
How to find that Special Occasion Maternity Dress without the hassle.
Start by taking your measurements now and think ahead as to when you'll need your dress and take into consideration how fast you are growing. You are likely to be growing (especially your bust line) during your pregnancy. Most maternity dresses bust lines are the most important part of the dress as the bottom part of maternity dresses will be flowing.
Using a soft tape measure, measure around the ribcage, directly
under the bust. The tape should rest on the lower band of your bra. Be sure the
tape is snug, smooth across the back and level with the front.
Add 5 to this measurement to obtain your band size. For example, if your ribcage
measurement is 29" + (5) = 34" band size. If the resulting band size is an odd
number, such as 33", you can usually go up to the next even band size (34"), but
you may also want to try on the next lower band size (32").
Step two: Cup Size
Measure completely around the bust at the fullest point, holding
the tape measure straight, but not tight. The difference between this
measurement and your BAND size is your cup size. Each inch of difference is
equal to one cup size. For example, if your band size is 34" and your bust
measurement is 35", then you wear an "A" cup.
If the difference is less than an inch, then the cup size is = to AA cup 1 inch
= A cup, 2 inches = B cup 3 inches = C cup 4 inches = D cup 5 inches = DD cup
and so one. While this method is generally reliable, every woman's figure is
different and results may vary slightly. We recommend that your try several
sizes and styles to find the best fit for you.
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Mainstays - I do not care where you work, there are some items that every woman needs. Work essentials: great suit - pant or skirt, but in a neutral like charcoal, black or taupe that you can mix and match; white blouse without too much detail on front, so it blends with work or casual; at least two shells (short sleeve or sleeveless) to wear under the suit, preferably in your favorite colors so even when you're green from morning sickness, you have some color in your cheeks; great pants (again, in a neutral that will coordinate with the jacket from the suit); lightweight sweater set that coordinates with the suit and pants; basic skirt, again that coordinates with the suit jacket and the tops. Even if you work in an office where you do not need to wear suits, while pregnant there is something comforting about putting on an outfit that you know goes together like a suit. There are mornings it will be a struggle to move from your pillow. If your suit is hanging in your closet, just grab a shell and shoes and go! If you are a professional, this is where it's worth spending a little more on the suit - a Nicole Michelle - will hold up better than some of the cheaper brands. Again, you want to be able to wear something while you're transitioning back to pre-baby weight and it's always easier to buy a few new tops than force yourself to buy new clothes after baby that you do not want to fit in long term!
If you are an at home mom, you are still working, I know! You can probably
get by without the suit, but try adding a dressier pair of pants or skirt so
that if you do need to go to something you don't have a panic attack. Wrap
dresses and faux wrap dresses are ideal, because they usually have some give and
look great with just a pair of slingbacks or boots depending on the season. And
that whole pull it on and go is priceless! Stretch blouses need very little
ironing and hold their shape really well - plus you will probably keep it neat
rather than wearing it around the house and tempting the 2 year old to finger
paint on you for giggles.
Casual clothes: yoga pants (in navy, black or brown); great jeans (splurge here,
you know you want to!), at least one pair; 2 to 3 trendy tops; 2 to 3 basic tees
(short or long sleeve depending on season and where you live); 1 to 2 tank tops
(again depending on where you live); 1 to 2 shorts (season again). Add a bathing
suit if traveling.....Girlfriend's
Guide to Maternity Clothes
eBay Guides
to Maternity Clothes.
You are usually pregnant for nine months with a full-term
pregnancy. Usually your clothes will begin to feel too tight in the waistline
beginning the second month as the baby and uterus gets bigger. Most women
experience their breast size increasing also. Additional fluids in the body can
change the way regular clothes fit in the chest, arms, hips and thighs. What
does not change is the basic bone structure of your body -- your height,
shoulder width, or arm length. Maternity clothes were made to fit a pregnant
body -- they fit correctly to accommodate the pregnant woman's body without
looking sloppy or oversized.
Maternity clothes are made with the same proportions as non-maternity clothes
but with additional ease to allow for your changing shape. When you are pregnant
you will normally buy the same size maternity clothes has you would buy when you
are not pregnant, assuming you gain between 25-35 pounds during the pregnancy.
All maternity clothes have room for an expanding belly and allow for the
additional weight gain, some of which is distributed throughout the body. If you
are between sizes, buy the next larger size.
Whether you need professional and casual clothing, or can just wear casual
clothing during the whole pregnancy will depend on your particular
circumstances. The following give examples of what to expect you will need while
you are pregnant:
2-4 Months -- Pants and skirts with elastic waists, dresses without a waistline,
oversized clothing usually suffice. If you wear bikini underwear, these will
probably work the entire pregnancy if you do not gain much weight. If you wear
briefs, you will probably want to buy some "stretchier" brand, or buy maternity
briefs by your fourth month. Clothes worn during this period can be referred to
as transitional clothing as they will also be useful to wear after the baby is
born and before your pre-pregnancy figure returns.
4-9 Months -- This is what maternity clothes are made for! You will find that
while there is not nearly the selection that is available in non-maternity
clothes, and while you may have a hard time dealing with loose clothing with no
waistline, there ARE maternity clothes available that make you feel like a
normal human being! At four months maternity clothes seem HUGE. You may want to
try using a small pillow when trying on clothes to get an idea of what you will
look like at 8 or 9 months. Many dresses and tops are styled with an adjustable
back tie to take up the extra material before you need it. And believe it, you
WILL need it!
Since most of us are already on tight budgets, it is difficult to contemplate
buying another wardrobe just for 6 months. If you are fortunate enough to have
relatives or friends to share clothing with, you will probably only need to buy
a few personal items and a few new items (to add to the "collection") during the
whole pregnancy. If you need to buy a wardrobe, you will probably only buy a
minimal amount to get by, and if you wear every outfit every week, your clothes
will be pretty worn out by the time the baby is born! Money spent on maternity
clothes will not be wasted money! Plan your wardrobe carefully so you can mix
and match as much as possible to feel and look like you have more outfits than
you do. Buy a couple items that make you look REALLY good; it will definitely
help you FEEL good about yourself and your body!
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