Expect This When You're Expecting

It is official: everyone I know is having a baby. Many of my friends and family have recently had children. With pregnant women all around me, all I can think of is how is that baby bump going to look in the clothes they choose to wear?  

With conception on my own mind (how could I avoid the thought?), my first concern was, "What the hell am I going to wear?" I have been enjoying the utter horror stories of the maternity wear available in our modern day. Now, it has taken a different toll on me. Tired of hearing people say "Just wait until your pregnant" or "You won't look like that when your pregnant," I have decided to go on a mission. A mission to find chic, glamorous, and fabulously priced clothes that are not listed as "maternity". Clothes that the modern pregnant woman can feel good in and confident, while having that smug smile for all those people who hated her figure before she was pregnant. Yes, Forever 21 sells maternity wear now, but the selection is a little limited for my taste. Any questions? Thought not! 

Mothers-to-be, they are really going to envy you now.

As with any kind of dressing, there are rules for your new shape. First off, if you are early on, don't go "shopping happy". Check out what your closet has in store for you already. Remember these shapes, they will be your best friends: Empire, Tunic, and A-Line . These shapes will flatter any which way you will carry.  This is what each shape means and will look like:

Empire: Pronunciation: om-peer: A type of dress or top where the waist line is raised above the natural waistline, sometimes as high as right below the bust. Best on slender-on-top or petite figures, the empire dress creates the illusion of length and camouflages a bottom-heavy figure or thick waist.

Tunic: A loose-fitting garment, sleeved or sleeveless, extending to the knees and worn by men and women especially in ancient Greece and Rome. It is usually made as a long, plain, sleeved or sleeveless blouse. A short pleated and belted dress worn by women for some sports.

A-Line: A cut of garment consisting basically of two A -shaped panels for the front and back, designed to give increasing fullness toward the hemline.  

All of these shapes can be found in tops, blouses, skirts and dresses. How do you wear these shapes? Let me explain...

This is a belted empire top. The pleats around the bust will gently glide over your baby bump. I suggest wearing empire tops or blouses with something tighter on the bottom. For instance, heather gray leggings would look very chic with this top and maybe even some gladiator sandals. In winter this fabulous top could be paired with a light weight cardigan, leggings, and flat slouchy boots. This could also be worn with skinny jeans or an a-line jean skirt.

This beautiful purple empire blouse has delicate rosettes under the bust. You can also see it has a halter neck line, this is another flattering detail. The kimono sleeves will hide any "bat wings" or flabby-ness. Same rules for bottoms do apply with this top. 

This top is a little more difficult to identify as empire. The waist line is not directly under the bust, where as most commonly it is. Here, the waist line is about three inches down, however, this will draw the attention to your chest. This is your chance to show off those new girls. This style of empire has more pleating and is not as long in length. The best way to wear a top of this design is with an a-line pencil skirt or jeans. Make sure to accessorize with that plunging neckline! Some bright Lucite baubles with look incredible.

In this style of a dress, you will look like a Grecian goddess. You may feel as big as a house, in this style of a dress, you will defiantly not look it! This empire dress has pleats around the bust that flows to the hem, making your legs look a mile long. Check out that neck line! This is a gorgeous dress that will flatter any one. If you are afraid your arms will look like sausages, then throw a bright colored shawl over them or try a black bolero. Don't forget the metallic wedges ladies!

This is a super trendy a-line dress. The cut is similar to the empire as far as pleating goes, but the bottom is like two "A" shaped panels. See how it is smaller at the waist, then it expands as the dress flows out? Take a note from our female ancestors of the 1950's and 1960's. The a-line reigned supreme and there wasn't a day these women did not look chic or not put together.

I can hear the sounds of eyeballs jumping out of their sockets! Do not fear! The tunic is wearable, and yes in bright-loud eccentric prints. Whomever came up with the term "confinement" for pregnant women should be shunned or stoned to death. I can completely picture my sister-in-law in this. The tunic is more flowy and does not really have a shape. Why it is your friend? Well, it gives you more room for that baby bump, and the rest of the fabric will just fall into place. Trust me. If you still feel a little moo-mooish toss a black waist belt under your bust, above the bump and your good to good. You can easily wear this dress with ballet flats, sandals, boots, even leggings with Converses.

Being pregnant does not mean that you must compromise your style or among other things (think of what Katherine Heigl says in Knocked Up). If any of you adorable preggo fashionistas need style advice, questions, or even concerns post or email me!

Here are a few more preggo chic pieces:

All pieces can be found at FOREVER 21 and are all under $30.