Baby bump styling and fashionability for expecting moms

Babydoll cut dresses, loose handkerchief blouses, and high-waisted pants are often so unflattering that the term “maternity outfit” has become derogatory. 

 

A comment like “you look pregnant” that's made in reference to one’s outfit is considered a tad offensive. Know that pregnancy—and all the blushing, bloating, and nursing that come with it—is a natural phenomenon and it is nothing to be ashamed of. 

 

Whatever size you reach during those nine months (and maybe a few after), there will always be a way to look stylish, to work around your new figure without having to spend on new clothes. Now is the time to recognize that pregnant can be, and is, pretty.
 

Emphasize, don't hide

 

“Being pregnant gave me a whole new figure to enjoy,” said Maoui Reyes, a mother of two. 

 

When she was pregnant, she looked for clothing that was “flattering, feminine and comfortable”. Flattering meant pieces that showed off her baby bump and that extra bit of cleavage. Her go-to maternity outfit is a maxi dress paired with flats and large, statement earrings. The maxi dress is breezy, easy to put on, and allows for cleavage without looking scandalous. Pair it with the right accessories and you have an outfit that is dressy and still effortlessly sexy.

 

"It is not hard to keep your sense of style nowadays even if you are pregnant. Besides clothes, moms can also use accessories such as necklaces, arm candy, bags and shoes to brighten up their outfits," says Candice Cu of local nursing-wear brand, Mommy Matters.

 

Belts, sashes, a or ribbon tied above the belly can accentuate the pregnant figure, but even if emphasizing the bump may be a good way to go, some moms prefer to hide it—and that’s okay, too. 

 

Long tops like tunics or short dresses paired with legwear can lengthen and slim your figure, making the pregnant tummy less obvious. 

 

Clothing for real women

 

“We try to make our outfits look like regular clothing so moms can use it beyond maternity,” said Candice of Mommy Matters. 

 

Their brand offers a wide selection of clothes that can either emphasize or hide your bump; whichever way you like. They also have accessories and items that are functional but can still be spot-on stylish.
 

The Love Loop is a nifty piece that can be worn in six different ways, or possibly more, if you can come up with them. It can be used as a scarf, a tummy cover, a sash around the waist, or even a baby carrier. Style it in bold solids and you can have a color-blocking party all over your outfit! 

 

On the other hand, pairing your Love Loop with intricate prints gives a more relaxed, bohemian look. 

 

The brand was opened by cousins Janice Villanueva and Candice Cu in 2001 when they saw a need for proper nursing wear in the Philippines. Being mothers themselves, the pair knew exactly what the market needed: pieces that are all very functional but at the same time casual and stylish.  

 

Whil Mommy Matters specializes in nursing wear, they also have some pieces that can be worn during pregnancy as well. A stretchable dress is one garment you can invest in. You just have to make sure that it drapes well. If it’s an awkward kind of stretch, consider buying a size up, and don’t worry if the cloth clings close to the bump.   

 

To shop? And where to shop

 

Feminine details like lace, embroidery and vintage prints accentuate a baby bump nicely, and a lot of items with such details can be found in specialty maternity stores as well as the ukay-ukay. Yes, you can still go bargain shopping even with all those hot flashes and cramps coming in waves—it’s been done before. 

 

“I understand some moms might have second thoughts about ukay shopping when pregnant, but I guess the key is to make short, frequent trips,” said Maoui Reyes.

 

If you have the budget for it, you can opt for designer maternity wear which will likely fit you very well as well as look very good. Both local and foreign brands are available in shopping malls around Metro Manila.

On the other hand, if you don’t want to spend at all you can always wear what you already have, like loose tops and dresses. Just make sure you master the proportions, by pairing with contrastingly slim legwear.

Borrowing from the baby's father is also a common option for many women, or you can opt for a belly belt, another practical solution. You can attach said belt to your regular pair of jeans and adjust it as your belly grows. 

 

“I didn't want to buy stuff I couldn't wear after,“ said Veronica Lazo, a mother who just recently gave birth. 

 

Most of the clothes she used were items she already had, with dresses being the primary option because “they are easy to throw on”. What she chose to invest in were specialized bras, which are one of several maternity wardrobe must-haves, along with an all-around pair of comfortable shoes and casual mix-and-matchable pieces.

 

Keep your style intact

 

All pregnant women should look for comfort in their clothes—but you need not sacrifice fashion for comfort. 

 

Baguio-based mother of two, Aleck Maramag-Arradaza was very particular about keeping her style intact during pregnancy. 

 

“I wanted to retain my fashion sense, and there was no way anyway I'd allow [myself] to be seen or see myself in dowdy maternity wear,” she said. 

 

Initially, Aleck invested in specialty maternity clothing and tailored pieces, but that proved to be quite expensive and she ended up just giving them away. Her new go-to outfit for her second son consisted of a loose top, a pair of leggings or tights and kitten heels, which are a friendly alternative to high-heels and can serve as your “all-around pair.”

 

Ultimately what matters is how you carry it. “You have to be happy even with what you wear in terms of style and in terms of fit. Happy Mommy equals a happy baby," said Candice Cu. 

 

And if happiness is a pair of nice shoes, a pretty dress or even that two-piece, tummy-bearing swimsuit, then so be it. Wear it like the proud momma you are. – KDM, GMA News