What to expect when you’re expecting? Plenty of good things, including the fact that trendy mummies-to-be needn’t lose their sense of style just because they have a bump. Yasmin Alireza, one of the founders of Blossom Mother and Child -the go-to-shop for hip pregnant lovelies, favoured by Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow- gives Chic-Londres her top tips for getting through pregnancy without mislaying one’s sense of cool.
Fabrics should be able to gently hug your growing bump while allowing plenty of room for growth: natural fibres such as linens ans cottons, as well as lycra, are the best for stretch and fit. Your metabolic rate also increases by about 20% when you’re pregnant, which means that if everyone else is shivering, you’re just as likely to be complaining about the heat. With a layered look, you can peel clothes off when needed- although don’t get carried away with too many layers, or you might look sloppy instead of sophisticated.
Changing your style? Absolutely not: instead, just stick with what you like and a style you are comfortable with. If you’re a jeans and t-shirt gal, these are the clothes that will make you feel good during your pregnancy too. If you like glam, enjoy it! Pick styles from your wardrobe you love and find them in maternity styles. At Blossom, we’ve spent 7 years of research into designing the perfect maternity jean and created a signature maternity band to make sure each season’s hottest jeans are perfectly tailor-made.
Make the most of your curves The era when pregnant ladies swamped themselves in yards of fabric has long gone. Look for tops that are cut to be fitting against your growing belly as it is much more flattering. Features such as tie-backs or side shirring also help ensure your top will flatter you throughout your pregnancy.
Work clothes With clever cuts and draping, you can find an array of maternity suits and shirts which appear as smart as any regular fitted suit but offer plenty of room. If you have a more relaxed dress code, wear your usual jeans and shirt combo with a short jacket that will allow some room for your waistline before and after pregnancy.
Lingerie is one of the fastest ways to make yourself feel attractive and at your most feminine in pregnancy. The best advice is to not skimp on buying a maternity or nursing bra. It is also important to buy soft and underwire-free bras because your size is bound to change. Buying sensibly to guard against overflowing cleavages and uncomfortable back bulges is a must.
Don’t stock up. Because your size can change drastically from one day to the next when you’re pregnant, buy maternity clothes as you need them. Buying in advance, especially when there is a change of season coming up isn’t wise because you may jump a size, and never get to wear some items.
Denim jeans are a prerequisite in any wardrobe and that shouldn’t change because you are pregnant. Look for some denim with an element of stretch, but not too much as you may get sagging around the bottom and knees: in our opinion, 2% is the perfect amount. Also, slim and straight-legged pants will probably be more flattering than baggy ones, since they’ll accentuate the areas where you haven’t gained weight.
Party animals Just because you’ve got one on the way doesn’t mean you have to bin all those party invitations. A fail-safe style for eveningwear is the empire-line maxi dress. Elegant and sophisticated, a simple floor-length dress with a waistline which skims above your bump is the most flattering choice for mums-to-be with a penchant for parties.
Have a look at their great collection: http://www.blossommotherandchild.com
On that subject, Chic-Londres also recommands the zonderful Butter by Nadia’s dresses, as worn by Naomi Watts and Salma Hayek when pregnants: http://www.shop-chiclondres.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1819
