6 Tips and Tricks for Choosing Maternity Clothes
Body changes are inevitable during pregnancy, but you can create an image you’re comfortable with by applying some tips and tricks to choosing maternity clothes.
A positive body image is important for your mental and emotional health during this special time in your life. That’s why wearing the right clothes for you can be of great help.
But how do you know which clothes to choose? Here are some tips.
Choosing maternity clothes: What to consider?
Clothing and accessories for pregnant women must meet three basic premises: Comfort, freshness, and elegance. In tune with these characteristics, these are the tips and tricks for choosing maternity clothes that we’ll suggest.
1. Check your closet
Make a survey of the clothes you have and see what you could use in each stage of pregnancy. For example, you’ll use sweats during the first months, but if you have dresses, sweaters, or loose jackets, reserve them for the second and third trimesters.
The idea is to maintain your style as much as possible and only add special maternity clothes if you really need them.
2. Look for a visual balance
A great trick for pregnant women’s clothes is to try to use designs that balance out volumes. In any case, your choice will depend on how your weight evolves during pregnancy.
For example, if you have a big belly, you can use stretch models on your legs to make them look slim and thus compensate visually. On the other hand, if you haven’t gained much weight, an oversized look can give you more volume and highlight your pregnancy.
3. Prioritize dresses
Dresses are the queens of comfort. There’s no garment more comfortable for a pregnant woman. You can choose them in different styles and lengths, although the ones that will suit you best are the short or midi dresses.
Trendy options are those models made of fabrics that mark and slim your silhouette. In addition, the best thing about dresses is that you can continue to wear them after giving birth.
4. Buy maternity clothes that aren’t made for pregnancy
In times when the environment and responsible consumption are major concerns, it’s important that your purchases are oriented towards clothes that you can use again beyond the 9 months of gestation.
The clothes that you’ll buy to continue wearing after pregnancy can be the following:
- Leggings
- Tights
- Dresses
- Sweaters
- T-shirts
5. Choose adaptable underwear
Here, it’s a good idea to make a small adaptation and opt for stretch cotton underwear. This fabric has many advantages, as it’s soft, breathable, cool, and hypoallergenic. In addition, it adapts perfectly to changes in the shape and volume of the body.
It’s best to choose bras with a good structure that will support the growth of your breasts and also be useful during the breastfeeding period. As for panties, it’s best to opt for high-waisted options with a soft elastic band.
Bodysuits are very healthy undergarments for pregnant women, as they help to support the belly and reduce the impact of the extra weight of the baby on the spine.
6. Buy your usual size
This advice is pure logic. Except in special cases, neither shoulders, arms, nor legs increase significantly during pregnancy. So why buy larger sizes when choosing maternity clothes?
The trick is to choose the same size as usual and perhaps vary the fabrics. For example, you can look for stretch cotton.
Body image during pregnancy
Many times, you may have heard that pregnancy doesn’t last forever. It’s a great truth, but many women forget this and only focus on seeing a negative image of their body, failing to remember that this situation is temporary.
“You can learn ways to deal with feelings about your body changes during and after pregnancy.”
-U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-
It’s important to know that building a positive image is possible. One of the ways to do this is by being sure to have a comfortable maternity wardrobe that you really like.
You can do so much more to feel good about your body during pregnancy!
Experts from the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women’s Health explains that in order to promote a positive body image during pregnancy, it’s important to consider the following:
- Understand the work your body is doing and create a new life.
- Express feelings about your body with those closest to you.
- Engage in some type of physical activity on a regular basis.
- Research and learn about pregnancy so you know what changes to expect.
- Seek help if you feel overwhelmed by the changes in your body.
As you may have seen, there are many resources to help you look radiant during pregnancy – take advantage of them!
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de EEUU. (2021) Embarazo e imagen Corporal. Oficina para la salud de la mujer. Disponible en: https://espanol.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/body-image-and-mental-health/pregnancy-and-body-image
- Perez Mendez, M. (2020) Como vestir en el embarazo: Guía práctica para hacer la tarea un poco más fácil. Revista Vogue. Disponible en: https://www.vogue.es/moda/articulos/como-vestir-embarazo-consejos-practicos-trucos-estilo-vestidos-vaqueros-premama