9 steps to transition your existing wardrobe into your maternity wardrobe
Dressing a baby bump can be fun, but it’s not always easy. Here are a few tips on how to keep it simple, save yourself some money, and even enjoy dressing your growing bean.
Shop your wardrobe
As many of your go-to clothes gradually stop fitting you, it can become more difficult to put together outfits you feel good in. This doesn’t mean you need to race out and purchase a load of maternity clothes that you won’t wear when you’re not pregnant. Instead, shop your wardrobe - try on new combinations of clothes. Look at what you’ve got that still fits your growing bump, and will continue to do so through your pregnancy. Floaty dresses are an obvious example especially when you’re hiding the bump in the early stages, but you may also be surprised to find skirts that can be worn with the waist band above your bump, jumpsuits that have more stretchiness in them than you realised, blouses that billow, leggings that will sit below your bump comfortably for quite a while yet and can be worn under over-sized tops. Looking back, I “shopped my wardrobe” approx 3 times up until the 20 week mark as my body was changing so much and so were the seasons. This allowed me to have a handful of go-to outfits at all stages. I also got the accessories out and had a play using the outfits I’d created. Now that the bump is starting to show, I’m dressing in more fitted outfits to show it off. If you’re quite hippy and don’t feel you suit the bodycon dress styles, I’d encourage you to try them when your bump has popped as you may be pleasantly surprised. I recently styled a client of mine who loved A-line skirts and dresses and didn’t think fitted skirts or dresses would suit her but she was pleasantly surprised to break this rule when we found a stretchy midi-length tube dress from Country Road that could be for work/weekend. To ease in to this you could always style a long flattering cardigan/kimono (depending on the season) over the fitted dress for extra coverage.
Section your wardrobe
As you shop your wardrobe, make sections for items that you feel good in, that fit you well and hide the little belly starting to form (up until you are ready to tell people). You can make one section for work, and one for leisure if you need different types of clothes for each. This will save you time in the morning because you won’t have to sift through items that aren’t fitting well or making you feel good.
As you grow out of styles in your wardrobe (ie. they don’t fit or they don’t flatter), move them out of your line of vision
Instead of just shoving pieces to one side of the wardrobe as you grow out of them, take time to store these. I may have gone a little overboard - as I packed items away, I created a spreadsheet that I can refer back to that lists all items in my wardrobe that are breastfeeding friendly and suitable for summer. That way, I can grab them easily when I need them. If you’re not big on spreadsheets, you can also just store things away in sections e.g. box 1: breastfeeding friendly, box 2: likely won’t need for a year. I also took notes on any gaps in my wardrobe that I could fill once I’ve had the baby, to create new outfits if I need them. I’m hoping this will eliminate any sporadic impulse purchases while browsing the internet during midnight feeds (I hear this is a thing).Loan items in your wardrobe
My bestie did this for me when she was pregnant and it was the best so I returned the favour. There’s so many perks to loaning clothes that outweigh the risk you take of not getting them back in the same condition, or ever. This is how I approach loaning clothes to friends:
Only loan clothes to friends who you know are trustworthy. I’d also only loan to one or two close friends.
Be clear on if you’re loaning them or gifting to them. There were some items in my wardrobe I knew I wouldn’t want to wear after having a baby so I figured, rather than holding on to these items and never wearing them, they may as well be used.
I only gifted and loaned clothes I knew weren’t going to fit me for a long time. e.g. Items that were high-waisted. From week 8 of my pregnancy I didn’t feel like wearing anything high-waisted.
Make a list of what you’ve loaned and store somewhere safe for when you have baby brain and need to refer to it. You know what, you could even add an ‘on-loan’ to said spreadsheet above while you’re at it!
Specify any washing/care instructions they need to follow. Ie. If a piece is hand wash or dry clean only.
Create a wishlist and set a budget
Think about the items that you’re going to add that will stand the test of time over multiple pregnancies if that’s where you’re heading. Put money behind items that are staples, you can style in different ways and you know you’re going to wear them a lot while pregnant and perhaps even after the baby is born. If you start your research early when your clothes are still fitting, you can wait for when these items go on sale. Getting on top of your wardrobe from the beginning means you panic buy less.Ask your friends who have been through it
I’ve found friends love being helpful and giving advice on their journey through their pregnancy. I’ve gained really practical advice from my friends and it’s stopped me from getting carried away buying items I don’t particularly need. Ask them what they lived in during pregnancy and after the baby was born (remember to be mindful of what season you’re going to be in as they might have been in the complete opposite season) . Also ask them what they wouldn’t buy if they had their time again.
If you’re planning to breastfeed, resist the urge to buy items for after you have the baby that won’t be breast-feeding friendly
“OMG I love that and it’s on sale! I’ll buy it for once I’ve had the baby and stopped breastfeeding.” If this is you… no. This is not smart shopping regardless of the sale tag. Buying something to wear in the distant future is risky as you don’t know how your body shape, lifestyle and personal style will change once you have children. Trends will also have changed dramatically. Letting go of your old habits can be a challenge, especially when it comes to shopping. Use your money to invest in items that you can wear now or for straight after you’ve had the baby.
Invest in good bras
Nothing ruins an outfit as ruthlessly as an ill-fitting bra so when you start to grow out of your normal bras, invest in new ones that will see you through pregnancy. At about 20 weeks, I had grown out of all of my bras except for my sports bras. I craved wirefree bras and these were my favourite: Bonds Original Wirefree Tee Bra, Bonds Maternity Wirefree Crop and Lovable Perfectly Shapely Maternity Bra. Choose styles that give you smooth lines for when you dare to show off that beautiful bump in tighter body con styles later on in pregnancy. This is a personal choice for most so if you’re not planning on wearing tighter, stretchy clothes, then by all means, choose lace and run rogue!
Do a stocktake of your footwear
Footwear is the quickest, and easiest way to feel like you’re changing your look. Store away any non-practical/back-breaking heels (sad face) for now and also any shoes that are hard to get on or require bending over to do up . I’m living in trainers, boots and mules at the moment but as I get bigger, I may invest in a loafer that I won’t need to bend down to put on. Perhaps even consider statement flats that draw attention to your feet if you feel like you don’t want the attention on your growing body.