Ask Angie: 2017 maternity style

columbine(erin)

Angie, and all,

If you were to build a maternity capsule wardrobe for en expecting lady, what would be most important pieces, and trends.

If anyone has specific items or trends to recommend, or a pic, or a celeb maternity pic, perhaps, I'd love that!

Signed, 16 weeks along with Baby 4 and need some inspiration.

7 years ago

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from columbine(erin)

Sara L.

Veteran

Congratulations! Do have any pieces from when you had babies 1-3 that could still work? Maybe some plain tops that could be supplemented with new, more trendy bottoms? That's essentially what I did. I tried to reuse as much as possible and then fill in the gaps.

7 years ago

columbine(erin)

Veteran

Thanks Sara. I do have and use some of the old pieces. I never did have well fitting bottoms though so I"m working on that. And my tops are definitely showing wear and tear! Some will look fine, so finding new trendy bottoms to wear with them would help. Currently wearing two maxi dresses with long cardigans, over, and over, and over, lol!

7 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Congratulations!!

It is almost 13 years since I was last pregnant but both times I had small tight functional capsules that coped with travelling, work, casual.

A simple dress that works for dressy occasions and can be dressed up even more with jewelry. I had a black and white striped one that worked for three weddings and a couple of work dos.

Loose dress (mine was black knit)

Two pairs pants (I was pregnant through summer both times) so mine were more capri style), I had one pair of coral and one beige. I did have some cargo pants that worked for the weeks until about 24.

Shorts - one pair (mine were black)

about four tops (I had a white tank, a black long sleeve, a black short sleeve and a turquoise tank)

One skirt (mine was black stretch lace)

Comfortable slip on shoes/sandals (mules work well)

That is all I had to be honest and it worked brilliantly. I was only working three days a week so I wore either the coral pants or the black lace skirt mostly with one of the tops, or the black knit dress. Mine was black dominated but I had some great colourful necklaces that worked.

7 years ago

deb

Veteran

Congratulations!!

7 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Awe congratulations to you.

I would personally say stick to your current style although you may experience a style shift.

Dresses skirts and leggings have become my uniform for work. During the later part of my pregnancy I had to go up in shoe size as well as needed slip on gymshoes. Socks get harder to put on and I had to give up the heels currently my 8th month.

I actually had a good cry and packed away my before baby bump clothing. It took me a minute but my journey is documented here on Ylf.

It's good that you can fit some of your old clothing. Nothing I have is maternity but it fits my life and style. Wishing you Goodluck on your new journey.

7 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

Congratulations, this is wonderful news.
I had a swing jacket that was a great buy and I was able to wear all through my pregnancy. Also I found ponchos very useful - and when wearing them, quite a few people did not even realise that I was pregnant! I did buy some specific maternity clothes - the best items were maternity pants and jeans that had a band at the waist that stretched along with my expending waist line. As for tops, I was able to buy mainly oversized tops that worked.
My bust ended up much larger than normal - and that continued with breast feeding. So wrap tops became my friend.

7 years ago

Penny

Veteran

I agree with Ledonna to start from your current style - I love dresses and wore a capsule of eight (mostly navy and black, plus one grey and one pink dress) for my entire pregnancy, with blazers and cardigans as needed. Nordstrom was my source for current, stylish dresses, and most of the rest were consignment. I wore the heck out of a navy knot-front Seraphine dress (Kate Middleton wore the style as well), and am still wearing it now while nursing my three-month old. Congratulations and best of luck on building your maternity wardrobe!

7 years ago

kkards

Veteran

no ideas on maternity fashion, but just wanted to say congratulations!

7 years ago

Anonymous

Congratulations!
I have no clue about maternity style.
My only advice would be to wait and buy things as you get bigger. Also, save some funds in the kitty for a nice post-partum fashion treat!

7 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Congrats!
Just a generic concept that I think it is still fashionable to be form- fitting over the baby bump, so linger stretchy tops over slim bottoms work.
" In my time" ( LOL) my first pregnant wardrobe was still the more tent- like styles, but then second time around thing were moving to more fitted and I think that's remained popular.
Also, early on some ladies can use that waistband - extended belt and wear regular pants under baby bump, allowing you to keep wearing any " modern" styles and favorites you already have for awhile. But then eventually something more forgiving is needed.

7 years ago

columbine(erin)

Veteran

Kiwigal, thanks, sounds like your capsule worked brilliantly. Two dresses, two pairs of pants, a skirt, 4 shirts, and a pair of shorts, works as a good starting template. I have dresses covered. My tops are from 7 years ago and I've discovered holes and breaking elastic. Normal tops work for now, but this is my fourth, so I think I'll need maternity soon. I have 2 pairs of pants. They are bootcut, too short, and too baggy, and scratchy fabric. I'm trying out pants from Old Navy to replace them; coming in the mail in a few days.I wear ankle pants most days because I have 3 active boys already, so wearing dresses at home gets in my way. It'll definitely be easier to get dressed when the pants are sorted.

Thank you, Deb!

Ledonna, you are looking so great! Btw, I wait several months...really a year would be better! before trying on pre pregnancy favorites after the baby comes. Yet keep them, you never know, you might be able to wear them again eventually! As for my style; I've not done a good job nailing it down, but I'm more interested in romantic and boho style stuff lately, I think.

Thank you Bijou. The jacket and poncho sound like a great way to keep things interesting. I have a Zara jacket I should wear more. Otherwise, I have an aubergine wool coat I wear all the time. All time favorite. I was thinking of finding a denim jacket to wear over my dresses to switch it from wearing cardigans.

Thank you Penny. I hadn't heard of Seraphine, but love Kate Middleton's style. Thanks for that idea. Congratulations on your baby. I love three month olds. Starting to smile and coo and roll over, it's great!

Thanks, Kkards

Thanks, Smittie, solid advice!

7 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I have no advice since my son is 29. Best of luck, though!

7 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Congrats.

Trendy copped flares and flats FOR SURE, and fun floral tops get my top vote.

7 years ago

columbine(erin)

Veteran

Thank you Angie. I will be on the lookout for crops, flat, and I have a floral top on the way that I hope works out.
Thanks JAileen.

7 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Congrats!!

I see a lot of this these days (pic below). Fitted, stretchy knits. Makes the 'nightgowns' Princess Di wore look so so dated, lol. Two more pics of a top and dress that I also think are au courant.

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7 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

Would you consider hacking those old maternity bootcuts into crop flares?

Most of my maternity stuff (23 years ago!!!) was borrowed, but what I remember most was that I couldn't fit a couple of maternity things like my black skirt much into my third trimester. As in no-go after I had gained 20 - 25 pounds. What's that about? For maternity clothes?!?

I see lots of maternity clothes I like on nordstrom.com.

7 years ago

columbine(erin)

Veteran

Unfrumped, thank you. It was all babydoll style tops and bootcuts with my first kiddo. It's interesting to hear about the different maternity styles fabbers have lived through. Stretchy over slim seems like a good formula for now.

Thanks Rachylou. I like your examples and it's helpful to think through that maternity capsule.

7 years ago

Julia B

Member

Hi!! I've stumbled onto this threat of messages as I'm pregnant (2nd trimester) and I just love the topic!!

Until now
I've managed with my own clothes, using loose fitting frocks/T-shirts... but no
jokes, I feel it's time to get a few maternity garments! The drama starts when you realize it's kind of difficult to dress classy while expecting :S

There are an umpteen of low cost websites but fabrics are not that inspiring?

I found just one really nice maternity brand I've never heard about before called WOMUM BARCELONA which I highly recommend as the fabrics are super (they use loads of chiffon) and I think you can get any style you want: from working style to boyfriend style, much more sophisticated, naive...

Really it's not easy getting dressed when you are feeling a bit like a whale :S

7 years ago

JuniperGreen

Veteran

One of my colleagues is expecting and often wears a crisp white button down shirt that is tunic length with either leggings or maternity jeans. She has paired it with drapey vests, big statement necklaces, gauzey scarves... each time it looks transformed so it has a lot of versatility.

7 years ago

columbine(erin)

Veteran

Hi Julia B, hope your pregnancy is going well. Have you looked at Pinkblush Maternity? I have a red and white damask maternity maxi from there. Be warned some of their stuff is a bit sheer, but think through if you have the right camisoles, dress slips, etc. I'm 5'3" and have to hem Pinkblush dresses and skirts, they are ridiculously long. Good for the tall people. Zulily also has nice stuff for maternity sometimes, but, it is low cost, not returnable! and often too sheer for my taste. I did find a Chris and Carol maxi floral dress from there that I'm wearing an awful lot with a denim jacket. I have a couple maternity tops from Zulily. I plan on following Colette Patterns for her Sorbetto top and making some of my own tops. I'm just too exasperated with other choices out there, budget, styling, and fit wise. I went to Stitch Fix for maternity pants. They sent me Liverpool maternity pants that I adore. I'd tried Gap, BR, Motherhood, ON, Nordstrom, Loft etc with no luck as for as getting a good fit, within my budget. I plan on asking for another box and requesting that Stitch Fix sends me another pair of the same pants, since I can't find Liverpool maternity pants on my own. They don't seem to have them on the site very often. Some of my favorite older maternity pieces from previous kiddos are from Motherhood or Loft. Hope this helps a bit.

7 years ago

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