Maternity: First trimester style

I'm going to start with this topic since I am well past my first trimester and I don't want to forget and also by specific request of crwilson.

Disclaimer: I'm not an expert. I can only speak to what worked for me and I hope others will chime in with their own tips, especially if their experience was different.

There are some women (especially if it's your first child) who will be able to dress their first trimester body the same as their pre-pregnancy body. Then just keep following YLF and you should be golden. As Marianne pointed out-- don't be tempted yet by maternity clothes because you don't know what your body is going to do.

If you're like me and have terrible morning sickness and extreme sensitivity to any pressure on your abdomen, these are the first trimester strategies that worked for me.

1. Continue to dress for your pre-pregnancy body shape. There will be exceptions, but for the most part your growing belly is not going to affect your overall body shape enough to change this.

2. It's nice to have a uniform or capsule of outfits for this trimester. When you feel crappy all of the time, you just don't feel like thinking about coming up with outfits. So have a few tried and true that you know look stylish and don't be afraid to wear them *all the time.*

3. Dresses are your best friend. Loose or stretchy dresses. It's one thing to put on and as comfy as can be. Looser styles will disguise a belly you might want to hide at first. Try sacks, shifts, a-line, fit and flare-- there will be some comfy style that fits your body type. Then accessorize with different necklaces, scarves or shoes. I wore this loose silk shift all the time:

http://i282.photobucket.com/al.....G_1131.jpg

4. Wear loose fitting tops that you already own, like banded bottom tops and other voluminous tops.

5. Use the bella band or rubber band method so you don't have to button up your bottoms. Better yet, consider have a pair of jeans/pants/shorts converted to maternity by your tailor or

http://www.belly-jeans.com/ (I have used this woman several times and she is really great. She will even include regular hemming for free.)

(Note: be sure to figure out what total front rise you want on the finished product and specify that.) You will probably not grow out of your current bottom size this trimester but it maybe be very uncomfortable to button them up. It costs about $25 and you don't have to go through the trial of finding bottoms that flatter. Yes, you have to sacrifice a pair of jeans/pants but if you wear them *all the time* knowing they look good and are comfortable it is worth it. Additional advantages: you'll have something to wear post partum as you go through the process of shrinking back down and you'll have a good excuse to treat yourself to a fabulous new pair once you're at a stage where you're ready to rediscover that new mom mojo.

6. Treat yourself to some cute lounge wear. If you're going to be in bed/around the house a lot, you'll get a lot of use out if it and you can still be comfy and cute.

7. Get your hair cut, get a pedicure, get a massage-- pamper yourself a little. Unless you're hospitalized or completely bedridden, you should be able to figure out at least one time during that first trimester to take care of just one of these all important details.

I'm sure I've forgotten something but this forum is a wealth of knowledge and ideas so I'm sure the gaps will be filled in quickly. A lot of these tips come straight from Angie or others but were intended for different purposes. I'm just applying the same ideas to pregnancy.

16 years ago

Patience

Veteran

To answer buddingfashionista's question on the Maternity Posts thread concerning skirts. I didn't speak to these in my post because I didn't wear them much during the first trimester. Either they sat high enough on my waist early on to not bother me or a couple of times I did wear buttoned skirts open with a bella band. I think skirts are something you may as well buy the maternity version of as long as you don't mind them sitting on your hips even when you're not showing.

I'm actually going to start a thread on jersey skirts because I have a question about those myself.

Ruchi

Active Member

Thanks for taking the time to address these issues Patience.I was feeling so lost about what to wear but I know have an idea about what I can look for.I feel most comfortable in skirts with volume or banded tops.I will definitely look for dresses too.
Ruchi

crwilson

Thank you for this post Patience! I think I'm starting to show because one of my close friends today asked me if I was pregnant. Well, she didn't exactly ask...she looked at my midriff and said, "Is there something that you want to share with me?"

I love the outfit you posted. I just bought an inexpensive black jersey dress that I've been wearing with scarves. Right now comfort is a top priority.

Did you find the bella band comfortable? I bought the cheap target version (the be band?), and I don't like it. If the bella band is substantially different, though, I would definitely try it.

marianne

Wow, great write-up, Patience. I don't have much to add except share my own experience. I am one of those people who can't fit into their regular clothes 6 weeks into the pregnancy. Large junior size bottoms worked well for me because they are low rise and cut straight through the hip (I got a couple at BP). They got some postpartum use as well. I used a cloth belt with them so it was soft and could be adjusted.
Skirts worked well for me at this point as well - I had one AK maternity skirt that I wore through the entire pregnancy. It sat on my hip bones below the belly. However, IMO tops are trickier with skirts if you want to camouflage during this period.

I'm glad this is working for all of you. Thanks, Marianne, for the additional tips. CR, I have actually not used the bella band all that much during pregnancy but I think it deserves it's own thread which I will get to soon.

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