Cardigan Empire

Salt Lake City Fashion Stylist

Trimester Specific Maternity Fashion

Whether your occupant’s presence was only recently perceived or your nest is already abundantly ripe, below is a fashion guide for each stage of your roost raising:

Trimestre Primo (Weeks 1-12):
Bra, Knickers, Trouser Extender

Your very first-est purchase, must-est absolutely be a bra, preferably a trio of them.  The tender blossom of your lady eggs need tending.  Start scheduling a fresh bra fitting around eight weeks.

Next, you and your seed will need to analyze your entire closet. Abstain from purchasing unnecessarily now.  Perhaps you already have a few empire waist tops, some longer pleated tees, or an extra stretchy pair of trousers that continue to serve you and your growing empire.

Next identify items that might work with slight modifications. If you have pants and skirts that still fit nicely around your thighs and seat, but are a tiddly bit tight around the confines of your new belly buddy.  try purchasing a Bella Band, Belly Belt Button Up, Belly Band to keep your southern garments in their station.  If all else fails, a rubber band will suffice.
 

Trimestre Secondo (Weeks 13-26):
Maternity Cluster
Your belly is finally starting to bump. While fashion architecture is traditionally executed to draw attention away from a broad area, this is not the case in pregnancy. Your expanding arched abdomen is a glorious line. And it is unmistakable physical evidence that you are very desirable to the opposite sex.

Your goal now is to acquire a minimalist maternity wardrobe.  Retain what continues to serve you from your non-maternity wardrobe and add in new items to complete the set.  As you evaluate, remember you are not a packaged sausage. If you can see any excessive details of your figure metamorphosis, it is not serving you. And your child should never fall below the line of blouse. Baby will be angry if he finds you left him exposed to the public.

In the end aim for: 10 shirts, 5 trousers (including 1 pair of jeans), 1 skirt, 1 dress. All of them should be good servants, faithful servants. Servants who flatter you.

But hasty one, proceed with wisdom. Buy slowly. Re-wear each garment in as many combinations as possible. Glutton yourself on the intoxication of well fitting pretties because as it turns out you two may only have fleeting weeks to enjoy each other.  
Avoid trimester specific buying, and look for items that will grow with you and your uterine companion.  This includes wrap knits, tie back tops, and extra long stretchy jersey blouses. 

Trimestre Terzo(Weeks 27-40):
Accessories
Start slowing down your maternity purchases.  The items you wisely purchased in the second trimester should continue to accommodate your growth.  
Now is the time to acquire accessories.  Redress your wardrobe with bright baubles, fine millinery, and the excellent work of your favorite cobbler.  Not only will bags and scarves refresh your appearance now, but they will continue to serve you postpartum. 

If you must buy a new garment, opt for an open closure layering piece (ie sweater or jacket).  The outer pieces can create structure and verticality around your beautifully broad belly.

Still to come, pregnancy body types, maternity fashion flops, and more.
Procure your own empire constitution. Your personalized fashion look book can include your own pregnant styling rules of conduct and much more.
Feed me fashionably fresh

Comments

  1. Reachel, I have an off-topic question for you if you wouldn’t mind answering: What do you think of baby girls being dressed in a onesie + leggings (the type that are big right now… hug the legs)? Good/bad? Would it make their middle section look goofy?

  2. I am waiting with breath that is bated for all your maternity fashion advice. Keep it coming.

  3. I wouldn’t suggest buying new shoes in the 3rd trimester. Often your feet are swollen and tend to flatten. Many women find themselves a half size larger in the foot after a baby or two. However, a few weeks postpartum is a great time to splurge on new shoes, especially since the rest of your body needs a bit more time to adjust back to its normal size.

  4. I’m with Becca! I’m dying to see your next couple of posts! I’m in my first trimester and am finding your advice is so true! I need a larger bra and the slacks extender 🙂 Thank you so so much for helping a fashionista with a surprise baby on the way 🙂

  6. I second the LOVE of a bella band. I lived in mine, and then post baby it’s awesome when you fit/but don’t fit in your favorite jeans. It’s also fantastic if you’ve had a c-section and all pants hit the tender incision area. Love your blog!

  7. I’m loving this series. Just made it into my 2nd trimester and my favorites are no longer fitting up top or in the mid-section. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

  8. Marisa,
    A onesie with leggings is definitely going to accentuate the mini middle milk storage, but as baby bellies are pretty adorable you don’t necessarily need to avoid this look. And the leggings really do protect baby knees from crawling damage. It’s definitely a personal preference. For more baby dressing tips try: https://cardiganempire.com/2010/03/baby-muffin-top.html