Tips for Dressing Your Bump

I've shown you all a few maternity looks already, but I want to share some of the basics about dressing your bump. You don't have to spend a fortune to look cute while you're growing a human, and I have a few tips to help you do just that! 

Photos by Laurel Creative

But first, I want to share this look that I'll be rocking this week, since Miami's temperatures have taken a little dip in the last few days. The items are all linked at the end of the post. 

The most basic of all my maternity wardrobe needs is the base of this outfit, and can be the base for MANY MANY MANY outfits. These black leggings are nice enough to dress up with boots and a cute top, and comfy enough to wear with sneakers and a tee. Here, I went for a casual look, pairing it with a basic white v-neck tee from Old Navy, and a quilted vest from Old Navy as well. For a warm, festive touch, I added this plaid blanket scarf, which is so versatile. It can be used as a scarf but you can also throw it over yourself and use it as a blanket while on a plane or in a car. It's one of those great wardrobe pieces that you can use a number of ways. I went with beige riding boots to give some contrast to the look. 

And now, my tips for dressing your bump. 

1. Think about what you will need based on your lifestyle. When I was pregnant with Caleb and working, I knew I needed clothes to get me through 6 months of work. So the first thing I invested in was work pants. I found a couple pairs I liked, and when they were on sale, I purchased in multiple colors (black, khaki, navy) so that I could make them work with some of the tops I already had. This time around, I have a much more casual lifestyle, so I knew I would need a couple of pairs of yoga pants and jeans. I also have a few plain dresses that I can dress up or down. 
2. Basics are your besties. Plain tees and tanks in neutral colors can be layered under everything or worn on their own. Don't underestimate a good white tee or black tank when your belly is growing. A chambray shirt and a white button down are great basics too. I also like to have some really simple tee shirt dresses because they can be dressed up or down too. 
3. Rethink what you already own. Using those basics I mentioned for layering, I've been able to stretch button down shirts and cardigans by wearing them open. They can add some dimension and color to a plain outfit. Even shirts that end up being too short can have some life extended by being worn over a maternity tank. You can also wear those too-short pieces under something like maternity overalls or a longer sweater. I also put all my blazers to good use. 
4. Accessorize! Now is the time to dig through all your shoes, scarves, hats, and jewelry. Throw a sparkly necklace on with one of your plain tees or dresses and you've successfully jazzed up an outfit. Vests and kimonos are also great options to change up the basic jeans and a tee. Use a scarf to change an outfit, or throw on a hat to make it look different than it did last week. 
5. Fill in the gaps. Formal events, your own baby shower, holidays. All events you'd normally buy new clothes for. Buy things that can be used after pregnancy, too. You probably won't want to wear a tight dress for a while, so something flowy can work for one of those events but can also be worn post-maternity. We went to New York when it was already cold and I didn't have any cold weather items I could use, so I ended up buying a coat and a vest (pictured in this post). 
6. Ask around. Unless you're the first of all your friends to be pregnant, you're bound to know someone who has been pregnant and who is willing to let you borrow some of their maternity duds and help you fill in the gaps in your wardrobe while you're expecting!

What tips would you add? 

Stay fab, friends! 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

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