Dressing the Baby Bump

Many of you probably don’t know that I have a little surprise coming to join me soon. That’s right; your faithful fashion blogger is expecting a little boy in March! 

In the past seven months, I have learned that being pregnant and being a stylist do have their perks. I’ve found all sorts of different ways to dress the bump, and most of them do not include maternity clothes! In fact, my “uniforms” these days are not so dissimilar from the way I dressed before. At the end of the day, it’s all about creating figure-flattering looks.

Always wanting to look polished, I have found myself sticking to a couple of different uniforms and modifying them as the tummy grows. I know there are lots of moms-to-be out there and I am here to tell you that pregnancy is not the time to start dressing frumpy. If you have a long nine months ahead of you, here are some of my favorite uniforms to keep your style fresh and your confidence intact!

Uniform 1
I am a big fan of wearing dark colors to slim any type of figure. One of my favorite uniforms from before pregnancy and now is black jeans paired with some type of black top topped off with a third piece. This third piece can be a jacket, a duster or a cardigan. Any third piece will add interest to an otherwise boring black-on-black look. Try to play with different textures to add even more depth to your look. Before pregnancy, I would always add a belt to accentuate my waist and to add balance, but since that isn’t happening right now, I opt for fitted tops to wear under my third piece to balance out the look. 

Uniform 2
A fitted dress with a third piece was one of my go-to looks for the first few months of pregnancy. But sometimes just a dress felt a little light, so I always added something to finish it off. Can anyone guess what it is? That’s right, friends; a third piece. Sometimes I would style a jacket or sweater around my waist (under the bump) to create a faux waistband and then throw on some sneakers! With spring right around the corner, this will be the perfect look!

Uniform 3
Now, I am not going to lie and say leggings haven’t been a huge part of my life, because they have. In fact, my off-duty uniform has included my favorite faux leather Spanx maternity leggings with a longer sweater or top and a jacket. But I always made sure to follow my athleisure rules to keep my look polished. 

And lastly, ladies, don’t forget the jewels. With all of my uniforms, I have found myself wearing lots of neutrals and showcasing some of my jewelry that hasn’t been out lately!

Whether you are pregnant or not, always remember to have fun with your style. Before you shop, take a few minutes to play in your closet to see what your favorite uniform is. Have a clear view of what you love, because that’s the key to making your shopping trips concise and fun! ■

Written by: Abby Wood

Abby Wood is a wardrobe stylist and style blogger in Kansas City, and her education in design plus retail experience make her an expert in fit, fabric, style and trends. Her professional experience in fashion began with an apprenticeship with a bridal designer, shifted to creating and showing her  own line, moving up to management and training at a retail level and now professional styling as an independent consultant. Abby loves to help individuals develop and evolve their own sense of style.

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