The festive season is fast approaching (how?!) and with everything happening around you, the last thing you want to worry about is âhow to dress your bumpâ. So Mama, Iâm here to tell you, weâve got you covered - literally.Â
Our styling tips are broken down into trimesters so you can jump straight to the one thatâs appropriate for you this season. Be sure to read our final MAMA MUSE tips at the end, your stylish-self will thank you for it.Â
First TrimesterÂ
This one is probably the easiest in terms of fashion but certainly not in terms of pregnancy. If youâre spending these three months feeling nauseous, avoiding trigger foods and eyeing off anything that resembles a âbucketâ, we hear you sister. Itâs not a pretty time, in fact, itâs pretty tough. If you find yourself at your work Christmas function trying not to be sick all over your boss whilst sipping on your âvodkaâ soda, we suggest that you dress in something comfortable with a bit of coverage so you can focus on getting through the night!
Think: fabrics that are soft, easy to wear and designed with comfort in mind. Look in your wardrobe for inspiration, if it doesnât tick these three boxes, put it aside until, well, postpartum. Now is a great time to start investing in some chic pieces that will grow with you, literally!
Think about your feet too, swap out those heels for something comfortable yet still stylish. Itâs absolutely exhausting growing a baby, they say itâs like youâre running a marathon doing NOTHING so mama, pull up a chair and make sure that waiter is serving you regular appetisers - pregnancy friendly of course.
First Trimester: Savannah Tiered Maternity & Nursing Dress â perfect for hiding that awkward evening bloat
Second Trimester
Ah, the long awaited second trimester has arrived. If youâre lucky, youâve said good riddance to morning sickness (or perhaps itâs decided to hang around - sending all the love, mama!). But moving on to something a little more pretty⌠your bubba! Chances are, your news is out and youâre likely very proud to be carrying the extra baggage - I mean baby - so letâs talk about how you can dress her - or him - up with pride.
Think: fabrics that give and stretch or are loose fitting. Get creative, mix and match and youâll find some pieces work great on your body in pregnancy and others will be completely useless - for now. Youâre probably - if youâre not already - only weeks (or days) away from swapping out your beloved jeans for active wear as your every-occasion-attire, but there will be times (like Christmas and all the festive events that come with it) when you need to put on something stylish.Â
So whilst youâre out doing your last minute Christmas shopping, get comfy in your stretchy leggings but glam it up with an oversized tea, a cute blazer and those polished white sneakers!Â
And as for that special event? Why not opt for a beautiful wrap dress or textured maxi with plenty of stretch-shirring that will hug you in all the right places without being clingy.
Second Trimester: Graphic Maternity Tee â who said comfy has to be frumpy?
Third TrimesterÂ
Youâre on the home stretch now mama, yet somehow youâre getting slower, heavier and riding a rollercoaster of mood swings. Maybe youâve adopted a fabulous waddle and the end just canât come soon enough. Has pregnancy brain kicked in yet? Youâre also likely at the point that if you drop something on the ground, itâs dead to you. We know, weâve been there. Itâs all the feels at once - down to every leg cramp, back twitch and body-ache. At this point, you probably just want to stay at home wearing your partner's oversized clothes⌠but weâre here to tell you your dressing up days donât have to be over.
Think: âbump-friendly' styles that are designed to hug your bump or fall loosely over top. In addition, you might also like to pair these items with layers or resort style clothes that will compliment your ever-changing body. Looking and feeling fabulous in the third trimester is made easy with your gorgeous bump being the feature of every outfit.  Â
Third Trimester: Skylar Shirred Maternity & Nursing Dress in Soft Sky Blue â stunning crochet-lace detail throughout, to make you feel a million dollars, without all the effort
Fourth Trimester: AKA PostpartumÂ
The most precious time, your baby is in your arms. Youâre lucky if youâve showered in the last two days let alone washed your hair. Suddenly, all your needs go out the window and youâre probably just excited to find some clean clothes not covered in baby poop and vomit. When the time comes and youâre ready to leave the house - wearing something, uhum, less âhomeyâ - youâre probably wondering how to dress your amazing, life-creating, postpartum body.Â
Think: any clothes from trimester two or three that have stretch and flexibility with easy nursing access in mind. If youâre breastfeeding, youâll need to think about clothes that detach, stretch, slip down or lift up. Thereâs never an expectation to be back in anything more fitting - like jeans - so continue to wear clothes that simply make you feel your best and tick those new mama boxes.
Fourth Trimester: Â Elliot Pinstripe Maternity & Nursing Shirt Dressâ a relaxed fit with easy access for breastfeeding â perfect for bump and beyond!
MAMA MUSE final tips and recap for the festive season:
Want to channel the maternity street fashion trend without overhauling your entire wardrobe? Iâve pinned down the staples every cool mama needs to build the ultimate maternity wardrobe without blowing the budget. It only took me three pregnancies to whittle down this list!