Looking Sexy In Maternity Clothes -- Five Ways To Flatter Your Pregnant Body

In theory, pregnant women are supposed tomore stripes appearing along the rise of your
radiate some sort of special glow and our bodiesbump. Be sure to strap on the pillow and check
are supposed to, as they say, "blossom". Inout the side view in the mirror before you even
reality, that glow is often created by the sweatthink of purchasing that shirt! Chances are, it's
from our hot flashes, and the word we might usegoing to look bizarre.
to describe our bodies -- especially after 30The one exception to the stripe rule is a top with
weeks or so -- would be "ballooning."a chevron stripe whose horizontal lines meet at a
Regardless of how we thought we'd feel aboutpoint over the center of the belly. That type of
our baby bumps, the challenges of dressing astripe is indeed flattering from any angle;
pregnant body sometimes seem more difficult tounfortunately, most striped maternity tops don't
bear than the child itself. But luckily, in the pastfall into this category.
decade or two, maternity designers have really,
er, delivered. Thanks to changes in the way the4. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!
pregnant body is viewed, even the most pregnantNo matter the difficulty of finding suitable
mamas can look fabulous with a few little tricks.maternity wear, there is one thing we don't have
to compromise on -- accessories! Yes, at some
1. If you've got it, flaunt it!point, we may have to buy new, roomier shoes
When our mothers were pregnant with us,with lower heels, but there are still earrings,
maternity clothes were little more than annecklaces, belts and bags -- the great equalizer
offshoot of the tentmaking trade. Nobody couldfor women of all shapes and sizes.
tell what was going on underneath the big top untilWhen your feet plump up like sausages, take
the main event was imminent! While body-huggingthat opportunity to buy attractive footwear from
fabrics may seem frightening at this mosta shoe store such as Naturalizer or Aerosoles that
weight-sensitive of times, fitted styles are actuallyspecializes in comfort. For optimal comfort,
the pregnant woman's best friend -- no matterdoctors recommend something with a low heel
what her size.rather than a perfectly flat shoe. Our
It sounds counterintuitive, but clothes that clinggrandmothers may have worn clunky orthopedic
to your curves create a more slender silhouetteshoes, but we don't have to -- many of today's
and draws attention to the baby belly.comfiest shoes are nearly indistinguishable from
(Conversely, baggy clothing creates the illusion offashion footwear.
overall hugeness.) Especially when you are heavilyNo matter what your personal style, jewelry and
pregnant, highlighting rather than hiding the babybags are the perfect way to complete your look.
bump draws attention to your pregnancy ratherIn the second trimester, when you are sporting
than your size. If a shirt that is fitted throughouta smaller baby bump, nothing is a cuter
is too daring for your taste, consider empire-waistcounterpoint to a fitted tee than a funky,
tops that are fitted through the shoulders andlow-slung belt or two under the tummy. And if
bust -- and pass by the baggy oxfords, shapelessyour belly is beyond huge at, say, 41 weeks, a
tees and blousy dress tops.monochromatic outfit accessorized with a striking,
chunky necklace draws the eye up and away
2. Do it with flarefrom the possibility that you could deliver right
Tapered pants are unflattering on all but thehere, in this very spot (because you know this is
skinniest of figures, and yet for some reason,running through the grocery checker's mind!).
maternity stores continue to sell them. The resultAnd, last but not least, by all means indulge in
is the "Tomato Effect," in which the poor fashioncute little bags while you can. Because for quite
victim looks like a big round tomato on little sticksome time after your little bun comes out of the
legs.oven, you'll be toting around a diaper bag by day
Don't buy tapered trousers just because they'reand dreaming at night of tiny satin handbags.
on the rack! To balance your new top-heavy look,
shop for a pant with flared legs. A boot cut looks5. Keep it natural
great with almost any shirt and counteracts theLast but not least, one of the best ways to feel
extra weight you're carrying in the belly and butt.good about how you look is to wear what you
A pant that makes you look like a million bucks islove. It's a bit harder when you're pregnant and
worth the extra shopping time.the stores are all selling the same style of
maternity wear (which may just be too frilly, too
3. Change your stripesstrappy, too frumpy or too bohemian for your
One of the worst things a pregnant woman cantastes), but it's still doable. Why change your
wear is stripes -- of any kind. Horizontal stripesentire look just because you're having a baby?
are out for the obvious reason that they create aInstead of limiting yourself to one or two stores,
widening effect on an already bulky part of thecheck out the maternity sections in places you
body. This may work in the second trimestermight not ordinarily shop. Look online for fashions
when your bump is tiny and cute, but by the timethat aren't available in your area. There's
you are ready to deliver, it can be a bitsomething out there for every expectant mother
frightening to behold even if you are the tall and-- rocker chick, fashionista, preppie or princess.
willowy type.Finding clothing you're confident in is key to looking
But lest you leap to the seemingly logicaland feeling like a sexy mama!
conclusion that if horizontal stripes enlarge, then
vertical stripes are slimming, consider this: ThatCopyright 2006, Heather PhillipsHeather Phillips is a
vertical-stripe top may be cute on the rack, butlongtime journalist, fashion devotee and founder
where will those stripes lie when they are drapedof the maternity and baby website She lives in
over a 45-inch belly? From the side, you are goingthe Pacific Northwest with her husband, children
to have layer upon layer of striping, with yetand longhair cat.