ITEMS THAT WORK FOR PREGNANCY WITHOUT BEING MATERNITY WEAR

It’s not that I’m snobby about maternity clothes (although if I’m being honest, they could be better), it’s more that I want anything I wear to be something I love and wear for a long time. To paraphrase William Morris, I’d like everything in my wardrobe to be ‘useful and beautiful’.

I also just don’t have the money to buy a whole new wardrobe right now.

Maternity-wise, I pulled down all my saved clothes from last time but I was pregnant in the winter so those leather look leggings and thick jeans will have to wait until the colder weather hits! I have kept out the dungarees and joggers (during those first 12 weeks, lounge pants were a lifesaver) and then I went through my existing wardrobe. My tip is to remove anything from your wardrobe early on that won’t last….for me, any trousers and button front jeans and anything restricting were taken out. If you remove these items early on it limits what you have to think about when dressing in the morning and you don’t waste time a) trying things on that don’t fit and b) feeling nostalgic about the clothes you can’t wear. I kept hold of:

Shirts – mainly oversized and shirt dresses.

Elasticated waist shorts – I’m almost 7 months pregnant now and they’re still clinging on (literally!).

Loose dresses and kaftans – I have shopped in places like Cos for a while now and luckily most of my pieces are loose. I found anything empire line, despite being told they were great for pregnancy, didn’t work non maternity as my ribs stretched, too. No seams (or wide ones) work the best.

Peasant blouses – some are still great, a few are a bit short now with the bump but I can get away with them under dungarees.

Cardigans – great for throwing over a simple dress and doesn’t really matter if you can’t do it up!

All my flat shoes and a few fave heels – it’s important to keep a bit of your original style when pregnant and I find my flat shoe collection really adds something to my outfit. But generally I still just wear Tevas!

What I have bought:

Pants – last time I got away with wearing my usual knickers but this time around I needed loose, seamless ones – these from Gap worked well (I bought the beige as they were cheaper. H&M have good ones but were always sold out when I checked!).

A few dresses – I bought in the next size up, but in a style where it wouldn’t be noticeable once my bump was gone. Last time I didn’t revert naturally to my original size so want to still wear clothes that I look and feel comfortable in if I stay the same size. I looked for natural fabrics like organic cotton and where I could I bought ethically and from independent businesses like Kemi Telford – her dresses are great for natural oversized silhouettes anyway (and look great with trainers!).

What I haven’t worn/bought:

Pyjamas or a bra! Too hot and with lockdown all ‘rules’ have gone out the window but it feels freeing! I have some feeding bras ready for post birth but I really don’t want to revisit them until it’s absolutely necessary….!