Modern Mom-to-Be Fashions

Ahhh yes, pregnancy can be such a blessing. Assisting God in a miracle, experiencing an ultrasound, feeling the little bumps of pure joy you helped to create. The beauty is true and real, but the not-so-glamorous side of pregnancy can knock at your uterine wall for an unplanned visit, whether you like it or not. Unfortunately, many women answer their backaches, cramps and swollen ankles with a wardrobe that resembles sacks of potatoes. You have a sense of style, you know what makes you look and feel good. But how can you possibly feel fabulous when all you feel is swollen, tired and fat? Well, ladies, I’m here to tell you the terrific truth. While you may outgrow your current clothes, you will never outgrow your sense of style! Show that baby bump with pride, and wear clothes that make you feel your beautiful best.

This season’s top trends may still apply – baby bump and all. Read along as we reveal our favorite picks; en vogue maternity options that are stylishly stronger than any maternal instinct.

Casual Cravings
Casual clothing is top priority for growing mommies to be. Running errands, working around the house and attending the neighborhood barbeque can be tiring and require cramp-free comfort. Forget your pregnancy woes and focus on stylish clothes! There are many opulent outfits available, similar to styles currently filling your closet. 

Jeans are a wardrobe staple that never gives you the blues. Don’t fear denim during pregnancy, there are countless maternity designer jeans for you to slip on comfortably. Feel a playful pep in your step by wearing jeans from www.bellydancematernity.com. Check out their denim section to find familiar designer brands from Habitual, Juicy Couture, and Chip and Pepper ($120-$200). Available in various cuts, such as wide leg, skinny, boot-cut, and cropped. More affordable options can be found at Gap Maternity ($50-$70), where they offer stylish denim options as well in white, gray, dark and light wash.

Pair your marvelous maternity denim with soft cotton tops, Tees, tunics and cardigans. Have fun with your Tees! Bring out your fun, sexy side by wearing a Tattoo Tee from my favorite maternity find, Belly Ink Tattoo Tees are similar to Ed Hardy designed urban wear, with tattoo drawings available for rock star moms. Don’t leave out daddy! They also offers Tees for dad, such as their “Sympathy Bump” T-shirt for $48.

Beautiful soft (and stretchy) cardigans can be found at the classic and style savvy Ann Taylor Loft. New to the maternity world, Ann Taylor Loft has made another fashion hit with their simple yet lovely Crew Neck Cardigan. Available in black, white, gorgeous green, and bright blue; $29-$44 (green and blue are currently on sale). For a warmer option, try the Olian Duster Sweater ($129) found at mommychic.com.

All three pieces tie together beautifully. Your favorite jeans, a rocker Tee and a soft cardigan work together to form a comfortable and trendy maternity outfit. While it’s great to rock your baby bump for the world to see, pairing a T-shirt or tank with a cardigan will minimize the look of your love lump; as you can see in this picture of Halle Berry.

Menswear Mommy
Menswear-inspired designs are huge this season, and offer a sleek, classic look for work and beyond. I know what you’re thinking…sleek? Sophisticated?  What non-pregnancy planet are you from? Believe it or not, there are stunning men’s wear-inspired maternity clothes, just waiting to dress up your belly bump. The site, www.appleseedboutique.com feeds your hunger for sophistication by offering a full maternity suit ($168). Professional and stylish, this sleek black suit includes a jacket and skirt for your working pleasure. Look a little further on the site and you’ll find fantastic Vertigo Maternity pants ($76), offered in black, brown or my personal fav, charcoal.

Invisible Suspenders ($18.50) from www.nivacollection.com, are my favorite masculine-inspired find. This stylish little masterpiece pulls double duty by following the men’s wear trend while holding up those pesky pants! Wear them comfortably under your clothing for ‘invisible’ support, or show them off over a white tank and jeans. Throw on your suit jacket from Appleseed Boutique and you’re ready for business!

That’s Bright Baby!
Spring/Summer 2008 collections were lit up by bright hues that popped on the runways. Bright blues, greens, yellows and oranges stole the show and stood out from the rest. Don’t hide your beautiful belly behind dark shades everyday. Incorporate bright colors into your wardrobe that will make your style pop!

Apple Seed Boutique offers a bright and flowing Tangerine Maternity Tank ($88) perfect for sunny days ahead. Its Grecian styling is still in fashion, so this maternity piece hits two trends in one! Head back to www.babiesbellies.com where you’ll find an electric Belted Tank Top in bright blue ($19.99) or an equally fabulous cobalt blue Dolman Sleeve Maternity Top ($19.99). Make your growing belly bright and beautiful by shopping the color trend. That’s bright baby!

Growing Green
In today’s world of fashion, going green is the new black! Glam gals everywhere are incorporating organic and sustainable fabrics into their wardrobe. Designers make it simple and glamorous to practice style with a conscious- mommies to be included! MollyAnna offers fun, flirty, and 100 percent organic maternity Tee’s to make you earth friendly while looking fabulous! Sassy and fun, their Tee’s have printed slogans like, “Birth Control is for Sissies”, or “I can grow people” ($38). A philanthropic plus? For every Tee sold on www.MollyAnna.com, they will donate $1 to CARE, whose focus is fighting the root causes of women in poverty.

 
And, for when that belly becomes a baby, shop at Park + Vine downtown to keep going green. They have a large selection of all-natural baby Tees, such as one that says “I’m a little green.”

Lackluster duds will do nothing but make your nine months nauseating. Your growing baby belly is beautiful, so show it off in striking, on trend maternity wear! Rattle your wardrobe and show the world what they can expect; the classic style maven you’ve always been! Chic maternity wear is available and glamorous – baby bump included.