top tips for hiding your pg at work?

[pookamoo]

I am just over 6 weeks pg with DC2, and already starting to show... eek!
I'd like to hold off telling work for as long as possible (morning sickness dependent unfortunately) so what are your top tips for hiding pg at work in the early days? Especially what clothes did you find hid the bump particularly effectively?

thanks!

[pinkpeony]

Go for trousers/skirts plus tops and jackets/cardigans - best for concealing thickening waistline. Avoid dresses, which show bumps the most. Black works well, esp for bottoms and tops under your jackets etc as slimming. I didn't tell work that was pg with DC2 until about 19 weeks. Easier to do in the winter when you can wear layers. Women may start to wonder regardless, while men won't notice a thing.

[OnlyMeUK]

always have an open packet of choccy biscuits on your desk, then you'll get away with people thinking you're just 'over indulging'!

[flamingpants]

Wear a pashmina all the time. It can hang down and cover your belly a bit (currently doing this to hide natural fat!)

[ChessyEvans]

I wore a wrap around cardigan and found that was really good - also maternity trousers can be quite good as they are a bit bigger and stretch discreetly rather than giving a muffin top appearance!

I was lucky that I had no morning sickness so I kept it quiet until about 14 weeks (but nobody had guessed before then).

[oh4goodnesssake]

I agree with pinkpeony, black trousers/skirts and black tops with long line cardigans over the top preferably in a lighter/brighter colour to distract from what's underneath. Congratulations!

[jasmine51]

Dark tops and dark trousers together with the obligatory big cardy. Dont start wearing those tops with ties under the boobs, they will accentuate both boobs and bump. If in a formal setting a darker suit with jacket works well - Red Herring had some work clothes

[discobeaver]

I found a top or jacket that stops around the waist or just below is good - it hangs straight from your boobs and won't hug the bump. A floaty scarf might be good if a pashmina is too warm.

[hippy3]

Scarves...I am wearing them with everything... I am now 6 months people now but when I am going out to do visits or asessments I wear big scarves. Although in fairness most people do notice !!

[Bryher]

Suggest also complaining about eating too much at Christmas and putting on weight, might fool them :)

[heartsnflowers]

support tights outed me!!

[squirrel007]

One thing I did was to buy trousers in a size (or two) larger to avoid them being obviously ill-fitting. Then, I bought some longer tops to cover my waist. Long cardigans are also good, as is an open jacket, as it's hard to make out what shape you are under them! Dark colours are good as you can't really see shape very easily.

I have one of these which you can wear beneath your normal clothes and it just looks like you're layering, while adding come extra inches to cover your waistband:

www.newlook.com/shop/womens/maternity/3pack-bump-band_164748199

I have also just bought (but not got yet) some hook extender things for my normal trousers so I'm hoping they will help my clothes fit for longer.

Wearing a v-neck or other low-ish neckline is good to distract (doesn't have to be revealingly low, just not right up at your neck)

Finally, the other tip I learned is to distract attention away from your belly with brightly coloured chunky jewellery or scarves.

I'm at 14 weeks now, and no-one has noticed yet!

[babynelly2010]

wear a lot of black and scarfs. Don't be paranoia about it, it is amazing how many people just don't think like that. I told people at my work at around 20 weeks when I thought my belly was unhidable and everyone one was in shock. Good luck!

[doughnutty]

My sure fire tip is to go back to work from mat leave already pg, having put on lots of weight.

I am 17 weeks and no one has noticed. Or at least they're tactful enough not to ask in case it's just fat

I have to wear a uniform of black trousers and white/blue stripe shirt. I can't believe no one's noticed as side on I definitely look pg.

[PuraVida]

Don't wear your sea sickness bands on display. I got rumbled today at 9 weeks

[discobeaver]

Don't do the preggo waddle either - one of my friends who is tiny (size 6/8) started walking as if she had a baby elephant stuffed up her bottom from day one.

I know in later stages it's hard, but she mainly did it so that people would actually notice.

[jasmine51]

If you live in London and travel on the tube...make sure you take off the 'Baby on Board' badge before you get to the office. Left mine on at christmas and was spotted!

[pookamoo]

he he at the "baby elephant"

[KittyFoyle]

Tunic tops and patterns. Was hard to explain the amount of time I spent heaving in the loo though. And not eating anything but dry ginger biscuits.

[tebbles]

Well Im succeeding so far.

Wear cardigans, layers and looser dark colored tops. Also tops with ruffles and details to distract. Also wear skirt/trousers a size larger. I am still wearing my pre-pregnancy trousers with the top buttons undone and I fold the flaps of these neatly under (long camis to cover these). I keep my scarf on whenever it gets a little cool in the office, although the heating is sometimes too much for this.

I try to sit down as much as possible, but when I do stand up I make sure I try to hold stomach in just slightly.

I make sure I do do not touch my bump and try not to get into this habit at home which is getting quite difficult now. I also avoid the 'pregnant' walk.

I have made all appointments out of work hours so there are none to make excuses for.

I am 16 weeks and slim to begin with, so my (first pregnancy) bump is getting quite large now. However think I will be able to keep it hidden for another month.

[littleElif]

did not have the bump issue (did not show until well over 20 weeks) but was quite sick. I was able to sneak out of the office to puke into the bushes close by instead of using the office toilet - everybody would have heard me there...

[witches]

I couldn't even though it was my first also showing from about 6weeks, now at 11 everyone was starting to talk to growing bump rather than me and therefore gave up trying to hide. Im so impressed with people who manage to hide it Amanda Holden amazed me, everyone's different in my case sooo obvious.

[EldritchCleavage]

Wear a scarf over your enormous boobs. At my workplace one male colleague guessed and I'm sure it was from staring at my chest.

[pookamoo]

I've also been carrying something in front of me if I have no choice but to get up and walk around... lots of files have been going from one end of the building to the other and back again for no reason at all!