Bump 'concealing' clothing

[Linguini]

Hello... I was wondering if anyone had any pointers on how to dress to look like you are not pg when you are in your 22nd week.

I am not there yet, (a fair way off) but there is an important event where I need to promote my business, when I may be 22 wks. This will be my first so I don't know, but I think it's still only a small bump at that time?

I will def be showing off my bump proudly once the time is right, but only around friends and family until that time.

Until then are there any pointers like, separates that work or baggy things, certain shapes? Or do I have to accept that I will just definitely look pg and that's that.

Please help ! Thank you.

[CatsCantFlyFast]

I wouldn't have been able to hide my bump at 22 weeks. Having said that I think tops like a waterfall cardigan plus a drapey scarf may give you a chance

[Alice2014]

I hid mine really well until about 32 weeks - waterfall cardigans and scarfs really work wonders. That being said, I was really hot and that was during the winter; so with spring / summer approaching you may struggle a little.

[evertonmint]

I couldn't have hidden my first 2 by then but am only just being clocked at 26 weeks this time round. IME there's a week where your tummy just pops out and there's not much you can do about it once it has.

My tips are: nothing too tight (blouse rather than Lycra top), nothing empire line and a big scarf.

A loose, long cardigan or a blazer is also handy for providing further disguise.

Even if people notice, just don't refer to it yourself, answer any questions briefly and then refocus them back on your business and you will come across well - either as not pregnant and a great businesswoman or as pregnant and a great businesswoman.

[MissSlackPants84]

I struggle to hide mine at 21+2. Just go for loose fitting clothes if possible :-)

[eurochick]

I reckon a black dress, blazer and scarf are your best bets for hiding it, but depending on bump growth you might struggle anyway.

[Linguini]

Thanks guys, I'll probably go for black and floaty looking things. Scarves are a nice idea and I like those anyway. It's good to know I may have a chance of people not noticing :)

[peeapod]

your best bet is to have a google of clothes suitable for hiding tummies. Or plus size style ideas. The bigger ladies usually have tummy hiding down to a tee (iv been doing tummy hiding without thinking about it)

[Littleoaktree]

My best item for hiding a bump at work was a fitted jacket that buttons with a single button about 1-2inches under the bust as that gives an illusion of still having a waist and disguises the bump. Add a scarf and most people at 22wks wouldn't notice or you certainly wouldn't be obviously pregnant. Personally I think floaty things can actually emphasis that you have something to hide.

[LightTripper]

Definitely go for a scarf up top: helps boost your top half size and keep everything in proportion! It's not so much about hiding the bump as keeping things in proportion: I found even when my bump was visible, a scarf wrapped around my neck helped boost my boob area, so everything looked more in proportion.

If you have thin legs then maybe go for a skirt or fitted trousers too.

I would agree with waterfall cardigan: or actually a short open jacket/blazer can work well too (again, eye gets drawn to the bits of you that aren't sticking out, and people looking at you from the side just see jacket and not bump).

Colour-wise I would try a black/charcoal dress or top, and then maybe go a bit brighter with jacket/scarf.

I think I was definitely showing by then - but not so much that strangers or people who didn't know were daring to ask about it yet. So even if you can't hide it enough that people don't even wonder, hopefully you can hide it enough that it doesn't become a discussion topic!

Good luck, LTxx

[thebestnameshavegone]

this probably won't be what you're after if you need something smart, but I find that wearing a zipped-up gilet/body warmer hides my bump very well at the moment - i'm 19 weeks but quite big. its only now that its warm enough not to have it zipped up that people are beginning to notice.

[somedizzywhore1804]

I'm just 23 weeks now and not huge (first baby). I can hide it with a scarf and a cardigan. No hiding it in a dress now though.

[LastOneDancing]

I was massive at 22 weeks but wore a black vest-type top with a chunky necklace, black blazer and skinny trousers at Christmas and didn't look half as pregnant as I was.

You can also get Mama spanx - I haven't used them and suspect they might get uncomfortable after a few hours but you could see if they'll save you a few inches if you do pop before then?

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

You may well struggle to hide it, I would have done even with my first.

However, in a business context you want to break up the eye as much as possible. So something like dress, jacket worn open, and scarf filling the middle and drawing the eye upwards. So long as you know you won't take the jacket off.

Nothing empire line, nothing too tight. Gentle draping is what you are after.

Also bear in mind that, if people know you, it may not be your bump that gives you away. Ankles, arse and face can also look pretty pregnant by this stage! Doesn't mean much if people are meeting you for the first time, but if they know you well they may guess from other than the bump.

[amy246]

I wore a baggy top today to try and cover up my little bump (I'm only 12 weeks!). Immediately people guessed what was going on! I couldn't believe it! Lol. I can't imagine I'll be able to hide it at all!

[Linguini]

Lol. Great advise every1, thanks. Luckily most people there won't have met me in person, it's very re-assuring to hear pointers like the jacket open and the Mama Spanx (think I will give those a go).

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

Also, depending on context, a large handbag, a clipboard/folder, etc can be helpful. You are basically after anything that avoids a clear side-on (or partially side on) view of your tummy!