As a pregnant women, is style important?Does Fashion still matter?

[mytime777]

A number of my friends have recently become pregnant and I am really really surprised at how they have changed ie Some of my friends are really interested in fashion and would not be seen dead in something that was classed as 'last' season so to speak however since becoming pregnant are not too bothered.
I am hoping to start a family end of this year early next if all goes to plan; being quite fashion concious myself ( although not overly) , I am really intrigued at how pregnant women see themselves and fashion. I know priorities change and expecting a baby puts things into perspective but as an expectant mum is it still important to look good?

Should I expect to ignore my self image and take out the old oversized track suit for 9 months or do people still treat themselves to clothes, treatments etc to look and feel good during this time?

Look forward to hearing what the expectant mummies on Mn think...

On a more micro level I felt it was important to have a decent bra for feeding. I know it's only a small thing but those nasty unwired hammocks gave me mono-boob and once I realised there existed decent underwired bras it was a revelation. Anita bras were a godsend. I felt normal, myself, looked ok under clothes, and wore them for more than two years.

I think the original question is actually two separate questions:

1. Is style important - yes
2. Does fashion still matter - no

I would far rather look stylish than fashionable. But then, that has been true my whole life!

I wore what I thought suited me and what I felt good in, same as always. Fashion always comes behind those considerations for me, pregnant or not. It was very difficult to find a pregnancy-suitable bra that looked remotely pretty though, that was the worst thing.

OOh - dungarees - I used to have those. Will have a search and see if they are in the loft! Or invest in new ones. Great idea. Can wear with a vest and imagine I have arms like Jennifer Anniston. It might work if I sterr clear of my Dawn French reflection!

I've been luckier this pregnancy than I was with the last in that I don't seem to have put on too much weight, so my face, ankles, wrists etc haven't been too puffy. Two pairs of maternity leggings from Boden have been my absolute saviours - can wear them with most of my non-pregnancy tunics, even now at 33 weeks. I usually wear flats anyway, so haven't had to make a transition from heels, though am finding that my feet are definitely spreading a bit, so am tending to keep away from my favourite pairs.

My BIG gripes with maternity wear are as follows: quality of fabric and availability. So much maternity wear is still only made out of cheap and nasty synthetics - the last thing I want next to my itchy, expanding skin. So more maternity wear in nice, breathable natural fibres would be great.

My other big gripe is availability. The big labels, like Gap and topshop only seem to offer maternity ranges in their really big stores and Gap doesn't sell their maternity gear online (at least, not that I've been able to find). Dragging my big bumpy body into oxford st isn't really an option, so some more online provision would be great.

forgot to say - Cos can be pretty good for non-maternity gear which will still cover the bump.

I am also trying to keep my style but it is very difficult. However, I certainly won't be going out and buying any sort of tracksuit/sportswear as I wouldn't wear it when not pregnant so why now? I have bought most of my maternity clothes from Topshop (love my skinny maternity jeans - don't do bootcut) or H&M because it is so difficult to find anything remotely nice or that fits well without spending a fortune otherwise.
It is still important to me to look stylish, but I doubt you will see me in killer heels for the next 3 months that's for sure, I gave those up pretty soon after my BFP!!

I wouldnt even think about too much i pretty much wore non maternity the whole time besides one top and a few pairs of tights, i never was uncomfortable though and didnt wear a tracksuit until i was 40 weeks +
it was a gap Body one and dead comfortable so i bought more

and with the breastfeeding if you are planing to, i think people make a HUGE deal of it my son is now almost 7 months still breastfed and i wear what i want when i want, i dont always wear a vest but sometimes do its not that hard honest!, i even wear shift dresses.
dont fret

oh and another point people who wear make up everyday and do there hair are constantly told ''you wont care about that when your in labour'' i disagree i put on blusher mascara and a bit of powder and put my hair up nicely DP near wet himself laughing as did i but i liked the pictures
[and and and, it was in a pool and i my mascara didnt run and i cried]

I did a fake tan and had my eyelashes dyed before my ELCS, because I knew I couldn't wear make up. I felt much better for it, as I would never normally go out of the house without makeup, I don't care if that makes me vain!!

Why is it considered vain to feel more confident when you look good? I've never got my head around that one!

this is my third pregnancy so my maternity clothes were fashionable 6 years ago

I will be mostly living in thick tights/leggings and tunic-y dresses. Also I like a flat slouchy boot as they are easy to get on and off even when superlarge belly in the way.

I don't think I have style when not pregnant so to me it doesn't matter when I am. However I mainly live in jeans and tops, so stick to these when pregnant.

I've never been classed as on trend, tending to buy things that fit well/suit my shape and purpose. When pregnant I wore things that flattered my bump, which happened to be a lot of things that were in trend, but that wasn't the reason I bought them. Leggings were my staple, especially overbump, soooo comfy. Normally I would never ever wear leggings. Also wrap around dresses, last dress I wore was my wedding dress and that may have been the first one on 7/8 years. I really miss my maternity wear, I loved the length and fit of all of it, it's harder to shop now as the poor fit/cut of stuff of everything, and back to being a bit depressed. Sad, but I want another baby to have an excuse to wear my maternity wear again.

I don't wear makeup haven't done for neally nine years (wedding day). Hair with DD I had long hair that needed straightening everyday, when in labour I told DH not to mop my brow (well shouted at him) because it was making my fringe curly. With DS and this one, don't care I have chopped it all off, and it just needs towel drying then one blast with hairdryer and a bit of gel and it's done.

I've tried to keep looking as nice as I possibly can this pregnancy but it's been hard to stick with my usual style. There are so many pretty dresses with nipped-in waists, gorgeous trousers, and divine high heels in shop windows this summer which I would normally buy but I simply won't fit / be comfortable in them!

I'm also conscious our household income will go down once I'm on maternity leave so have been saving my money. I really haven't wanted to spend loads on maternity clothes that I won't wear again.

So I have bought a few cheap things which are as flattering and comfortable as possible but am certainly not myself in the fashion stakes at the moment! My standard look these days are either leggings with pretty tunic or jeans and stretchy but fitted top. I have about 4-5 outfits that I rotate!

I literally have about 6 outfits, but thankfully work from home or I'd be insane trying to stay looking smart. Have i maintained my normal standards? NO! I would never normally be caught dead in a pair of leggings (I really don't have the legs for them), lo and behold I now have 2 pairs (H&M) which I will wear most days, a pair of mat denims (Next), and 3 dresses, 2 of which aren't mat dresses (Debenhams/H&M), just bought in a bigger size, one is a stretchy lycra one in my fat size. I can highly recommend the v. long spaghetti strap stretchy vest tops from Primark (go a few sizes up), which are a few pounds each, are really cool and comfy, wash well and look fine under a cardi/jacket and will be great if the summer ever decides to arrive. I was determined not to spend too much money, as I'll never be preggers again and the clothes will be ceremoniously burned shortly after I give birth.

So the trick is to get a few outfits set and rotate etc . I guess its will just be hard if you have a party/wedding etc.. would maybe have to spend a little more to get a posh maternity wedding/party dress - everyone i know at the mo is pregnant , trying or getting married oh and its the year of 30th parties next year too.. :)

I have 2 weddings in July and intend to spend a little more as I should be able to wear it for both!

Never wore maternity stuff, by the time I got big enough I was around 7.5/8 months so was not long to go anyway.

I just stuck with buying size 12 skirts worn under bump and there are so many smock kind of tops on sale these days I could always find something quite pretty to fit. Unless you've got quite a bit of cash purpose made maternity wear is not worth it.

When i was pregnant with my first, he's now 21, i couldn't wait to wear striped dungarees!!! Pale blue and white, i loved them.

I attempt to still dress nicely when I leave the house or go to work. I have always been an avid pj's lover though and nowdays, as soon as I step foot back into the house my pj bottoms go back on! They are just much more comfortable than anything else! Please tell me I am not the only!

I do think purpose made maternity wear is essential for 3rd trimester or bigger bumps but it is hard finding a choice of stylish wear. The amount of jersey fabric really annoys me, I know it's meant to grow with your bump but it's also an excuse for maternity wear manufacturers to utilise a cheap, easy-to-sew fabric that doesn't wash and wear well and charge a lot of money for it. I avoid any jersey fabrics whilst pg except for leggings and long sleeves tops. I love chiffon-type fabrics for dresses, tops and smocks as it's light, floaty, comfortable, feminine and doesn't cling to all lumps and bumps.

There are not enough decent maternity dresses out there, which is why the resale value on Ebay is very good for nice maternity dresses. Dresses are great because add a pair of leggings or some skinny jeans or black tights and you're done. No under/overbump decision, totally comfortable.

Style is important but following fashion during pregnancy is probably not so important for all but a small number of pregnant women.

Having said that though sleepys there are loads of very nice quality jersey maxi dresses about in the 'normal' shops with room for a bump at the moment. It depends on your shape but I look ridiculous in maternity maxi dresses (I own 1, DS goes underneath and uses it like a play tent if I stand still for too long).

The non maternity ones look great, there is also the chance that I might wear them one the baby has arrived.

Yes, I think it probably depends on your figure Phylliis The more expensive jersey items can drape nicely, but anything cheaper (high street maternity jersey barring possibly Topshop which is slightly heavier and better quality) emphasises every lump and bump (bra bulge/saddlebags/chunky thighs etc). Once it has been worn and possibly ironed a few times (even inside out) the edges of most jersey fabrics fade and/or bobble. Whereas a chiffon or viscose dress pretty much lasts forever.

If I had Abby Clancy's figure (oh I wish!) I would probably live in jersey just to show it off however.