heffallump to hot sexy mama!

[imissbrie]

I'm 15 weeks preggers and I'm in that awkward justlookingabitfat stage. BUT I work in a trendy vintagey bar/restaurant where we can where what we want but I feel I have to look nice (as everyone else does!)

Basically I could cry getting ready for work in the morning, feeling like a big heffalump. Doesn't, help that my hairdresser gave me a gawd awful short fringe!! No tops fit me! All is see is jiggley belly!!

So how to adjust, fashionable/current looks that can be carried off by us big mammas! We have a long way to go so lets start early!

So some fashion tips I have found look nice so far is

the obvious one where black lol
black maxi skirt : goes with everything and I think will look great when i get a big bump!!
leggings with over sized knitted jumper/cardy : looks very in with the season, covers the jiggley bits and is fashionable, no? Big woolly jumpers are so in now dahling!! ;)

denim/plaid shirts over plain tops : hide the arms, deters attention from jiggley belly.

OK that's my magical tips (pretty crap eh?)

Thats why I NEED YOURS!! please help!!

My magical tips?

STOP seeing it as a jiggly belly. It's not. It's a bump, regardless of what it looks like right now. If it were a jiggly belly it could be reduced with a low calorie diet and exercise.

Plain t-shirts and a bump-band can be worn with pretty much anything.

STOP seeing it as a jiggly belly. This is so important I've said it twice. It's not something you should be 'deterring attention' from. It's there, it's not going anywhere, you may as well embrace it.

Haha thats me told.

I just feel its just at that awkward 'not quite a bump' stage. I cant wait to have a beautiful bump. I hope I don't come across as awfully vain unfortunately I'm just feeling a bit down in the dumps about my looks at the mo (probs all the hormones!) and I'm trying to think positively and think of ways I can combat it! A shopping trip wouldn't do any harm so I want peoples tips before I go splashing out!

If I dont feel like I look good at work it affects my whole demeanor, I am more reserved and quiet, It knocks my confidence.

Obviously I couldnt care less in the house! Joggy's and jammies all the way!!

I'm at the same stage (16wks) and know how you feel! It's a difficult stage. I work in an office and have to wear a suit so not sure mine will be much use... But what I find works best is fitted jackets with one button that do up just under the bust - that draws attention to the one bonus of pg - bigger boobs and away from stomach! Also like scarfs/pussy bow tops etc which again draw attention away. I'm not trendy though

the scarves and pussy bow tops is a good idea!

I got a pair of maternity chinos from asos too and they are super comfy. I'd love to find some pretty empire line dresses but I have had no luck so far.

I think black maxi dresses look stunning with a bump, however its not really the right season for that!!

Next had a really nice navy maxi dress with long sleeves in their maternity sale section - would look great with a big loose and low-slung belt.

I love jersey dresses with opaque (60 denier or above) black tights and little shoe boots (small heel, not towering!
Today I am wearing (am 24 weeks pg) Maroon wrap jersey dress, brown thin belt under bust, black 60 deniers, brown shoe boots, and my Mumsnet brown leopard print scarf. I have a couple of dresses and I change the colour of belt/shoes/boots/scarf accordingly!

I had the same problem, and then at 16 weeks my jiggly belly turned into a bump almost overnight. Be prepared that this stage won't last long, and it will change quickly.

I know how you're feeling too. I feel like I'm being blown up with a football pump when I'm pregnant - the weight goes on at an incredible rate. Bum, arms, boobs, bump - I feel sort of afloat in my own body, like it belongs to someone else! And if last time is anything to go by, I've got a couple of months before face, legs, hands and feet double in size too.

So for me too, it's not about not embracing my bump, it's about frantically trying to keep up with what I need to wear to look respectable and even a little bit like myself!

I'm also a big fan of jersey dresses, I have a flattering wrap cardigan which transforms all my basic maternity Ts with some chunky joules beads, and I like layering long vest tops underneath basic long sleeved Ts.

It's better this time because I've still got some of the better quality clothes left over from last time, and my post-preg clothes had to hide a wobbly belly for real so have been able to dig some of those out again too!

Enjoy the shopping :)

I couldn't agree more with Louisa. You'll probably spend a few weeks feeling bloated and not very comfortable with your new shape - but before you know it you'll be in maternity clothes! So I wouldn't spend too much money because you might only be wearing it for a few weeks

I found pair of low-slung (under bump) maternity trousers were good, I have a pair that are quite a fashionable straight cut in a good material that I wear for work, and they have lasted from about 14w through to my current 32w. Echoing what the others say, bump bands etc are really useful because you can often stay in your normal tops with the help of the band.

Also, I found a really decent pair of skinny jeans as soon as I could and they made me feel sooo much more normal again! Skinny jeans and knee boots, lovely stuff.

The one thing that I found did help a lot - psychologically, I guess - is that in London you can get these 'baby on board' badges which are to help you get seats on trains etc. I always had a badge of my coat because I commute, but the added bonus was that I felt that they explained away the 'is she just a bit chubby/bloated?' look you can get in the early months that can make you feel a little self-conscious in front of strangers!

I am 18 weeks and there were days were I jusy felt huge but now when I get up and see my beautiful bump I feel so much happier. Hang in there .

I am living in jumper dresses and long sleved jersey maxi dresses with brown winter boots and tights. Comfortable and warm and very bump friendly. xx