Clothes to minimise bump - 3rd trimester

[Vicky1110]

So, for personal reasons there are some people we haven't told we're expecting again, but now there has been an unforeseen situation in which we will have to go to a family gathering when I am approx 34/5 weeks - mid October. (And yes, a discussion has been had about telling them now, but we would still rather not tell this group of people as they will make a big stink out of it - so we're more comfortable just letting them come to what assumptions they want to, they aren't the kind to just ask me if I'm pregnant, and honestly I'm happy for them to think I'm just really fat).

I know it's going to be impossible to completely hide the bump (it is my biggest one yet), but are there any styles/outfits that I could wear to at least minimise how big my bump looks?

Any suggestions/tips would be helpful, thanks!

I can’t see how it’s going to be anything but incredibly obvious…?

But… a well placed scarf, a jacket that is unbutton, anything that drapes across the figure.

Floaty dress, long cardigan and scarf? But tbh I think it will be obvious either way at 34 weeks, my bump was on the small side but at this point, people said ‘make way for the pregnant lady’ as soon as I stepped on a bus.

A swing skirt might help but it'll only help hide it to an extent

Not a chance you’ll be able to cover it why do you need to go?

A very large handbag

As above I think whatever you try and do at that far along it will be really obvious. If they really can’t know about the pregnancy then I’d just feign last minute diarrhoea..

I think depends how frumpy you want to look.
I'm only 30weeks and carry small but even with oversized flowy dresses it's still very obvious I'm very pregnant
I could get away wearing dh winter coats zipped up probably and just look huge in general, but to look like I've actually gotten ready and dressed, there is no hiding it, and although as a pp has said, we'll placed bags and scarfs may help, but if you have to actively be in front of somebody for an extended period of time, I think trying to always hide your body behind a bag makes it even more obvious.

I get it though, we haven't told dh half of the family because of big stink potential. If your group of people are ones to not outright ask then carry on in usual clothes and if they do ask have a handy, "excuse me?" With a look of utter bewilderment on your face ready for a non answer

No horizontal stripes!

Well cut black trousers and and a swing sleeveless top with a stunning necklace - something very bright and huge - the kind of thing that people talk about.

Add amazing bracelets and bright shoes.

Divert attention away from your waist.

@Unexpectedlysinglemum it's a funeral, so kind of unavoidable. But telling them (even now this far in advance) would cause an awful stink - it's quite hard to go into/explain, family politics at its finest.

A black trench coat open with a large pashmina, long flowing skirt and a thigh length loose swing type top will minimise. I could hide mine right up but not possible for all women

@LaTable I don't care about looking frumpy or huge, and like I said I know I can't completely hide it, I just want to make it a bit less obvious/in your face. And we have already planned to just go to the service and leave before the wake, to try and minimise seeing people.

Like you, it is dh's people not mine - family politics are the worst!

@Mosaic123 @mamagogo1
Both brilliant ideas, thank you. I was already thinking a big coat open will hide a lot from the side, but hadn't thought about jewellery/accessories at all!

I agree would wear black trousers and loose top with an open jacket and large scarf

A button down maternity shirt works well because it falls straight from bust down (the style of the Maternity & Nursing Special Shirt from Vertbaudet), and a jacket or blazer over that, with maternity trousers or skirt underneath. Alternatively, a long dress like H&Ms MAMA Voluminous maxi dress with a jacket over.