Clothes / tights / underwear to hide bump

[ChampagneLassie]

I'm wanting to keep my growing belly under wraps for professional reasons. I'm 18 weeks and right now its barely visible, but wearing my normal work dresses which are quite fitted is looking increasingly risky. I tended to wear smart whistles/hobbs/LK bennett type dresses with a blazer (blazer still fits!)

I'm 5'7, size 10-12 with massive boobs (which helps). Any suggestions welcome. In particular maternity tights!

Thanks x

I wore fitted/slim leg trousers with a loose fitting silk shirt and relaxed blazer at that sort of stage.

Accessorise with a kitKat in each hand in the hope that they’ll just think you’ve put on weight?

Smock dresses and tops with maternity leggings/ trousers underneath for comfort? Bold patterns can also be good at hiding things maybe!

The 'Cos work smock' is your friend. With tights and loafers. The blazer can go on top.

www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.pleated-shirt-dress-green.0973697006.html

By the sounds of it we are a very similar build and everyone at work doubted I was pregnant until about 32 weeks. Admittedly I didn't have a big bump, but a blazer was particularly helpful. Also a knitted poncho now it is winter. Jigsaw do nice work appropriate ones. Also carrying a folder everywhere I went.

Oh and maternity anything makes your bump look bigger in my experience. For tights I just wore my usual M&S opaques pushed down below bump.

I'm 16 weeks (and feel huge) and am wearing snag tights in a size up from normal. Super comfy, pressure from my normal size was starting to make me feel queasy 🥴

I was the same build/size as you and didn't show at all really until the third trimester if that helps!

I had a couple of Me + Em trapeze/swing dresses that did me proud around that stage.

Scarf that hangs down. Breaks the eye line to the bump.

I'm a similar size/shape and I wore a blazer and often a floaty scarf draped round my neck but just hanging down each shoulder which elongated my silhouette further. I was 23 weeks when we went into lockdown and no one at work knew I was pregnant at that point. I was a bit thicker round the middle but styling with the scarf hid that.

Is it unprofessional to be pregnant?

I find wearing thicker leggings and a loose fitting jumper makes me look no different to when I’m not pregnant.

You could try a bump band, I think they’re for support but I can imagine they squeeze and lift a bit so might well help hide.

For work I had a Phase eight Bella swing dress in burgundy with a blazer.

Also a pair of slim leg maternity trousers, a loose silk blouse and a blazer.

Tights I just sized up.

I wore black trousers and a matt black T shirt under a boxy-style, brighter coloured jacket. All most people see is the jacket, everything else is in shadow.

Perfect that it's winter too, you can add a scarf or wrap for January & February, which hides a bit more.

I managed to get to 7 months with my first before I told my colleagues.

Thanks all this is really helpful. I've never really been one for wearing trousers and blouses but could give it a go. Liking the scarf idea too. I bought 4 dresses to try - big voluminous types that sort of hang from my boobs.

@MyMabel

Is it unprofessional to be pregnant?

I find wearing thicker leggings and a loose fitting jumper makes me look no different to when I’m not pregnant.

You could try a bump band, I think they’re for support but I can imagine they squeeze and lift a bit so might well help hide.

I run a business and meeting customers...they might not want to do business if they thought I was taking a chunk of time out in the not that distant future. Obviously I'm planning for this, but I don't see any reason to expedite the issue

@RaisedByPangolins

Accessorise with a kitKat in each hand in the hope that they’ll just think you’ve put on weight?

ha ha ha! I like it ;0