I wouldn’t say that I am a fashionista, atleast not in the sense that I have to have the best, the brightest, and the newest pair of shoes or dress on the market the second its available. I do, however, like to look good, feel good, and wear something that doesn’t look like it fell out of the 1800s or the 1970′s.

Unfortunately when you become pregnant, fashion is the last thing that is generally on your mind but in a lot of ways it should be first. Its a simple fact that if you look good, you FEEL great and since this pregnancy has been just short of pure misery, Ill take whatever happiness I can find and wherever I can find it.

Now I have shared quite a few pictures of myself during this pregnancy; it was a promise to myself that I would have more then one shot pregnant, since I only had a total of 2 with Charlotte the entire 9 months. And I have heard a lot of “I love your dress” and “Where did you get that outfit” on facebook, twitter, and my blog. I have also heard it in person, which is ultra flattering.

Last week a woman told me I looked beautiful while I was walking around at Target.

A girl doesn’t really tire from hearing that; even from complete strangers.

So I am going to let you in on a little secret…SKIP the maternity clothes. In the beginning with the rush of being pregnant and growing out of the size 3′s (and crying myself to sleep over it), I got all panicky and ran to all the maternity places. I admit I bought dresses, shorts, tanks and even maternity leggings- you know, the ones w/ the stomach pouch? While they mainly fit “ok”, overall my frump level went way up and my sex appeal, way down. Maternity clothes are made baggy….and lets be realistic here, I want people to realize I am PG, not just sitting at the computer eating ho-hos all day. Ill embrace the stomach, thankyouverymuch.

I also want to feel sexy. Not that sexy is a goal while pregnant, clearly the sexy was there BEFORE the pregnancy, which resulted in the pregnancy, but sexy is still a great feeling in general.

I decided then and there to redo my clothing tactic.

I would only buy clothing with no waistlines, that were just regular, every day, any person clothes. I found that I could still wear my regular size, which in this case is S and in some brands an XS, and just show off the bump for what it was. The beauty in the entire process is that the clothing will STILL be usable when the pregnancy is over, so the guilt is far less in purchasing now then wasting a ton of money on something Ill wear a month as maternity and never see again.

Now I know what you may be thinking….”my pregnant butt would never fit in normal clothes“. Well, you are wrong. My A’s went to a D, my size 20 something waistline is hovering at a percentage I wont even disclose to my closest friends, and my hips have undoubtedly moved. Again.

The brands I found that have worked the best for me are the following:

Less Expensive (Find at Kohls, Dillards, Target, etc)

• Soprano
• Lapis
• LaPagee
• Mudd
• My Michelle ( I like the dresses that come w/ the elastic belts)
• IzByer
• Mon Amie

More Expensive, but Oh so much nicer! Find at department stores and discount shopping like Marshall’s, TJ Maxx

• MaxStudio* (these are the two best lines I have found)
  
• Max Azira*
• Calvin Klein
• Cynthia Rowley
• Mercer & Madison

Now my little webcam fashion show isnt that great, but none of the clothing here is maternity and represents my growing March till Now Belly. The most expensive dress in the pictures is $24.99  and the least is $16.99:

See!

Save your maternity wardrobe and just find classic, no waistline pieces that will continue to make you look beautiful…during, and after, baby.

~Trisha